Airess told herself that all the events leading up to this moment had clouded her mind, her judgment, because she could haveswornshe felt that same familiar energy radiating off the Fae male from the ball at the current moment. She must be feeling things, because when she took in her surroundings before walking into the outbuilding, she saw nothing but a black forest beyond her.
Pulling her cloak over her shoulders, she shoved the outhouse door open. Never had she ever used a building like this, but Airess knew she would quickly have to adapt—
A hand gripped her forearm and yanked her backwards. Her scream was stifled by another hand covering her mouth as she was pushed against the wall. Her gold eyes widened in surprise as she met silver ones underneath the hood of a cloak.
The male towered over her, pressing his forearm against her collarbone to pin her against the wall. Surprisingly, he was gentle, the pressure firm but not enough to cause pain.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Please,don’t yell,” a male voice said with a Runean accent present. He removed his hand from her lips and angled his head down to look at her. She instinctively opened her mouth to yell, to scream.
No sound came out.
Her brows creased at her lack of control. Panic set in, her heart beginning to beat rapidly.
He spoke, his tone low, “Follow me.”
He released her and stepped back, lowering his hood, having the decency to give her a chance to look at him. Airess gazed over his disheveled curly hair and straight nose. Those steel-colored eyes glowed faintly, like moonlight casting over a still pond. He wore the same collection of earrings on one ear as before, yet he had changed into different clothes. Her eyes narrowed into slits.
“You.” Her tone was pure venom.
The male grimaced, as if her voice had physically lashed him. Without saying another word, he stiffly turned away from her and walked in the opposite direction into the woods.
She inhaled a sharp breath as her legs began to move of their own accord, her body following him, each step betraying her freewill. She pressed her hand on the tops of her thighs, trying to stop them, but her efforts were in vain. She walked right up to the male, walking by his side, her shouldertouchinghis arm.
“What’s happening?” she whispered, her breath quickening, her body breaking out in a sweat.
“I’ve only compelled you to follow me because I do not wish to harm you, and I know you wouldn’t follow me willingly,” the Fae male confessed, his explanation defensive, as if he too saw the immorality in what he was doing.
“Youcompelledme?” She repeated, realizing how subtle the compulsion felt in her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing every atom of her body to resist.
Stubbornly, she planted her feet in the ground, refusing to move them. She hissed as she fought the compulsion Magick, feeling a stabbing pain within her mind. Airess fought it, her breath labored as she strained her own muscles to comply. Slowly, one foot moved to take another step, her freewill beginning to shatter. Her leg muscles trembled as she tried to resist.
“Fighting it will only cause you pain. You’ll only make it worse.”
Her strength faltered. She resumed walking forward, releasing a deep breath. She looked back to the Inn, watching it disappear from view as they walked into the woods, Esper’s plan crumbling by the second.
“What do you want?” Airess asked sharply. The male chose not to respond, his gaze forward as if she hadn’t spoken at all. His jaw clenched and he refused to meet her gaze. Airess’s fear transformed into anger, her face twisting into an ugly sneer.
“Where are you taking me?Whyare you doing this?”
No response.
The silence scraped her nerves, and although her legs moved against her will, she could still control her arms. Airess had never struck someone before, but desperation had taken over. She succumbed to the basic instinct of survival.
She raised a fist and swung wildly, aiming straight for his face.
He pivoted out of the way with ease, seizing both of her wrists. Airess jolted forward, crashing into his body. She almost tripped, but his firm grip held her upright. She glared up at him, too angry to feel fear in this moment.
“Let me go,” she said through gritted teeth, her face taut.
He raked his eyes down her face, and to her surprise, the corners of his lips turned up with amusement.
“You will not strike me again.” He commanded, and then gently let go of her. He walked forward as if nothing happened.
“You—you—Who are you?” Airess asked, her voice shaking with rage. Rage at the fact that he seemingly found their situationfunny. Airess thought he was going to ignore her again, a beat of silence lasting too long. Finally, he sighed and gave in. “I’m taking you to my Guildmaster.”
Airess’ eyes almost bulged out of her head. There was only one Guild she had heard of before that used witchcraft, a compulsion Magick powerful enough to compel others against their freewill.
“The Mrkynian Guild?”
