“Nothing at all, then. Too bad for you,” Elyssa answered, letting a small grin play on her lips. Her sword dug deeper, drawing a strangled curse from the fae that her bad hearing could only half pick up on.
Farren put his hand on her arm. “He’ll talk. Won’t you?”
Elyssa pulled the blade back slightly.
“I have nothing to say to you wretched beings.” The fae snarled, muttering something that Elyssa didn’t fully catch, but one look from Farren told her it was nothing more than insults.
Elyssa turned her sword in a flash and struck the fae across his face with the handle. He spat blood, hissing in pain. Chest tightening, her body temperature rising, Elyssa lifted her arm for another blow, but Farren halted her, playing his role as the good guy. She was always the bad guy.
Truthfully, if the roles were reversed, it would never work. She knew she had a temper, and Farren’s soul was too kind for all the violence he was constantly dragged into. When Eyden was with them, Farren liked to joke that her brother took over the role of the bad one while Elyssa rose to theseriously-pissed-offone.
She’d gladly wear that badge with pride. Anything to get answers. To start a goddamn revolution.
Holding the guard’s gaze, Elyssa turned her sword as she moved the tip to his chest, right above his heart, his life source. There wasn’t much that could kill a fae, but an almandine sword through the heart would do the trick. His breathing stuttered.
“Last chance,oh blessed one,” she taunted.
The vein on his forehead beat visibly beneath his ashen skin. “You’ll burn in hell for this.” Blood ran down his nose.
“You’ll get crispy first,” Elyssa answered, increasing the pressure of the blade. “If you see the Dark King, tell him to go fuck himself.”
“I second that,” a loud voice she’d recognise anywhere said. Elyssa’s gaze swung up to spot her brother, who was leaning against the wall closing them into the alley. Appearing out of nowhere, as per usual. “Couldn’t wait, could you?”
Elyssa shrugged, drawing her sword back. “Crime waits for no one.”
Farren held up his hands as Eyden’s piercing ice-blue eyes landed on him. “Don’t blame me. I couldn’t stop her if I tried.”
“Good point.” Eyden’s serious exterior crumbled slightly as a half-smile appeared on his face, his brown skin gleaming in the sun. He kicked at the fae’s head faster than Elyssa’s eyes could track, and the guard lost consciousness again.
Farren pulled out his moonstone. “I could’ve let him sleep again, you know.”
“He deserved it,” Elyssa said as Eyden countered, “Save your strength.” A small smile played on her lips. Although they had their fights, ultimately, she and Eyden were on the same page.
“So, what kept you from our little adventure? Did you go on a wild goose chase again, following Layken?” Elyssa asked.
“No, he’s still a ghost. Never anywhere for long,” Eyden said, pinching his lips together. “But Ilario called—”
“Yourimaginary friendcalled,” Elyssa interrupted, a teasing grin on her lips. Eyden leaned against the wall and shook his head, dark curls falling into his face. “Do continue. What did yourfriendhave to say?”
Pushing off the wall, Eyden came closer, probably so she could hear him better as the wind picked up. “He was meeting with one of his regulars who has access to the palace. Ilario finally got him to invite him to an exclusive palace party tonight.” Elyssa’s heart sped faster. This was their chance. After five years of dreaming, it was finally happening. “And he gave Ilario a plus one.” Eyden’s eyes drifted to her.
Her heart sank. “Only one? For fuck’s sake.” She wouldn’t be able to go.
“It would’ve been too risky, El. You can’t blend in with the fae crowd.” Eyden didn’t say it harshly. It was the truth, nothing more.
“Great.” Elyssa sighed, pushing back a few strands of hair that had escaped her high ponytail. She would sit this out, let Eyden stalk out the situation, but she wasn’t going to stand by for long. “What does this stinking rich fae want in exchange?”
Eyden opened his mouth, then closed it. “Some black market stuff.”
“That’s all?”
“I have it handled.” He shifted his feet. “I hope this will finally get us some real intel. Maybe I can even sneak away…if we’re not too late already.” The cold uncertainty in his tone stole her breath for a second. It was rare to see Eyden this emotional about anyone who wasn’t her. Elyssa knew that losing Lora haunted him more than he liked to admit.
“This is good, Eyden. We’re getting closer. Take this goddamn victory. No sulking allowed.” She punched his shoulder playfully.
A faint smile graced his lips as he tracked her fist. “I don’t sulk.”
Laughing, she caught sight of Farren biting his lip. “Whatever you say, sulker.” Crossing her arms, Elyssa tilted her chin up at her brother. “Do I need to rattle off the same riveting speech you always give me?”
