“Arianna?” Rion’s labored voice. Rion. She needed to save Rion. Other hands clamped around her shoulders. Who were they? Saoirse? Raevina?
“Stay with us.” Warmth spread through the back of Arianna’s head, then a hand wrapped around her own, sending that same current blasting down her arm again. She tried to letgo, but the creature within her body held on, as if it controlled her fingers now.
“I’m here,” Rion said.
I’m here. I’m here. I’m here, but I don’t—pain speared through her again, but anger consumed it. Too many hands were on her. Too many voices echoed in her head. Too many choices were being stripped away.
Not this one.
Arianna forced her eyes open and grabbed The Demon’s arm with both hands. She ignored the pain and focused on the venom in his body. Her palms glowed, and she grabbed the oozing substance, all but tearing it through his system.
The Demon cried out, his voice echoing somewhere far away as she worked. His palm hit the ground, fingernails digging into the dirt. Arianna didn’t relent. She kept pulling, replenishing, pulling, replenishing. Over and over and over, moving as fast as her magic would allow.
Arianna’s heart raced, something inside her crescendoing to a panic she couldn’t explain. Her vision focused enough for her to see the pain displayed across The Demon’s face. Rion. Rion’s face. That torment tugged at forgotten pieces in her heart. Shards buried beneath mounds of darkness. Those very shards fought for freedom, thrashing against the black netted bindings that held them in place.
The edges of her vision cleared. She could feel the others watching, Saoirse most of all. The female clung to her brother’s shoulders, attempting to steady him. Arianna dove in one final time, her hands nearly numb from the searing shock that continued burning down her arms. Gods above, it hurt.
With a final tug, Arianna yanked her hands back and collapsed onto her backside. Rion gasped, sweat rolling down his face as he leaned further into Saoirse. They both panted, taking several seconds to steady themselves before anyone spoke.
“You’re all right?” Saoirse asked, looking her brother over as if she might see his wounds for herself.
Rion patted her hand. He didn’t pull away from her. “I’m not sure that was any better than last time.”
Arianna peered up at him. The Demon was studying her, his expression haggard. Last time … what did he mean? Was this what Talon had been referring to? Was that the moment she’d saved him and their relationship had grown into something more?
Saoirse finally relaxed. “If I never have to see you at the edge of death again, it’ll be too soon.”
Rion smiled slightly, but his gaze was locked with Arianna’s. Her breath hitched at the longing there. A deep pull she couldn’t explain. It made her own chest ache. A mirror to his expression. A strange sense of relief washed through her at seeing him okay. But hadn’t she just wanted to kill him a few moments ago?
The Demon’s damp hair hung over his emerald eyes. So much depth. A story. There was a story in those beautiful irises.
The shards in her body fought harder, yanking against their shadowy restraints. She wanted them free. She wanted to know once and for all what Vairik might have done to her mind. Her body.
His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but Rion stopped himself. They were close. So unbelievably close that she could have reached out without much hindrance.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
Those surrounding the pair seemed to disappear. She could still change her mind and end him, but somehow the rage that had been consuming her had been quelled. Was it her magic? The absence of the shadow? A trick?
Arianna could scent him now, taking in that intoxicating presence. It promised so many things she didn’t want to think about, yet so many things she longed for.
“Thank you,” he breathed. Her lips parted. He took a breath, hesitated, then stood on shaking legs. Saoirse stood with him, never leaving his side. “We should go.” She followed his gaze to the burning tree line.
Right, they couldn’t exactly sit here. The inferno was basically a beacon begging Vairik to investigate.
Arianna met Rion’s gaze again. She didn’t understand the contradicting feelings coursing through her. Maybe she wouldn’t until she reached Nàdair, but he’d helped her and Ellie. Even if it was all a trick, a temporary ally was still an ally.
Temporary. She’d keep her guard up. She wouldn’t be fooled by his actions or words. After all, the best deceptions were planted using the truth. Her only problem was the growing inability to discern which was which.
Chapter Eleven
Arianna
The mountains loomed closer with every passing step. They were a towering reminder of just how much Vairik had influenced their world. As a youngling, Arianna had been warned to avoid them at all costs, but she’d walked the trails between those ancient trees. She didn’t know how or when, but Arianna remembered the fearsome creature she’d met within.
Guardians, Connall had called them. Not Dark Fae at all, but creatures meant to protect their people. To protect her and her mate. Arianna glanced toward The Demon. Their pace had slowed considerably. The wagon and horses were gone. Talon carried Ellie on his back, and all who’d been affected by the venom struggled for the strength to keep moving.
