“What is that?” Dain asks, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. “It feels like—”
“Magic,” I finish his sentence.
Dread trickles down my spine as fog curls across the floor. A ring of shimmering blue smoke unfurls beside Vivienne, the edges of it flickering like flame as someone steps through.
My heart stops. It’s an Incubus.
They are powerful creatures, with magic that rivals our own.
He has black horns, blue skin, short, black claws, and bat-like wings. He’s tall and heavily muscled. His orange, reptilian eyes calmly sweep the room, setting my instincts on edge.
“Who are you?” I demand. “Why are you here?”
His gaze settles on Vivienne, and a predatory smile curves his lips, revealing two rows of sharp, white fangs, as his arrow-tipped tail flicks behind him. “My name is Taryx,” he says, his voice smooth and deep. “I’ve come on behalf of King Branneth’thyr of Thornreach.” Panic spikes through me as he turns toward my mate. “And you must be Princess Vivienne.”
Magic surges through my veins in a violent rush, blue energy crackling across my palms as I bare my fangs. “Stay away from my mate,” I growl, placing myself in front of her, hiding her from his line of gaze. “Or I will end you.”
“The Goblin King demands your presence at his court, Princess,” he says smoothly, leaning to the side just enough to see her behind me. “The time has come to settle your bargain.”
“She is my Queen,” I snarl. “And she stays here.”
He sighs, as though disappointed. “I really hoped this would be easy.” He steps back through the ring of smoke, disappearing.
Vivienne screams, and I spin back as the portal reappears beside her, and the Incubus steps through.
I reach for her, but slam into an invisible barrier. Clenching my jaw, I send a bolt of energy toward it, but it bounces harmlessly off. My power surges and the air crackles with arcs of blue lightning as I strike the barrier again and again, but it does not yield.
Behind me, the others are shouting, lashing at the invisible wall with their powers, but it is useless. We cannot reach her.
Panic constricts my lungs as she beats her fists against the magic shield, crying out, “Auren!”
“Come along,” Taryx says, gripping her arm to pull her toward the portal. “The Goblin King awaits.”
“Leave me alone!” She jerks free of his grasp.
“Do not touch her!” I snarl. Rage blisters through me as I lash out again with my magic, hitting the barrier with everything I have.
The Incubus wraps his hand around her wrist and pulls her toward him.
She punches and kicks out, struggling to break free. “Let me go!” she yells. “Now!”
Taryx lifts his hand almost lazily. A soft shimmer of light gathers in his palm and he flicks his wrist, sending a puff of sparkling dust in her face.
“No!” I cry out, because I already know what it is.
Vivienne’s terror-filled eyes meet mine. “Auren.” She reaches for me, and my heart stops as her body goes slack, and she crumples to the ground.
“Vivienne!” I charge forward, slamming into the invisible wall, but it’s no use.
The Incubus lifts her unconscious form from the floor and turns toward the ring of blue smoke.
Desperate to save her, I tear at the barrier, my magic spiraling out of control as I struggle to break through.
“The Goblin King sends his regards,” Taryx says over his shoulder as he steps into the portal and vanishes.
Panic and anger flood my veins as my magic crackles around me, searching, striking, lashing out violently at the spot where the Incubus stood only moments ago.
“Auren!” Tarin’s voice pulls me back from the edge.
