From the corner of my eye, I see Niko step in front of Evangeline, eyes narrow. I don’t like the way Oziel is looking at Evangeline. Like she’s a pretty pet he wishes to capture for himself. “Eyes on me, demon,” I growl.
Oziel’s deranged smile only widens more. He closes his eyes and makes a big scene of inhaling deeply. “Ah,this kingdom smells of death and decay. It’s…intoxicating.”
The death of our fae isn’t intoxicating. White-hot anger pulses through my body, tasting vile on my tongue. “What the fuck are you doing here, Oziel? Why did you bring a Nephilim? Are you working with them?” The questions roll out, all demanding answers. Oziel is many things, but foolish isn’t one of them. I doubt he’d align himself with the enemy, but my question still stands.
Oziel rolls his eyes. “You’ve never been fun to talk to, Zephyr. Always so serious. How dreadfully boring.”
The guards restraining Oziel falter, their magical barriers flickering as their strength wanes. Pale and visibly weakened, most haven’t eaten properly in days, their energy reserves nearly depleted. Recognizing their imminent collapse, I make a swift decision. “Withdraw your magic,” I command.
“Zephyr, what are you doing?” Niko grabs my arm, his iron-clad grip locking me in place. His expression twists—anger flaring in his eyes, confusion creasing his brow, and something else beneath it all… fear. His voice drops, tight with urgency. “This isn’t wise.”
“Their magic is failing, Niko. Just look around.” I gesture to the gaunt guards, unsteady on their own feet. “We will have more problems if we ask them to keep it up. Besides, it wouldn’t be wise for Oziel to trick us. Not during these trying times. He needs his magic too much, something the Nephilim are trying to rid us all of.”
“The angry one is correct,” Oziel speaks, clearlycatching every word of our conversation. “We’re all friends here.”
Niko’s jaw clenches. His hold on me loosens, only slightly. He reaches back for Evangeline and pulls her behind us. She squeaks, but is otherwise silent. I still think she would have fared better inside, but Niko doesn’t seem keen on letting the woman out of his sight. It’s only been a couple days, and already he can’t resist being the protector.
“State your business, Oziel. We have much to attend to,” Niko demands.
Oziel looks around. I know what he sees. Dying trees and grass the color of straw. Flowers no longer in bloom and people weakened by hunger. “Clearly,” he mutters. “Then I’ll be quick. I brought you a gift. Think of it as a wedding gift for your new little human wife.”
“You bring us a Nephilim?” Niko frowns. “Why would we accept such a gift?”
“Why indeed, fae king. I captured something for you. You see, Ender failed to mention some vital information about our pretty little human wives.”
“I feel sorry for the woman who is tied to you,” I say before I can stop myself.
Oziel only laughs. “Oh, my Kitten is something else. She’s a vicious little thing too. But I digress.” He then points to Evangeline. “You see, we believe our wives have a very special gift. One that will aid us well in the war to come.”
“Out with it, Oziel. Enough of the theatrics.” Niko glares. “Tell us what you mean.”
“It’ll be easier to show you,” Oziel says, his voice low and steady.
Before I can react, he moves with blinding speed. In one seamless motion, he draws a dagger from the sheath at his hip. I nearly call for the guards to use their magic just as Oziel drives the dagger deep into the Nephilim’s leg. The creature lets out a shriek—shrill and bone-rattling, like metal tearing through glass. The sound slices through the air, and both Niko and I instinctively clutch our ears, staggering from the force of it.
Even Oziel flinches, his jaw tightening as he braces himself against the sound, managing to stay upright while the rest of us falter.
The screaming goes on until the sound abruptly stops. My ears ring, the pounding in my head slowly diminishing into nothingness. The Nephilim is slumped over, nearly unconscious, with Oziel standing above it, holding the bloody dagger he ripped from the Nephilim. A dagger alone wouldn’t have caused that much damage. Oziel must have subdued the creature beforehand.
“Was that necessary?” I hiss.
But Oziel doesn’t acknowledge me. Instead, he shifts his attention, leaning slightly to peer past us toward Evangeline. His eyes narrow with interest.
“Did you hear something, little human?” he asks, his voice unnervingly calm, his eyes twinkling with unbridled interest.
I want to snap at him, to point out the obvious. That she heard the same gut-wrenching scream the rest of us did. That whatever twisted theory he’s forming in that sharp mind of his is dead wrong.
But when I turn to look at Evangeline, the words catch in my throat.
She’s gone pale, her complexion ashen. Her eyes are wide, glassy with shock, as if she’s just seen something long dead. Like a ghost from a nightmare that’s suddenly stepped into reality.
Niko reaches for her. “Evangeline, what is it?” The concern in his eyes chokes me. Not because it’s not warranted, but because I feel the same. I hate how much Evangeline has affected me the short time she’s been here. Staying away from her will be hard but necessary.
“Why was it screaming about war and blood?” she murmurs, voice barely audible. “It’s angry. So angry…” Her voice chokes off in a strangled sob.
I stiffen just as Niko pulls her to his chest. “It’s okay.” He gently strokes her hair. “You’re safe with me,” he murmurs, though I’m not sure she’s listening with her face buried deep into his chest.
I whirl around in time to see Oziel’s eyes gleam. “What did you do?” I hiss.
