That’s abuse, my mind screamed loudly, in a voice that sounded oddly like Tarik’s. But it was enough to force my doubts to stumble and falter. If you can’t trust yourself, trust Tarik. You don’t have to accept abuse as remittance for living.
My body shook, fists clenched at my sides. Pain shot through me and I winced, blood dribbling from the claw marks spanning my ribs. A steady warmth pressed against my arm. I glanced up at the angry, impulsive Fae beside me. He really does have a death wish.
No. It was more than that now.
He was my angry, impulsive Fae, and with the smallest of glances he confirmed what I already knew. He wasn’t going to let me do this alone. Wouldn’t let me face him alone.
Because we’re a team.
My chest warmed, even as renewed waves of fury flooded my veins. “Liar,” I growled, snapping my full attention back to Mordecai. “You can’t even be honest with me?”
Mordecai turned his lethal stare onto Tarik again. Deflecting. Baiting, as he said, “What have you done to her?”
Tarik shrugged. “Not much. Yelled at her a bit. Kissed her a couple times.” Unconsciously, I slid my lip ring between my teeth as his own lips curled back. I bit down when he snapped, “But I didn’t stick a hot brand on her neck. I didn’t beat her face in. I didn’t take a hammer to someone’s legs. No, that was all you.”
“Reagan doesn’t belong to you,” Mordecai bellowed. He exploded with a roar, teeth gnashing as he launched himself at Tarik. In the span of a heartbeat I shifted, slamming my paws into his chest. I shoved him to the ground, snarling in his face as he tried to squirm free.
“You’re a wasted investment,” he seethed. “I tried to change you, tried to make you reach your full potential. But no, even I couldn’t save you. Your mother’s blood runs too deep. Filthy, disgusting Fae blood.”
Time seemed to jolt to an abrupt halt, then jumped back to full speed.
My mother was Fae?
The wheels in my mind wouldn’t turn, wouldn’t do the math. Mordecai knew my real mother. Knew her, and apparently hated her. Or maybe he was lying yet again. Was she alive? She couldn’t be if she had left me to be raised—to be trained and broken—by this man. But who—?
Booming wings broke through my whirling thoughts. The walls crashed in around me. Alec’s blue dragon form smashed through, pinning my wing to the floor. I shifted as he swept a clawed foot inside. He shoved me backward before securing Mordecai in his grip, launching them into the sky.
The smooth floor offered no purchase and I skittered across, smacking into the wall, my body barking in agony. After a moment of painful panting, I eased onto my back. My side burned in protest and I groaned as the rubble on the floor bit into my skin. I turned my head, searching for Tarik, only to find him stumbling around the debris. The world tilted and I closed my eyes, taking in slow, deep breaths until my head calmed.
“Imagine that,” I murmured. The words wavered, despite my best efforts. I glanced toward Tarik. “Guess I’m a little bit of a Fae prick too . . .”
Tarik knelt beside me, red hair shadowing his face. Carefully, he touched my arm, and I felt his healing magic begin knitting my wounds closed. He stayed like that, silent, for several long moments. He was simply . . . there.
Finally, he raised his head and I caught sight of red-rimmed eyes. A fresh wave of guilt struck me. Before I could cry, or pull away, or do anything, he smiled softly, saying, “I’m not surprised. I didn’t connect the dots, though. Probably because you’re so short.”
Despite myself, an airy laugh escaped. The sound of frantic voices broke the moment and I sat up. My stomach plummeted as images flashed through my mind. Bodies. Blood. Elias. Children.
Children.
Tears welled in my eyes and the urge to flee shuddered through me.
My fault. All of this. My fault.
If not for me, none of this would have happened.
Still, I would help the Fae clean up. Carry the injured away from here, heal them as much as my rudimentary skills would allow. After, I would leave. I would run, try to flee the city, maybe through that underground passage. I could draw Mordecai and Alec away. If I couldn’t . . . Maybe I should return to the manor, try to distract them and minimize their attacks on the Fae. My eyes met Tarik’s and I pressed my lips into a hard line, concealing the sob that pushed at my throat. He would never forgive me, but he would be alive. Pain wrenched at my heart and shivered through my body. I looked away before the tears sprang free.
“Did anyone find Benji?” I whispered, voice quavering. I probably didn’t want to know the answer.
The hand on my arm began to tremble. Tarik’s voice was strained as he said, “No. Flynn is missing, too. And . . . and—” He made a choking noise. “Elias is dead.”
My heart shattered, splintered into a thousand tiny pieces that pierced my veins. Tears slid loose, trailing through the grime on my cheeks. I wanted to comfort him as much as I wanted to steal his comfort for myself. I withdrew. Kept the feelings brimming in my mind to myself. I didn’t need to be his burden, not right now, when I had cost him so much. Cost all of the Fae so much.
Not when it was all my fault.
—
At the southern end of Nathra City, a field stretched
