Page 7

“No one should have their free will taken from them,” he said.

She took a step forward. “Magnus has my mate. I intend to take him back, and I will use any weapon at my disposal.”

Somehow, she’d found her mate in this life. And she wasn’t about to lose him. She didn’t care if she had to single-handedly face down a sorcerer and his army.

There was nothing she wouldn’t do for Elias.

She would burn down the world and cast it into shadow to get him back.

“Elias taught me that some demons can be good,” she said, taking another step toward Breckett. “That demons aren’t all enemies to mankind. But the way I see it…” She let her voice trail off, let Breckett see the severity in her gaze. “Anyone who stands between my mate and I is the enemy.”

Breckett’s eyes narrowed. “That makes you no better than Magnus.”

“I’m nothing like him,” she said. “I’ll wield the syphen long enough to get Elias back. After that, they’re free to go. I don’t intend to demand eternal servitude—like Magnus.”

While she didn’t like the idea of taking anyone’s free will from them, she would protect those she loved at all costs. If growing up in a village at the edge of civilization had taught her anything, it’s that this world was a violent one. To survive meant to fight for every breath. And there was no protecting everyone. If she had to choose who to keep safe, she would always choose her family and Elias.

Which meant that Breckett and the other erox were a barrier in her way that needed to be removed.

Jessamine glanced between them. Then she angled toward the erox, hand on the hilt of her sword.

No matter what was happening, she would have Arabella’s back.

Brynne and Cora did likewise, turning toward Breckett in a single motion.

Breckett glanced between the enchantresses before taking a step backward. “I won’t let you have it.”

Arabella raised a brow. “Are you telling me you’d rather protect the other erox than your friend? Some of those erox are murderers and rapists. You should know—you helped Elias rescue me from them.”

For the first time, uncertainty filled Breckett’s gaze, and he shook his head.

Shadows traveled up her legs, her sides, before trailing in circles in the palm of her hands. “I’ll return the syphen once Elias is safe. You have my word.”

Breckett’s eyes flickered between hers and the hissing shadows in her palm. “Magnus will rue the thing he awakened in you.”

She smiled. “I’m relying upon it.”

Breckett winked out of existence.

For a moment, she considered what to do. But then she realized she didn’t need to see him—not when his body’s shadow remained when he’d become invisible. Bands of black wrapped around the blade and tore it free of its sheath. In an instant, the blade snapped through the air and landed in her hand.

Her home and her people would forever be her priority.

But now, so was Elias.

She would stop at nothing to protect him and get him back.

Breckett dropped his invisibility cloak. His eyes narrowed as he stood with tensed muscles, ready to move. Likewise, Jessamine, Cora, and Brynne all lowered their stances, prepared to attack at her word.

Four magic wielders, all poised to strike.

The erox was outmatched, and he knew it.

With a flick of her fingers, she sheathed the syphen at her side before turning from him. Her shadows moved around her shoulders as she strode toward the castle’s front doors, flanked by the three enchantresses.

“It won’t be enough,” Breckett called from behind her. “Have you forgotten about the ogres, gargoyles, and other creatures that follow Magnus? What of the erox who were created with Elias’ syphen?”

For a moment, she hesitated, her hand on the door’s cool metal handle.