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Sorin reached for her, but her shadows pushed him back, and then they shoved down his throat, choking him.

Scarlett!

But whatever was between them was not fully repaired. He couldn’t reach her.

“You have heard that before, haven’t you, my pet? Perhaps in an alley with your sisters by your side?”

“How could you possibly know that?”

Mikale’s dark eyes glittered with wicked fury. “The Witch’s death served more than one purpose.”

Scarlett’s face tightened at the mention of her sister. Sorin didn’t know what this exchange meant. He didn’t know what they were discussing, and her next words only increased his bewilderment.

“Who is your king?” she whispered with venomous quiet.

“Who is yours?” he purred back.

“How? How do you know this?”

Mikale’s face twisted from fury to delight. “Tell me, have they figured out these delights that adore you?” He swept his fingers through one of the shadows that was closest to him, as if he were running them through water. The shadows shuddered around his touch.

“What do you know of them?” She was less than five feet from him now, and her only protection from him was those shadows that she sent slithering towards him, wrapping around his throat.

Mikale didn’t even flinch. His smile only widened. “You have only scratched the surface of your sweet Darkness. Come with me, and I will show you all of its secrets.” His tone was soft and gentle, coaxing, as he took another step towards Scarlett, his hand still outstretched. She took another hesitant step towards him, and Sorin could do nothing. He was utterly helpless as she lifted a hand to reach for his.

Scarlett!

“That’s it, my pet,” Mikale purred. He stretched his hand closer to her.

He felt it at the same time Briar shouted, “He is entrancing her, Sorin! He is using the powers of the Night Children!”

But before he could try and lunge for her again, there was a flash of light.

Four flashes, actually.

And a giant panther stood before Scarlett, snarling and growling and roaring with ferocity. Her enormous fangs were bared at Mikale,and his guards all shrank back. There was a bird’s cry as Amaré swooped around the room, coming to rest on Sorin’s outstretched arm, and a whinny as Abrax stood before Briar, stamping his hooves.

“No!” Mikale bellowed, and Scarlett blinked, her eyes widening. Her shadows released him, and Sorin lunged for her as she stepped back. He wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her back against him.

“This is not over, Princess,” Mikale seethed. “You will come with me, and it will be of your own choosing. I know what he thinks you are, but Darkness always returns home.”

Shirina snarled again, and another bird let loose a battle cry. A silver hawk rose into the air and with a flap of her fair wings, a mighty gust of wind swept through the apartment. Windows shattered, and Sorin threw himself over Scarlett as she dropped to the ground, covering her head. He could feel her trembling beneath him.

I am yours, and you are mine. We will leave here together.

He threw those words down that fragile bond over and over again.

The panther growled low, taking a step towards Mikale, and he let out an audible hiss as he stepped back. “You will all fail,” he seethed at the panther.

Shirina snarled again, and Mikale and his guards scattered, rushing from the apartment.

When they were gone, the three Fae stood in stunned silence. Shirina was pacing by the now shut entrance door, her hackles still raised as she stood guard.

Sorin slowly rose, helping Scarlett to her feet. Briar walked to them, Abrax tossing his head in agitation. The silver hawk came to settle on Briar’s shoulder, and he reached up to stroke her head.

“My landlord is going to wonder what the hell we did in here,” Sorin grumbled, glass crunching under his boots.

“You’re obnoxiously rich. Just buy the damn building,” Scarlett muttered, her eyes on Abrax and Nasima.