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“They’re not afraid of the Dark Fae?”

“They’re kindred spirits. It’s how I knew they weren’t what others claimed them to be.”

“Dare I ask what prompted you to come here in the first place?”

Rion stared after the creature’s retreating form. “Maybe I hoped the monsters would welcome one of their own.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Talon

Talon soared high in the clouds, circling the village below. To any onlooker, he’d appear as another bird, riding the winds, hunting for its next meal.

Little did Brónach know, they were about to lose everything. After months of searching, he’d finally found their supply wagons. Without those supplies, it would force the warriors from their enemy nation to fall back, thus allowing Talon to reclaim the northern part of Móirín’s territory.

He growled at the sight of so many slaves.

Levea, their capital city, already housed too many refugees, but Arianna had seen to their care, arranging housing, food, and supplies. He’d seen the way Avalon watched his daughter, a rare moment of approval from him as he likely imagined his lost mate. Despite how hard his High Lord had been on his daughters over the years, Talon knew he loved them fiercely.

Talon swooped lower, counting the warriors that would stand in their way. Part of him hoped to find The Demon again but rumor had it he’d left the camp days ago. It was disappointing, but without The Demon, the raid would prove easy enough.

Catching an updraft, Talon rose higher, circling far from the village before swooping toward the ground. Right before impact, he shifted back to his Fae form and sprinted toward his comrades.

“News?” one asked. His second in command.

“They’ve hidden the supplies in multiple buildings. We’ll have to burn the village. However, their numbers aren’t anything to worry about. Most seem to have left with The Demon.”

“You’re sure he’s gone?”

“I’m certain.”

His second breathed a sigh of relief and Talon echoed the feeling. Though he wanted nothing more than to clash with that monster again, he knew this job took precedence. And once he finished here, Talon would be free to return to his other goal. Locating Arianna.

Talon summoned his warriors and went over the plan again. They’d wait for nightfall, catch the guards unawares, and set fire to each and every house. After checking them, of course. Brónach was known for keeping slaves, and he didn’t relish in the thought of burning innocents.

Still alive, he reminded himself. Ever since the Fairy Folk had gifted him a strand of her hair, he’d clung to that hope. That no matter how bad things seemed, Arianna was still alive.

TALON TIGHTENED his belt, drew his sword and his warriors followed him into the night. Some stalked in their animal forms, keeping low to the ground as they awaited his command.

His knife flew into the nearest sentinel’s shoulder and Talon’s second silenced two others. Talon lifted his hand, and the rest of his forces broke from the trees. A cry of warning sounded, then smoke filled the air.

He’d expected a trap. For Brónach’s warriors to be hiding in some underground bunker. The Demon was well known for his strategic surprises. Yet, there was nothing.

Talon made his way to a nearby house, The Demon’s faint scent catching on the breeze, then Talon’s entire body seized up.

He ran for the dwelling and slammed the door open. A tiny bed rested in one corner, The Demon’s scent all over it. But it was the scent that lingered with his that had every hair on Talon’s body standing on end.

Arianna.

This Demon. This cursed, vile, inhuman creature smelled like Arianna. Which only meant one thing.

If he found Móirín’s greatest enemy, he’d finally find her.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Arianna

The snow thickened and their pace slowed the further they ventured into the forest. Thin rays of light peeked through the trees overhead, sneaking past the pine needles and evergreen boughs. In her half-breed body, the steep climb might have had her panting by now, but her Fae form didn’t falter even after the limits she’d pushed it to.