Page 52 of A Curse So Vile

His face was red, his eyes panicked.

“They murdered everyone. The entire bloody tavern!”

“Who?”

“Men—men like you, with claws and teeth. It’s red downstairs…everywhere. And they have her!”

She knew whotheywere. The Ossorians.

“What did they tell you?”

“There was a man…beastly, like how you are, but worse. He said, if you don’t come with them, they’ll murder the entire village, every man, woman, and child, and they’ll take Fiona.”

She shook her head from side to side. “That makes no sense. They hate us. They’d sooner murder me in my sleep than treat with me.”

Cole bared his teeth in anger. “As nonsensical as it might sound, that’s what they want, and if you don’t believe me, perhaps the blood-soaked room below will convince you.”

“I never doubted you. I’m just trying to puzzle it out.”

“I can’t take them alone, but I could distract them long enough for you to get away with Fiona.”

Touched by his boldness, she reached up to cup Cole’s cheek. She wasn’t so foolish to think his plan would work, but she was content in knowing that her last carnal pleasure on this earth was brought about by him.

“Go to Dorthea and wait for me, and whatever you do, do not go downstairs again. Do you understand?”

“But—”

“No buts. You saw them. You know you stand no chance against them. This battle is meant for me, and any interference on your part could lead to…unintended consequences.”

“I’m no craven!” he said, the muscles in his jaw so tight she was worried it’d pop straight off.

“Dear Heartlander, there is no one bolder than you.” She went up on her tippy toes and pressed her lips to his, giving him the sweetest kiss she’d ever bestowed on either man or woman.

Cole’s arms wrapped around her like she was his to protect, and it felt good to let go, if only for a moment.

She didn’t know why she allowed such intimacy. Last night, she all but mocked him when he wanted to sleep by her side.

But she knew that whatever the Ossorians wanted, it wasn’t good, and she would likely never see him again.

Finally, she broke away and forced her face neutral.

“I know you’ve been your sister’s keeper for some time. Now, you’re going to have to sit back and let me handle things, and if I tell you to do something, rest assured, the consequences of inaction are life and death.”

After a long moment, he nodded. “I will await your orders.”

Cole went to Dorthea, who was still asleep, exhausted from their travels.

For so long, Brenna knew how it would all end: a savage curse.

Now, she was faced with a new, unsavory demise. One she feared slightly more than the judgment of her clan, and a hair less than her curse.

The scent of the dead was dizzying, filling her with lust unknown. It was the way of her people to mate after a good kill. What better way to celebrate the circle of life?

But savagery was something different entirely. It’s something meant to be oppressed and certainly unworthy of celebrating.

Yet she’d never felt so alive.

Once she reached the landing, she turned the corner into the carnage that was now the bar, immediately noticing a giant Ossorian standing next to Fiona’s slight frame. Three others stood off to the side.