Page 72

SASHA

“ I can sense a dark presence,” I told my light wolf.

I rode on her back as we neared the dark castle.

When a break between foes appeared, I swung myself onto her back and commanded her to head for the castle.

The Werekind couldn’t keep fighting forever, and the Dark Fae had an endless supply of soldiers joining their ranks to aid in the battle.

If I could defeat the Dark Lord, the Dark Fae would have no leader—would surrender.

My light wolf let out a whimper, glancing at me over one broad shoulder.

“I know this is beyond stupid.” I growled with frustration. “Going in alone might could be suicide, but I can’t stay on the battlefield and not find the Dark Lord.”

I couldn’t let my family and Damon fall to the Dark Fae. I would do everything in my power to stop them.

I thought back to my inability to shift and the witch that had poisoned me at birth—sent by the Dark Fae. The Dark Fae wanted me dead. Because of the Light Fae power within me. And I would use up all the power to my dying breath in order to save my loved ones. My fangs lengthened.

They do not know what the hell kinda threat I am.

My wolf cast me one long look before she turned her head and crept toward the castle. It seemed all the soldiers had left the castle in favor of defending the battle line. The castle was empty except for the Dark Lord. Unguarded.

We circled the base of the castle, searching for a way in, when my eyes latched onto a massive door that loomed over us. My wolf pushed her head against the door, prodding it open. We stilled with bated breath, ready for a wave of soldiers to pour forth from the door. All was silent. Too quiet.

With a dry swallow, I mustered the courage to order my wolf to go ahead, and together we crept into the dimly lit space. The castle had no other light except for the mounted torches, which cast flickering shadows on the stone walls.

The small hairs on the back of my neck lifted. We slinked down one corridor, predator muted, gazes roving as we searched for our foe. Nearing the end of the passage, I bit the inside of my tongue. The passageway branched into several more hallways.

Damn it…

I inhaled, sniffing for the Dark Fae. The metallic iron tang was thick in the air.

Clinging to the walls. It was impossible to make out his location, for the entire castle permeated with his scent as he dwelled within the walls.

I stifled a sigh and made my decision, stepping into the passageway to the right.

The air inside was cool and musty. A sharp jolt surged through my body.

I hissed, glancing down and gasped. A fine shimmer of light enveloped my skin, like a halo.

What the hell is going on?

Disturbed, I told my wolf to keep going. She moved one paw-step and another surge of energy shot through my limbs. I clenched my jaw against the pain, blinking. Every time I moved down the hall, it hurt. Was my newfound power trying to lead me to the Dark Lord? Was I going the wrong way?

My wolf and I backed out of the passageway, and no pain manifested.

Hope renewed, I tested out another section, and misery flared.

At the last corridor to the left, the shimmering around my skin intensified.

No pain appeared. The Dark Fae was that way.

Padding on, we came across winding stairs leading up to another floor.

I swallowed, fisting my hands against my trembling nerves.

We sneaked up the stairs in muted awe, ears pricked, eyes flitting about for any sign of danger.

Landing on the second floor, we glanced around.

The room was empty, save for a throne that was at the far rear of the room, a dark purple carpet rolled out before it.

Dark crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling high above.

Shafts of moonlight filtered in through the open windows that spanned both sides of the room.

“I knew we’d meet one day,” a silken voice, dipped in ice, said.

My wolf and I spun around to face the source of the sound.

A tall man stood at one of the windows, looking out beyond.

Elegant dark robes outfitted his lean frame.

His hair swept down his back like an ebony waterfall.

He angled his head to the side. Amethyst eyes fastened on me.

A chill slithered down my spine. I could sense immense power wafting from the Dark Fae male.

It rolled off him like a thick fog, choking off the air in my lungs.

I fought to draw breath, to shove away my fear.

His gaze flicked to the wolf I traveled on.

“I see you are able to manipulate your Light Fae powers.”

I growled. “You wanna see how well I can manipulate it?” I commanded my light wolf to snarl, and a vicious growl tore from her.

“ You have Light Fae blood running through your veins.” He turned to face me. “The only wolf to be born with fae blood in over a thousand years. The Light Fae are all but exterminated, and here you are, the bane to bring down the glory of the Dark Fae Empire.”

Now I understood why our family couldn’t trace our ancestry in the old records.

They deemed the union between a fae and an ancestor as sinful and erased it from history.

But in that moment I was grateful for these powers despite being a latent, for they would exact vengeance for Chelsea. Save all of Werekind.

A wicked grin curled his lips, his eyes bright, tinged in bloodlust. “I warned those fools that you’d return to smite us. Which is why I sent a werebear to end you, but those plans were all for naught—for here you stand.”

“Why kill the humans?” I lifted my chin, glaring at him. “Couldn’t you just coexist like the Werekind do—the wolves and the bears and others? We all live in plain sight, hiding our beasts and natures from the humans. Fae could do the same.”

“What foolishness you speak of!”

I scowled at him.

He gave a long-suffering sigh. “An eviction must take place.” His eyes narrowed to thin slits.

“The humans have desecrated their home, their earth has suffered under their hands. And our realm, our planet, is dying. Why? Because humans don’t worship us.

” He scoffed, then set about pacing the length of the room.

My eyes tracked his every movement. “The Council decided the humans don’t deserve their home.

That the fae would take over and evict the humans by killing them.

Why would we want to share a dying planet with them when we could restore it—make it grander than it ever was? ”

“You monster!”

He tsked. “I dare say I am not. Only the fittest survive. It’s the same law of nature that exists in our realm. So, for the strongest to survive in this realm, they must take over yours.”

My light wolf snarled. “Why involve the werebears and werewolves?”

“Ah… them. Because I’d have you destroy each other.

By having the Werekind’s mind possessed to kill the humans, they would retaliate.

Thus killing Werekind, and Werekind thus forced to wage war on the humans.

It would eliminate both of you, and the fae need not worry about the weres starting a war with us.

” He chuckled, a dark, dangerous sound. “They would be at war with the humans.”

I swallowed hard. His plans were heinous. My stomach dropped at how well thought out and diligent the plans were for domination of our planet, for our very extermination. I couldn’t—wouldn’t let this happen.

“You killed my pack mate. Chelsea was a child, and you murdered her.” A vicious snarl tore from my lips. “For that, I’ll rip your throat out, you piece of shit!”

My wolf crouched in a defensive position, lips peeled back to expose wicked fangs.

“We shall see.” The Dark Lord wagged his brows, grinning.

He clapped his hands together and a sound akin to thunder rumbled the walls, lifting the fine hairs on the nape of my neck.

Spreading his hands apart, dark shadows gathered between his palms, and within the shadows a glint of steel.

A sword materialized from the darkness, its blade haloed in an ethereal dark flame.

The Dark Fae Lord grabbed the hilt and brandished the sword. His lips twisted in a wicked smirk.

I unleashed my wolf with a battle cry, sending it charging toward him.

He had no time to parry my attack before we were on him.

The Dark Lord thrusted the sword in front of his face, shielding himself.

My wolf clamped her jaws on the sword, attempting to wrench it from his grasp.

Dark shadows rippled from his other palm.

He shot his hand forward and a ball of energy slammed into our side.

I cried out as it sent us airborne. I slammed to the ground on my hip, my head connecting with the ground.

Stars burst before my eyes. The wind above me hissed.

My vision cleared in time to see a shining blade swinging down.

I rolled, the sword piercing the ground, two feet deep.

With a sudden burst of energy, I spun and landed a roundhouse kick on his side.

He grunted as it sent him flying backward.

I leaped onto my light wolf’s back, and we charged the Dark Lord.

He shot to his feet and swung his sword.

We barreled into him. Yet, instead of the weapon passing through the light wolf’s body, it consumed her in an arc of dark energy.

She yelped and sprang away. The pain funneled into me. I cried out, fisting my side.

The Dark Lord chuckled. “Wonderful, isn’t it?” He whipped his sword about, the blade slicing through the very air itself. “A Light Fae that went rogue and worked as a blacksmith for the Dark Fae forged this beauty. It is the only known weapon to neutralize Light Fae power.” He grinned.

My light wolf shook her pelt off, snarling at him.