Page 58 of Claimed By Shadow and Blood (Of Fae and Wolf Trilogy #2)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Briar

M y eyes widened as adrenaline surged through me. I jerked my right hand, trying to free it to no avail. The dirt and rocks might as well have been cement.

Grinning, the massive man strode toward me, his heavy black boots crunching over the dirt and soil.

Unlike the other assassins, he wore a V-neck white shirt with long frilled sleeves.

A worn black leather cloak covered his shoulders, and that, combined with the eye patch and the loose black and white striped pants tucked into his heavy black boots, made him look like an enormous fae pirate.

Was he even a fae? I’d never seen one like him here.

The fog monster halted when the pale light of his pendant cut across the loose soil. “Off with you now,” he said gruffly, shooing it away as if it were a stray dog begging for scraps. He scuffed one boot into the dirt and sent a spray of debris in its direction.

The red eyes blinked, and it curled back and away.

They had a happy killer who liked to dress up? Who the fuck were these people? “Stay away from the unicorn and me, or you’ll regret it,” I seethed, using one of the only things that I had left to survive—my mouth.

The foal stamped its hoofs again, but its challenging whinny was softer and more hesitant, as if it didn’t know what to think of this stranger.

My head was still spinning, and my sense of smell wasn’t working, but I bared my teeth at him. “Come one step closer, and I’ll launch myself at your face. I killed all three of your friends.” I hated the way my voice cracked, but I snapped my teeth, the best attempt at defiance I had left.

He placed his hands on his waist, his dark brown eye blazing with delight as he canted his head.

“Love to see you try, trouble. I bet if you were in better condition right now, you’d give me a good run.

But those weren’t my friends you killed.

I’m your rescue. The old one told you I was coming, right? ”

Many-Greats? My heart leaped as my eyes widened. I remembered his warning against mentioning him or my Aureline heritage. “The—the auburn-haired old man with gold eyes?” What was Many-Greats’ real name?

He snapped his fingers and pointed. “That’s the one. Smells like lilacs. Bryn Lugh of the Aureline High Council.”

On the Aureline High Council ? The ones who were making us go through this nightmare? My blood turned hot… well, what was left of it. Still, it was enough to have me trying to twist my right arm free with effort once more. “If he’s on the council, why the hell did I have to go through this?”

He chuckled as he raked his hand through his shaggy red hair. “Can’t say I know the answer to that. Not really my business. Veralt’s the name, and you’re Briar. And I’m here to get you out.”

My rage dimmed as I blinked slowly, my thoughts murky. Veralt? That name was familiar. Where had I heard it? I’d deal with Many-Greats later. He’d probably show up in my bedroom again some night soon. That was his preferred method of visiting me.

He stooped down and began digging me out of the dirt. “Hey there, trouble. You’re not looking so good. Wake up now. Gonna get you out safe, all doctored up, and on your way home, yeah?”

“Okay.” I winced as his hand grazed one of the cuts.

The unicorn stood there watching, tense, like it was still unsure if it liked the pirate or not.

“Any broken bones?” he asked.

“Maybe. There’s an arrow in my leg.” I bit the inside of my lip as another wave of pain crashed over me. “My cuts won’t stop bleeding.”

“Hey, stay with me. Deep breaths.” He crouched beside me.

“We’re going to get you out. You’re gonna be just fine.

” He reached into his pocket and removed a silver pendant like the one I’d lost and that he and the assassins wore.

He lifted my tangled, matted hair and gently fastened the silver chain around my neck.

As soon as he did, that thrum of energy passed through me.

“What’s it doing?” I murmured weakly.

“It’ll slow the bleed-out and boost your healing.

Also repels certain kinds of monsters, provides light, and boosts teleportation spells.

Very helpful in situations like this.” He lowered my hair.

“Now, you brace yourself, and when you’re ready, tell me, and I’ll dig you out.

You need to stay conscious if at all possible, so talk to me if you need to. ”

The foal circled him, edging closer then edging back.

Veralt stroked the foal’s head with one massive hand and scratched around its horn.

“Easy there, sugar. She’s gonna be fine.

You’ll see.” He clicked his tongue and then looked at me.

His good eye softened as his brow furrowed with heavy lines.

“I think you made a friend here. Now, while you’re getting your breath, how about we take care of something else? ”

He reached behind himself under the cloak and removed a large waterskin. A leather bag swung along with it, secured by the same strap. He unclipped the waterskin, unfastened it, and pressed it to my lips.

I gasped as he helped me drink the water. The sweet, clean flavor exploded over my tongue and eased the dry ache of my throat. My head pounded relentlessly, but I choked while swallowing greedily.

“There we go. Drink all you want.” He adjusted it so as not to overwhelm me, his hand shifting on the waterskin.

He drew it back after I’d had a few swallows, poured some in the palm of his hand, and offered it to the foal with one hand while he pressed the waterskin back to my lips with the other. I wanted to bless him and thank him and cry all at once.

The foal sniffed his hand and then licked up the water. He repeated this, alternating between giving me and the foal the most delicious water that had ever existed. Once we’d both had enough, he set the waterskin aside and laid out his cloak.

“I can’t guarantee this next part won’t hurt, so bear with me,” he said, kneeling beside me and digging. Bit by bit, he removed the sand and dirt, working my naked body free. Within minutes, he had my torso uncovered.

I tried to cover my breasts with my arms, wincing a little. The cuts on my chest, shoulders, and forearm continued to drip blood. A shudder coursed down my back, screaming that he needed to go away. “This feels wrong.”

He scooped the dirt from along my thigh.

“Yeah, fair enough. Can’t say I’m enjoying it either.

But if it makes you feel any better, there’s no one for me but Rhielle.

She is my fate, my stars, my cosmic force.

The only reason I’m here is because of her.

You’re, like…her kid sister or something.

But I’ll get you covered up here in just a moment. ”

I blinked. Rhielle? That’s why I know his name. The way Rhielle had smiled at me before we’d entered this trial now made sense, but how had they managed this? “You’re Rhielle’s Veralt?”

A huge smile spread across his face. “Guilty as charged, happy when with her, and no longer considering regicide ’cause I don’t have to worry about my woman getting snatched away by some prince.

” Leaning in closer, he resumed removing the dirt, his touch respectful and swift.

“Only reason I didn’t burn this void-doomed palace and competition down is 'cause Rhielle told me we’d find a way to be together and it wasn’t worth anyone getting executed or banished.

She said Fate wouldn’t give her to someone else, not when Rhielle had made her own choice.

And it's a good thing too. I can't stand the Aurelines, and I'm not much fond of anyone telling me what to do unless they're the love of my life. My conscience and my woman are the only beings that rule me.”

Knowing that he was Rhielle’s lover didn’t necessarily make me feel comfortable, but it did ease some of my distress. If I hadn’t been so miserable and in so much pain, I would have had dozens more questions for him.

He worked at a steady pace, making conversation and spouting endless praise for Rhielle. After he’d dug me out enough, he picked me up like I weighed nothing. “Watch your leg then. I’ll try not to jostle you. If it hurts, tell me.”

“Everything hurts.” I bit back a pained gasp as the pressure shifted in my leg and the arrow cut deeper. Blood trickled from the wound.

He grunted in sympathy. “True, true. If it hurts worse than before, then let me know.” He placed me on the cloak and wrapped it around me, taking care to leave my left leg out.

“What kind of shot did he get on you to hit you like that?” he asked, brow tight with concern. “Good thing it missed the arteries, or not even that pendant could delay your death.”

I dropped my head as I sucked in a deep breath, my fingers digging into his leather cloak. “I was carrying it when we got caught in the rockslide. I picked it up on the mountain so I could have a sample of the venom.”

“Scaffing void! If you just wanted to take one so you could have a sample for the doctor, you could’ve carried it in less painful ways, trouble.

” He winked as he wrapped me up and continued, “Remind me to get you what we like to call a bag.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small glittering blue orb.

He tapped it with his index finger and traced a sigil on it.

Humming a few notes of a jaunty song, he stood, walked a few paces into the chamber, and then hurled it.

The golden light caught on the blue orb as it spun in the air. Then it vanished from sight. He clapped his hands together and turned back toward me. “All right then, trouble, we’ve got a few minutes before that explodes and makes it seem like you were never rescued.”

“You’re blowing the place up?” My eyes widened as he hefted me into his massive arms. That sense of wrongness intensified. He shouldn’t be the one holding me. My very being screamed and ached for Vad, and my wolf agreed.

“Sure am. In my line of work, knowing how to make that happen is delicate and delightful. Little bit of Shadow magic. Little bit of Ignis magic. Little bit of Terran magic. Little bit of Aureline too.” He hummed in satisfaction and took a step toward the opening in the broken wall.

Then he stopped short. A slow grin spread over his face.

“What?” I frowned, not sure if him being so happy was good or bad.

His smile broadened even more. “Just one more thing before we get out of here.” He carried me up to the top of the embankment and kicked off some of the dirt and debris that covered the second sigil carved into the floor without any paint or chalk to mark its path.

The emblem in this one was of two blades with a full goblet sitting between them.

“You fought hard, and you finished. Might as well log it.”

“I don’t give a fuck that I finished,” I grumbled, hugging myself tighter and trying to avoid pressing against him.

“Yeah, well, Rhielle would want it known you finished. When you don’t come out, the baddies will think the collapse happened after you finished. Your door isn’t supposed to open for a long time anyway, and after I trigger another rockslide in here, no one will be asking questions.”

“You’re sure we have time for this?” I glanced around the chamber. How long did magical bombs take to explode? “And what about the unicorn?”

“Sure do. At least as long as you don’t make this difficult.” He lowered me until my feet touched the sigil without putting any weight on them. “We’ll be out of these tunnels by the time it goes, and Sugar will be going with us. Don’t worry.”

Energy surged through me, buzzing lightly. Gold light flared and lit up the whole sigil. The pulse made my blood thrum faster, and then my head throbbed even more.

Veralt laughed, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls. “You’re the first! You won, trouble. Oh, that’ll stick in the craws of those Fate-twisting bastards! I love it!”

Amid my throbbing head and the twisting nausea, I struggled to form a coherent thought. My fingers and toes tingled as if they were falling asleep, and a numbness crept from the very tips.

The foal trotted beside Veralt, who carried me as easily as if I were a child. The faint light from his silver pendant illuminated the rocky tunnel, revealing nothing but jagged gray rocks.

My vision hazed even more, and I struggled to breathe. “Hey, trouble,” he said with a concerned rumble. “Talk to me. Don’t go falling asleep now. You got a name for this unicorn?”

I fought to keep my eyes open. Sounds faded in and out, the darkness in the tunnel deepening. “N-no. Not yet.”

“Well, you’ll want to think of something special.” He kept talking, but his voice turned into a droning series of syllables that faded in and out.

The magic in the amulet that slowed the bleeding and the effects of the venom wasn’t going to be enough. I was going to die. The numbness in my fingers and toes had crept up to my wrists and ankles. My head sagged back.

The world shook and bounced. Vaguely, I realized Veralt was running. His mouth moved, but I couldn’t hear him anymore. Part of me longed for sleep, but it wasn’t safe. This wasn’t right. I couldn’t sleep now.

My wolf whined and nudged me. I was fading—slipping away. Cold fear spiked through me. Not like this. It couldn’t end like this.

A sexy, deep baritone voice sliced through the haze. “Give her to me now !”

I fought to open my eyelids as the tugging in my chest screamed for me to wake up.

Vad.

His name rose to the tip of my tongue, but my lips barely had the strength to part. Was he here, or was this a dream?

Something cold wrapped around me and pressed under the cloak and then into my wounds.

His shadows. I remembered their touch from the prison.

At first, I stiffened, but then some of the pain lessened.

Vad folded me closer to his broad chest, and his warmth engulfed me.

His heartbeat thudded against my ear, so fast it seemed that he had been running.

A warm and satisfying humming buzz pulsed through my body. Yes . I breathed out, relief flooding through me amid the exhaustion and the pain. My eyelids slid shut as the world faded, and one single thought remained: I was safe.

“Briar,” Vad pleaded. “Stay with me. I need you awake.”