Page 82 of Hell Fae Captive

The other girls, however, wore more appropriate gear.

Most of them were in the white T-shirt and black pants uniform, but not all of them. A select few wore stronger leathers, likely a donation from a Hell Fae benefactor, like Ajax had mentioned.

Their loose-fitting clothing and the obvious weapons beneath made me envious. I spotted daggers, bows and arrows, and even a few pistols.

Then there were those who had backpacks and supplies.

I also noticed quite a few talismans that glowed with blue power. After a moment’s perusal, I suspected they were some kind of heat wards based on the lack of flushed skin or sweat-drenched curls. My skin burned, and my hair was already sticking to my forehead. The strange sense of coolness lingering around me had either been superficial or was simply keeping me from burning.

I, of course, had no such kind of talisman, or anything else that would help me survive in this wasteland.

Well, I hadknowledge,but I would be careful how I used it. If I used it at all.

A voice boomed across the landscape, startling me into a crouch.

“Welcome to the trials, bride candidates.”

The voice was Lucifer’s, although I suspected this was a magical projection, like the one from the arena when he’d given his speech.

“Your first trial is to find your way across the border. Your progress will be monitored, so please remember the rules.”

I snorted. I remembered hisrules.

There are no rules.

How cliché.

The suns flared in a spectacular display of Lucifer’s power. He seemed to be able to stretch his claws across realms with a mere thought.

The sheer amount of power he held at his fingertips made my breath catch.

“Venture onward and prove yourselves to the Hell Fae Source.”

His words sent a path illuminating across the stretch of cracked red land. The road wound between lava pools, dipping around a structure in the middle. I had to squint against the light to make it out.

“It’s bottles of water,” one girl excitedly announced, a pair of binoculars in her hand. She also boasted a backpack and a sweater wrapped around her waist, which I definitely found odd.

“Ouch,” she snapped when a girl jabbed her in the ribs.

“Don’t be such a blabbermouth, Jade,” the other hissed at her. “I’m not going to ally with you if you’re going to be this dumb, no matter how many suitor gifts you have to share!”

I arched my eyebrow at the pair. It didn’t surprise me that the girls were making alliances, but I certainly hadn’t managed to make any friends so far.

Well, except for Melek and Ajax and the little gargoyle. But they didn’t really count.

Jade pouted as the other girl snatched away the binoculars. “Sorry, Beatrix.”

Noticing I was watching, Beatrix glowered at me and grabbed Jade by the arm, hauling her out of my range of hearing.

Jade stumbled after her, the oversized backpack clearly bulging with supplies and goodies.

I could see why Jade had so many gifts. She was gorgeous with her blonde curls that bounced behind her. She turned and blinked at me apologetically with striking blue eyes, her pretty look completed with flushed, pink cheeks.

Seemingly satisfied they were far enough away from the others, Beatrix let go of Jade and peered through the binoculars.

Jade screamedinnocencewhen she folded her hands and looked at her feet. She’d impressed a Hell Fae, but likely for all the wrong reasons.

These bastards probably wanted to corrupt anything beautiful and sweet.