Page 154 of Hell Fae King

I…

I swallowed, my ability lessening its hold on the magical strands and allowing the visage to exist once more.

The fae seemed to sigh in relief, then all turned toward me at once with hatred burning in their gazes. I’d hurt them, and now they were going to make me pay.

But… but is it real?I wondered as I stumbled backward.Did I get it wrong? Is this not a?—

The ground shook as the fae started toward me, their combined powers a force that had my eyes widening in alarm.So much anger. So muchhate.All directed at me…

It was like a nightmare come to life.

And my feet… my feetrefused to move.

I wheeled my arms like that might help my legs, yet I remained glued to the trembling ground below.

A scream lodged in my throat, panic overtaking logic.

I need to run! To fight! To…The thoughts trailed off as the visage shook again, reminding me that this… this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

I’d been walking with my mates, searching for Typhos. There was no physical way these creatures had justappearedout of thin air and begun fighting. Not without us having heard them in the distance.

Gritting my teeth, I grabbed hold of the magical strands once more and siphoned the energy.

Shrieks erupted in response, the Nightmare Fae throwing fearful looks my way. Words spilled from their lips, pleas and accusations rending the air.

I closed my eyes, blocking them out andfocusing. Because I couldfeelthat this was a mirage.These are not innocent souls. They’re not innocent fae. In fact…I opened my eyes once more, my brow furrowing. “There are no souls,” I whispered to myself.

They possessed neither light nor dark auras, confirming my analysis.

“You’re not real,” I told them. That didn’t make me any less remorseful to watch them disappear, though. Because a small part of me kept wondering,What if?

What if I’m wrong?

What if they’re real?

What if I’m killing innocents?

But as the scene dissolved completely, reality settled before me.

Or what I assumed wasreality,anyway. It could easily be another mirage. However, I didn’t feel Vivaxia’s enchantment lurking in the air anymore. It was deep inside me instead, revolving with power that begged to be released.

Only, I kept it captive, letting it fuel my steps as I wandered into the courtyard. It was littered with dead roses that framed a bloody fountain and the crater beside it.

Truth or fiction?I thought as I tiptoed closer to the massive hole outlined by burnt edges. I’d seen something similar once… in a dream. Or what had felt like a dream, anyway. However, it’d actually been Lucifer’s memory, one Vita had forced me to witness firsthand.

The day of his fall.

I crept forward and peered over the edge into an ominous abyss.

Seems like a good time for a rule,I decided.Hell Fae Queen Rule #2: Don’t Jump.

Gods, I was losing my mind.

This might still be a mirage, too. Which would explain why my mates were nowhere to be seen.

“Az!” I tried yelling. “Ajax! Melek!”

Silence.