Page 34 of Queen of the Crimson Throne (Queen of Blood and Stardust #2)

34

LENNOX

The first beast met my sword, its warm blood spraying. The impact of our clash reverberated through my body. I clenched my teeth as I removed my sword, kicking the creature with a boot to the abdomen. It stumbled back on the sidewalk until it collapsed on the ground dead.

Well, at least it was easy to kill.

Luka fought alongside me, slicing his blade across the neck of the monster, spurting black blood over his body.

The monster fell to a heap at our feet as three more monsters leaped toward us.

“What are these things?” I questioned as my blade swiped across a monster’s arm. An arm that looked an awful lot like a Fae arm.

“I have no idea!” Luka yelled from beside me.

The monster in front of me continued its pursuit, its red eyes glowed in the dark night, but there was something different about them. About the monster’s entire face. I blocked it with my sword, holding it in both my hands as the creature’s claws continued to try and swipe at me as I moved us toward the bulb of light on the building.

I studied the monster’s face again. Black veins spread over its face, some of them were split into festering gouges. Its red eyes were sunken as were its cheeks, but its nose, the shape of its brows, and the curve of its lips, those were Fae features.

Like it was a fae-turned-monster.

It couldn’t be though. Could it?

The monster used my distraction to finally push my sword away, it fell to the ground with a clamor.

I screamed as I blocked its advance with my arms, its claws ripping through my leathers. I ducked, kicking out with my feet to attempt to knock it over, but it only stumbled.

I scrambled back looking for my sword as the creature lunged for me.

An ax arched through the air, slicing straight through the monster, its black blood raining on me before it fell to the ground in two halves.

“You came back.” I looked up at Nico. His silver hair was speckled with the black blood of the monster.

Nico smiled. “We weren’t going to let you and Luka have all the fun.” He gave me his hand and I took it, letting him pull me up.

Between the six of us, we quickly dismantled the remaining three monsters, until all that remained were piles of flesh around us.

“What in the actual fuck were those?” Luce’s chest heaved.

“I don’t know, but can we discuss them later? When we’re inside the confines of the palace?” Kara's face had a greenish tint to it as she looked away from the piles of flesh.

We all nodded in agreement. I brought flames to my fingertips, intent on burning any evidence we had been here, but stopped before I let the sparks reach the bodies.

“We should keep one.” They all gave me a curious look. “We have no idea what these are, the only way to find out is to bring one with us.”

“She’s right,” Luka agreed .

“Nico, help me carry one.” Nico groaned but followed Luka as he searched for a beast that was mostly whole.

They carried the beast between the two of them, receiving questioning looks from the guards at the gate when we returned.

“Get him to the dungeon.” Luka directed two guards once we entered the palace. “But keep this from my grandfather and Lorenzo. Got it?” The guards nodded before departing with the corpse.

“What now?” I asked after they departed.

“Sleep.” Luce yawned, as she leaned against the wall. “Sleep first. Talk in the morning.”

“She’s right,” Declan agreed. “Let’s all get cleaned up, get some rest, and we can figure out what those monsters are in the morning.”

We all mumbled our goodnights before heading in our separate directions, Luka by my side as we headed for our rooms.

My legs wanted to give up as we ascended the stairs.

Goddess, I was more exhausted than I had realized now that the adrenaline had worn off, but I paused when I made it to my door. Luka did too, resting his head against the frame.

Blood coated every inch of exposed skin on my body. It itched where it was dry, but still, I didn’t open the door.

I wanted to ask him to come stay with me. I wanted the comfort of him sleeping beside me after tonight.

I turned toward him. Trying to work up the courage to ask him, I knew if I asked him he’d stay.

Just this once.

“Goodnight, Lennox.” He sighed before he disappeared into his room, closing the door behind him.