Page 1 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Prologue

The cold breeze nips at my face, turning my pale nose a bright red, matching the fiery locks twisting around my shoulders and my blood red lips.

A chill is in the air, which is unusual for behind the Veil. And when things become unusual, I listen.

Wrapping the shawl tight to my shoulders, I lift my skirts, stepping over a black root as a distant call of an animal beyond our boundary shakes the stillness.

Freezing, I glance to Baris, who does the same.

“A call,” he murmurs, black eyes scanning the woods to our southern side. Our village is hidden behind a thick wall of fog— dangerous to cross if one does not know the way. It keeps us safe from enemies.

“They don’t make such noises,” I respond, dusting hair from my eyes. Baris, taller than most Humans, peers down at me, hair tied into a bun on top of his head. The barest peek of a point in his ears is the only clue as to his ancestry, though he usually hides it.

It’s not common for someone of Fae blood to marry, love and procreate with a Witch. But Baris has never been one to follow societal rules.

“No. They don’t.” He scans the grounds again, eyes seeing more than mine can. The beasts that roam the Eternal Night Forest are kept at bay by a shield, making us safe but those in their territory are prey. If they’re making such noises, then something is in there.

Somethingdangerous.

“We need to get back to the village.”

Dropping my basket of herbs, I grab my husband’s hand, running with him to the boundaries of our home. Tall stone cottages, built from the weathered grey rocks of our land and thatch roofs, are all silent with our people sleeping peacefully within.

But I feel it, in the air—a disturbance. Something is coming and my people are unaware.

“Wake them,” he directs, pushing me forward, turning toward the armory. He doesn’t look to see what I do, how I react—Baris trusts me to lead.

I am the High Priestess ofEnyo, the Matriarch of this village. It is my job to protect everyone here.

Going to the center of the village, I stand on a few boulders we use for meetings and close my eyes to focus. In my mind, I see the hearts around me, everyone minus one – my Heartbond. My husband.

The hearts are a steady thump, heavy with sleep and my fingers rise, twisting into odd angles, the sight unnerving but painless. I give a hard tug, as if pulling strings, and feel all my villagers awaken with a start.

No one screams. No shouts of alarm. They all know to rise with the action, knowing it’s me calling them without my words. Bodies start to come out, grabbing weapons, the women’s hands already bright red. Only females can control blood in our village and they are our best chance of defending our home.

They remain silent as I put a finger to my lips. Within seconds, I feel it, hear the hearts in my ears like battlefield drums. Hearts, many of them; too many for us to effectively fight.

Meeting their eyes, every woman nods. They hear the same as me. It’s an army.

The Crimson Threat has braved the forest, finding us in our protected sphere. I knew they would—but I thought I had more time.

The fight ensues quicker than I can comprehend. Soldiers dressed in red and evil break through our boundaries, swords held high. The men parry them with blades of steel and our women—our warriors— stand back, fingers swaying in the air, calling upon the blood magic in our veins to wipe out our enemies.

For a time, we look to win.

But then, arrows fly, taking us down in horrifying numbers.

My fingers rise, wiping out soldiers without a flinch. I have no compunction to stop the menace that they are. This is my home, my people, myfamily. They will not harm another one.

Calling onEnyofor strength, I push through the battle, ducking under attacks, stepping out of swords and hits. My fingers are black by the time I reach the edge as flaming arrows stab into our defenseless roofs. Fires erupt and I smell the charred scent of cedar in the air.

Baris meets me, sword in his palms. He’s fast—faster than a Witch, than a Human. Face streaked red, lips snarling, he’s a warrior fit for battle.

Glancing to the fight, my heart breaks.This is it.The moment I prepared for.

“Get her to safety,” I tell him, voice grim.

He stills, head tilting. It’s the only time he looks like his people.