Page 125 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Quickly, she steps away, grabbing her dagger.

My shadows weaken from the constant hits and I grit against the pressure. There are only five raiders hacking away, but more are starting to take notice. I won’t be able to keep them out for long.

“Can you fight?”

Nodding, she licks her lips. She looks men coming toward us, mouth frowning, but I can’t worry about it. If it was up to me, she’d be out of this mess, and free from danger.

But that’s our fate. She’ll need to fight her way through.

My shadows dissipate just as I knock two away, leaving three men surrounding us. Max darts left, then right, swifter than I thought given her clumsiness and I strike the two men behind me.

The two remaining raiders stand and I twist my sword, preparing to end them. Once these two are gone, I can help Max.

Until twin black arrows shoot through all three men, their bodies pinned to the ground.

The black arrows are dipped in silver, gleaming against the sunlight.

I sigh, relieved.Dark Fae Guards.

Chapter 44

Max

The raider collapses in front of me, crumpling to his knees before his covered face smacks into the compact ground beneath us.

All around me, all I can breathe is blood. It coats my tongue, covers my hands, all over my clothes. It’s everywhere. I feel suffocated by it.

Quivering, my magic surges inside my veins, demanding to be used. It wants to fight, to defend me. But Kaden is right. It’s too much. It’s slowly draining me, and I’m fighting the urge to fall to my knees from exhaustion.

Over the battle, I see the Dark Fae guards rush into the fray. They’re in black armor, the sun catching their covered bodies. I watch as they slice the archers, claiming their places.

They move in a coordinated effort, used to battle and fighting in confined spaces. But the shifters are messy, chaotic, turning the battle into a frenzy.

Looking across to Kaden, I watch him return to the fight, sword slicing into any raider that comes our way. He’s covered in blood, hair fallinginto his black eyes as his shadows remain contained.

The captain of the guard reaches Kaden, pounding a fist into the younger Fae’s chest. “Heir, you’re alive!”

Chuckling, Kaden rolls his eyes, exhaustion lining his brow. Using his magic must tire him.

He did it for me.Scoffing, I refuse to let any empathy into my heart for the heir, We’re in the middle of a battle and his betrayal still cuts into my chest.

Claimed. Heclaimedme.

The ramification are murky at best but I know I’m tied to him now. In some way.

“You thought a little raid could kill me?” Kaden scoffs. “I expected better from you, Zeke.”

Zeke laughs, fending off a few swords. Lifting my dagger, my arms shake, eyes heavy with sleep. If not for the pulsing magic in my ears, I’d fall over from exhaustion.

“Of course not, heir. I did expect to see you victorious, the army already defeated. I’m a little upset at having to spill blood.”

“Liar,” he retorts, swiping his sword. “We’re well on our way.” Kaden shoots me a look, pulling me close, swinging the sword over my head.

Looking back, I watch a raider fall into the dirt, chest cut open. I didn’t even hear him approach, the pounding in my head too loud to concentrate.

“The calvary is coming,” Zeke continues, parrying with another raider, using his wrist to flick the sword up then left. It’s a work of art watching the captain, the silver blade gleaming under the harsh afternoon sun.

Sweat trickles along my brow, but I can’t wipe it away. I just want to sleep.