Page 55 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

The heir saddles up next to me, body dripping, pants low on his hips, a sword at the ready. He’s looking where I am, both of us tense.

“Do you have a weapon?”

I hold up my daggers, as he nods, appreciatively. “Good.”

There’s another snap, this one louder, closer. My magic responds, rising as another drum echoes in my head.

Ears straining, I listen, the picture in my head getting clearer.

Brows furrowed, the heir glances to me quickly. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t—” I cut off, ears ringing. “Oh, no.”

Another snap. It’s close. My heart hammers in my chest and the heir steps back toward me, body protecting mine.

“There’s more than one.”

Then, jarring screams erupt around us.

Chapter 20

Max

Shrieks fly through the air, as if ripped away by the winds, and the trees shake in front of us. Another roar, this one closer startles me, as a beast with glowing green eyes emerges from the brush.

Within seconds, it pounces across the creek, landing in a harsh drop before us, ground rattling.

More screams release from behind us, most likely from the camp and the beast’s ear flatten, annoyed.

Gods, he’s large.My eyes widen, taking in the black coarse hair, the sharp claws and the vibrant eyes. Every time I inhale, the singular slit of a pupil contracts.

It’s tracking me, tasting my fear on the air and I freeze.

Lurching forward, it snaps its jaw, rows of yellow teeth flashing before our eyes. Its fangs glisten, salvia dripping on to the ground, sizzling upon impact.

“It’s poison,” I whisper, keeping still. The venom is meant to kill with one bite.

“A Skrull then,” the heir mutters darkly. “I figured one would come by at one point. They prowl the edges of the forest, picking off those who get too close for food.”

OnCella’s crown, he was telling the truth. Beasts live in this forest.

Does that mean he was telling the truth about me?

I swallow, anxiety and fear clogging my throat.

Circling us, the beast prowls close, growling as the heir keeps me behind his back. It swats at his feet, but the Fae is faster, keeping one step ahead.

He raises his sword, eyes watching for a weakness.

“That’s the beast you said ate whatever was strongest?”

“One of them, yes.”

One of them?“Well, he’s looking at you like a tasty snack,” I quip, dagger heavy in my hand. It’s too small to hurt something so big, but I grip it like it’s my last hope. Because it is.

Burning eyes flicker back to me as his mouth twists into a smug smirk. “I appreciate the confidence, but it’s notmewho it wants.”

The beast pounces, a large paw swiping at the heir’s middle. He jumps back, fluid as water, as he shoves me away. I stumble, catching against a log as the Fae and beast collide, sending the ground shaking. I fall to one knee, the mud of the embankment sucking me in.