Page 76 of The Path of Blood and Betrayals

Smiling with all my teeth, I glare. “The blackest. But this close to her nest, she’ll take a black heart of anyone.” I stare at her and she flips me off.

“Just a minute,” she says, climbing upward. Without thought, I push her higher so she can look inside the nest.

When she gasps, I nod sagely. “Dead?”

She lets go as I catch her, easing her on to her feet. “It’s not pretty.”

Rolling my eyes, I gesture to the clearing. “All gooey bits? Chunks of meat?” She turns green and I bark out a laugh.

I’ve seen this woman crush hearts without a second thought, but the leftover crumbs from a creature sent by the Gods, is what turns her stomach?

Hand to her belly, she looks around, lost. “Now what?”

She was hoping the lord would be alive, that the raid could continue.

I never cared about the raid. Never cared about the water. All ofthis was to get the blood summoner. And now that I’ve had a taste, I’m not letting her go.

“Now, we get the fuck out of here.” Taking her arm, I yank her toward the path.

A strong gust strikes us, blowing back our hair and cloaks as the harrowing scream of a Fury rattles our steps.

Fuck. She’s found us.

The Fury swoops low, black talons sharp and glinting in the bright sun as she screeches. Raising my sword, I slice toward her wings, determined to deter her.

It breaks off, wide black eyes glaring at me, as she soars to staggering heights.

“She’s coming back,” I tell Max, pulling her from the ground. “Furies need distance to see better. She’ll find us and then dive for another swipe.”

Unfurling my shadows, I surround Max and I into the cool darkness. The sun evaporates and I exhale, relief calming my brow.

“What are you doing?” She asks, blindly groping for me.

Blazing Bel, my shadows are too dark for her simple eyesight.

Holding her to my side, I ignore how right she feels. “Furies eyes are perfect in the light, but the shadows throws off their vision.”

Unfortunately, she’ll notice a ball of shadows on the cliff edge. We need to move quickly to get away. I can already feel my magic waning, the sunlight having depleted my reserve.

All magic has a limit.

“Follow my lead,” I instruct, pulling her behind me.

“Won’t she notice us in here?” She looks around, fingers touching my magic and I shudder, the sensation new and exhilarating.

Ittickles.

“Probably. They’re not stupid.” My ears detect the sound of wings flapping. “But I’m hoping it’ll disoriented her enough for us to get back to the group.”

Furies rarely attack groups. Hastings was plucked off when he left the safety of the camp—going againstmy orders.

“Watch your step.” I help her over a few overturn bones, adjusting my grip so she can’t lose her way.

She trips over her feet, yanking on my arm as she falls. It’s only my strength that keeps her upright. How she’s survived this long on such unsteady feet is a feat of itself.

Slowly, we near the edge, the descent just in front of us. We’re so close but my nose tingles, as I smell the decaying breath of the beast.

“Shit,” I curse, yanking Max. “Hold on.”