Chapter 27 #2
Maeryn strode up and stopped beside him.
His eyes immediately fell on her shoulder as he faced her.
The ice was gone, though blood still oozed down her arm.
Fierce protectiveness almost overwhelmed him.
Though he’d felt that way with Finnick, this was stronger, deeper…
desperate. How in the world did Casimir bear it whenever Ava was in danger?
Raine was beginning to understand it now. The way he wanted to whisk Maeryn away and hide her from those who wished her harm. It was bottomless; all-consuming.
“May I look?”
She nodded.
He pulled aside her tunic, revealing her toned shoulder.
A shudder went through her when his fingers brushed her warm skin.
He did it again, to see if he’d imagined her reaction.
A light brush of the tip of his fingers.
Her breath hitched as he inspected the injury.
Fortunately, it wasn’t deep and had already begun to heal.
He straightened, carefully pulling her shirt back over her shoulder, and reluctantly let go. “Would you like a healer?”
With a shake of her head, she crossed her arms. “It’s a mild injury. I’m quite resilient, no?”
He tilted his head. “Is that so?”
“It is so.” She waved a hand. “Let’s go question our prisoner.”
Weaving through camp, they reached the tent where the prisoner was being held. Raine opened the flaps, allowing Maeryn in first. The man was tied to a chair in the center of the room, his hands bound behind his back.
“It might be helpful for you to be here,” Raine said to Sabriel.
Already on my way.
The man glared at them, contempt in his icy eyes. Raine gestured for Maeryn to take the lead.
“What were you doing in our camp?” she asked, hands clasped behind her back.
He spat on the ground at her feet. Raine tensed, raising his fist, but Maeryn held up her hand to stop him.
“I shall try one more time. What were you doing in our camp?” Her voice had gone deadly.
“I’m not answering your questions, you stupid bitch,” he seethed.
Raine moved behind him so swiftly he didn’t have time to react. Gripping the enemy’s finger, he twisted, breaking it with a snap. The man screamed.
Sabriel pushed her way into the tent, placing herself at Maeryn’s side, and growled at the ice fae. Maeryn didn’t even spare a glance at the wolf, her eyes still on the spy.
“You were here with the intent to steal information,” Maeryn said, strolling closer.
“Of course I was.”
“And now you will be giving us information.”
“Yeah. Right.”
“What are the daemon’s plans?” Maeryn asked.
Silence.
She lifted her hand and a dagger made of lava formed in her palm. Raine’s eyes widened in fascination as she gripped it, the heat not affecting her delicate skin in the least.
She leaned in, holding the blade an inch from the man’s face. Raine left his spot, joining at Maeryn’s side, wanting to see the fear in his eyes at what she could do. The prisoner began to sweat, eyes darting to the glowing weapon as he struggled against his restraints.
“Well? Where will the daemon’s army be marching first?” she asked.
He shook his head, trembling. Slowly, she pressed the blade against his cheek, melting the skin right off his face. He wailed, jerking harder against the bindings. She pulled away and the dagger disappeared into thin air.
Holy Mother, that was amazing, Raine thought. And incredibly hot. What is wrong with me?
“I don’t know,” he cried, tears in his eyes.
Maeryn nodded at Raine, indicating it was his turn. He stepped forward, growing a bright green vine in his hand and extending it low to the ground. It grew around one of the spy’s legs and two-inch-long thorns burst from it, piercing his flesh.
“Please…I don’t know anything.”
“Liar,” purred Raine. “I’ll let my wolf try this time.”
The man’s voice broke. “No. Please, no!”
Sabriel rose and padded forward, teeth bared with a growl. She was huge, her shoulders nearly reaching Raine’s waist. Her mouth opening wide, she clamped down on their captor’s other leg, teeth not piercing his skin. Not until Raine gave her the signal.
“Well? Tell us where they’re headed. Before she has your leg for a snack.”
Sabriel slowly increased the pressure of her bite, her teeth prepared to puncture his thigh.
“Okay okay! Make her stop!”
Sabriel backed away.
The man took a breath, whimpering. “They know you are occupied out here. They’re headed to Mosshaven.”
Raine’s stomach twisted as he swung his head to Maeryn, meeting her wide eyes. Thorne was still there with a division of soldiers. But it wasn’t enough to protect the capital from the entire force of the daemons. His father was there…his sister…
“Why?” Raine barked.
“Because…she’s there…”
“Who?” Maeryn asked, taking a step forward and forming another molten dagger in her palm.
The man’s eyes caught on her weapon. “The princess…He’s obsessed with stopping her…”
It seemed their enemies were not aware of Ava’s whereabouts.
“When are they attacking?” Raine asked.
“I’m—I’m not sure…Not yet. But they’re preparing.”
Raine gestured for Maeryn to follow him out of the tent. They emerged into the night, Sabriel trotting behind them.
Maeryn addressed the soldiers guarding the tent. “Kill him.” She looked up at Raine, concern and empathy on her face. “We must get back to protect your home.”