Page 87 of The Fae Lord

“Alana, his wings.” Eldrion points to Finn.

I look around quickly. At first, I don’t notice what he’s looking at. But then I realise that Finn’s wings, once a dull, tattered grey, are now black. Pitch black, like the darkest night.

I look up, my eyes locking with Eldrion’s. He stands there, motionless, watching me with an expression I can’t quite read. Is it sorrow? Regret? Or something darker, more twisted?

I don’t care. All I care about is Finn. My Finn, who jumped in front of me, who took the blow meant for me. Who sacrificed himself to save me.

I turn back to him, gathering him into my arms. His body is heavy, limp, and so, so cold. I bury my face in his neck, my tears soaking into his skin.

He’s gone, and it’s all my fault.

No. It’s not my fault. It’s Eldrion’s.

When I stand, my grief and sorrow begin to morph into something else. Something hot and fierce and all-consuming.

Rage.

I turn to face Eldrion, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. Purple light begins to flicker around me, tendrils of energy that snap and crackle in the air.

“You,” I hiss, my voice low and dangerous. “You did this.”

“I did not mean for this to happen, Alana.”

“You took Kayan and now you have taken Finn.” I shake my head, the fury building inside me like a volcano ready to erupt. “No,” I snarl. “This is on you. All of it. The suffering, the pain, the death. It’s all because of you.”

The light around me grows brighter, more intense. I can feel the power surging through my veins. “And now,” I whisper, my eyes locking with Eldrion’s, “you’re going to pay.”

I raise my hands, purple flames dancing at my fingertips. Eldrion’s eyes widen, and for the first time, I see a flicker of fear in their depths.

Good. He should be afraid.

I take a step forward. But then, a sound cuts through the roaring in my ears.

A cough.

I spin around, my heart leaping into my throat.

There, hovering a few inches off the ground, is Finn.

His eyes are open, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.

He’s alive.

But then I see his wings, still black as night. They are moving. They are growing.

I stagger backward and reach for Briony’s hand. Finn’s body rights itself so he is upright in the air. And his wings continue to grow.

His eyes spring open. He is staring at me. I jerk forward, but Briony keeps hold of me.

Finn tilts his head, then opens his mouth. A scream that makes my bones feel as if they might splinter fills the air. It grows louder, and louder.

A cracking sound follows it.

His arm jerks into an unnatural angle. Then the other arm, and his legs.

His body is breaking.

I cry out and drop to my knees. “What are you doing to him? Stop!” I turn to Eldrion, no longer too proud to beg.

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