Page 25 of Fated to the Damned

The Thirteen didn’t like that, though, and they made the dark elves. It was an all out battle after that. The vrakken and the dark elves used everything in their power – even begging their gods for new races like the manticore and dragon shifters – to try and topple the other.

The vrakken were eventually driven underground, though, when the First went missing, and they stayed there until recently. Apparently, over time, as they mated with humans, their magic diminished and their wings started to disappear.

The wildspont has always hidden them, the magic here so intense and potent it can scramble anyone not used to it, but now, as they’ve returned to the surface and found so many humans ready to turn on the dark elves, they knew it was time.

The First told them that only one race could walk the surface. And they are certain it will be them.

“Well, you’ve done a great job,” Alina says as she steers me out of the farming area. “We’ll make it another month with you.” And then under her breath, she adds, “Hopefully more.”

My eyes sweep around the courtyard area. All week, the training center has been empty. The vrakken lounge about, looking more like the dark elves than I’m sure they’d want to hear.

If there is a war brewing, it seems these vrakken haven’t heard.

As Alina leads me away from the vegetable gardens, I catch sight of Nikolai storming from one of the ramshackle barracks buildings. His massive wings are flared out rigidly, his usually fluid gait now jagged with barely contained rage. Even from a distance, his fury is palpable.

He hasn't so much as glanced in my direction since we arrived at the base over a week ago, acting as if I'm invisible. The dismissal cuts deeply, especially after the tender intimacy we shared.

I watch Nikolai disappear through the carved double doors of the vrakken wing, leaving one slightly ajar in his haste. Determination wells up inside me – it's time I get some answers directly from him, no matter how he tries to avoid me.

I make an excuse about feeling tired to Alina before slipping away across the courtyard. My nerves rise with each step closer, heart pounding against my ribs.

The vrakken wing is dim and quiet compared to the bustle outside. It’s also wider and taller, I notice, to accommodate their size I suppose. I trail down the hallway, peeking into rooms until I find the one Nikolai entered.

Inside the small cluttered office, he’s hunched over a heavy oak desk, completely immersed in a massive leather-bound tome. His wings twitch with agitation as he studies the arcane pages filled with strange symbols and diagrams in faded ink.

Nikolai's brow is deeply furrowed, jaw clenched in concentration. He shows no sign of noticing my presence as I linger uncertainly in the doorway.

Finally, I knock lightly on the open door to get his attention. Nikolai's piercing amber eyes snap up to meet mine, surprise flashing across his stony features before being quickly masked. Immediately, he looks away.

"We need to talk," I say as firmly as I can, refusing to be intimidated. "You owe me some answers."

At first Nikolai tries dismissing me, glancing back down at the books. “I’m busy, and I have nothing to say to you.”

"I'm not leaving until you give me some answers," I state defiantly, tilting my chin up to meet his glare.

Nikolai's jaw tightens with anger. "There is nothing to discuss. Return to the humans where you belong."

His cold words make me see red. "You don't get to pretend nothing happened between us! You saved my life, healed me, made me feel..." I falter, a blush rising to my cheeks.

Nikolai looks up, jaw flexing, but he doesn’t quite meet my gaze. "That was a mistake. Let it go."

"A mistake?" I repeat incredulously. "Why did you help me then? What aren't you telling me?"

Nikolai snarls in frustration. "I don’t owe you an explanation! You should be grateful I brought you to the base at all."

"Grateful for being treated as invisible?" I shoot back bitterly. "I deserve more than cruelty after what we shared!"

His massive wings flare out. "It was sex. Inconsequential. Stop acting like it was more."

Nikolai shoves away from the table and tries striding past me out the door, but I step into his path, arms crossed stubbornly. "Get out of my way, human," he growls through gritted teeth as he continues to stare over my head.

I tilt my chin up defiantly, trying – and failing – to meet his fiery glare. "Not until you give me some answers. You don't get to pretend nothing happened between us!"

Nikolai's massive wings flare out in agitation. "I told you, that was a mistake – one I regret deeply. Now let it go."

"A mistake?" I repeat incredulously. "The way you held me, touched me so gently...I know you felt something real!"

His jaw flexes as he looks away. "You know nothing about me or my kind. There can be nothing between us. I was weak and endangered us both."

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