Page 7 of Of Wind and Terror

Was he faking being blind this entire time?

Amorite…

Elf…

Oh my Gaia.

Terror sends my heart racing.

Is he here to kill me? Is that it? I don’t know why my thoughts immediately run in that direction, but once they do, there’s no turning back. All I can think of are worst-case scenarios.

Death.

Imprisonment.

Torture.

Pain.

Suffering.

Death.

Death.

Death.

I place my palms flat against the cave wall and pray for it to be swift and merciful.

Because death would be preferable to whatever else he plans to do to me.

Sell me to the Elvin king?

Use my powers for himself?

Gaia, save me…

His lips tighten at whatever expression he sees on my face. Some of the mirth from only ticks earlier dissipates.

“I told you that I wouldn’t hurt you, cherub, and I plan to keep my promise.”

“Cherub?” My hands move instinctively to spell out that strange word. I’ve never heard it before in my life. “What does that mean?”

A dark shadow falls over Aleksander’s face.

“I do not speak Falkan, my dear cherub. That is a fae language, not an elf one.” He extends a hand to me, and I notice that even his fingers are longer than that of an average fae, the tips riven with callouses.

His appearance conjures up images of another male I saw…

It takes me a tick to realize why he looks so familiar.

That strange fae I saw at the marketplace and then again at the inn. No, not fae. Elf.

There had been another elf following me. Watching me. Stalking me.

An elf who is currently dead, his decapitated head lying on the ground by Aleksander’s feet.

Why did Aleksander kill him if they’re both elves?

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