Page 9 of Boss Level

“Fuck, we need to move, guards are coming!” Daire growls, before scooping the King up, and tossing him over his shoulder. I yelp, jumping out of the way, and as Arlo grips my arm to tug me with him, I snatch up the crown that fell off the king's head. At least I try to, until touching it burns my fingertips. It clatters to the floor for a second time, and Cato grabs it instead.

“Fuck!” I yelp, but Arlo doesn’t even pause as he drags me out of the room and after Daire.

“Where are we going?” I whisper-shout, and Daire just waves a hand in front of him.

“That way,” he says in a tone that implies an unspoken ‘duh.’ Smart ass.

“The dungeons,” Cato supplies when Daire doesn’t offer anything else, and my eyes go wide.

“Will you two be okay down there?” My head snaps to Cato first and then to Odas. I don’t want them somewhere that is going to harm them… Both men look tense with raised shoulders and jaws clenching, but neither of them looks triggered by the thought.

“It’s not ideal, but we will be fine,” Cato sighs, meeting my eyes. “As long as we don’t get stuffed in a cell,” he adds, and a growl slips from between my lips.

“No one will ever put either of you in a cell as long as I live. They’ll have to go through me, and I’ll burn this castle down before anyone gets close,” I hiss, feeling my magic simmering across my skin, ready to do exactly what I threatened.

“Okay killer, calm down baby…” Odas says teasingly, and I huff. Daire shushes us, and I glare at him for only a moment before remembering we’re running from guards and searching for the dungeon.

As we follow Daire –with the King tossed over his shoulders– down the stairs, the vibe in the air around us shifts.

I can feel power radiating down there. The taste of Chaos on my tongue leaves little doubt of what I will find at the bottom of these stone steps.

“I think my mom is down there,” I whisper, and Cato nods.

“By now probably your grandmother and the others, too,” he adds, and I nibble my lip.

“Go faster, Daire,” I hiss, as anxiety creeps in.

“I can go faster just fine, it’s the rest of you that can’t match my speed,” Daire grumbles.

The need to make sure Grams is okay and to get my eyes on my other guys causes my feet to carry me faster down the stairs. I know that Fen has probably made it to his mother by this point, so the sooner we get done in the dungeon, the sooner I can get to Fen.

I know Silas has a plan and will keep him safe, but I just feel like I need to be there.

“Oh shit.” I hear Daire grumble as he turns a corner in front of us. Cato and Odas form a fucking wall in front of me, and Arlo drops his big ol’ meaty hands on my shoulders to keep me still.

“Let me pass,” I snap with an edge of venom in my tone. Their desire to protect me, while expected, is not fucking needed. Saving my mother and keeping my mates safe from the Fae Queen are my only goals right now. Just as I feel the frustration in my chest grow stronger, a being pops into existence right in front of us. Startled, I pause, staring at her. Her ears flick, as she looks between me and the guys.

“Oh fuck,” Cato grumbles, taking a step backward. The shock only lasts a second as I jump forward, squeezing between my men as I break free of Arlo’s grip and charge the Mungus.

“Sweet Girl!” I scream, as I wrap my arms around her neck. “Oh, I missed you so much! I didn’t think I’d get to see you again!” I cry, happy tears falling as I hug the Mungus in a death grip. She’s tough though, and when I release her, she noses me. I swipe the tears from my eyes and sniff.

“Did she just teleport the Mungus to her, across Realms, without touching her?” Cato asks, and Odas grunts. I smile smugly over at them and then stick my tongue out at Arlo.

“Told you I’m powerful. Stop freaking underestimating me!” I grumble. In all honesty, I don’t know how I just did what I did. I was thinking about how scared all the guys were of my Mungus, and that they’d leave me the hell alone if I had her by my side, then poof. There she was.

She shrinks herself to a large pony size, and I climb onto her back.

“She’s riding a Mungus into battle,” Odas chuckles, giving me an idea. I close my eyes, and imagine her with a massive iron head of armor, as Sweet Girl heads in the direction Daire disappeared in. Her steps never even falter as it appears, making her look ten times more intimidating.

“I’ll have to start calling you Badass Girl,” I whisper to her, rubbing her neck. A little piece of me that I didn’t even know was sad and missing her this much heals. After we dealt with the Fae Queen, I would have gone to look for her, but I’m so glad to have her by my side.

As we turn the corner, and enter the dungeon, I see why Daire cursed. There’s chaos happening down here.

Chapter 6

Moon

There are several Fae guards pinned to walls with magic or knocked out on the floor.

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