Page 80 of Soul Forge

“They’re starving but not insane with thirst,” Reiner agreed. “He’ll be sore for a day or so, but he’ll manage.”

“He’ll be alright,” Gira promised, his brow furrowing. “I’m more worried about the news they had to share. It’s a big concern if Arden was really taken by the Corrupted. Why kidnap him instead of just killing him?”

“Beats me,” Julian shrugged. “I hope the poor kid has more mettle than the last time I saw him. He’ll need it if they’re keeping him captive somewhere.” Elda’s stomach pitched at the thought of them torturing Arden. She knew very little about him and the other wielders, but they were kindred spirits all the same. It was her duty to help him.

“Could they use him for something?” Reiner asked. “Is there anything special about him beyond him being a wielder?”

“No more special than the rest of us,” Gira shrugged. “We should head out to alert the king. Once we know where they’vetaken him, we can work on getting him back. We might as well make use of all the resources we have.”

Reiner nodded her agreement, then turned and put a hand on Elda’s shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone,” she warned. “You’re in this villa with two demons, three vampires, and a fae that hates you. Keep your weapon close.”

Elda flashed a tight smile. “I’m surprised you’re not dragging me with you.”

“I thought about it,” the valkyrie admitted. Her brow furrowed. “But you’re never going to be the wielder the Spirits want if I keep treating you like you’re back in the palace.” She turned her dark eyes on Julian. “However, if one hair on her head is harmed while I’m away, I will string you up by your balls, vampire.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, winking at her. The ex-captain narrowed her eyes at him, only turning to leave when Gira cleared his throat behind her.

“Protective, isn’t she?” Julian remarked, watching her climb into Atlas’ saddle and follow Gira out of the gardens.

Elda smiled. “She worries about me because my parents never did. I’m lucky to have her protecting me.”

“You don’t find her overbearing?”

“Her heart is in the right place.” She shot him a sideways glance. “Yours, however, is in danger of being torn out if anyone so much as touches me before she comes back.”

“Does that mean sparring is a no?” Julian asked, nudging the princess with his elbow. “I need to take my mind off my husband eating yours.”

Elda shuddered. “You make it sound so violent.”

“Sweetheart, you saw Sypher’s neck when I was done with him. Vampire bites aren’t the tiny little pinpricks the storybooks say they are.”

She swallowed, remembering the ragged tear Julian had left in his flesh. “Even when you’re not starving?”

“Even then. The thrall takes the pain away, but it doesn’t make the bite any smaller.” He cocked his head. “You’re lucky the bond isn’t developed yet. If it were, you’d know how much it hurts.”

“What could he possibly have done to you that makes him believe hedeservesthat?”

Julian shrugged. “You know I can’t tell you.” He shot her a sideways glance. “He also probably finds the idea of me putting him under my charms uncomfortable. You know, after Lillian.”

“Probably,” Elda agreed.

“He’ll be fine. Sore for a day or so, but fine.” The vampire flashed another mischievous grin. “That should give me plenty of time to teach you a few tricks before you spar with him again.”

“You want me to knock him on his ass?”

“Princess, I wouldpayto see that.”

Elda mirrored his grin. “Let’s get to work then.”

By the time Elda finished training for the day, her arms and legs trembled so much it was hard to walk. She gingerly made her way back inside, heading for the kitchen to try and eat the meal she’d missed when Julian’s family arrived.

The vampire was as fast as Sypher. She’d picked up several new tricks that she hoped would give her a well-earned win against the Soul Forge.

She was halfway to the kitchen when Sypher practically fell out of his room, bleeding from his throat and wrist. One hand was pressed to the neck wound, and all the red was gone from his eyes. He was so preoccupied with getting away from whatever had upset him that he didn’t notice her until he’d walked into her.

The demon in him gripped the front of her tunic and slammed her against the wall, teeth bared in a snarl. The tips of them were just beginning to sharpen, and she knew when she looked into his eyes that he didn’t see her. If she didn’t calm him down, he was going to kill her.

“Sypher,” she said softly, struggling to speak around the knuckles pressed against her throat.

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