Page 22 of The Serpent’s Shadow

I shook my head wildly. “This is insane. These people—yourpeople—you know we’ll fight back, right? Humans are not weak, contrary to what you may think. We have a history of fighting like hell for what we think is ours.”

“Yes, we know that . . . though not everyone agrees,” Corym said, glancing over at his sister. “Elves are not in the business of underestimating potential enemies. The existential threat these beings symbolize should not be underestimated either. They may not come with spears and magic, but with nuance and trickery. The Dokkalfar are cunning, treacherous. Goblins, kobolds, and trolls are hearty and strong, yet they don’t lack brains. Jotnar are unlike anything this realm has ever faced. And, don’t forget, our pantheon is alivingpantheon. Could you imagine the potential destruction if the Aesir and Vanir were to come down from the heavens?”

My eyes widened. Corym was talking about literal gods. Odin, Loki, Thor—those guys.He can’t be serious, can he? Does he know something I don’t? Somethingno humansknow?

My hands trembled when I lifted them from my knees. The light elf deflected to all the other races that could potentially cause humans harm. But what about the Ljosalfar themselves? I wastheirprisoner, not the prisoner of the dark elves or jotnar. The Ljosalfar were the first arrivals—the first contact with outside races humans had had in eons.

By Hel, these warriors had already killed half a dozen Huscarls right in front of me! Would have killed me, too, if it weren’t for what I looked like.

The betrayal inside me morphed into fear. It was a crippling sensation, seeping through my bones, straight to the marrow.I need to get out,I urgently thought.

I had been pining for my men every day now, missing them. Once or twice I’d even thought about escaping into the night, fleeing so I could try to find my way back to Vikingrune Academy. Curiosity had kept me here.

Without a map, the journey would be treacherous. Delaveer Forest was vast, the Isle was huge. I could easily get lost and wind up right back here, under even more scrutiny than before.

Getting close to Corym today—that could easily be chalked up as an accident. A fluke. At the end of the day, I didn’t know this man well. He wasn’t telling me his motives, he was deflecting from it. Which only scared me more.

I abruptly jolted and stood up from the circle. Everyone stared up at me from where they sat.

“Lunis’ai?” Corym asked.

I noticed the hint of sorrow in his tone, as if he knew he’d said too much and spooked me. “If what you say is true, I have to warn my people.”

Strangely, Corym’s eyes moved from me . . . to the elders.

I followed his gaze to the three flat, wrinkle-free faces of the statesmen, all of whom slowly shook their heads.

“Afraid that’s not possible, half-blood,” Deitryce spat.

My body tensed as I curled my hands into fists at my sides. I gave Corym a pleading look, my eyebrows arching helplessly. “You said I was free to leave this place whenever I wished, Corym.”

“Did he now?” Deitryce said with a snort, eyeing her brother and shaking her head. “Regardless what he said before, things have changed.”

“Is she the leader of this outfit, or are you?” I growled, keeping my eyes on Corym.

He dipped his chin, shame chasing across his beautiful face. “It doesn’t matter. The elders have spoken.”

“They didn’t say a damn word!” I cried, throwing my arms up.

“They did to us,” Corym explained.

I blinked.Mindshaping?

Putting my hands on my head in frustration, I looked down at Deitryce. “What’s changed, dammit? You said I can’t leave now because ‘things have changed’.”

“You told us about Lady Elayina. Though we might not need to see her now, we will soon. You will lead us to her, as you offered before.”

Damn the gods! I opened my big fucking mouth and this is the outcome?I gritted my teeth, clamping my jaw to try and prevent an outburst. My eyes never left Corym’s cautious face. “Now I know why the elves can’t be trusted. You go back on your promises.”

It didn’t matter what the histories said about the elven-human alliance. That was the past, this was now. From what I could see, nothing had changed.

I stormed toward the exit of the tent. Two elves in golden armor stood outside, spears crossed to block my path.

Spinning around, I glared at Corym.

“Let her pass,” he said, waving his hand.

“I’ll run,” I promised him.

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