Page 80 of Golden Star

As I do, a figure steps forward. Tall and lean, with skin that glistens like stars, and eyes that are as dark as night. Black wings unfurl behind him, slow and lethal, stretching and folding like the sweep of a predator who’s just located its prey.

And apparently, that prey is us.

Sapphire

The tall,winged man flicks a wrist, and wind slams into Zoey, flinging her at a tree like a rag doll.

She crumples against it, her body going limp.

“Zoey!” I scream, hurrying to her, clutching the clean strip of fabric I was about to use to bandage her arm.

I skid to a stop halfway there, the winged man blocking my path.

He smirks, sharp and predatory, and strides forward. Every step is graceful and deliberate, as if he’s ready to spring like a cobra and bite.

I freeze.

Whatever this man is, he’s not a mindless monster like the Wendigo or the ice dragons. He’s not fae, since fae don’t have wings.

He’s more like a dark, seductive, calculating angel from the Underworld.

“That was one long jump.” He looks me over, studying me in a way that makes my blood run cold. “Your command over air is remarkable.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, since I’m not sure what I expected him to say, but that certainly wasn’t it.

“Air magic,” he repeats, his eyes so intense that it’s like he’s trying to see my soul. “You’re skilled at wielding it. The question is—why is a vampire sneaking around in fae territory?”

“I’m not a vampire.” I keep my hands out, palms facing him, to show I mean no harm. The last thing I need is to be accused of being a spy on dangerous territory—again.

“Vampires have air magic,” he says simply, slowly, as if I’m not doing a very good job keeping up with him. Which, admittedly, I’m not. “You just used air magic.”

“I don’t have air magic,” I say simply. “I’m fae.”

“Fae?” He raises an eyebrow, amused, and I nod. “Then prove it. Use your water magic.”

“All right,” I say slowly, not wanting to make any sudden moves. “I’m going to pick up some snow from the ground, so I can show you. Okay?”

“Go ahead.” He nods for me to continue, and I kneel, scraping a handful of snow from the thin layer of it on the ground. Technically, I could try pulling water from the humidity in the air again, but that trick uses a lotmore energy than simply using my magic on water that isn’t evaporated. And right now, I need to conserve as much energy as possible.

Plus, as I grab the snow, I steal a glance at Zoey.

She’s still. Too still.

Don’t be dead,I pray.Please, don’t be dead.

“Stop stalling,” the man commands, and the intense way he’s staring at me pulls at me, bringing me back into focus.

I need to demonstrate my water magic. Now.

Then he’ll know I’m not lying, since fae can’t lie. Then he can… well, there’s no saying that he’ll leave us alone and let us go on our way—assuming Zoey will be able to go anywhere anytime soon—but at least he’s hearing me out and not attacking. It’s more than the Wendigo, that woman in the woods, or those ice dragons did.

So, focusing hard, I warm the air enough to melt the snow into a pool of water that gleams under the starlight.

But after that, nothing happens.

My body feels heavy, my head fuzzy. I’ve used so much energy today. And after that flying leap off the cliff, I’m depleted in a way I never imagined possible.

Then, of course, there’s the hunger gnawing at my bones. It’s deep and brutal in a way I’ve never experienced before.

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