Page 14 of The Blood Crown

Karro circled back to where they were, kneeling in the dirt to take a closer look. “One of the Fengul?”

Fear slithered down Aurelia’s spine at the name for the Dark King’s death hounds.

Ven’s nostrils flared, scenting the forest air around them. “It doesn’t stink of demon.” His dark brows furrowed. “We should tread carefully.”

They went back to walking in silence for the remainder of the day. And it was a small relief that all the swarming thoughts emptied from her head at the very real threat that still hunted them.

Karro had taken first watch as Ven wove thick branches in front of the husk of the large grey pine that they’d taken cover under tonight.

The space inside the dead tree was comfortable enough for her to stand as she blocked out the chill with dried leaves and smaller bits of branches, but Ven had to duck as he worked beside her. The ground beneath them was dry, and the two ofthem could lie down comfortably, if not a little snug to get some rest—ifshe would be able to rest.

“What else would make tracks that size?” she asked, her fingers stiff and clumsy from the cold.

Ven paused his work. “Nothing that has prowled these mountains in ages.”

It was answer enough. The only explanation was that one of the Fengul had been nearby and somehow they’d been lucky enough to avoid it. The glowing green eyes of the beasts were still emblazoned upon her memory. But the image was quickly replaced by the immortal prince, parting the tide of demons, his black eyes focused wholly on her.

She fought back a shiver. “The demon prince that tracked us to the border—”

“Maloch,” Ven supplied, his voice hushed as if speaking the very name of the demon might summon him. “One of Asmodeous’ brothers.”

“Whatarethey?” she wondered aloud.

“Even our histories do not go back far enough to their beginning,” he answered. “Some say deities from when our world was born. Some tales even claim that our magick trickled down from them, the fact that we must consume blood to wield our power a remnant of their lineage, but no one knows for certain.”

The power that rippled from the prince had been overwhelming. So much that she had felt it even from a distance—nothing like the power that the Blood Folk or the Allokin possessed. Something thatfeltfar darker, far older.

“Asmodeous is no doubt still looking for a way to return since I sent him back, but if Maloch was able to claw his way out . . . it means the King of the Void has found another rift in the wards—or he’s found a way to create them without the use of his relics.”

Fear drug icy claws across her skin.

“Why does he want me?” she whispered, finally voicing the thought aloud.

She was nothing. No one.

“I don’t know,” Ven answered softly.

Honesty. Even when a lie would have been more comforting, he had always given her honesty.

“My power relies on blood . . . so why don’t I wield flame or shadow?”

Ven let out a weary breath. “I don’t know. I wish I had answers for you—more to offer. The illness . . . going into stasis. Those things are particular to our kind, but the lightning . . .” He stared out into the darkened forest, crimson eyes distant with thought. “The only kingdom with a glimmer of that power was wiped out at the start of the war.”

“What if someone survived?” she hedged.

He shook his head as he turned to look at her once more. “Anything seems possible at this point.”

“Maybe I’m a half breed after all,” she offered with a thready laugh.

“When we return, we’ll find the answers you seek.”

“If I return,” she whispered, “I will bring his entire army down on Ravenstone.”

All of them knew it, but none of them had spoken the thought aloud.

“And we will fight,” Ven replied, turning to look at her. “Because you are one ofus, and we do not fight alone.”

The words made her eyes sting with emotion. “I’m sorry—” she choked out.

---