Page 97 of Crown of Slumber

I sank to my knees but let my voice continue to ring out, scraping against my raw throat. A metallic taste filled my mouth, and I knew I’d pushed myself too far. Blood dripped from my nose and ears.

At long last, the remaining ogres vanished, some skittering up trees, and others disappearing into the shadows, their blurred forms blending into the darkness.

With a groan, I slumped over, my head meeting the earth. Blood pooled from my mouth, and I felt nothing but pain. Pure agony.

Soft footsteps approached, and Aurelia crouched by my side, her blue eyes wide with concern. Her fingers were warm as she swiped a lock of hair from my eyes.

“Fenn?” she said hesitantly.

I mumbled something incoherent, trying to tell her I was fine, but the words came out as more of a gargle.

She chuckled. “I don’t know what the hell you just did, but it was impressive. I suppose you’ll need me to somehow hoist you atop the horse?”

“No,” I said thickly. “I—I can walk. Just… a moment.”

But I didn’t move. My limbs would not respond. I could do nothing but wheeze, my lungs straining for air as I tried to regain my strength.

Yes. I had definitely pushed myself too far.

“Gods, you are pathetic,” Aurelia muttered, rising to her feet and sheathing her dagger. “Hold on.”

Her footsteps retreated. I tried to turn my head to follow her movements, but I was in too much pain.

Louder, heavier footsteps thundered nearby. Alarm raced through me, and I managed to lift my head despite the searing agony splitting through my head. “Aurelia!”

Aurelia was gathering up the reins of her horse, and she turned at my shout. But she was too late. A dark shape lunged for her, tackling her to the ground. They rolled and tumbled, and her shrieks filled the forest. With a cry, I pushed myself up on my arms,trying to crawl toward her, but I had nothing left. Every drop of my power had been expended already.

I could do nothing but stare in horror as the ogre wrestled with Aurelia. Grunts and screams followed blows. From the feeble sound of her protests, I knew Aurelia was losing.

“No!” I roared. “No,stop!” I tried to summon my fae magic, but nothing happened. The air was still and silent, save for the sounds of Aurelia’s struggles. The earth did not respond to my call.

I fumbled with the hilt of my sword, trying to draw it. Perhaps if I could fling the blade at the ogre, I could impale it and help her…

With one last groan, the forest fell completely silent. I froze, horror pooling in my gut as I waited, desperate for a sound, for Aurelia’s laugh of triumph, or for the ogre’s screech of pain.

I lifted my head higher, trying to make out where the ogre had dragged Aurelia.

But the woods were eerily empty. Nothing but darkness and shadows.

Aurelia was gone.

The sudden stillnessin the air should have warned me. After Fenn used his strange power to chase away the ogres, the forest cleared, and the feral sounds of the unseelie creatures was replaced by chirping crickets, rustling leaves, and the occasional hooting of an owl. Sounds I wouldn’t normally think about.

Until they vanished.

Perhaps one ogre lingered after the rest. Or perhaps another tribe had come to investigate the commotion.

All I knew was, one moment I was gathering the horse’s reins, and the next, I was tackled to the ground, my arms and legs scraping on tree roots, my skull connecting with the hard earth. The foul odor of the beast filled my nose and mouth, making me gag.

I tried to strike out with my arm, but it pressed its thick and meaty body into mine, crushing me. One massive hand pressed hard on my nose and mouth, cutting off my air. I managed to bite down hard on one of his fingers, and the toxic blood and stench entered my mouth once more. The ogre roared, withdrawing for long enough for me to bash my head against its own.

That was a terrible idea.

The ogre’s skull seemed to be made of steel. A blinding pain rippled through my head, making my eyes water. Darkness pressed in on me, and I felt myself falling.

Fenn screamed my name nearby. But he was too winded, too weak. He couldn’t help me.

I wason my own.

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