Page 47 of Exiled Prince

“Plan?” Rave asks, his sword in his hand.

“Highest kill count wins,” Salem murmurs until Silver slaps the back of his head. “Sorry, highest non-innocent kill count wins.”

“Fuck’s sake,” Sage mutters, but his grin gives him away. He’s excited too. My brothers are psychopaths. “I’m going to win.”

We walk in a rough line, Bane in the middle. There are not many of us but more than we need to win.

Lightning crackles as bolts hit the castle, trees are falling, and the skies are screaming in anger. But where we step, nothingtouches us.

Soon, about fifty of the Demon Army run outside, and a demon steps out from the center—dark hair, red eyes, and a crown on his head. This must be Bane’s brother. He’s shorter than Bane by a few inches and is nowhere near as handsome. He has no tattoos and a sour look on his face that instantly makes me want to punch him.

“Bane,” he sneers, a look of hatred in his eyes. “What brings you tomy kingdom?”

Bane steps forward, drawing the sword at his hip. “I challenge you for the crown.”

Xan laughs, but fear flickers in those red eyes as he looks over all of us. “My people will never follow you, Bane. You left and threw it all away. Why are you back now?”

“It doesn’t matter. Do you accept the challenge, or do you want a war instead?” Bane asks, thunder rumbling above us.

Xan studies him, then turns to his guard. “Attack!”

“What magic does he have?” I ask Bane, who is covering me with his body, ready to fight.

“He’s a truth-sayer,” Bane explains, taking a few steps ahead of me and raising his arms in the air, commanding the lightning strikes that hit the ground with such destruction. “So he knows what’s bullshit and what’s not. He just doesn’t give a fuck.”

Xan turns and runs behind the army, hiding behind them like the coward he is.

Some king.

“Go!” Silver calls out to Bane, who turns around to keep his eyes on me. Silver throws stars at two males rushing toward us with their swords drawn.

Rave’s shadows drift over the castle, creating an eerie vibe. There are people everywhere fighting as more of the Demon Army comes out to defend their so-called king. Astrid puts up her shields, and although we are outnumbered, we are powerfulenough.

Pandora calls upon her undead army, the souls scurrying out from fates knows where, ready to fight for her. I’m both impressed and horrified.

Bane makes his way through the army, trying to get to Xan, and I follow behind him, with Salem coming out of nowhere to take my back. He turns invisible, letting me know he’s there with his hand on my arm. It freaks me out when he pops out of nowhere without any notice. When Bane has stabbed his way to get us through, we find Xan standing in front of the castle doors. He has a guard on each side of him, and his fingers are twitching around the sword in his hand.

“It’s a shame my mother’s not alive.” Xan smirks, his red eyes looking over Bane with distaste. “She would have liked to see you die by my hand.”

“She should have killed me when she had the chance then,” Bane replies, getting into a fighting stance. “Now, are you going to talk all night or keep running away like the scared little boy I remember you to be?”

“No magic, weapons only,” he suggests, and being a truth-sayer, I can tell why.

“Okay, I can beat you any which way, Xan.” Bane smirks, and Salem leads me back to give Bane some space. My movement draws Xan’s attention, his eyes flickering with interest before they start to circle each other.

Bane strikes first, both going blow for blow, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the night. Bane has the clear upper hand, moving his sword with a lethal grace that is not only impressive but sexy as hell. Xan is knocked to the ground, his sword falling out of reach beside him.

I don’t know what Bane is going to do now.

Is he going to kill him?

Would he be able to do that and still sleep easy at night?

“Bane,” I whisper just as he stabs the blade right through Xan’s heart. And I’m too focused on watching Bane to pay much attention to my surroundings.

I don’t notice anything until my body jerks, and pain explodes from my chest.

The last thing I remember before passing out is the painful roar of my name.

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