Page 127 of A Fate so Cruel

Rion moved the table and rolled the rug away. He pulled a small knife from his boot, then pried the floorboard up. Inside, wrapped in a violet cloth, was a small grayish box with a crow etched into the lid.

They couldn’t be serious.

Rion popped it open. Inside sat a few folded documents, two pairs of rings, both with a crow emblem, and a series of vials he didn’t have any interest in opening.

Rion unfolded the documents and sure enough a list of names along with what appeared to be formulas and notes about things that were beyond him.

Too easy. It was all too easy and obvious and—

“The look suits you.” Rion looked up to find Foley staring down at him, a playful smirk on his face as he scanned Rion from head to toe. The male held a glass of wine in one hand while the other lazily gripped the railing.

Rion stood slowly, papers still in hand. Foley drained the wine, smacked his lips, then studied the empty glass. “Although, I’d place you even lower than the servants. Perhaps lower than the half-breeds, but,” his gaze met Rion’s again. “A lord on his knees does have a certain appeal.”

Rion let his magic unfurl from beneath his sleeves. “Too bad there’s not a lord willing.”

The male shrugged. “No matter. Ladies are just as pleasant. I’m sure I could coax your sister into submission. I do have a scar to repay her for, after all.” Rion glanced to the side of the male’s neck and noted the long slender patch of silver skin that poked out from beneath his tunic. Saoirse had indeed given it to him, but she’d also insisted he come quietly. He’d refused.

“I’d keep her alive, of course. No need to waste perfectly good entertainment.”

A growl escaped Rion’s lips. The rock beneath the rug began to crumble and join the already swirling bits of dirt and debris.

“Now, now, I just had this place redesigned. Please don’t tear it all apart.” Males and females crept down the stairs, their weapons already drawn and glinting in the candle light. “While I’d love to keep you alive as well, I’m not sure risking the gods’ wrath is worth it in the end. Better to be rid of you and earn their favor.”

Foley didn’t reach for a weapon.

“No plans to take me on yourself?”

The male glanced down at his perfectly tailored black jacket, then his shining boots. “I’m afraid there’s a party I need to attend with a beautiful female that has drawn the attentionof far too many guests. She’s quite pretty, that one. I wonder how you ever landed her.” Hetsked. “It’s a shame she’s sullied herself with the likes of you, though. I would have rather enjoyed peeling that dress off her body.”

Rion’s entire world froze. He clenched his fists. Felt his magic rise. “You lay one hand on her and I’ll tear your arm off.”

“Hit a soft spot, did I?” The warriors were off the stairs now, circling Rion, waiting for Foley’s order. “If you’re still alive when I return, I’ll have my warriors bring back a souvenir. Would you like a finger? Or a strand of her hair?” He smirked. “Or would someone with your dark tendencies prefer an entrail?” He stepped back and Rion lunged, slamming his magic into and through the three warriors separating Rion from Foley.

Blood sprayed and the others tried to dodge but they weren’t fast enough. Rion’s hand shot out, but Foley summoned his own magic, tearing the stairs beneath his feet apart as vines rose to block Rion’s outstretched arm. Rion shredded the greenery and Foley’s eyes flew open wide when Rion’s hand wrapped around his throat and slammed him into the nearest wall.

The others recovered and moved, but Rion’s magic rose in an impenetrable wall, separating the warriors from their employer.

“Kill me and you’ll never find her.”

Rion stopped squeezing, slightly loosened his grip, and leaned close, his teeth bared. “Where is she?”

“With a few of my lackeys. As soon as you disappeared, I moved in. It’s so easy to drug a female drinking and eating everything in sight. The other guests merely assumed she was too drunk to stand.”

Rion growled and slung the male behind him. He crashed through Rion’s sand and into his own warriors. Blood filled theair and one cursed, muttering an apology to his companion who clutched a bleeding arm.

Foley scrambled to his feet and his warriors took positions in front of him. Rion barely paid them any attention; his rage centered on the male who’d orchestrated this entire thing. He wasn’t lying. Every word that spilled from his vile lips was the truth.

Rion should have known better than to leave her alone. Of course she’d be vulnerable. She was too confident for her own good, almost as if she believed herself invincible. He’d left her to the wolves and had no one else to blame but himself. Rion recalled the atrocities he’d witnessed and tried not to imagine Selina in a similar predicament.

Rion snarled and the warriors backed up a step, their magic faltering. One female from behind made her move. Vines shot out for him, but Rion’s magic reacted faster. Like a viper snatching prey. He turned cold, hard eyes to stare her down and she retreated several steps.

“If any of you value your lives, leave.” It was the only warning they’d get.

A few paused, staring. He could tell they wanted to, but something kept them rooted in place. Fine then, if they wanted to serve a male like Foley, then they could die like him, too.

Rion ducked when a burst of roots shot from the ceiling. They impaled the place he’d just been standing and cracked the floor. Rion planted a fist in the male’s jaw to his left. He heard a crack, then Rion’s magic snatched his neck and twisted. The sound radiated throughout the small space.

Another female jumped for him and Rion planted his fist in her solar plexus before bringing his knee up to her gut. He tossed her to the side and turned for her nearest companion. Rion buried a blade deep in the male’s chest. He stumbled back,clutching the area before falling to his knees. Red stained the floor.

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