Page 54 of A Fate so Cruel

She puffed out a breath and glanced at the clock. “I’m allowed to get sentimental when I won’t see my little brother for a few months.”

“Afraid you won’t be able to find a good enough chess partner?”

“That’s bold coming from someone who just lost.”

“Only to you.” Her smile faded, so Rion added, “I can handle myself. It’ll be fine.”

She stood, still staring at the game board longingly. Too much time had passed and he hadn’t even asked her about her upcoming mission.

“Just watch your back. And her,” Saoirse warned.

“I’ve traveled with groups before. I know how to be cautious.”

“Good. See you soon.”

With a final embrace, Rion watched Saoirse walk out the door, then sat back down to stare at the game set.

He wouldn’t fall prey to Selina. He’d beat her at her own game just like he’d beat Saoirse the next time they saw one another.

Chapter Five

Rion settled himself into the dark alcove of a nearby building and waited. He watched Nàdair’s main gate. The sentries stationed there had no idea The Demon was so close, evidenced by the one who’d snuck off and returned with a pair of steaming mugs. He hoped for their sake there was only coffee or tea inside. Stronger substances would result in them losing their positions. It was a law their father had implemented after their mother’s disappearance.

Rion’s gaze drifted to the pack he’d placed on the ground. There wasn’t much inside. A pair of clothes, a small medical kit, a vial of tea from Saoirse. The latter probably wasn’t what most would consider important, but it was small and wouldn’t do anything to weigh him down.

Rion returned his attention to the gate. He’d arrived an hour early just to see who would get there first. He wanted to study them first, even if it was only for an hour. Saoirse had been right about one thing. He’d have to constantly watch his back, otherwise he’d end up having a very bad day.

He was nothing to them. An expendable asset. He should have refused. It would have been the smart thing to do, yet Rion couldn’t convince himself to do it. He reasoned it had nothing to do with a pair of amber eyes that had looked at him as if he were a normal Fae instead of a monster.

Thirty minutes later, the triplet sisters arrived. He watched the one with short braids. She appeared to lead the other two. Perhaps she was the eldest. The most dangerous, for certain. She was a walking storm just waiting to be unleashed.

All wore black and possessed a small arsenal across their bodies, both weapons seen and unseen. Rion noticed the sentries stood straighter in their presence. None spoke and theytook positions among the shadows, blending in so well that if Rion hadn’t arrived first, he might not have seen them at all.

The male with brown hair arrived next with the shorter female following close behind. The others trickled in, but again, no one talked. Probably for the best since they wanted their departure kept quiet.

Surprisingly, Selina arrived last, right on time. Rion emerged from the shadows then, letting his magic rise up to surround his body as he strode forward. Their cautious eyes flew to him. Selina offered a quick nod, did a head count, then gave the signal, and they were off.

She’d promised more information at their first checkpoint, wherever that was. Likely not too far off, given how lightly they’d packed.

Rion trailed just behind, keeping a steady eye on each should they choose to turn on him. The importance of the assignment hadn’t hit him until last night after his sister’s departure. Selina was right: If they failed, they could very well see a power shift among the nobles, and Rion ventured a guess that it wouldn’t be in Brónach’s favor.

The Fae warriors began shifting. Two grew wings, one brown and large, the other black and small. They shot into the open sky, soaring among the canopies and stars above. The three sisters shifted into wolves. One black, one gray, one white.

Another shifted into a panther, its fur black as the night itself. Selina’s body bent and Rion watched as her fingers retracted and morphed into wide paws. A tan fur coat replaced her clothing and a tail grew out from the base of her spine. Her muscles rippled with each stride.

A lioness. A huntress. A predator.

Saoirse’s words returned to him.Be careful.Rion steeled himself. He would be. Selina wasn’t the only predator capable of hunting.

The final few remained in their Fae forms, leaving Rion to assume their animals shifts weren’t suited for traveling long distances. He was silently grateful. At least he wouldn’t have to explain that he lacked the ability, even if most of Nàdair already knew he’d never get one.

Demons with desolate magic weren’t permitted such a thing. They weren’t given a mate, either.

He knew Saoirse hadn’t meant to sting him with her words, but they floated back anyway. About a female dealing with him. The unbearable truth was that none likely would. He’d be utterly alone where that part of his life was concerned. Unless, of course, he ever chose to flee and conceal his identity. He grimaced in the dark. Tricking a female didn’t exactly sound like the healthiest way to start a relationship.

Rion shook the thoughts away and kept running, following the lead of the others as they weaved between the trees they’d all known since birth. Southeast, then.

He glanced up through the canopy overhead and caught glimpses of the night sky through the boughs. Bright and clear and full of stars, the moon nothing but a sliver in the darkness.

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