Page 98 of A Fate so Cruel

Rion leaped for him, but another of the creatures grabbed the male’s arm and shook its massive head. Rion heard the bone crunch, then flesh separated with a squelching sound that had a shiver running down Rion spine.

Selina danced between three, twisting and turning with her magic in tow. It briefly had him wondering why she felt she needed more training at all.

A third closed in on the screaming male. To hell with their bet.

The ground beneath the male came alive and rock slammed into the three beasts tearing at the half-breed. They yelped on impact, then Rion used the same particles to snap their necks. He did the same with the creatures surrounding Selina, then twisted toward six more hiding within the trees.

They were dead in seconds.

The female leaped from the tree and ran toward the male half-breed. He writhed on the ground, clutching his shoulder where his arm used to be attached. Blood gushed from the wound and the female tried to stop it with her hands.

That was panic on her face. Panic and terror at the thought of losing the only one she likely loved.

Rion removed one of his knife belts and tossed it to the female. “Tighten it above the wound.” She scrambled for it, hands shaking. Footsteps sounded in the forest again. Those were definitely Fae.

Two males walked ahead of the others. All were dressed in black, all had their weapons and magic at the ready. Rion counted. Six just behind. Four to his left, still hidden. Five to his right, also hidden. He heard more footsteps behind but didn’t dare take his eyes away from the males to his front.

One smirked, the action pulling at a deep scar at the corner of his mouth. “The fabled Demon Lord of Brónach.” Rion raised a brow. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”

Rion felt the male’s magic pulse through the air, sensed it crackle and dance. The male threw his sword sheath to the ground and cracked his neck.

“What are you waiting for then?”

Tree roots shot from the ground and wrapped around Rion’s ankle faster than he could anticipate. He cursed as they yanked his feet out from under him. Rion used his elbows to brace against the impact, then rolled to the side, using his magic to slice the roots in half. The male was over him less than a second later, his blade stabbed through the dirt a hair’s breadth away from Rion’s face.

“Rion!”

He ignored Selina’s voice and slammed his palm into the male’s solar plexus, hitting him with both his body andmagic. The male didn’t balk from the pain; he almost seemed to welcome it.

The male laughed, then positioned himself into a low crouch, a movement that reminded Rion of someone else. Someone he didn’t want to think about. Rion’s heart pounded.

The others moved in, but the male’s voice roared above the silence. “He’s mine.” He snapped his teeth for emphasis and his companions backed away.

Rion could sense Selina’s anxiety. He could feel her magic too, sneaking toward him beneath the ground, but he couldn’t afford to let her distract him.

Rion ripped the ground apart, splitting rock and stone until they were nothing more than fine particles. They swirled above him like a swarm of insects awaiting command.

The male only watched, his eyes calculating, cold, stern.

“I never could quite figure out why Caol took you in.” Rion’s heart stopped. “But seeing you now, I think I understand. To train someone like you, to be the one to claim they’d tamed the monster. I can see the appeal.”

“You knew Caol?” It explained why his movements were familiar.

Another smirk. He was enjoying the taunt. “Some called us brothers. After years of rolling through shit and blood, I suppose it was a fitting title. At least until the wretch went and found himself a mate. He grew soft and went even softer after she died.”

The male shook his head, disappointment in his tone. “The late High Lord allowed him to wallow in the grief too long. Honestly, it’s probably for the best that you put him down.” He looked Rion over again. “My father once spoke of a time when the High Lords were ruthless and no one dared to challenge our country. It’s probably best that you put your father down, too. How long until that brother of yours follows? Or your sister?”He sighed. “She’s the worst of the lot. Going against the gods themselves to hide you when they demand your sacrifice.” He shook his head. “If it’s up to me, I’ll have her body—”

Fury split the ground at their feet and Rion raced forward. His sword slammed into the male’s blade and the male barked in protest, his feet sliding backward across the ground. Vine and greenery rose to defend him, but they couldn’t penetrate Rion’s magic.

His heart thundered in his chest. They were part of the rebel forces. A unit ready to eradicate his entire family. He wouldn’t let them touch Saoirse. Not so long as he drew breath.

Sand crawled up Rion’s arms and lashed out, wrapping around the male’s throat. The male gritted his teeth, fighting for breath, then he yanked one of Rion’s knives out and plunged it into Rion’s side.

He refused to buckle from the pain. Rion didn’t let up, didn’t jump back. He only pushed harder, squeezing until the male’s eyes bulged from his head. “You will not touch her.”

His warriors rushed forward then, ready to intervene, but one final squeeze and the male’s windpipe collapsed. Selina moved behind him, joining the fray, and Rion let the male’s body drop to the ground. He spun and let a wave roll beneath the ground, knocking the warriors off balance long enough for Selina to incapacitate them.

Rion stole the killing blows, relishing in each stopped heartbeat.

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