Page 123 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Arianna stood in an underground colosseum. It was the only way she could think to describe the large circular space with a high ceiling and rows upon rows of stone benches that lined the area above.

Before her, nearly a dozen of the creatures she’d just escaped were chained to the back wall with short leashes and thick collars holding them in place. Five Fae stood evenly disbursed between them, just out of reach of snapping teeth. Their hands were clasped neatly behind their backs and they stood with their shoulders squared as if awaiting instruction.

But it was the Fae male slightly above them that drew her attention. Not Vairik, the one hanging below the self-proclaimed High Lord.

His body hung from the wall, pinned there with swords, knives, a spear, and a thick spike of wood that had been driven straight through his heart.

Lacerations covered his body and shards of glass protruded from every inch of his flesh as if he’d been dragged across a mirror.

Conall.

His heart no longer beat and his body carried a scent that told her he’d been dead for a while. Her mouth gaped. Gods, how long had Vairik tortured him? How long had she been in captivity? Had Conall’s warriors been captured as well? Is that who the beast in the cell been—

Gods. Gods above.

Arianna’s gaze shifted with movement to her left. Her eyes misted when she spotted Talon. He was safe but judgingfrom the blood on his clothes, he’d had his own battle on the way here. Had Vairik’s presence drawn them in as well?

Raevina stood beside him, weapon in hand, her furious gaze locked on the male above. Zylah had Saoirse’s arm draped across her shoulder. She looked like the only thing keeping Saoirse on her feet. Gavin’s face was paler than she’d ever seen it as he stared at Conall’s lifeless form. And beside Gavin—

Arianna’s breath hitched when a triumphant roar echoed down the hall accompanied by the sound of thundering feet. She spun around and her magic wrapped around her body, ready to defend herself no matter how futile. She should have grabbed weapons off the Fae she’d incapacitated. They would have done more than her magic.

A set of thick iron bars slammed down from the top of the open passageway and the creatures rammed right into them, the impact hard enough to shatter bone. They roared again in frustration biting and clawing at the iron. The sounds sent the other ones into a frenzy. They bucked and thrashed against their chains then Vairik’s voice rang out above the chaos.

“Enough.” A violent wind tore through the area. It hit the chained Dark Fae first and the massive creatures whimpered before cowering against the wall. The Fae between them didn’t move, as if they were statues guarding the invisible line separating the beasts from freedom.

The violent air kicked up mounds of dust and hit her so hard she stumbled back. Arianna shielded her eyes with one arm.

The biting air hit the creatures behind the bars next and they quickly backed away, lowering their heads but never taking their eyes off her.

Arianna’s gaze moved back to Talon, then snagged on the other male. His eyes were full of—something. Concern? Relief?His lips were parted and his gaze ran up and down her form as if counting every scrape across her skin.

Her magic jerked toward him, as if—

“Well, my son certainly didn’t do a good job at containing your lot.”

Arianna bared her teeth, but her face quickly fell slack as a lone figure ambled into view from the opening in the wall behind him.

She was dressed differently now, in brown leather instead of the black but her hair was still up in a braid that crowned her head. Arianna’s eyes scanned her little sister’s body. No chains. No marks.

“Ellie.” The name slipped from her like a plea.

Another figure limped behind her, the unmistakable sound of chains rattling with each step. Kirian’s face was haggard, his face hollow and worn. He kept his eyes on the floor until he caught sight of them. Arianna heard his heart jolt.

“Get out of here,” he screamed, his voice hoarse. Neither Ellie nor Vairik reacted. When Arianna didn’t move, Kirian yelled again. “She’s not right, you have to—”

Ellie spun and planted her elbow in Kirian’s solar plexus. The male gasped in pain and doubled over coughing, then sank to his knees on the cold stone balcony.

“How many times have I told you to keep your mouth shut?” Arianna blanched at her sister’s harsh words. Ellie just stood again, her lips curled up as if in disgust. She’d just—was it all an act? Was she being forced to serve Vairik in order to keep Kirian alive?

A wide smile spread across Vairik’s scarred face.

“Evelyn has quite a temper, as I’m sure you’re aware.” His hands wrapped around the railing, one finger tapping it in a slow repetitive motion. “Now what are we going to do with you? Every single one of you escaped, which leads me to believe my warriorsare just as incompetent as they’ve always been.” He sighed. “I suppose I should have known better than to leavehimin anyone else’s hands. He did escape once after all. It’s my own mistake for assuming it wouldn’t happen again.”

Arianna followed his gaze to the other male in the room. Sweat rolled down his face as he glared at Vairik, those fierce green eyes pinning him in place.

“And you,” Arianna refocused on Vairik when he addressed her. “I suppose you have her spirit. Laoise was always … unpredictable.” He said the words with pride, but Arianna’s magic surged and shot toward him, but it wasn’t Vairik who blocked the attack. Ellie held up one hand and her magic collided with Arianna’s, exploding in the center of the space. Shards of ice rained down over their heads.

The beasts growled as if the magic offended them and backed away. Saliva dripped from their massive teeth and their claws dug into the ground with impatience.

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