Page 131 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“You can’t keep up, stay here and protect them.”

Talon clenched his fists at the insult but relented. Raevina shifted into a small bird of prey, then took off into the air at breakneck speeds. His heart beat wildly as she disappeared into the clouds above.

“She’ll be fine,” Zylah said, then crossed the space to work on Ellie. The half-breed only drew two marks over his future High Lady. One that looked like it might be for healing while the other mimicked the one she’d traced over Arianna’s chest. It was probably best to keep her sedated for a while anyway.

Zylah returned to Saoirse, but the female waved her off. “Save your energy for when we need it.”

“I need you to be able to run.”

Saoirse didn’t argue again.

MINUTES TICKED by and Talon counted every single one of them. His leg bounced and caught Gavin’s attention, but the male didn’t comment. Talon vaguely wondered if the male’s silence was due to Talon’s constant threats over the last several days. A tinge of guilt washed through him, especially as he watched how the male kept a steady gaze on the rise and fall of Ellie’s chest, as if he feared she might never wake again.

In light of waiting, Talon understood his worry. It didn’t matter how outrageous it seemed, one couldn’t help but worry for their mate. It was the only negative aspect he could see when it came to the bond. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around Vairik wanting to be rid of it forever.

A screeching cry piercing the air had Talon back on his feet, turning to the sky. Raevina swooped down, her wings tucked in around her body as she dove. She pulled her wings out at the last second to slow her fall.

A blinding flash and she stood before them in her Fae form, her breath ragged. “There’s a house not more than a mile off. It’s secluded and surrounded by trees.”

“How many are there?” Rion asked, already scooping Arianna into his arms.

“Just two Fae. A male and female that look like the owners. Judging from the surrounding tracks, not many come and go. Their scents tell me the male is from Pádraigín while the female is from Móirín.”

“Why is someone from Móirín all the way out here?” Talon asked.

She shrugged. “Not sure it matters right now.”

“Let’s go,” Rion said, already moving in the direction Raevina had pointed. Talon picked up Ellie under the watchful gaze of Gavin and Zylah helped Saoirse to her feet, once again pulling the female’s arm around her shoulder.

Gavin’s magic settled over them again. Talon shuddered, hating the feel of it, yet knowing it was necessary. Even Rion didn’t protest.

They crossed beneath the trees at a steady pace until a two story house entered their line of sight.

Talon kept his voice low. “Do we need to worry about the one from Pádraigín?”

“Only until he’s subdued,” Raevina said, reaching for one of her blades.

“We’re not killing innocents.”

“None are innocent as far as I’m concerned.”

“Some are,” Gavin said, his voice low. “Not everyone has a choice.”

Talon watched the war in Raevina’s gaze then she turned to Gavin. “Then it’s your job to get the male in iron before he becomes a problem. If I have to deal with him, it’ll be at the end of a blade.”

Gavin furrowed his brow. “And how, exactly, do you expect me to put him in iron. Evelyn has my bracelet.”

“She’s subdued.” Zylah said. “Take the bracelet. If that doesn’t work, we’ll knock them out and figure out what to do next.”

Raevina rolled her eyes. Talon knew those from Fiadh were said to be ruthless but he never imagined they’d be willing to kill civilians when they’d done nothing wrong.

“They’re inside,” Rion said. “Both are walking around on the bottom floor.” Talon watched him, realizing now exactly how he’d out smarted all of Talon’s plans. If he could tell where people were walking from this distance—he loosed a sigh and followed the others.

Raevina didn’t bother with stealth as she marched right up the stairs and kicked in the front door. The wood splintered and the door slammed against the interior wall, bouncing so hard Gavin had to catch it as he followed.

Talon entered after him with Ellie hanging limply in his arms.

The male jumped in front of the female, using one arm to push her behind his body. He grabbed a large kitchen knife from the table and pointed it at no one in particular, his eyes flashing between each of them as they entered.

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