Page 136 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Arianna gaped at him. Not going to hurt her? What did he mean? Talon extended one hand and melted the ice from The Demon’s body. The male still didn’t move, as if she’d actually frozen him to the spot.

But Talon knew exactly who he was. He’d been the one to tell her stories about the creature that tore through battlefieldswithout remorse. He’d been the one to warn her to steer clear of him at any cost.

Talon stepped, but not toward her. He placed himself between her and The Demon. As if that monster were the one that needed protection.

But—but—

Gods, was Talon a traitor? Is that how they’d escaped? Had Talon made a deal with Vairik? Was The Demon working with him too? Was her sister even free, or were they using a glamour to fool her? Maybe she wasn’t even really in a house. What if this was a dungeon and they were all still inside the castle?

Arianna stepped back.

Talon spoke in a near whisper. “You’re safe. Give me a chance to explain.”

Her heart wouldn’t slow. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t—

Not Talon. Talon wouldn’t—he couldn’t—

“You’re helping him.” Her voice broke.

“I’m just making sure you don’t do something you’ll regret.”

Regret? What the hell was he talking about? Arianna stepped back again and darted a glance toward the stairs. The Demon placed his hands on the floor, as if he might rise and give chase. Could she even outrun him?

Ellie. She needed to find Ellie.

The Demon’s magic flickered to life and Arianna bolted. She took the stairs three at a time, each impact jarring her body so much it threatened to collapse.

She had to get to her father. He would know what to do. She wasn’t strong enough as she was now, but if she could make it to Levea—

Talon’s voice followed her down the stairs and Arianna paused upon seeing Raevina seated in the room with a glass halfway to her mouth. Saoirse sat across from her, but she’d half risen, her eyes wide as she stared at Arianna.

Arianna veered for the door. Tears stung her eyes. Talon was a traitor. They were all traitors. No, that wasn’t right. Raevina had pledged her life to her, hadn’t she? Unless they’d all turned together. Did she have no one? Was this even real?

“Arianna, stop.” She didn’t. She raced straight into the trees, just like she should have done when she’d first been taken into slavery. She just needed to find a water source. If she could do that, maybe she could lose them.

Talon’s footsteps closed in, as if he were purposely making noise, but then The Demon appeared in front of her, easily cutting her off. She skidded to a stop, panting from the pain radiating through her back and neck.

Gods, he was going to kill her. One strike of his magic and she’d be dead.

Arianna backed away a step, but Talon and Raevina blocked her path.

“It’s all right,” The Demon whispered, his voice a strange sort of music that called to something in her soul.

Arianna shook her head and spun to find Talon too close. “Stay away from me,” she shouted before summoning magic to surround her body. She morphed each droplet into a tiny spear.

Talon backed away and lifted his hands. “No one here is going to hurt you.”

“What did you do to me?” she shouted again. Something was wrong. Something was missing. She needed time to sort through the facts and figure out exactly when it’d happened.

“Please, Arianna,” Talon pleaded. “Just come back inside. I’ll explain everything, I promise.”

“Explain him!” She jerked her head toward The Demon.

“I’m your mate.”

Arianna scoffed then anxious laughter bubbled to the surface. “You’d like that wouldn’t you? To be crowned king over the land after everything you’ve done.” He visibly flinched.

Talon stepped and she shot four icicles at his feet. “Have you been working with Vairik this whole time? Are you the reason Ellie was taken?”

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