Page 10 of Fallen Angels

He stands up straighter and stares around the dungeon for a moment or two before his eyes settle on mine again. “There. I helped. Happy now?”

I turn my back on the surly bastard and run my hand along the grooves in the corners of the stone, feeling for a draft of air or something that might hint at a way out.

“Well we ain’t the only ones who been in here,” Flumph says as he tosses a large bone at Cambion’s feet. “That a demon or somethin’ else big an’ ugly.”

The guttural groan that escapes my lips is entirely instinctual and appropriate for the extent of annoyance I feel. Yes, mainly annoyance with myself.

I should have done something at the point when the soldiers walked into the room,I tell myself.Instead, I failed her. Just like I failed Thoradin. And now myself.

“This be all elfs’s fault,” Flumph announces as he glares up at Cambion. The little shit has big balls, I’ll give him that much.

“What’s my fault?” Cambion insists.

“This whole fuckin’ mess!” Flumph responds. “It was your friend that told them soldiers where we were anyhow.”

Cambion attempts to stomp on the little creature but it moves out of his way.

“What? Can’t handle the truth,faerie?” I ask because the idiotic sprite has it right, for once. ItisCambion’s fault that we’re in this fucking mess. It’s his fault that Eilish is dead and if not yet, will be soon.

“What fucking truth?” Cambion demands as he approaches the bars and glares at me.

“Has it crossed your thick skull that we should never have come back to the Fae realm? That we should never have gone to Earlann when we knew Variant’s men were all over your realm?” I start. “I told you it would blow up in our fucking faces.”

“Because your plans have workedso wellfor us so far,” Cambion chuckles dryly. “You would have gotten us killed a long time ago if I hadn’t stepped in and taken the role of leader.”

“And just how would I have gotten us killed?” I demand.

“I seem to remember the last time you were in charge, do you? If not, I’ll remind you—we lost the fucking war to fucking Variant because you couldn’t keep your fucking dick to yourself.”

“That be why the war was lost?” Flumph interrupts, sounding surprised and confused at the same time.

I take a page from Revenant’s book and plonk my ass in the corner of my cell, losing myself in the darkness.

CHAPTER THREE

EILISH

The Castle in the Sky

A large oak door stands between me and my enemy.

Variant.

Just the word makes me shiver.

I want to cower, but there’s another overwhelming feeling within me that spurs me to fight the soldiers who hold me captive.

Regardless, Dragan’s words still echo in my mind.

Remember what you are, Eilish!

Remember what I am…

The soldier forces the door open and shoves me inside. Iridescent curtains hang from the gilded ceiling as if clouds have been spun into thread to create the delicate fabric. A fountain trickles against the far wall, building a serene atmosphere in the vast quarters.

Part of the floor is pale blue marble while the rest is plush carpet. Two large doors open to a terrace that overlooks a fragrant garden. Light music drifts through the air as if to accompany the sounds of the fountain. And the smell is heavenly—a floral aroma mixed with some exotic, sweet spices.

Opal frames line intricate carvings in the stone walls that depict scenes of worshippers paying homage to a godly king. Other carvings reveal erotic entanglements between one single man and numerous women.

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