Page 24 of Court of Evil

“Angel!” Shamus snaps from somewhere behind me.

“I’m okay,” I murmur.

Slumping into the stone, I glance at the sleeping fae. He suddenly sits up, and I hear his sister gasp and rush towards us. His head turns woodenly, and he glances down at me.

My blood stains his lips as he lifts a hand and pats at it.

I have brought him back from the edge, but he is not a good fae and never will be.

He was right, he was born like this, and now I have freed him.

“You’re awake!” The female fae hurries past me, her hands fluttering about before she looks at me. “You did it.”

Nodding, I climb to my feet, falling back as weakness hits me. Arms catch me, and I glance up at a worried Ronan and a stern-faced Shamus.

“She did as you asked. Are we free to leave in one piece?” Shamus asks.

“Yes, go, go.” She waves her hand at us, and Shamus and Ronan waste no time dragging me towards the exit of the cave. I glance back at the fae on the stone.

His eyes track me as I stumble away with them. His sister talks to him, but he doesn’t move, not even to blink. He disappears then reappears before me, making us stumble to a stop.

“What?” I ask, refusing to cower.

He cocks his head as he watches me.

“Brother,” she calls. “Come, we will head home?—”

“You know I cannot stay, sister. They will never accept me. I will go with her. I fear it is the only way to keep this . . . madness at bay.” He licks his lips—a reminder of drinking my blood.

“I was not offering,” I snap. “I have enough here with an asshole commander and a ghost. I don’t need a mad fae.”

“Too bad,” he murmurs as he steps closer. “You freed me and tied me to you. Where you go, I go.”

“No, brother, the mortal realm is no place for us,” the fae protests, hurrying over to us. “I will find a way to keep the hunger at bay?—”

“I have found a way—her. Either I go with her or I stay here and slowly go mad again until you have to lock me away. There is no choice.”

“I never said he could come,” I snarl at them. “I do not need any more issues. I have my own battles to finish.”

“Then you can use me to fight them.” He shrugs. “Or my powers at least, and in return, you will allow me to feed on your essence so I do not go insane . . . well, any more insane.” The smile he aims at me is crazed.

“This is not a good idea,” Shamus murmurs. “We should leave.”

“You think you can leave this realm without me stopping you?” the angel fae retorts. The entire cave is suddenly submerged in the same darkness, until all we can see is him. “I am more powerful than anything in this world or yours. I am ancient and eternal. You cannot escape me.”

“I say we bring him along,” Ronan says with amusement. “Who knows when a fae might come in handy? Besides, it’s super annoying to have to get up to turn off the lights every night. He can just do this.”

“You are a ghost. You do not sleep,” I murmur, but my eyes are on the fae.

“Brother,” she tries again before glancing at me. “Are you sure? She’s special, I can sense that, but not from this realm, and I will not be able to help you.”

“I do not need your help. I need her,” he declares. “Now, shall we go, humans, before you get into any more trouble in our world?”

I glance at Shamus to see his eyes narrowed on the fae. “It is your choice, Tate. Fae are trouble, and you are a hunter. You are enemies.”

“If I leave, you will just follow me, won’t you?” I sigh as I glance at the angelic fae.

His smirk lets me know I’m right. It’s better to keep an enemy in sight rather than stalking me. I’m left with only one choice. “Let’s get the hell out of this realm and then deal with this later. I’m fucking exhausted.”

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