Page 14 of Hunted By Darkness

Lev brushed a hand through his blue hair and nodded in agreement. “If you were to remove her soul, his power would likely be unbound. My guess is she was looking for a way to weaken him, and that was the best way to do it.”

My bird had quite the devil trio behind her—her mother, father, and grandmother. I’d never been so grateful to be outclassed until now.

Nika slumped against me, a tear trailing down from her eye that I was quick to brush away. “Stupid selfless woman.”

I turned her head and forced her to look at me. “Runs in the family, doesn’t it? Why don’t you tell her the good news, Lev.” I tossed the lad a little grin, knowing he had a plan given the smile he wore since coming in.

His eyes glinted and he crossed his arms, smirking. “Thought you’d never ask.”

7

Nika

My pulse thundered in my ears, but I’d known Lev long enough to know that smile came with an incredible idea.

He leaned forward and pointed to a few of the symbols. “I remembered some of these. I’ve seen them before in the texts Mother kept hidden. If you can learn to do what your grandmother did with your power, I think there’s a way we can expel Rilas’s soul back to the After.”

Why hadn’t she taught me before? She never mentioned anything like it, but Dugan hadn’t come until after Rilas had attacked us. Maybe there was a reason. Maybe this was what they saw. It was the only conclusion I could draw as I twisted mythoughts around the new information I’d learned from both Lev and the journal.

“But how will you get that text?” I asked.

Lev’s grin was downright diabolical. I’d never seen him look so excited, not since we’d seen each other again in that field.

Silas cackled as the two men stared at each other. “Another dance around those pompous wankers? I accept. I think a little extra spook might put them off trying to regain power if they think I’m watching. It’s a win-win, it is.”

“The Dark Fae Society?” I surmised, humming. “Are you sure they wouldn’t have tossed everything out or hidden it somewhere else?”

My friend shook his head, laughing. “They’re not that clever, Niks. Not the ones that matter, anyway. You know this. It’s why they did everything through the power of the Council. They’re probably still trying to name new leaders. I doubt they’ll have done much else.”

He wasn’t wrong. The Dark Fae Society was nothing if not wholly focused on performative measures rather than real ones. It was all lineage and bureaucratic bullshit. Skill wasn’t how you obtained power in that society. It was who your family was for the last thousand or so years. So they wouldn’t be thinking about another attack; they’d be worried about leadership and regaining their foothold in the Fae space.

“So we go back and grab what we need, then leave?”

Silas’s arm tightened around me. “What’s the fun in that, love? I still have a list of bastards to pay a visit to who Lev failed to mention last time.”

I glared at Lev, and he shrugged, not even the slightest bit sorry. “He’s annoyingly persistent, and I didn’t think we’d have to go back anytime soon. Sorry, Niks.”

“No, you’re not,” I clapped back angrily.

“No, I’m not,” he agreed with a sly grin.

Silas kissed my shoulder and stared at me like he wasn’t the biggest child in the room. “I won’t be but a minute, love.”

“Bet you won’t. Hope you like a cold bed,” I threatened.

Silas pouted and snuggled closer. “You don’t mean it, do you, little rebel? Why protect those undeserving tossers after all they’ve done to you? Why worry your pretty little head over them at all? Not like I wasn’t quick the last time.”

I wouldn’t win this battle with him. Silas was a monster about revenge. He’d made that clear when he risked the box to destroy several Dark Fae who hurt me. And I’d fallen in love with him despite the many shades of grey. That, however, didn’t mean I had to give into him every time.

“How long is the list?”

Knowing he’d won, the smug mercenary wore a grin and produced a list inked in silver. Did he just keep it in his pocket everywhere he went? “Only about…thirty or so. Won’t take long at all, princess, and Lev will be right there with you to grab what we need while I take a little stroll through your past.”

I shot a look over at Lev, and he was already grinning. I hadn’t known him to be the vindictive type, but Silas certainly brought it out in my friend.

Go figure.

Sighing, I caught Silas’s face in one hand and growled, “You’ll be quick, or we’re leaving you behind. I mean it, asshole.”

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