Page 114 of Fated to the Frost King

“Help—” she screamed, her mouth open in a sob, just as something yanked her back mid-stride.

She flew off her feet, disappearing into the shadows with a sickening crack.

Draven moved instantly, thrusting a hand forward to send frost spiraling through the air. Ice formed and stretched out like fingers, catching her midair and wrenching her from the darkness.

A furious shriek sounded from the hall as the female collapsed at our feet.

She was sobbing, clothes torn and bloodied, but she was still alive, which gave me hope for my sister, too.

“It’s all right. We’re here to help,” I said, though the words tasted like a lie.

I wasn’t sure I could help anyone. My dagger felt too light in my hand, and my bones screamed at me to tap into the power that was trapped beneath my skin.

The unearthly wails grew louder, and a sound like crashing thunder boomed in the hall. Wood splintered and glass shattered as a creature tore through the hall, coming back to claim his prey.

“Stay back,” Draven ordered.

The subtle sound of his icy mana rang out, followed by the cracking of bones and the cries of a monster older than time. He dragged the thing forward, bringing its full horrifying form into view.

Not a Tharnok, but a Wretch.

Panic raced through my veins, chased by the flames of desperation.

I knelt down at the maid’s side, my voice an urgent whisper.

“Where is she? Where is Wyn—Noerwyn?” I corrected.

She shook her head, her eyes unable to focus as they flitted back and forth between some unseen horrors still playing out in her mind.

I grabbed her face, forcing her to meet my gaze.

“I need you to tell me now. Where. Is. My. Sister?” I bit out the question, following the movement of her eyes to make her focus. “And then I can get you out of here. Please.”

My voice was louder this time. Firmer. The maid’s attention snapped to mine, and tears streamed down her face as shepointed over my shoulder to the master suite on the second floor.

I turned back to her, but her eyes were wider, her face twisted in a horrified expression. She let out a blood-curdling scream.

And then that exact scream echoed behind me, in her voice, as if it were mocking us somehow.

I froze.

Crunch.

Another Wretch erupted from the shadows, its elongated form twisting and jerking as it focused its attention on us. It was a nightmare made of shadow and scales. Thick tar dripped from its gaping mouth between sharp black teeth the size of saucers.

It moved, charging straight for us. Some long buried instinct had me throwing myself over the maid and rolling her out of the way just as the Wretch crashed into the sofa we had just been kneeling by.

The furniture slid across the floor, colliding with a table near the window.

It scrambled back to its feet, its massive form now standing between us and Draven. The king adjusted to fight both frostbeasts at the same time, using his ice-sword and an array of mana to hit them again and again.

Watching him move was incredible; he was the monster that other monsters should fear. The one that haunted their nightmares. But there were two of them…

My blood turned cold with icy dread, and I prayed to the Shard Mother with more desperation and conviction than I ever had before that she would get us out of this.

My heart crashed against my ribs and I yelled at the maid to stand up. To take my hand, and run. We needed to get Wynnie, then get the hells out of here. But the female didn’t move. Wouldn’t? Couldn’t?

I yelled at her again.Shards damn it, it would be so much easier if I knew her name.

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