Page 101 of Stolen
Or so it seems.
It’s been far too long since I’ve held my viyella and my skin itches with the need to go to her. My Dragon stirs, writhing beneath my skin.
Soon. We will be with her soon.
We’ve captured one of their generals. He is a massive creature, mutilated by his vows to Idris and his ilk.
This putrid smelling cretin is responsible for the deaths of many of my people. I growl as I draw near.
Even covered in blood and gore, cloaked in broken armor made of bones, with writhing tattoos pulsing beneath his gray flesh—this motherfucker smiles at us.
He’s kneeling now, bound in runes, his eyes glinting with malice even as blood drips from his mouth.
“Speak,” I demand, stepping forward, fire flaring in my palm.
“Where is your master? Where are the rest of your cursed kind hiding?”
The general laughs.
A sound like grinding glass.
“You think this matters?” he rasps.
“Doesn’t it?” Thorne asks, pulling on the general’s hair so he is forced to make eye contact.
“Tell us what you know or I swear by all the gods. I will smite you and all your wretched kind,” Dagan snarls.
“This battle is just smoke and mirrors. You should appreciate that, Lord of Illusion,” he says and laughs darkly.
“Speak clearly. Where is Idris? What is his endgame?”
“This fool will tell us nothing,” Kael grunts, frustration showing as he slaps his hand on his leg.
“What is the matter little Lord? Maybe you’ve chosen the wrong side. Ally yourself with Idris the Great and you will know true power,” he cajoles.
“True power, is it? Then tell us, General,” I sneer, revulsion filling my voice, “why must he steal it from the souls and hearts of others?”
“You know nothing of power, lord of Hot Air and Trickery!”
“I ought to?—”
“You can do nothing! You arenothing! This was but a curtain of smoke. A distraction.”
My heart drops. A chill winds through my spine.
Dagan steps forward, snarling.
“A distraction from what?”
“The Eyrie,” the creature hisses. “The Crown. We know where it lies. And yourpet human? She’ll scream loudest of all.”
Everything stops.
The wind dies.
The ground feels suddenly unsteady beneath me.
“No,” I whisper.
