Page 55 of The Dark Mage
Roaring with rage, Fael spun and crouched, dragging his blade across the backs of the fourth soldier’s knees before arcing upward and stabbing the fifth through theneck.
The sixth soldierran.
Like a cresting wave, Fael dropped his sword, pulled his bow from his shoulder, and nocked an arrow in one fluid motion.The first arrow pierced the running soldier’s shoulder—the second struck his spine.
The final soldier stood his ground, sword at the ready.
Fael replaced the bow and stabbed the kneeling, wounded soldier through the chest.
Snarling, Fael locked eyes with the last man—wanting the challenge, relishing the fight.
Ren’wyn gasped as the soldier feinted right.Fael met the blow with his greave-covered arm.The clash of steel sent a sharp clang into the stormyair.
Fael screamed—but not in pain.His body twisted with precision, and he gutted the soldier while the man’s arms were still raised.
So many, all trained to fight magic—alldead.
All exceptone.
“Who did you bring with you, whore?”a man’s voice whispered behindher.
An arm wrapped around her chest, and the cold press of a dagger slid against her throat.
The first soldier—somehow still alive.
But Ren’wyn wasn’t afraid anymore.
As Fael turned, vengeance written across his face, Ren’wyn felt the Void open wide in the wake of so many deaths.She flicked a finger, eyes locked on Fael as she drew from his power.
Shadows rushed up from the ground, creeping over the soldier’sform.
Fael’s gaze consumed her—he didn’t need to intervene.
The soldier’s dagger clattered to the gravelly road as dark ropes of shadow encircled his legs.He thrashed and screamed as his flesh was pierced by talons of smoke.His agony bloomed in Ren’wyn’s chest as he begged for mercy.
She clenched her fist, drawing the shadows tight—just as she had by the Farro River—tearing his spirit from his corpse.
Only when he stilled did Ren’wyn finally stand on shakylegs.
Bodies littered the road, soaked in blood, mud, and rain.A few soldiers still gasped their final breaths.
Ren’wyn walked straight to Fael.She ignored the fallen men and gripped the hilt of his short sword.
It was slick with blood and rain, and it sang a muffled note as she let itfall.
Her hands found Fael’s hair, twining and tangling in damp curls.
He threw his arms around her, and she pulled his head down, crushing her mouth tohis.
Blood covered their faces, and his skin burned with power.
The rain pattered, steam hissing from Fael’s shoulders as their lips parted—his tongue swept desperately against hers.She met his fire with her own, fingers tightening against the back of his neck as they devoured every second of their shared desire.
His hands roamed over her back and shoulders, holding her close as though he might lose her again.
Breathless, they finally broke apart—gasping in the wake of the furious kiss and the adrenaline of the fight.
Fael’s skin no longer steamed, and they were soaked through from therain.
