Page 54 of Eluvonia
“Look,” I say, my voice pitched high with false cheer. “I really don’t want to find out what happens when I leave this cage, so maybe we just—”
“Enough.” His voice is cold now, his eyes murderous as he glares at me. Blood drips down his face, and he wipes it away with a snarl. “You’re coming out one way or another.”
He turns and shouts over his shoulder, and another guard appears. This one is armed with a spear, its gleaming tip aimed straight at my throat. My blood runs cold.
“Get out,” the second guard says flatly. “Or die. Your call.”
My throat tightens, and I swallow hard. Slowly, I release my grip on the bars and raise my hands in surrender. “Alright,” I mutter. “No need to be dramatic.”
The first guard snorts and winces. “Says the one who broke my fucking nose.”
I shoot him a look as they drag me from the cage, bind my wrists with rope and push my forward, my legs unsteady as I’m forced to move onto the platform.
The silver-haired Fae is waiting for me, leaning against a hut with that insufferable grin. “Welcome to the party,” he sayssmoothly.
I glare at him, my wrists aching from the ropes biting into them. “You know, for someone who needs information, you’re not exactly great at making friends.”
He laughs, the sound sharp and mocking. “Oh, we’ll be great friends, just you wait.
Chapter 21
KAIDA
The scout returns after days of silence, his expression a blend of relief and urgency as he delivers the news. “Movement in the northern expanse,” he reports. “I tracked a hunting party and found a village— hidden atop the trees, massive, like nothing I’ve ever seen.”
Declan and I exchange a glance. A Fae village, hidden in the expanse? It’s hard to believe. But it’s the best lead we’ve had since Aeris was taken.
Many hours later, we creep through the dense forest, our steps muffled by the thick carpet of leaves. Shadows stretch long in the fading light, and the air hums with faint sounds of nocturnal life. The tension between Declan and me is a tangible thread as we make our way toward the scout’s coordinates.
“Imagine a whole Fae village going undetected for gods know how long,” Declan whispers, his tone laced with incredulity.
I grunt in response, my eyes scanning the forest for any sign of movement. “Who knows how many are hiding there? Or how many more villages like this could be out there,” I reply, my voice low and grim.
Ahead, two Fae guards stand at attention, spears in hand, their sharp gazes cutting through the darkness. Declan raises a hand, motioning for me to circle around while he distracts them. I nod, slipping into my shadows like a predator on the hunt.
Declan makes a noise to the right, the sound of snapping twigs drawing the guards’ attention. One of them steps forward cautiously, his spear angled toward the disturbance. I move behind the one who remains, my movements silent and deliberate. In a swift motion, I wrap my hands around his neck and twist hard. The sickening snap is loud enough to make me wince, and his body crumples into my arms. I lower him gently to the ground.
The second guard doesn’t get the chance to react before Declan lunges from the shadows, his sword flashing in the dim light. The blade finds its mark, slicing clean through the Fae’s neck and up into his jaw. Blood sprays as the guard gurgles, his final noises grotesque and wet. Declan rips his sword free with a grunt, the body collapsing in a heap.
“That seemed a little excessive,” I mutter, eyeing the carnage as Declan wipes his blade clean on the dead guard’s tunic.
He shrugs, his jaw tight. “They pissed me off. ”
I blink at his back as he stalks forward, his usual easy going demeanor replaced by something sharper, darker, I’ve never seen this side of him before.
We move deeper into the forest, the faint sound of laughterdrifting down from above. I motion for Declan to stop, and we crouch low, peering through the thick underbrush. Above us, faint yellow lights twinkle like stars, suspended in the canopy.
“That must be the village,” I murmur, my voice barely audible.
Declan nods, his gaze scanning the towering trees. “How do we get up there?”
Our eyes find a massive tree with a winding wooden staircase spiraling upward. We exchange a look before beginning the climb, each step a test of patience and endurance. The stairs creak under our weight, and my legs burn with every upward push, but the thought of finding Aeris keeps me moving.
At the top, we crouch low, peeking over the final step to ensure the coast is clear. The village sprawls out before us, an intricate network of huts connected by wooden bridges. Smoke curls lazily from chimneys, and faint laughter echoes through the air.
Declan leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. “Why can’t we just shift and roast these bastards?”
I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “Do you want to roast Aeris too?” I ask.
