Page 48 of The Unseelie War
But all of them were met and united now under a single, glorious purpose—the systematic eradication of humanity's brief and foolish reign.
“My king,” Izael, the Duke of Bones, approached in his human form with the fluid grace that marked the snake for what he was,though his usual sardonic smile was notably absent. Instead, it was painted with a deep concern.
Bayodan and Cruinn joined him, lagging somewhat behind the typically manic, sadistic creature.
Valroy braced himself for what was liable to be a lecture. He sighed. “What is it, Izael?”
Izael bowed his head. “The scouts report the humans have established defensive positions along the ridge. And long-range projectile weapons. Mortars. Should we rethink our advance?”
“The guns will do nothing.” Valroy sneered. “Such wonderfully noisy toys. As for the ‘mortars?’ So be it. Do they truly believe lead and gunpowder will broker their success against creatures they cannot begin to understand?”
“Some of them have…adapted.” Bayodan's voice carried an undertone of unease as he gestured with his one remaining arm toward the outpost. “The more willful ones have learned to use their unconscious thoughts as weapons. One of our advance scouts was torn apart by a construct shaped like a massive red…cartoon dog. The human who created it didn't even seem aware he'd done so.”
“Fascinating.” Valroy folded his wings around him like a cape. “Then theyarecapable of learning. Good. It would be terribly disappointing if they simply rolled over and died without providing any entertainment at all. I have waited centuries upon centuries for this moment. I do want it to be alittlechallenging.”
He turned his attention back to Izael, noting with growing irritation the way the Duke was staring at the defensive outpost with what looked likeguilt.Or perhaps with the kind of disdain someone looked at a mountain he deeply wished not to climb.
How wonderfully predictable.
Izael was alwayssofton humans. If Valroy was fascinated by the creations of mankind, Izael was positively enamored of the filthy creatures themselves. He tried not to let his suspicions leak into his voice when he questioned the Duke of Bones. “Where is your wife, Izael?”
“Alex is…” The teal-haired Duke paused, then rolled his shoulders back. “Well, I’m gonna be blunt. In Unseelie years she’s about a week old. She felt uncomfortable being involved. She won’t work against us, but she won’t fight with us. Is that a problem, King Valroy?”
“No. Better she be absent than to have a potential mutiny at my back.” The statement was clear. And the threat was obvious.
And Izael was no fool, despite the fact that he preferred to play one in public. The Unseelie Duke’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “I serve you, and only you, Your Majesty.”
“How diplomatic. Which isalsovery not like you,snake.”Valroy smiled, and made certain his fangs were visible.
It seemed he was not alone in his reading of the situation.
A tense silence fell over their small group. Cruinn and Bayodan exchanged glances—not surprised, but clearly uncomfortable. They all knew that doubt among the ranks, especially from someone as influential as Izael, could prove more dangerous than any human weapon.
“Look. Boss.” He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “You want me to be honest? Fine. There are human women and children sheltering there,” Izael said finally, his voice carefully neutral. “Families. Ones perhaps better suited to be kept as cattle or pets. Not slaughtered or fought on the battlefield as if they were warriors. I get the desire to want to murder them all,trust me.But like this? Even the children?”
“Children grow. Children breed. And this war we fight is one forannihilation,or have you so soon forgotten?” Valroy countered, a pleasant smile spreading across his face.
“N…no, but?—”
“If you have not forgotten that this war is about thetotalextinction of the human race, then what do you believe I should grant them?” He gestured wide with his hand toward the encampment. “What do you seek to gain from this entreaty of yours?”
“I. A chance to surrender.” The Duke grimaced. “If enslavement is off the table, fine. Then a quick and merciful death for those who?—”
“Merciful?”The word came out as a purr, dangerous and amused.Oh, this was absolutelydelicious.“From creatures who have spent centuries mocking us? Destroying us? Who turned our sacred groves into shopping centers and our ancient places of power intotourist attractions?”Valroy took a step closer to him, noting with joy how the smaller fae’s teal eyes went just a little wider in fear. “You speak of mercy as if it's a virtue, little duke. But it is against our very nature.”
“You speak of nature, but…I don’t think you know much about it.”
Valroy laughed dangerously. “I understand it better than you.”
“The Queen might wanna argue with that. Speaking of. WhereisAbigail, anyway?” Izael lifted his chin in defiance.
It was not the first time the snake had stood in opposition to him.
It very well might be the last.
Valroy felt something dark and hungry unfurl in his chest. Around them, his gathered forces had gone preternaturally still, sensing the shift in their king's mood the way prey animals sensed the approach of a predator.
“Likely the same place as yours. Hiding in shame from the slaughter that she knows is inevitable. But she keeps her own council, I do not own her.” Valroy's voice had dropped to barely above a whisper. He smiled, and this time there was nothing pleasant about it. “But since you brought her up…tell me, Izael—did she send you to spy on me? To report back on my activities so she can plan her next move?”
