Page 37 of Forged By Heart and Claws
A Terran fae, broad-shouldered, shaggy-haired, and staring blankly at the ceiling with unblinking eyes. His fingers were curled tight in the fabric beneath him, as if he were bracing for pain. Bandages wrapped his torso, shoulders, and arms, leaving only one bear-claw tattoo exposed.
His gaze snapped to the door.
“Elias?” Briar whispered, pressing in beside me as I opened the door the rest of the way.
He struggled to sit up, eyes bleary but wide. “Briar?” Relief flooded his features, and he clapped one hand over his mouth, choking on a ragged sob.
She held a finger to her lips and darted to his side. “Can you walk, Elias? Some of the Aurelines have attacked and taken over the palace. We’ve got to get you out of here before they find you and finish what they started.” She explained the situation to him quickly, then asked, “Are you willing to come with us? We need to learn everything you know about your captors.”
“I’ll help you any way I can, and I’d rather risk walking than end up back in those monsters’ hands.” He shoved the blankets aside and eased out of the bed. His scarred, bruised legs wobbled, and he planted a hand on the wall to steady himself. He wore soft blue trousers and a loose tunic.
Briar slid in beside him. “Do you need help walking?”
“Maybe—maybe just a little,” he admitted, obvious affection and gratitude shining in his eyes.
A low growl rose in my throat as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. The urge to snap him in half seared through me, suddenly and irrationally. Of course he felt indebted to her. Shewas the only reason he was still alive. But that didn’t mean he had totouchher.
Thalen bumped my ribs on the uninjured side, shooting me a look edged in amusement. I scowled when I caught the teasing grin he didn’t bother to hide.
Bastard.
Yes, I knew I was being ridiculous. But I didn’t need him pointing it out.
With a wide, crooked smile, Thalen nudged past me and slid into position on the other side of Elias. “You help Vad, Chaos. I’ve got our new friend. Come along then, Badger Claw. Let’s get you somewhere safe.”
“They’rebearclaws,” Elias said, wincing slightly as he transferred his weight to Thalen’s arm.
“Really? Fascinating. Never would have guessed,” Thalen deadpanned. “Now let’s stay quiet so we don’t draw any extra attention. I feel like we can all agree that one fight tonight was enough.” He looped an arm around Elias’s bony torso to better support him.
I reached for Briar, guiding her into the hall.
Then something rustled in the dark.
I stepped out fast, my wings flaring wide as I scanned the corridor.
Nothing.
No movement. No sound. The hall was closed off. Nothing could get in here. There was no way in or out besides the passage behind us. The attendants who brought food and medicine wore enchanted pendants that wiped their memories the moment they left. Morlo had overseen every detail.
Besides, that hadn’t sounded like fae footfalls or the brush of fabric.
It had sounded likeclaws.
Somethingwashere.
Something wrong.
The air shifted, sharper now, like the storm before a strike. No magic hung in it, but danger clung to every breath.
Briar’s concern blended with mine. She linked,I feel it too.She stepped beside me, surveying the room.Do we check the rooms?
No,I linked back.There isn't time. Let’s get back to the others.
As we hurried silently down the halls, hugging the wall to make our way back, not one person crossed our path.
Not a servant.
Not a guard.
