Ashes of Chaos (Legacy of the Nine Realms #2) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,72

witch kicked your ass and took down your warriors? I’d almost be embarrassed to admit that out loud.”

“Kill her!” Tristan demanded, and I gasped as a blade pushed through my chest.

All hell broke loose. Knox rattled violence, slicing through the guards that stood beside him before I’d even processed he’d moved. Brander’s sword was out with lightning speed, and with one swift twist of his body, Tristan’s head went sailing toward a building, bouncing off the window, leaving a spider web in the glass. Knox rushed toward me, his eyes lowering to the blade still protruding from my chest as the man behind me slowly withdrew it.

I turned, shoving my hand through the guard’s chest, and he squealed as blood exploded from his lips. “Didn’t your momma ever teach you not to stab a lady?” I scoffed, withdrawing my hand, holding his still-beating heart, causing me to gag as I dropped the useless bloodied mess. I turned to wipe my hand on the other guard as something sailed past me. His head, I realized. “Gross!”

Spinning around, I glared at Knox, who dropped his gaze to my unbloodied chest, lowering the blade he’d used to remove the guard’s head. He stepped closer, pulling me against him, inhaling deeply. His lips brushed mine, and then he pushed me away as his eyes studied me, touching me as he examined the cut in the dress I wore.

“What the fuck, Aria?” he demanded.

“Oh, this is awkward. I’m not actually here, Knox. I wasn’t ready to tip my hand, showing that I had perfected my spell to work outside the dream state, but here we are,” I smirked, studying the anger in his eyes. “Don’t look at me like that. Tristan was abusing power and raping witches for rent. He was a really bad guy. The world won’t miss him.”

“He was a lord under my rule!” he shouted, anger pulsing through him as the tic in his jaw hammered visibly.

“Pot, meet kettle. Stick out your spout, and I’ll lick it for you, big boy,” I offered, wiggling my brows while letting my tongue trace over my lips. “I guess I’m not the only one with a dirty house, am I?”

“This is getting old, Aria.”

“I told you I wouldn’t be easy to catch, didn’t I? I could have sworn that I did.” My hands touched against his chest as his men moved closer with their weapons at the ready.

“It’s only a matter of time before I catch you, and when I do, you’re not escaping me again, Little Monster. I’m closer to finding your family, and when I have them at my disposal, you’ll be a good girl and do as I say, or you’ll watch them die one by one. There are only so many places for them to hide within the Nine Realms that wouldn’t cause a stir. You’re going to look so pretty on your knees, waiting for my orders. If you’re really good, I’ll even fuck you and make you come for me.”

“You think we didn’t account for that? I’ve been here for five months, and I have already brought houses to their knees. I have barely scratched the surface. You won’t find my family, and if you do, I will protect them at all costs, Knox. I don’t care if I have to sell my soul to the devil to keep them alive, I will.”

“I know. I’m counting on it.” He smiled cruelly as he stepped closer, whispering against my ear. “If you ever make me murder anyone else for you, last night will seem like pleasantries between lovers compared to what I will do to you. Do you understand me, woman? If you were anyone else, you’d be dead already for what you did last night and today. I will not warn you again.”

“Are you saying you want me alive?” I whispered raspingly, brushing my cheek against his while my fingers slid over his armor, lifting to his cheek. “I like you too, Knox. Although, I think I prefer you mute and beneath me. Unfortunately, I got to fly. See you soon?” I asked, stepping back as he watched me through narrowed eyes.

My body-double dissipated as ravens flew through the air, rushing to where I knelt on the edge of a cliff. Knox’s eyes followed the ravens’ flight as they reached me, once more becoming tattoos covering my flesh.

I stood slowly, building up the rattle before releasing it loudly, watching the men with him respond to the sound, forced to