and dripping down his fingers. If I didn’t know him, I’m not sure I could have separated the undercurrent of worry in his black gaze from the fury. But it was there. And it was the very thing that made my heart sing.
“Leena.” Wynn cupped my face, forcing my gaze to meet his. Soothing white light pulsed from his fingertips, and the chiffon veil pulled tight around my face. “You will obey.”
The moment of clarity escaped, taking my thoughts and care with it. “Yes.” When I looked back at the looming forces, all thoughts of Noc disappeared. There was only vicious darkness and a man at the helm. The center of it all. Wynn’s voice whispered in my mind that it was him or me, and my hands twitched.
It wouldn’t be me.
Thirty-three
Noc
We were monsters, and the Charmers knew it. A cacophony of groaning doors broke over us, and fractured rainbow light tore through the clearing, each vibrant shade a testament to the color inked into the Charmers’ hands. Creatures appeared from the beast realm, and my heart sank. I didn’t want to fight them, but there were two things I knew for certain. First, there was no way to beautify war. Innocents would die by my hand. And second, I would condemn every one of them to the afterlife to get to Leena.
Fire sparked in my veins and I stormed forward, teeth bared.
A magnified masculine voice boomed over the frenzy. “Citizens of Hireath, please return to your homes. The Council will protect you.”
The sea of bodies parted, and Wynn appeared with seven people in tow, including Leena.
All sights and sounds faded except for her. Gaze hollow and unfocused, she stood limply by his side in loose-fitting linen pants and a flowy blouse. A strong breeze threatened to topple her, and Wynn placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. She was ethereal in the worst kind of way.
“Wynn!” It was more of a roar than a word.
He angled his chin high. “Welcome to Hireath, Noc. To what do we owe the pleasure?”
Charmers barricaded themselves in nearby buildings, but they kept their windows thrown open. Heads peeked through curtains and surveyed the standoff. Wynn sauntered a few more steps forward and tugged Leena along. Behind him, six Charmers remained in place. The Council.
I looked directly to them. “I’m here for Leena.”
A few curious glances were shared among them, but no one spoke.
Wynn glowered. “How did you get past the barrier?”
“Give me Leena, and we’ll leave in peace.” Not before I turned his insides into a meal for the monsters in the Kitska Forest, but details were details.
“Leena doesn’t want to leave.” Wynn glanced at her. “Tell them.”
Leena’s broken voice carried across the clearing. “I’m fine. Please go.”
“Leena…” Her name burned my tongue, and I dropped my hands to my sides.
“She’s not herself,” Kost whispered. His fingers twitched, and a dark blade inched closer to his palm.
That much I could see. I might have scarred her beyond repair, broken her last chance at believing in trust, but even when she was furious or hurt or happy, there was always a light burning behind her eyes. Now, her gaze was blanched. A milky fog of what it used to be.
Sheer hatred ravaged my heart, and I dug my feet into the soft grass, ready to pounce. “What have you done to her?” It took time for a Charmer to call forth a beast. I had seconds, maybe less, to end his life before a creature arrived. Assuming he hadn’t already summoned one.
“She wants to return to Hireath and live among her people. Would you take that from her?”
His words briefly rooted me in place. What if he was right? What if I put something into motion that—
Calem barked out a laugh. “Does that silver-tongued bullshit work often for you? It must if her own people can’t see what you’ve done.”
Errant grumbles snaked from the lips of the Council.
Calem. He nodded at me once before crouching low into his heels. Ready. He was always ready to fight. I wasn’t much for prayer, but in that moment, I hoped the gods were listening. I hoped they’d spare my brothers.
“I’ll give you one more chance. Give. Me. Leena.” The dark part of me hoped Wynn wouldn’t comply, only so I didn’t need an excuse to carve him into a million pieces.
The gods, it seemed, were on my side. Wynn placed a possessive hand on the back of her neck. “No.”