The Lost Fae (The Twisted Crown #3) - A.K. Koonce Page 0,15

half Fae... she's fragilely human. "Why would you leave your crew?" The question slips from the untamed curiosity I've never been able to leash.

The human woman's eyes flare with a dark vulnerability. The muscles of her jaw chord and she steps closer.

"You fell in love with one of them. Didn't you?" I gasp.

Maybe she and I... we aren't that different. I was human and I loved a Fae man. Does he love her back? Did they spark?

The woman darts forward, reaching for the gears with a gritty growl. I swing my body, turning and thrusting an elbow against her face. Bone on bone cracks loudly. Even as I'm turning away, making for the forest's edge, I can hear her body crumple to the ground.

"I'm sorry," I cry.

What have I done? Will she be okay? I don't even know the limits of my own strength.

It's time to go. Pull out your blade and let’s MOVE. I shout my thoughts, my head pounding. With sweaty hands, I hold the two metal objects as tight as I can, moving as far out from the incoming Fae group as possible.

It's different walking in the woods alone...

Every sound is a monster, or the girl coming to chase after me. Not that her human legs could keep up. Not that she is even conscious right now. The thought alone makes my heartache. I didn't want to hurt her, I just want to get home.

There may be a problem. Lincoln's voice makes my spine go rigid.

How??

These men are more trained than I had originally thought... And he isn't happy to admit it.

I—Okay. If I draw a few of them away would that help?

He snorts. Are you going to fight them?

Ha. No... I'm just planning on out running them.

So... you're telling me that you think that you can outrun them?

I force myself to a stop. Everywhere I look is a dark, murky forest. I move aside a log and set the metal down in the hole below it. They clink to gather and I wince as if the sound will call the entire band to me. With the toe of my boots I push fallen leaves and broken sticks over it.

Ye of little faith. I sing. Let me hide these pieces and I'll be there faster than you can say 'Briar is my savior'.

I look the hiding spot over. Hardly any of the metal is visible, just enough that if the sun were to poke out during the day it might glint off the tiny edge. But I won't be leaving these pieces here long enough for the sun to shine down on them.

Through Lincoln's eyes, they are just yards away from camp. Soon they'll find the girl’s limp body below the empty poles.

Trees reach for me, lashing against my skin as I sprint. My lungs expand and contract with every fiery breath I take. I don't move quietly this time. I'm not meaning to be sneaky. When I push off the earth I let whatever happens to be underfoot scatter behind me.

When I see the tents again, I circle around the edge, careful to avoid the fallen woman. I can smell the men on the wind, ripe with body odor and salty sweat. I can smell Lincoln too. His warm musky scent that my entire body is drawn to.

Weaving between the old tree trunks, my eyes narrow as they toss Lincoln to his knees. He rolls his eyes dramatically, shaking the hair that's fallen into his eyes out of his face.

"Now was that necessary?" he adds sarcastically. His eyes dart to me in the darkness, giving me a quick wink.

The group comes to a stop as they realize the one human in their camp is laying unmoving in the dirt. One of the Fae rushes forward, his mouth falling open as he shouts, "Ellie?!"

No one else moves toward the girl. But as I step into the firelight, many tear their gazes to me. Before their first step toward me hits the ground, I turn back and rush away.

"Don't you run, girl!" They shout.

And as the rebellious little fuck I am, I don't listen.

I sprint harder.

Their feet hit the ground thundering like a quickly moving storm, headed right toward me. Six of them... seven... I guess by their steps and the hodgepodge of heartbeats pounding. That should be enough to help Lincoln. Surely, it's enough. Please... be enough.

I run in the opposite direction in which I hid the stolen goods, knowing full well I'd have to make my