surprise, I feel my cock harden again. I hate that I recognize that she’s beautiful. Something beautiful in a place with only ugliness. I find I want her, and I’ve never wanted anything for myself. Her hair is strange, brown in one moment, blonde in the next, and her skin is strangely pale, with the slightest glow. She walks as if she is a queen of the darkness and the shadows.
Which arouses me even more.
Over the years I’ve found students of the academy come down here on occasion. Usually as a challenge. Usually in a giggling group. They don’t get far. The wards send them circling back to the entrance, far away from the precious secrets I protect. Which meant I didn’t have to hurt any of them.
My master was very clear about what sealed a person’s fate.
But this woman is with Rayne’s friends. And this woman doesn’t giggle or glance nervously at the shadows. She holds her head high.
She also got far past the wards, following the dangerous path that Rayne found, one that leads to the things I must protect. And so, even though she intrigues me, even though she is beauty in a world of ugliness, I must kill her. She simply…knows too much.
I slowly draw my blade from my sheath. The one coated in Rayne’s blood. For a moment the symbols etched into the steel glow red, and I feel the power of the iron prickle against my skin. Poison and iron woven into the steel. There could be no better weapon to kill a fae.
Suddenly, she stops and turns. I hold myself still, knowing that no one else can see the red symbols. Knowing that to the fae I’m invisible. Even small animals reflect something back to the beings. But no matter how carefully they spread their net out, I am nothing to them.
The perfect hunter.
Her eyes narrow as she holds the torch out in front of her, and I catch a glimpse of her grey eyes and stiffen. Grey eyes? She couldn’t be a dark fae… Perhaps she’s some mix. Some poor creature that looks like the dreaded animals.
When she turns back around, I release a slow breath. It wouldn’t have taken much to kill her, even if she was aware of me. But for some reason, I prefer her to be turned around when I do this.
Images flash in my mind. Rayne, clutching his gut, his eyes wide in shock. Betrayal echoing out of him, an emotion so deep that even I could feel it.
I shiver. No, my blade would sink into this woman from behind, straight into her heart.
Even if I didn’t want to do this. It was commanded, and so it shall be.
I creep closer and closer until I’m just at the edge of her torchlight. My hand clenches the hilt of my sword tighter, and I inhale slowly…and stiffen. She smells…of Rayne’s friends. She smells like sex.
And…
My sword slowly lowers and awareness slips through me. A feeling I recognize but have never experienced myself. A feeling I never thought I’d ever have.
This woman must die. Her death has been ordered by the Keeper of Truths. Never before have I hesitated, but I hesitate now.
Kill her? Or don’t?
Want to find out what happens to Esmeray and her men? Preorder your copy of Ruin.
Also By Lacey Carter Andersen
Monsters and Gargoyles
Medusa’s Destiny *audiobook*
Keto’s Tale
Celaeno’s Fate
Cerberus Unleashed
Lamia’s Blood
Shade’s Secret
Hecate’s Spell
Shorts: Their Own Sanctuary
Shorts: Their Miracle Pregnancy
Dark Supernaturals
Marked Immortals
Wicked Reform School/House of Berserkers
Untamed: Wicked Reform School
Unknown: House of Berserkers
Royal Fae Academy
Ravage
Legends Unleashed
Don’t Say My Name
Don’t Cross My Path
Don’t Touch My Men
Mates of the Realms
Renegade Hunter *audiobook*
Cursed Hunter
Betrayed Hunter
Rebel Lover
Rebel Lies
Rebel Loss
Rogue Demon
Box Set I: Demon Hunter
Box Set II: Rebel Angel
The Firehouse Feline
Feline the Heat
Feline the Flames
Feline the Burn
Feline the Pressure
God Fire Reform School
Magic for Dummies
Myths for Half-Wits
Mayhem for Suckers
Alternative Futures
Nightmare Hunter *audiobook*
Deadly Dreams *audiobook*
Mortal Flames
Twisted Prophecies
Box Set: Alien Mischief
The Icelius Reverse Harem
Her Alien Abductors
Her Alien Barbarians
Her Alien Mates
Collection: Her Alien Romance
Steamy Tales of Warriors and Rebels
Gladiators
The Dragon Shifters’ Last Hope
Claimed by Her Harem
Treasured by Her Harem
Collection: Magic in her Harem
Harem of the Shifter Queen
Sultry Fire
Sinful Ice
Saucy Mist
Collection: Power in her Kiss
Standalones
Worthy (A Villainously Romantic Retelling)
Beauty with a Bite
Shifters and Alphas
Collections
Monsters, Gods, Witches, Oh My!
Wings, Horns, and Shifters
About the Author
Lacey Carter Andersen loves reading, writing, and drinking excessive amounts of coffee. She spends her days taking care of her husband, three kids, and three cats. But at night, everything changes! Her imagination runs wild with strong-willed characters, unique worlds, and exciting plots that she enthusiastically puts into stories.
Lacey has dozens of tales: science fiction romances, paranormal romances, short romances, reverse harem romances, and more. So, please feel free to dive into any of her worlds; she loves to have the company!
And you’re welcome to reach out to her; she really enjoys hearing from her readers.
You can find her at:
Email: laceycarterandersen@gmail.com
Mailing List: https://www.subscribepage.com/laceycarterandersen
Website:https://laceycarterandersen.net/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Lacey-Carter-Andersen-1940678949483316/