The Abyss (Fae's Captive #7) - Lily Archer Page 0,29

run back to the caravan.

My mate’s scream is fire in my veins, her terror lighting my need to kill and maim any who would harm her. A troll rips one of the fighters defending the caravan in half as Zatran urges it on.

“You will die, and Lord Cenet will take the realms and crush them in his palm. I have seen his plan. It is perfection. And all will bow before him. But first, I want to see you filthy slaves bleed. You will never be free of me or those like me.” He bares his fangs and points at Beth. “Lord Cenet wants your head, and I will happily bring it—”

With a hard leap, I launch myself at the troll who threatens my mate. Though its hide is thick, it’s no match for my claws as I rip through its throat, its bulbous body falling back as I slice almost deeply enough to sever its head.

But it’s not my true target. It only got in the way. I claw over its shoulder and grab Zatran between my teeth, then slam him to the ground.

His surprised cry is cut off by my fangs in his throat. I clamp down with my powerful jaw and am about to rip his neck out when Chastain yells.

Zatran tries to strike me, his hands ineffectual as I claw his chest to shreds.

I don’t loosen my grip, but I look up, my night vision just short of perfect. Chastain rushes toward me, the stench of troll blood even stronger now.

“Wait.” He holds up a hand. “Wait. We need to question him.”

I growl and clamp down tighter, the rush of blood warm on my tongue. A voice tiptoes through my mind. One that raises my hackles.

“Gareth.” Chastain moves closer. “We need answers.”

“Kill him,” the voice whispers. “Tear him apart.”

I push the strange thought away, but it comes back louder. “Kill him. He’s your enemy.” It feels wrong at first, but then it feels like … the truth.

My jaw unclenches, and I back away from Zatran. The voice is right. Chastain—he’s the one who wants to hurt my mate. He’s the danger.

His silver eyes widen right as I leap. Slamming him to the ground, I rake my claws down his stomach and bare my fangs.

He gives me a confused look as he yells and tries to fight me off. “What are you—”

“Kill him, kill him, kill him.” The voice doesn’t stop. “He wants to steal your mate, to force himself on her, to claim her as his own.”

“Never!” I sink my fangs deep into Chastain’s chest.

“Gareth!” Beth rushes toward me, Iridiel at her back. “Let him go!”

I shake him as he flails, his golden dagger piercing my leg.

“Zatran,” Chastain gasps. “Can control beasts. It’s his magic.”

I blink. “Magic.”

“Kill him. Kill them all.” The voice is so strong, as if it’s my own, but there’s a darkness to it, a shadow.

Beth kneels beside me, her skin pale. “Zatran’s controlling you, Gareth! Fight it.” I don’t let go, but I stop shaking Chastain. “Please, Gareth.” She reaches out and touches my ear. “Let him go.”

“Kill the changeling slave, too,” the voice commands. I release Chastain, my mind a mush of darkness and bewilderment. What am I doing? I turn on Beth, my fangs bared, a low growl rumbling out of me.

“Rip her heart out.”

I advance on her, my leg aching from Chastain’s blade, but my need to destroy overcoming all else.

She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she reaches out and strokes my chest. “Fight it, my heart. You can beat him.”

My heart. That’s what my beloved calls me. The sweetest thing from her lips I’ve ever heard.

Zatran struggles to sit, his wounds knitting themselves back together as his strength returns. His gaze is on me, his voice in my head. “Kill her now.”

My growl deepens.

Beth drops her hand and takes a deep breath. “I trust you.” She stares into my eyes, not a hint of fear anywhere on her. My beloved. So perfect.

Whirling, I advance on Zatran.

He scrambles to his feet. “Back!”

The command stills me. But only for a moment. Then my forward motion returns, and with it, my will.

“I said stop!” He holds out his hand, the magical command forming a blue ember in his palm. It flows over me but fails to penetrate. He can’t control me.

With a leap, I’m on him again. He strikes me hard in my shoulder, the blow bursting with a painful spark. But then my fangs are in his throat, and this time I