Shadowborn Queen - G. Bailey Page 0,31
you?" Luke whispers to me. "I've heard the sound of them recorded in Shadowborn Academy when we studied them, but I never thought they still existed."
"Same. Isn't she beautiful?" I whisper, leaning forward on the log a little more, and it cracks. I fall through the rotted log, slamming onto my chin and hissing in pain.
"Iz!" Luke shouts, reaching for me but some kind of blast pushes him away as I look back at him. Holding my bleeding chin, I sit up and crawl backwards as my eyes widen. The fox slowly walks towards me, its empty eyes looking bright and a little scary.
"Izora, run!" Luke shouts, slamming his hands against the magical barrier that the fox has clearly put up. Strangely, I stay completely still and silent as the fox stops in front of me. I bow my head in respect, remembering that ancient creatures of the forest see this as a mark of respect. My heart beats loudly as the fox leans over me and places his head on top of mine. Warm water falls all over my head and the pain on my chin disappears. I feel better than ever when the fox leans back and I raise my head. I wipe the water from my eyes as the fox bows once and then turns away. Luke is in front of me within seconds as the fox runs into the forest, and as if in a dream, I snap out of it.
"You okay?" Luke asks, cupping my cheeks.
I run my hand under my chin, not feeling the cut that was there before anymore. The fox healed me. "I think so."
I grin up at Luke before kissing him deeply. He groans, wrapping his arms around my waist and picking me up. It doesn't take long for Luke and I to rip all our clothes off before Luke holds me against the tree, sliding inside of me.
The enchanted forest will always be my favourite home.
Chapter 16
Shadowborn Academy stands in the distance, the tips of the castle peeking out over the treetops. How I’ve missed this view. This is the only place I’ve ever felt like I belonged. Unfortunately, even from here I can see that the academy has been severely damaged. Almost an entire section of the roof is missing.
"The academy's been attacked," I say to my guys as I land on the ground beside them. "Part of the roof has been torn off."
The men look between themselves, their expressions hardening.
"Maybe we shouldn't go there," Luke says, breaking the silence. "We don't know what's hidin' beyond the gates."
Scott shakes his head. "This is the only place we can get weapons. Besides, the academy knows who to let within its gates. The roof was probably torn because an enemy was unable to get inside. Even with the roof broken, the academy's magical shields would still prevent enemies from infiltrating."
"So it's safe to go?" I ask, and Scott nods. I open my lips again, but a flash of silver glints in the corner of my eye, and I quickly snap my lips together.
The guys see it, too, and we gather in a circle. I hold my breath and watch as six Light Fae soldiers emerge from the trees, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. The moment we lock eyes with them, everything happens so quickly. The soldiers charge toward us and the guys stand tall, ready to fight.
"Don't kill any of them," I whisper as a tendril of fear creeps into me. "We need them for questioning."
"Hopefully they'll oblige," Gold says, handing me Ozy and then pushing me behind him. "Considering they're armed and we're not."
One of the soldiers throws down his shield and makes a break for it back the way he came.
"I'll catch him," I say, placing Ozy on the ground.
And then I'm running after the soldier.
Since it's easier to run than fly through the trees, I take off on foot. The soldier doesn't get very far when he trips on a fallen tree and falls onto his front, his sword scattering out of reach. I walk over, but the second I reach his side, he panics and grabs a knife from his boots, then he slits his throat in one swift move.
"Stop!" I cry out, but it's too late; blood spurts from his neck in a violent torrent.
The soldier lets out a guttural choking sound before he falls limp on the ground. I grab my hair and pull in frustration. Damn it! I wasn't going to kill him;