Trial by Fae (Dragon's Gift The Dark Fae #1) - Linsey Hall Page 0,20

the arena, a huge tree monster grew up from the ground. It was made of pieces of wood all bound together with vines and moss. Long pointed claws tipped each finger, and fangs descended from the mouth. It had to be at least ten feet tall.

A dozen other monsters appeared, all different sizes and shapes. The scent of dark magic filled the air—like rotten milk left out in the sun and then mixed with tuna fish and flour to create the most disgusting cake ever made.

Some of these monsters—like the banshees—were probably real and had come here for the fun of it. Others were creations of black magic that weren’t truly living. They could fight like they were, though, with all the ferocity of a demon.

My gaze ran over them all, and I calculated the ways I could kill them.

Throughout the landscape, gold began to glow. The prizes. They were stuck in trees and on top of rock outcroppings, submerged in the ponds and even floating in the air.

Okay, I had to survive the monsters and the other contestants and grab as many of those suckers as I could.

Easy peasy.

Tension thrummed, vibrating against my skin.

It was about to begin.

And I had eyes for only one monster.

The biggest of them all. I’d only ever seen one in books, but there was no doubt about this creature. An underworld wurm—like a horned snake and a demon had a baby. The creature was at least fifty feet tall, a serpent with four legs that dragged its belly low to the ground. Its neck and head loomed high overhead, thirty feet up and swaying like a cobra ready to strike.

The eyes were flame red and the enormous fangs dripped with green venom. Spikes decorated the entire spine. A golden gem sat in its head.

That was the prize I wanted.

I needed points, and taking him down was the best way to get them.

The bell sounded, and I charged.

6

The crowd roared as the contestants raced toward the monsters. Their cries of delight echoed through the arena, and pieces of colorful confetti rained down upon my head.

Blood-thirsty bastards.

I narrowed my eyes on the huge, serpentine beast that slithered along the ground, head waving thirty feet in the air. I was the only one who headed for the underworld wurm.

Good.

I drew my bow and arrow from the ether. It was one of my favorite weapons, and I was good with it. I raised it and aimed for the left eye. I nocked the arrow and fired, hitting on the first try.

The creature didn’t even shriek in pain—monsters made of dark magic rarely felt anything. It made them even more formidable. But it thrashed its head, trying to dislodge the arrow that ruined its vision. I could go for the second eye, but I’d probably get more points if this were difficult. So I didn’t even try.

Showmanship was the name of the game here, and boy, was I going to give them a show.

I flourished my bow as I stashed it back in the ether and raced forward. The wurm recovered enough to stop thrashing. It swung its head around, searching for whoever had done it wrong.

“Hey, big fella!” I shouted and raised my arms. “I’m over here!”

And I hoped I was as fast as I thought I was.

The creature hissed and struck, its head shooting for me. I used my magic, transporting to a spot behind the serpent’s head. I sprinted alongside the massive body supported by four squat legs.

The creature raised its head, searching for me, but I didn’t give it a chance. I headed for one leg and used it to climb up the serpent’s back. I raced alongside the ridge of spikes that lined the creature’s back, hanging on to them whenever the serpent tried to buck me off.

All around, the crowd roared. Somehow, I could feel the heat of the king’s gaze on me.

He couldn’t possibly recognize me though. I had to believe that.

I caught brief glimpses of contestants facing off against other monsters. Then I began to climb. I used the spikes like a ladder, scrambling up to the top of the monster’s head. It thrashed, trying to throw me off, but I clung tightly.

One aggressive shudder had me hanging from a spike with no foothold. I swung my body, managing to catch a second spike with my foot, and climbed higher. When I reached the head, I gripped a spike with one hand and drew my sword from the ether with the