Page 26 of Shadows of Destiny
Cela’s gaze flicked to Lexi. “We could take her to the Lord. He’d leave us alone if we handed her over.”
With little more than a flicker of effort, Cole seized control of the shadows around Cela. He didn’t care if their evil crept deeper in and gained more control; he’d destroy every one of these birds if they dared to attack Lexi.
A choked gasp escaped Cela as the shadows behind her rose to envelop her throat. Her head tipped back as they clamped down and pulled upward, drawing her onto her tiptoes. Cole’s joints popped and cracked as his claws extended and the lycan sought to destroy the woman threatening his mate.
“Don’t fuck with me,” he snarled in a voice he barely recognized.
Beside him, Lexi stiffened. The other sirens shifted as if they were preparing to take flight from their perches.
The fire on Lexi’s hands increased until it caught on her thick coat. Like a phoenix, her coat erupted into flames and crumbled at her feet until she stood bared to the waist beside him. He hated that they saw her in such a way, but he couldn’t do anything about it now. He had to get her out of here alive.
One of the sirens took flight, but a shadow lashed out, caught her foot, and yanked her back. The shadows behind Cole alerted him to two more rising into the air.
Before they could dive-bomb them, he drew on the air and whipped it into a frenzy that threw the sirens into the wall. Shadows encircled the sirens to keep them there. The other sirens squawked but didn’t take flight as shadows shifted and swayed all around the room.
“We came here to unite with you and help keep you safe,” Cole growled as Cela tried to tear away the shadows encasing her throat. All she succeeded in doing was shredding her skin.
“And to take our slaves from us.” A bird perched near Cela transformed into a tall, lithe woman with hair the color of a ruby and sable eyes.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Cole replied.
The woman pointed at Lexi. “But she would.”
Lexi shifted uncomfortably beside him. When her gaze went to the young man, her eyes filled with sadness as she replied, “No, I wouldn’t.”
Lexi turned her head away as the man emitted a sound of anguish. Her dismay beat against Cole, but he couldn’t take the time to comfort her. The enemy surrounded them, and she had to realize she couldn’t take on everything she deemed an injustice in the realms.
She’d never stop fighting if she did. And, in the end, she’d be no better than the Lord if she tried to break the way of those she disagreed with. It was a hard lesson to learn, and he hated feeling more of her innocence slipping away.
But if Lexi was going to rule the realms, she had to decide what kind of leader to be… a tyrant who broke those different from her or one who listened to and accepted them, even if she didn’t like it. Cole knew she would make an excellent queen, but she had to choose her path.
“I don’t agree with what you’re doing here, and I never will, but I’m not the Lord. I’m not out to break other immortals. I don’t agree with the shadow kissed, but I won’t take them from the dark fae. I willnotbreak someone or take away their way of life because it’s not what I would do,” Lexi said.
“And how do I know you won’t change your mind once we help you gain your rightful place on the throne?” the woman inquired.
Lexi didn’t take offense to the woman’s words. “I wouldn’t do such a thing, but I have no way to prove it. You’ll have to trust me.”
The woman snorted. “You threatened to burn down our home.”
“I won’t take your lifestyle from you, but I also won’t stand by andwatchwhile you abuse others.”
The woman studied Lexi before shifting her focus to Cole. “Let her go. Iam Yamala and the real leader of Aerie.”
Cole smiled as the shadows constricted around Cela’s neck and she squeaked. “I don’t like being toyed with.”
Yamala edged closer to Cela. “This was my idea, not hers. She shouldn’t pay for my mistake.”
“If you’re the true leader here, why weren’tyouat the ball?” he demanded.
The woman smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes and was more of a grimace. “Because the Lord only requested the presence of his daughter there.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Cole kepthis shock over this revelation hidden as he released the shadows around Cela’s neck. He continued to make sure the others knew the shadows were there, watching and reporting on them.
He eyed Cela. Was there some way they could use her against the Lord? Would that madman care if they had his daughter?
“If you think you can use her against him, you’re mistaken,” Yamala said.
