Page 34 of When Roses Burn

“This young caster insisted on freeing me,” Devnair replied.

Despite their obvious antipathy toward me, the shifters’ eyebrows rose. “What game is she playing?” the dark-skinned shifter asked.

Devnair shrugged. “I don’t believe she is playing a game.”

“They’re always playing a game,” the female stated. “All they know is how to fuck others and destroy lives.”

I winced at the anguish in her voice. This woman had been through hell; they all had, and all because of my kind. I’d be lucky if they didn’t do to me exactly what was done to them. At one time, Seth never would have allowed such a thing, but now he might sit back and watch as others tortured me.

I shifted uncomfortably as apprehension crept in to replace my shock over everything that had happened in such a short amount of time. Things had been awful in Nightshade; they could be a thousand times worse now, and just like in Nightshade, I had no idea how to escape this. I was outnumbered and outpowered.

“Before today, I completely agreed with you.” Devnair’s brow furrowed as his gaze ran over me. “I don’t with her. You fought for my freedom in there; if you’d like, you can come with me to Terra.”

My mouth parted as hope sprang forth. I’d found Seth again and didn’t want to part with him, but I also couldn’t be imprisoned and abused for any more of my life.

“That’s not going to happen,” Seth growled. “I came for her, and she’s coming with us. Push me on this and I’ll leave your carcass here for the casters to find.”

Devnair’s lips clamped together, and anger flashed through his eyes. Elves possessed powerful magic, and he didn’t like Seth’s threat, but he was up against three shifters and Seth, who’d managed to do the impossible by changing into something that could break free of the harem. Devnair didn’t stand a chance against them.

“It’s okay,” I said in the hopes of staving off further argument. “I want to go with him.”

And that was the simple truth of it. Seth and these other three terrified me, yet I couldn’t part from him so soon after finding him again. It was probably stupid of me, but I still held out hope I’d somehow fix this and we could have the happy ending we’d dreamed about.

You’re going to end up with a broken heart or dead. Neither of those were good, but walking away wasn’t an option at all.

“Well then,” Devnair said, “it’s time for me to return to Terra. It’s been years since I’ve seen my home and family.”

“When you get there, keep her secret. The casters will soon learn I have Marina’s daughter, but I’d like some time with her before that happens,” Seth said.

I gulped. At one time, some time with Seth meant a whole lot of fun and pleasure. Now, it sent a shiver of unease through me.

“I’ll keep her, and you, a secret. It’s the least I can do for you, breaking those vines, but if you require my help in the future, I will be of assistance.”

“Thank you.”

Devnair turned to me next. “An elf always repays their debts, even to a caster. If you need anything, come to Terra and ask for me. I won’t tell them who you are until after your mother learns of this, but I’ll make sure they know to bring you to me.”

“Thank you, but I’m not sure I’ll be a caster now that I’m not in the harem,” I said.

“I’m not sure you were a caster before you went into the harem.”

My eyebrows rose at this, and Seth issued a disgusted snort.

“Good luck to you all,” Devnair said. “I’m almost sorry I’m going to miss how this plays out. I think it’s going to be very interesting.”

He gave a little wave of his hand and walked off in the direction of Terra. He’d have to cross through day caster land to get there, but not much of it. Hopefully, he’d get home safely.

When Devnair disappeared, I turned to the four shifters gathered around me. I refused to be the one to speak first.

“It’s time to go,” Seth said.

He stepped on the leg of the sorcerer he still held and jerked up with his hand. The man’s head tore free with a sickening, wet, crunching sound that made my stomach somersault.

When Seth retracted his claws, the head landed with a thud. When the face rolled toward me, I recognized the man he’d killed but didn’t know his name. I’d seen him in the village a few times; I felt no sympathy for him.

Seth turned to me and held up the vine he’d taken from the harem. “Are you going to be good, or do I have to bind your wrists?”

I inwardly seethed at the fact he was talking to me like a child, but fighting him wouldn’t get me anywhere, and I couldn’t touch that awful vine again. “I don’t need the vine.”