Sadie landed on the grass, rolling into a crouch as she glanced behind her shoulder with a crooked smile. Vareck held his breath as one of the Okalri stirred. It was impossible to tell which one of the creatures had shifted in their sleep. Even Sadie took the hint not to move as Vareck’s eyes darted around the ring. Moments passed as what he assumed to be insects chirped through the silence of night. At least he hoped they were insects.
A final glance toward the guards on the perimeter seemed to indicate that all was well. Vareck turned back to Sebastian, beckoning him forward. The prince shook his head, only to be pushed forward by a determined Mara. Vareck wished he had the power of projecting thoughts just so he could threaten his nephew to not fuck this up.
Sebastian tried stepping away, but he grabbed him by the back of the collar. This was no time for games. Vareck leaned down, cupping his hands together once more. Sebastian settled his foot on the king’s palm, reluctant and uneven. He scrunched his nose in pretentious disgust and it made Vareck want to punch him for it. Later on, he might still. But first they needed to get out of this situation. He hoisted the man up, Sebastian making it over the barrier. He held his breath once more just as he saw the prince’s foot scrape across the top of the Okalri’s head.
The Okalri let out an unpleased sound, runes lighting up on the sides. Mara and Vareck took a step back as the creature scratched the top of its head. Even through the movement, it had not yet opened its eyes. A few tense moments passed as it settled once more. Vareck tilted his head back, praying up to whichever deity looked upon them in this moment.
Their plan to hop over the Okalri was asinine at best, but at least it allowed them to get through this peacefully. It was all they had. Vareck dipped his shoulders, sighing softly as he bent down once more. All they needed to do now was get Mara across before the king passed the barrier through his own special means. His eyes trailed up to meet his mate’s, the edges of his mouth curling into a small smile. She looked at Vareck, still holding her ribs and looking a little more uncertain than a moment ago.
He curled his finger and beckoned her closer. Mara leaned down toward his ear in response as he whispered encouragement. “You are more than capable of this, Huntress. I’ve seen you jump out a window.” A small huff of a laugh escaped her as she shook her head, taking in a deep breath. Mara poised herself in the way the others had before her, ready for Vareck to act. He pushed up once more, Mara clearing the Okalri perfectly like her sister had.
It was in the landing where they failed. They had hoped she could handle the movement and pressure against her ribs, but a small, low grunt escaped her and she quickly shoved a hand over her mouth. But it was too late. “OKALRI!” A creature three bodies down let out a spooked cry at the noise, falling sideways into its companion who in turn fell into the next sleeping Okalri. One by one, Vareck watched in horror as they toppled like a child’s game, jostling awake as their bodies activated.
The only one left behind the circle of rock, he turned to the rest of the group. His eyes glowed as his voice pierced through the night, commanding the Fae before him. “Run.” There would be no arguments. Mara was the key to Faerie’s salvation and Sadie would get her to safety. He knew this to be true. Faerie needed them both. And this would not be where he died. At one time, not so long ago, he didn’t care if he lived or not. She had renewed his faith and purpose, both in his people and in himself. His life had lost meaning until the day he saw her. The day he first caught her scent and followed her to the bedroom where she was kissing another . . .
Vareck gritted his teeth, anger spurring at the thoughts that cursed him as he snarled. His fangs extended, ready to fight for everything he loved, as the Okalri angrily rose. Guards from the outer ring crossed in with their spears and weapons as the king spotted Sebastian and Sadie retreating in his peripheral vision. Wait. His head snapped toward the side. Where is Mara?
Vareck slashed out at a few that were approaching, ripping a spear from one of the creature’s arms and knocking it back. He wished nothing more than to stab into them, but their outer layer was as hard as the stone that it appeared to be. He grabbed onto another, grunting at the burden of its weight as he swung the creature into another. It was then that he spotted hair like the dawn in the dimly lit night. With the light emitting from the torches he was able to spot her location. Mara was making her escape, but she suddenly stopped, frozen in place.
“What are you doing? Go,” he yelled once more, an Okalri jumping on his back from behind.
“No.” Mara turned toward him, emerald eyes a burning flame of magic. Her mouth moved with words Vareck could barely hear as the color drained from his face. “I’m not leaving you behind.”
A blow to the side of his head ripped any feelings he could have over the moment as he focused back in on the fight. The king’s pupils narrowed as he ripped the Okalri away from his body. The only way he could seem to damage them was to use one as a weapon toward another. Like diamonds cutting diamonds, he hurled another Okalri into a guard that split the distance between him and Mara. There were too many. He couldn’t take on the entire group while trying to save his mate as well.
Mara cried out as an Okalri restrained her, a guard running in her direction with a spear raised. Vareck felt his heart stop as he vaulted over a crumbled pile of rocks. “Stop,” she called out, the Okalri not affected by her power of persuasion. There could be a comparison made of Mara’s stubbornness and to how thick their skulls were if this were an appropriate time.
The Okalri threw its spear at Mara, hurling it directly toward her chest. Vareck sprinted forward, barreling past the creatures in his path as he lunged. He gasped sharply at the impact, the spear piercing his body. The world spun around him and a shrill buzzing echoed in his ears. Vareck looked down to see the spear shaft sticking out of his body at an odd angle. Darkness and anger curled at the edge of his vision. He needed to heal this, and fast. He fell to his knees as the buzzing began to shape into words. One word . . . her voice.
“Vareck!” Mara called out once more. She had freed herself and had rammed her shoulder into one of the oncoming Okalri. All of this and she stayed. She was still in danger. His mate was in danger. Something clicked within a deep, primal part of his brain. Vareck tilted his head up, pupils lost to the electric blue of his eyes. Magic swirled around him, crackling as the tips of his hair floated in the radiance of his aura.
He slumped forward, letting the energy consume him as it took away the pain. The numbness that crawled over his body turned sour. He tilted his head back to scream in rage, the veins in his neck pulsing as he pulled the bloody spear from his upper chest. Vareck staggered to stand, clenching his hands into fists as he called out once more.
Black, feathery wings ripped from his back as he let out a savage roar into the void. He savored the feeling as his talons extended, tongue licking across the tips on his fangs and tasting the blood. He tilted his head to the side as he stared down the Okalri. The rage of the Harpy deep within him had been muted for so long, but the taste of bloodlust never left.
He snarled as he dove forward, ripping the rock creatures apart. He smashed into their joints, the stone crumbling piece by piece. What had once been too difficult of a task, he now moved through with ease. Talons carved through them, one after the other as he gouged at their runes. Okalri fell to the ground, whatever magic that had held them together scattering like dust.