Bite of Winter by Lily Archer

Author:Lily Archer [Archer, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lily Archer
Published: 2019-03-22T05:00:00+00:00

9

Leander

“The council came around in the end, at least. I’ll have to talk to the harvest master in Cold Comfort and figure out logistics, but we should be able to get enough food over the border to sustain them until we can figure out the crop situation.” Gareth leads the way back to our rooms.

“We should send an envoy to the farmers in the west, see if they can assist with the underground fields. Maybe the Vundi will let them in.”

“I can arrange that, though we may run afoul of the queen.”

“Better to ask forgiveness than permission, right?” I turn the corner toward our rooms. “Besides, maybe Taylor has already figured out a solution. My mate is quite a clever alchemist.”

Beth stands at the door, her gaze on Gareth as she taps her foot impatiently. “About time. Where’s Taylor?”

“She should be—” The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and the feral howls inside me. I take off running.

“What is it?” Gareth follows at my heels.

“She’s in danger.” I draw my sword as I navigate the dark passages, each second an agony as I try to find my way to her. Her fear coats me like the tang of blood, but there’s something else crackling down our bond. Something cold and dark.

A shriek echoes through the dark stone hallways, the sound covered in pain and impending death.

“What was that?” Gareth keeps to my heels.

“I must find her!” I roar as I race past some wide-eyed Vundi carrying shovels, bowling them over as I go. She’s closer, but I can’t get to her, and the darkness is growing.

“Leander!” Gareth shouts. “That way’s a dead end.” He points to the right.

I rush past him and catch her scent, which spurs my steps even faster.

When I turn the next corner, I see her. She sits cradling Delantis’s head in her lap as Vanara lies to the side, her body convulsing as black streaks trace across her skin. She shrieks, but the sounds quickly die on her tongue as she folds in on herself, the darkness covering her. The proud gryphon lies on its side, a cruel slash in its chest.

Taylor looks up at me, tears glittering in her eyes.

“Are you hurt?” I rush to her as Gareth stands next to Vanara, his blade at the ready.

“No. But Delantis—”

“Your aura.” Delantis reaches up and waves her fingers around Taylor’s shoulder. “It’s beautiful. Dark and starry. I can see it now.”

“I’m sorry.” Taylor strokes Delantis’s cheek. “I’m so sorry.”

A deep red stain mars the front of Delantis’s dress, spreading from her heart.

“It’s my time.” The old fae smiles but doesn’t move, her life draining away as she struggles to catch her breath. The gryphon lets out a mournful sound as it struggles to crawl closer to Delantis, its body fading as it drags along the cold stone floor.

“Can you save her?” Taylor’s lip quivers as she turns to me. “Heal her?”

The obsidian blade lies nearby, and I can smell Delantis’s blood on it. It can kill any creature.

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