Page 74 of A Fate of Wings

“Melanie,” I said. “Did you like my additional protection of your bars?”

Rage Demons possessed a lot more power than most thought.

She whimpered, well, attempted to, but with no voice box and a gaping hole in her throat, no genuine sound emerged.

I glared at her with all the loathing I had for this woman who should have loved my mate as a loyal family member. More than anyone I’d love Thea, but losing her sister would hurt her on a level she wouldn’t admit to as the queen.

“I know you were responsible for the attack on Thea’s life.”

She didn’t glance away, but her fingers twitched.

“Of course, I can’t prove it. Using blood magic to disintegrate the body of the wolf shifter was smart. In the same way, you disposed of her father, too.”

This time, her fingers curled into fists.

“Thea would kill you if she ever found out.” I folded my arms over my chest. “But you know that, don’t you?”

Melanie couldn’t answer, but her eyes held a glimpse of fear amongst the hatred pouring off her.

“If I ever find the witch that helped you, I won’t keep it from her.”

Her hands moved to her healing throat. The gaping wound was closing slowly, and I didn’t want to be here when she’d healed enough to talk. I despised her more than I’d ever hated anything in my life.

“You may think you’ll break out, but you never will, so don’t even try, unless you want your flesh singed again, that is.” I peeled my lips back in a snarl.

She scrabbled onto all fours and pushed herself up to stand. She might have the same stubborn streak as Thea, but that was it, apart from their identical looks.

“It’s fitting, you here, me on the other side. You’ll get to feel what it’s like to be caged. In a way, I’m glad Thea didn’t let me kill you.”

Melanie’s shoulders shook.

The rage pouring off her fed my demon. Oh, having her here in the dungeon might be for the best. My mate was perhaps smarter than me.

I turned and took a step, then spun back. “Don’t misunderstand me, Melanie. Come near Thea again and I will kill you. Your death won’t be slow or painless either. I’ll keep you alive yet hanging onto death with hope. In the end, you’ll beg me to end your life. No one hurts my mate. Never again.”

I stomped back through the tunnels, glad to leave the putrid stench and cramped space behind.

Saltine stepped out of the shadows. My hands curled into fists. Even though she’d performed the mating ceremony, I still wanted to rip her head from her body.

“Beast.” She nodded. “I know you don’t trust me, but I see things others don’t. This is the only way all our futures will be.”

“Stop talking in riddles, Saltine.”

She lifted her hand. A silver chain dangled from her fingers and on the end, a large ruby dangled. “I have a gift for your son.”

“I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

“Don’t you want to know what it does first?”

I scowled, but hell help me, I wanted to know what she was up to now.

“What does it do?”

“It harnesses rage. Whoever wears it won’t feel rage.”

“Ever?”

“No.”