Page 37 of The Powerless Witch
The Fae froze, black eyes narrowing in confusion.
“You are two thousand years too late, buddy,” I whispered, gasping for breath. “Somebody already took it.”
The Fae looked up, and that’s when I struck. Sinking my blade into its neck, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction while the flesh tore and burned. The Fae screamed in agony just as the door to the room flew off the hinges. Yanking its hand out of my chest and bursting into a flock of birds when Malakai strode inside the room, the Fae flew out so fast that the wind it created made me shield my eyes.
Istaggered back when a pair of warm arms wrapped around me. I looked up to find Isaac staring at me with an open mouth, his eyes so large, he looked like he was the one who had a hand grope for his soul just now.
“What…what was that?” he whispered, looking down at my chest. Luckily, it was still intact, but the strange sensation lingered. “You just…you almost…what is wrong with you? You could have died!”
I winced, pushing myself off him, but he didn’t let go. I wasn’t going to admit it, but I was glad since my feet were too wobbly to hold me on their own.
“Sluaghs don’t kill.” Malakai’s voice made us both turn to find him staring at the open window where the lower Fae had disappeared. “They steal souls. Celeste just saved yours.”
I felt Isaac’s eyes return to my face, but I ignored them in favor of glaring at the prince.
“Was it here because it sensed I’m dying?” I frowned.
“No,” Malakai replied, finally tearing his gaze away from the window. An apologetic smile appeared on his face as he scratched his temple. “The Sluagh has been under my sister’s command since my brother…died. She lets it guard the borders, stealing the souls of anyone who dares trespass—if the guards don’t get to them first. I think she might have sent it to capture you.”
“Your sister sent this thing after her?” Isaac snarled. “We have been here a few hours, and she is already trying to kill Celeste? We are fucking leaving!”
“As I said, sluaghs don’t kill, and my sister knows Celeste doesn’t have a soul. She likely sent it to bring Celeste to her,” Malakai said. “That’s when you got in the way and it was distracted by your soul, so it tried to take it.” His eyes lowered to the blade I still squeezed in my hand, and to my surprise, he smiled. “Iron. You came prepared, I see.”
I gave him a humorless smile.
“I had hoped I wouldn’t need it, seeing how you promised me protection.”
Malakai winced again, but before he could say anything, Isaac grabbed him by the front of his robe.
“How convenient that you arrived after it was leaving, wasn’t it? Didn’t you say she would be safe here? Where were you?”
I stepped closer to them, grabbing Isaac’s hand that was squeezing the prince. He ignored my attempt to pry his fingers open, so I cupped his face, forcing him to look at me.
“Let him go,” I commanded. A low snarl reverberated through his chest. “Let him go, Isaac.”
He finally released the crumpled fabric, and Malakai took a step back, righting his clothes. He didn’t seem scared or offended—if anything, he looked more guilty.
“My sincerest apologies to you both. I was not within the residence, which is why it took me so long to get here,” he replied, looking at Isaac. “I got a message from your Beta. Again.” Isaac frowned, tension spreading through his body, but Malakai continued before he could ask any questions. “There is a member of your pack waiting outside the borders. He said you must go back urgently because the witches are on the move, and your Beta thinks they are targeting your pack.”
Isaac cursed under his breath. His eyes darted to me, then back to Malakai, before he cursed again, running a hand through his hair.
“Go,” I said, moving to stand next to Malakai. “I’ll be fine.”
“You were just attacked by a soul-stealing monster!” Isaac snarled, waving at the window. “The hell am I leaving you here alone! Allison can handle herself! My pack can—”
“But shouldn’t their Alpha be there to protect them when there is danger?” I cocked my head, a smile spreading on my lips because I knew I won the moment he bared his teeth at me. “As you can see, I can take care of myself. Fae bargains cannot be broken. Malakai will protect me from what I cannot protect myself from. Now go. It’s not just Allison who needs you. You just got your sister back. What if something were to happen to her?”
Isaac’s shoulders sagged with defeat. He looked at Malakai, his gaze hardening.
“Protect her with your life,” he said slowly, accentuating each word.
Malakai’s smile was warm and easy despite the charged air.
“She will not die on my watch, Isaac. I promise to return her in better shape than she is now.” The Fae Prince bowed his head and Isaac nodded, even though he didn’t look fully convinced. His eyes darted to the door, and he opened his mouth, but Malakai was faster. “A guard is waiting. He’ll take you out of the grove where your pack member awaits. You should hurry, he looked rather impatient.”
Isaac caught my hand and pulled me to the wall—just far enough to give the illusion of privacy. The Fae had almost as good hearing as the shifters.
“The mindlink should only strengthen with time, so if you need me, call me through it,” he said, holding my gaze. “And watch your back. I didn’t save your life, only for you to die here.” I rolled my eyes. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but in the end, he just sighed and turned to leave.