Ever Wrath by Alexia Purdy Read Free Book Online

Faerie, so don’t defy me, or you will never sever those chains a halfling has placed on you.” She turned toward Shade. “Make him come to the boat. I’m not wasting any more time on his petty stubbornness.”
    “Make him? He’s an Ancient… .”
    “You hold all his magic, don’t you know that? He is bound completely by you. Without you, he’d be less than human. You’ve loosened your reins on him far too much, now use the bond and make him come here, or you will see what wrath I can bestow upon you both, even without magic.” Her face was contorted and purple with rage. Nothing had ever sent Shade into a swallow of fear more than Kilara at her worst. Not even Darren’s evil could compare.
    “Yes, Kilara.” Shade pressed her lips tightly, placing her hands on the edge of the boat’s port side, gripping the ties until her knuckles turned extra white. She stared at Corb, his stubborn feet planted on the disc of ice. She focused on it and pulled it toward them, feeling the ice power coursing through her as she channeled it more and more, draining Corb’s ability to use it.
    A moment later, Corb was next to the boat, facing her down with a fiery anger swirling in his once again human-like blue eyes. Was that a trickle of fear in them? Shade wasn’t sure, but she snapped at him to get into the boat, her own fear leaking from her large brown eyes.
    What the hell did we get ourselves into?
    “You’ll regret this, Shade. You choose sides unwisely. Kilara may be your ancestor, but she knows nothing of true honor and loyalty. She’ll twist all your wishes and dreams, give them to you while sending you screaming as you run away from what you believed you wanted. Nothing she brings will ever be given the way you want it. It is the way of the true Sidhe Seelie faeries.” His voice sent silvery waves of frigid air coursing through her, making her shake before he gripped her forearm to make sure she’d heard his whispers. “Not so unlike the Unseelie, we are. Her promises will only bring you pain and suffering. Do not trust her. Do not forget my words.”
    “Into the boat, Corb. Now, ” Shade hissed. The strain of the ice power was wearing her out, adding to the exhaustion from swimming through the cold lake. She needed sleep and food, something these Ancients could do without.
    Corb climbed in and sat on one of the vinyl seats, looking somewhat defeated, but he quickly replaced his expression with one of boredom and superiority.
    Shade turned toward Kilara, the powers receding from her and leaving her achy and tired. “Now, which way do we go?”
    Kilara nodded, looking smug and satisfied. She pointed, and as she spoke, her cold voice sent even more shivers down Shade’s spine. “We go east, toward the city you call Chicago.”

Chapter Six
The Sarcophagus Chamber

     
    THE EDGE OF Faerie was like staring out a plate glass window. Chicago looked like a bustling town beyond the see-through ward. It was one of the few left standing with Arthas and Aveta still rapidly pulling them down left and right. They passed by this barrier silently, observing the pollution and loud honking of cars as they continued on toward the outlying land around Chicago, where Rowan’s sanctuary lay.
    “You sure we can trust these two?” Nautilus nudged her as they made their way along the border of Faerie.
    “No.” Shade was in no mood to talk, even with Nautilus.
    “Quite reassuring. Look, I don’t know what you know about the Ancients, but this is serious stuff. They can pulverize you if you get on their bad side, just like that.” He snapped his fingers, but she ignored it.
    “We have no choice.”
    “Have you been to Chicago before?”
    “No. I’ve never really lived anywhere but Oregon.”
    “Maybe we should check it out one day. Heard there ’s tons of good food there.”
    Shade peered over toward Nautilus, hoping he was joking. He wasn’t. His face was hopeful, probably holding out for her to say yes to him.