Shit! Malcolm is gonna ta kill her.
Even after the talk he’d given us about protecting her and how she possibly could be the rightful queen.
And as much as I didn’t give a fuck, I had to tell him the truth. If she was going to die, it would be because of what she was and did, not an untruth.
I clapped a hand down on his forearm squeezing it until he glanced over at me. “Let ‘er go. She’s nae responsible for Simeon’s disappearance.”
“How do you know?” He eased his hold but didn’t let go of her throat.
For his trouble, she kicked him in the groin, and he sank to his knees, gasping for breath.
Her fist aimed for my solar plexus. I tossed up an arm, fending off her attack.
“You fuckers!” She did a roundhouse kick followed by an elbow to my side.
“Stop,” I bellowed, not wanting to hurt her, but she was trying the last of my patience.
“Make me.” She sent a crescent kick right to my thigh where she’d stabbed me earlier.
My damn leg buckled underneath me, and I fell like a knocked-over sack of potatoes.
When she dashed over me to the door, I reached up and hauled her down by her ankle.
She fell to the floor next to me but didn’t give up. She kicked and thrashed and called me every curse name I’d ever heard of and some I hadn’t.
I pinned her with an arm and my good leg. Damn thankful she didn’t seem to have any weapons with her this time.
“Get off of me, you spiteful ogre.” Her squirming wasn’t doing anything to get her out of my grip but turned me on so much that I debated letting her go.
“Why did you stop me?” Malcolm wheezed as he recovered from her kick to his groin.
“She didnae take Simeon.”
Somehow Avery got an arm loose and plowed her elbow into the side of my head. Ouch, the woman could fight.
“Take? What do you mean?” he asked.
I wrestled with Avery, pulling her up with me by the arm. Her dark hair hanging in her face, she continued to struggle against me, but I kept my injured leg from most of her attacks. She could kick me all she wanted as long as she didn’t reach my balls or my injury, I was fine.
“Darrius,” Malcolm hissed out. “What happened to Simeon?”
“Cannae ye smell it?” I ducked another of her punches. “The chamber an’ ‘allway reek of Gwyllion.”
“Then why take Simeon and not the queen?” Malcolm gestured to her.
“Look at ‘er, would ye want to wrestle with ‘er too?” I asked. “They’ll use Simeon as a bargainin’ chip fer us ta bring this gelliring ’ellion ta them.”
She stopped her hand mid-air. “I am in the room, you know.”
“Didnae think ye could hear us over yer kicks an’ punches.” Seeing she didn’t attack me again, I stood.
“What’s this all about?” She rose, refusing my hand to help her up.
“So ye know aboot the Gwyllions, do ye?” I met Malcolm’s gaze and mouthed the word, “Assassin.”
“Of course I do.” She straightened her blue gown with the torn shoulder. Quickly, she righted it, tying the material over her shoulder to make a Greek-style dress, then did the same with the other side so they’d match. “I’ve made it a point to study all the Fae.”
“Ta discover weaknesses.” I nodded. “Even if ye are a Fae-killer, I can appreciate the details an’ time ye ‘ad ta learn as much as ye do. So what are Gwyllion’s weaknesses?” Because as far as we knew, there weren’t any. They were harder to kill than cockroaches and would be the last Fae alive even after a nuclear attack.
She lifted her chin in a stubborn gesture. “Promise you’ll let me go and I’ll tell you.”
“No, ye will tell us now an’ we don’t cut ye down where ye stand.” I stepped between her and Malcolm. My cousin was already taken with her and convinced she was the queen. Though he’d strangle a god if it meant saving Simeon, as would I.
I shrugged my shoulders, holding out my hands. “I’ve no qualms killin’ ye now, assassin. Despite what Malcolm an’ Simeon believe, I don’t trust ye. You’re a danger to me and my kind. Even if we make it out of this an’ ye prove ta be our missing queen, I will never bow or give ye my allegiance.”
Her face paled at the word queen and her gaze flicked behind me to Malcolm. “I’m-I’m not Fae.”
“Aye, ye are at least half, lass.” I inhaled. “Yer blood donnae lie, and I scented it meself last time we fought.”
“Enough.” Malcolm pushed past me and grasped her arm. “Tell us what you know, and I’ll throw you back to your world as soon as Simeon is back safe.”
“What’s to stop me from stabbing you both once your backs are turned?”
“The same that’s keeping me from takin’ ye out of the equation.” I tilted my head. “We’ve gone over twenty years without a queen, I think we can go longer. Hell, we might even hold a vote an’ elect a new monarch.”
“That’s not how royalty works.” She snorted. “Fine. I’ll help you rescue this Simeon. A truce until we are on human soil, then all bets are off.”
I gave her a nod and she jerked her arm out of Malcolm’s grip.
“Now, what do you know about Gwyllions?” he asked. “How did they get into the palace unnoticed—if I found out you let them in…”
“Get over yourself,” she spat. “Like I’d ever side with any of your kind. I’m a Fae-killer, remember?”
“Answer the questions.” I had no more patience left. If Simeon was hurt, she’d pay if she had anything at all to do with his capture.
She spared me a glance like I was dirt on her boot, but answered, “They are hard as hell to kill and can take on the appearance of any creature kinda like a pooka. As far as how it got into the castle, that’s on you two. Guess you don’t have great security here. Might want to invest in a murderous Fae scanner since it could look like anyone its touched before.”
“An’ ‘ow do ye kill one?” The vein in my forehead throbbed because I wanted to throttle the bloody woman.
Her smile would’ve made most Fae back up a step. “Never fought one. Sorry, I’ve no idea.”
“Ye’re lyin’.” I stomped toward her, but Malcolm put his hand on my shoulder.
“She’s probably telling the truth. It’s rare for a Gwyllion to get as far as the human barrier.”
I pushed his hand away. His blind faith had gotten us into this fucking mess because she knew more than she admitted.
“Are we done here?” She shifted from foot to foot.
“What’s wrong with ye?”
“Which way to the bathrooms?” she asked, her cheeks pink.
Malcolm gave her directions, then turned to me once she left. “Do you think she’ll live up to her promise?”
“Aye.” I strode to the weapon's chamber with Malcolm beside me. “I think she wants ta add more twisted daggers ta ‘er collection.”
“How do you figure?”
I forgot sometimes that all three of us came from different courts. We lived and trained there until we were old enough to go in search of the queen.
Mine bordered the Unseelie lands and buffered Malcolm’s court. While Simeon’s was closest to the human realm, so he got even less of the evil. Where I learned to fight whatever nightmare creatures came out regardless if it was day or night.
Amber had been half-Gwyllion and look at the damage she nearly caused. She’d fooled me into nearly costing the lives of both Malcolm and Simeon. I’d never allow someone except my cousins to get close to me ever again.
I picked up one of her iron blades and a silver. I’d allow her a few weapons, but none that would truly hurt us.
Malcolm blocked my path, a stubborn look in his eyes. “Answer my question. How do you know she’s going with us willingly just for more daggers?”
“Isnae it obvious? She must know Gwyllions’ bones can pierce the heart of any Fae.” And when she made her move against one of us, I would kill her.