A Court of Shadows and Rage (Azriel x OC)

Broken Parts

Brinna had always loved playing pretend.

As a girl, her imagination had run wild with scenarios, ideas - and as a girl who ran wild in the mountains, with wings, the possibilities were endless.

Her favorite was not the warrior she'd been forged into. Not the assassin those she served had forced her to become. Not the fighter her body had been shaped to be. Instead, it was a maiden, a princess even, being rescued by a knight in shining armor. A shimmering male come to rescue her in her most dire need, and then to kiss her and carry her to their happy ever after.

This wasn't exactly the same.

Leaning atop the bar, she dropped her head onto her arm and let loose a feline smile of amusement. Her now dyed pitch black hair tumbled loose over her shoulders, over the simple dark dress that would have her blending right in. Normally, being so surrounded by Illyrian males would be a terror, enough to spin her down inside herself or onto a brutal spree. But she wasn't afraid.

Azriel was still perched in the corner, covered in shadows. She couldn't see him, but she could feel him - in the way she always was able to feel him, sense his presence when he entered a room.

"Hey," a deep voice whispered as a large Illyrian male slid beside her. "Haven't seen you before."

They had a system, and it worked. Brinna posed as either a whore for sale or a High Fae visiting a relative, or even looking for warriors for hire. Mostly the men would drink, and slowly spill their secrets to Brinna as she sat in their laps or leaned over them and served their drinks.

Most of it had been useless information that was already known, but Brinna felt useful again. It never went too far, and Azriel was always, always there.

He didn't like it. She knew he didn't like having her play this part, this role. And she knew he hated even more how effortlessly she assumed new personas. But she had a natural talent. There was a true reason behind why she'd been Maddox's third for years, beyond his control based ones. She was good at playing pretend. Good at getting answers.

And she loved him, for being her silent protector and letting her work, letting her be useful and serve her court once again.

She was a warrior.

And she was an excellent spy.

"Maddox may act like he owns the Darkbringers, but we all know he's just as much on a leash as the rest of us."

Brinna's ears perked up. She leaned herself against the male, Baeleck, her head rolling into his neck. He smiled and opened his position for her to glide further in.

"Darkbringers?" She slurred. "Sounds like a children's bedtime story." Her fingers marched up his shoulder and to his neck, swirling meticulously.

He laughed, a few of the warriors sitting at their table joined him. His hand wound into her pure black tresses, pulling lightly. She gave him a feline smile, near to a pur.

"Haven't ever heard of the Darkbringers, girl?" The Illyrian to their right said, taking down a dark pitcher of ale. He was far older and made her far more uncomfortable than the young, ethereal-looking male she had chosen. "Are you from Illyria?"

She shook her head and looked towards the one who'd spoken. 

"No, just the Night Court." This was the moment, her "party trick" she had called it much to Azriel's chagrin. "I'm half-fae. My mother was human." Brinna tucked a curl behind her rounded ears.

She felt Baeleck's hand on her hip tighten, the leering smiles of those all around her flew. Brinna knew their thoughts as clearly as if they'd spoked them.