shadows don't lie

Chapter Nine

*Warnings: Sexual Assualt and Suicide themes! Do not read this chapter if you are triggered by these things!*

They winnowed directly to the throne room, not stopping to bother with formalities, and Azriel immediately cast his shadows out in search of Inei.

His brothers stood close by waiting for directions, and he had a feeling Rhysand was looking for Keir at the same time.

One of Azriel’s shadows shuddered and hissed, “She's tied up in a cell two levels below. Four males are currently in there with her.” Azriel snapped forwards, leaving his brothers behind as he aimed for the nearest door, following where his shadows directed him.

He made it down one flight of stairs before Rhysand winnowed in front of him.

“Azriel calm down.” He ordered, but Azriel tried to just push past. “Azriel, you need to calm down.” Rhysands tone turned forceful and Azriel seethed.

“Let me through Rhys, because I swear if they so much as even fucking breathe on her I’ll rip them apart.”

“I know Az, but I need you to worry about getting her out.” Azriel hesitated, and Rhysand pressed, “Cass and I will take care of them, you just get her back to the Palace, okay?”

Azriel nodded regretfully, looking his brother in the eyes “Okay.”

Rhysand stepped out of the way and Azriel resumed heading for the cell, Rhysand following closely behind. He turned corner after corner until he finally spotted the door at the end of the hall.

His shadows thrummed bloodthirstily, urging him forwards, the feeling building with each step until only the door stood in his path.

"I'll take care of the them." Rhysand growled before the door shattered off his hinges. His star kissed darkness filled the room, obscuring the multiple males Azriel could sense, and it was only the thought of Inei that kept him from snapping their necks.

He followed the anxious tug of his shadows towards the back right of the dark room, and he leashed them tightly around his shoulders, nervous for what he would find.

His mind went dead as a wooden table came into view.

She laid unconscious across the flat surface, her arms and legs pinned with ropes, her pale skin raw from struggling against them. Azriel gritted his teeth as he noted the lack of clothing in the chill air, having spotted her clothes in shreds around the table, like they had literally been torn off of her.

With barely a thought from him the ropes binding her snapped, and Azriel covered her in his shadows, trying to preserve her modesty. He leaned over to pick her up, but froze as he scented multiple males upon her skin.

They had done so much more than breathe on her it seemed, and Azriel gritted with every new scent that he detected.

He was going to tear them all to shreds, every last horrible person in this gods forsaken mountain, but he would be sure to take his time, letting them suffer for centuries.

His hands shook as he scooped her limp body up in his hands, but he only turned around, and carefully left the room, avoiding the silent but writhing males on the floor.

Rhysand stood right outside of the door and nodded to Azriel when he emerged. "There were seven of them. Cassian is finding the others." His brother told him, but Azriel had already marked their scents.

He just turned away, gathering his shadows to take them back to the Palace. Right as they were about to winnow away, the sound of screaming erupted from behind him. He couldn't stop the cruel smile that split his lips. Azriel knew that Rhysand would leave the males alive for him, as Cassian would do the same whenever he found the ones he was hunting for, but it was still satisfying to hear them scream.