Frozen Fear Book. 2

❅Chapter 14❅

We rose early the next morning. I hadn't gotten much sleep, maybe an hour or so at the most, and my body was really feeling the effect. We packed up our tents, folded our blankets, and made the small trek back to the village. And it was crawling with the the Order's troops.

Black uniforms were everywhere, walking the streets, guarding thresholds, interrogating citizens. When we reached the gate that would allow us entrance into the village, however, a familiar face was there to greet us. And he sneered in my direction.

Fritz, along with a few of his sentinels, were waiting for us. When we approached, Fritz put his hand on his hip, pushing aside his dark cloak so we could see the array of weapons he held there. Same as always: a hatchet made from dark iron, a cluster of bronze and silver daggers, two razor sharps swords, and a handful of throwing stars that winked at me in the morning light.

Nyx growled low in her throat beside me, unsheathing her own long and deadly blade. It was the first time I'd really noticed her - she was so quiet normally. She was absolutely beautiful with her auburn hair, bright green eyes and pale skin. If I hadn't known better, I would've assumed her and Puck were brother and sister.

Her blade glinted in the sunlight, drawing my attention. It was a breathtaking weapon. Golden and polished, the hilt made from dark, sturdy leather. The way it fit into her palm, it was obvious it was made for her. When she caught me staring she straightened but didn't lower her weapon. I couldn't blame her.

"Where are they?" Fritz snapped in my direction. He only had eyes for me.

I hadn't forgotten about the dagger he plunged into Foster's side, how could I? He was carrying others that looked just like it in the loops of his belt. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said back through gritted teeth. Keep calm. Keep calm. I chanted in my mind.

Why? The darkness asked. You know what he did to your beloved. Make him pay. Make him bleed. Grind his bones to-

"The two Counts that went missing last night after you left the Core."

I had to bite my lip to keep from baring my teeth. I wasn't used to all these feral, primal instincts that were pulsing through me. "You really believe we were the ones that took them?"

Fritz's eyes narrowed, his shoulder dark, shoulder length hair falling into his hazel eyes. "Aye, I do. I wouldn't put it past a faerie."

"As fun as this is," Puck said from the back, making his way through the crowd to stand beside me, "we have somewhere to be. Now if you'll excuse us..." Puck shoved past Fritz, which was apparently the wrong move.

With a dulled, human snarl, Fritz spun, holding an iron dagger clean to Puck's throat. Puck hissed and tried to pull away, but the human had him pinned against one of the gate's posts.

There was a reason why the Order appointed Fritz as the leader of their armies. He was good with a blade. Any kind of blade. He moved so fast my enhanced vision couldn't even follow.

Both groups reacted. The fae jumped into action, unsheathing weapons, crouching into a stance, ready to pounce. Even Fritz's sentinels turned to point their guns at our chests.

Drake hissed low in his throat, a warning if I'd ever heard one.

"Ah, how exciting," Fritz seemed to purr.

"Let him go." I'd almost completely forgotten Akan was there, a shadow behind the group. He was wearing the same black shirt and pants he had been wearing the day before, and his eyes still glowed that terrifying red.

Fritz's eyes raked him up and down, sizing him up. "And if I don't? What are you going to bloody do about it?"
Akan smiled, his lips curling over his teeth to show his fangs. "It's better if I show you."