Celia McMahon - Unleashed

1

IZZY

I could almost taste his blood on my tongue.

I rose to my knees and peered over the roof of the Old Hen tavern. He was walking awayor rather, stumbling away, most likely wasted from ale and exhaustion. The sight of him elicited a growl from deep in my throat.

Ive been waiting for you.

The sky was blue-black: a full moon with a light shower that plastered my short hair to my forehead. I wiped the water drops from my eyelashes and stood. I found level footing and leapt onto the roof of the next building, landing feather soft. When the man turned to look my way, I crouched and pinned my hood closed across my face, hoping for the cover of night. I heard him cough, and spit something thick onto the street. I dared a look to be sure.

Archibald Grayson Apatimi looked more pathetic now than he had been a few months ago, his pock-marked face even more cavernous with eyes so unfocused, it was on my luck alone that he now walked in the right direction. He had been Ashes captain of his personal guard and a traitor to Mirosa. He was thinner and sickly. And yet, despite the mans fragile state, I felt no pity. Branch, the older wolf from the Den who taught me to fight, was a voice in the back of my head. Dont be fooled. Even injured or sick wolves can bite.

The sight of the traitor dragged me into memories Id rather have forgotten. If I could, Id have chalked them up to nothing but a long and horrible dream. But being here in Stormwall made that impossible. Not only was I forced to remember, but also see with my own eyes what Id done to my kingdom.

I could feel the pain coming off the city, like a sentient thing gathering under my skin. A sudden, ferocious pain made me struggle for breath. The loss of life during Dal Paratheons invasion swirled around like a blackened cloud. How many more had died since? It was difficult to discern, with every one of Stormwalls people moving through the destruction of their home.

Every one of my people.

Their fear was a palpable thing, invading every inch of space in this city. If not for the storm of Peek Island soldiers and Gwylis, but for the shockingly large amount of missing children; posters begging for their return nailed to buildings and walls all around the city. This terror permeated the air, the earth, in the very breath of the lungs of the people I should have protected.

This regret panged in every rise and fall of my chest. My people deserved a better ruler.

I drew in a long breath and leapt to the next roof, following Archibalds solitary path through the city. He turned down an alley and stopped to piss. I cringed against the scent of urine. I could kill him now, though this close to the main square, it would be entirely too reckless. All my killings were lured from the city and, sometimes, to the privacy of a bedroom.

But before I could stop myself, I crouched and sprang from the rooftop.

I didnt land as softly as I intended. Archibald finished pissing and looked over his shoulder, seemingly unconcerned of the woman standing behind him, watching him soil the brick of the wall. The rest of his body followed until he faced me, a grin spreading across his gruesome face. The whore returns, after all.

In my former life, Id be distracted by the insult. Often, it would send my temper flaring and soaring with reckless abandon, doing anything and everything to defend myself. But now, I had demon magic inside of me. It flared there now, in the hollow of my stomach like an inextinguishable fire.

I met the former guards eyes and matched his grin. You know who I am.

He held my gaze. Dont think for one moment, the shadows of my past do not come calling at one point or another.

I ground my teeth together. I am no shadow.

Could have fooled me.

I drew in a sharp breath. No time for arguing. Where is Prince Ashe?

Archibald threw his head back and laughed. No wonder youre covering the city in red. He casually anchored a hand on his hip. I dont know anything about the prince. As far I know, hes dead.

My eyes widened. For weeks, Id lured and tortured soldiers and guards alike for information from behind the palace walls. Id taken a knife to my face, healing, and then repeating it every evening. For weeks, Id sunk into a blood-red fury only the threat of daylight could stop. If Dal Paratheons own traitorous fiend didnt know where Ashe was, what hope was there in finding him?

Ashe should have sent word. A crow. Anything. But I waited for days before donning the hood and stalking the city under the cover of night. I hunted men as they came out of taverns, loose and drunk. I tempted them into inns, I took them beyond the city boundaries, and for what? I didnt know how many Id killed, or which ones still churned around in my belly. I did not regret the killing, because the demons did not allow me to feel shame or guilt. I only regretted the time wasted.

But I refused to believe him, gritting out the words, Youre lying.

Are you sure? Archibald asked. Ive been in the palace, and theres been no one-armed prince strutting the halls. As far as everyone knows, he died during the Battle for Stormwall.

I scoffed at the ridiculous name. It sounded like my father and his forces even had a chance at keeping the throne. They didnt. So, you wish to die for your lies.

Im going to die either way, Princess. Best by your claws than the kings noose.

He was right. If he went back and reported me, Dal would certainly kill him for not taking me back there with him. Dead or alive.

He was better off dead, and better for my conscience.

Wargave would tell me how I was wasting my time and effort. No news would come from the palace, especially not anything useful and convenient for myself. Hed said those exact words just days ago when Id come crashing into his little shop bucking like a wild horse, angry that I could not find what I needed. The world doesnt bend for you, Isabelle Rowan. Stop thinking it will.

Suspicious shopkeepers with fake eyes shouldnt speak like wizened old men. There was nothing more unnerving.

You ruined everything for me, bringing your traitor king to my kingdom, I said. He blinked at the last word, clearly misinterpreting my absence. As much as I thought Id left the New Kingdom behind, it was always there waiting for me, very much mine by blood and rights. It didnt have to happen the way it did.

Before I finished speaking, I moved. Changing into a wolf here would only attract attention, as it did in a bedroom for example, but my strength as a human matched the bite of my teeth. I grabbed Archibalds arm and slammed him against the opposite wall. He went for his weapona dagger, perhapsbut I knocked it away too quickly. He tried to drive a fist into my belly, but I sidestepped, knocking him off-balance. I drove a fist into his neck and a knee into his midsection, sending the older man crashing onto his knees.