Page 60 of Accidental Fae (Fae War Chronicles 1)

“But why? Couldn’t you just open a vein like you just did?”

He swallows hard. “The dark soul-matter pollutes, Ember. Keeping it at bay without using it is difficult enough. Should I get drunk on the power, I’d become far worse than Taranus could ever be.”

“I find that hard to imagine.”

“Don’t.”

That one word silences my argument. I may not know much about this world, but Rafferty promised never to lie to me. If I am to believe that—to believe him—keeping his control is more important than getting him out.

Especially if he becomes what I just saw.

“Why did it change? You said it was once every month, then once every couple of days.”

“I don’t know, but I steadily grew more volatile, so I upped the bleedings.”

“Upped the bleedings…like that’s some legitimate medical procedure.” I stand and begin to pace. I’m two steps in when I realize exactly what Taranus had hoped for by putting me down here. “Taranus said time with you would make me wish for him.”

“Yes.”

“Did he know about this?”

“Yes,” he repeats, this time with a bit more edge in his voice.

“Then he wanted you to attack me. That was his plan all along; his plan to get me to want to be with him.” As I speak the words, a plan of my own begins to form.

“What is your point?”

“I might still be able to save us,” I tell him. “But I need your help.”

“Tell me what to do.”