Crimes of Fire (Wayward Fae Paranormal Prison Book 1)

by J. N. Colon

“The hole.” Viktor left the wall and ripped his hoodie over his head, handing it to me. I looked up at him questioningly. “You’re shivering.” When I didn’t take his offering, he gently pulled it over my head.

  His warmth and scent cloaked me like a shield, blocking the horrific images of Faolan’s attack. I threaded my arms through the sleeves and held the excess material close to my chest like a blanket. “And Maria?”

  “She’s on lockdown in her room for the next few days. So is Henrick.” He cracked his neck. “He and Faolan are both nursing a few broken bones.”

  How much damage had Viktor inflicted?

  “All three have been given goblin cuffs, but I don’t know for how long,” he continued.

  “What about the daemons?” Eros led to me to the bathroom in the first place. Alisha, the panther shifter, also had a hand in this.

  He grabbed a chair and drew it toward the side of the bed before folding into the seat. “The daemons are going to be harder to deal with. They’re not all acting on free will.”

  My head tilted to the side. “Care to explain? Daemons don’t seem like the type to be easily controlled.”

  “They’re not.” Viktor scrubbed at the faint shadow of stubble coating his chin. Why did I find that ridiculously sexy? “Faolan has obtained a mystical artifact called the Stone of Ordú. It was created by druids—powerful Fae spellcasters—thousands of years ago to control daemons. The druids wanted to overthrow the seelies who ruled at the time and take over the throne.”

  “And that could have happened with one little stone?”

  “One little stone and an army of druids and daemons.” Viktor leaned his elbows on his knees, bringing those unsettling silver eyes closer. “Make no mistake, Sloane, daemons are powerful and can be vicious if necessary. The druids would have made them the true monsters of human nightmares.”

  I held back a shiver and frowned. “You know I’m half-daemon, right? You’re pretty much insulting me.”

  “I insult you all the time, and you do the same to me.” He leaned back in the chair again, shaking his head. “Are you going to let me talk or not?” When I waved him on, he resumed. “The druids were eventually stopped by the courts of unseelie and seelie, but the stone was lost. Until Cortland Jorah found it, Faolan’s father.”

  I sank deeper into Viktor’s sweatshirt. “How did Faolan end up with it? It doesn’t seem like something you just borrow.”

  “I believe Cortland gave it to him. He may have orchestrated Faolan’s entire arrest to get him sent here.” He dragged his fingers through his hair and released a long, tired breath. “Cortland wants control of everything in this prison, including the black-market trade. With the help of the daemons and the other shifters, Faolan is trying to overthrow me and take that business.”

  Viktor wasn’t telling me everything. “Why is it so important you have all this power in prison? It’s not the real world.”

  “This is the real world for a lot of Fae.” Viktor crossed his arms over his chest, his biceps straining against his t-shirt. The swirling tattoos covering his skin mesmerized me for a few seconds. They had a habit of doing that. “The illegal trade business I have through Wayward Fae Pen is the best out there. F.I.C. and not even the queen can shut it down. Hell, a lot of F.I.C. agents are in on it. This is the only way items can cross to and from the Otherworld without that bitch Isadora knowing.”

  My heart shuddered. The animosity rolling off Viktor had me shrinking back. He clearly wasn’t fond of his half-sister.

  “The more power Cortland and the dochars can get, the better. He thinks this will be another step to taking over the throne.”

  Still, there was more to this. I could feel it, but the closed-off look on Viktor’s face told me I wouldn’t get more of a reason than that. Not yet, anyway.

  “The Stone of Ordú is somewhere in Faolan’s cell,” Viktor said. “Wards surround it. No one can get in or out without him knowing—no one except you, as long as you shadowmeld inside.”

  I rubbed my temples, trying to brush away the memories of the black and scarlet beast. “So you want me to pop into his cell and then steal it?”

  He shook his head. “I want you to destroy it.”

  Viktor didn’t seem like the type to turn down more power.

  As if he could read my mind, he scoffed. “I don’t need to control anyone with a damn stone. I’m the unseelie prince. The daemons will follow me without force.”

  Well, someone had an ego.

  “Powerful elemental fire magic is the only thing that can destroy it,” Viktor motioned his hand toward me, “and you have it.”

  “Won’t Faolan put two and two together when he realizes the stone has been demolished? He’ll know I’m the only person capable of sneaking in and destroying it.” And then he’d come for me.

  “He doesn’t think I know about the stone. He’d have no reason to assume it was you. And because of your seelie-dae magic, it’ll appear as if the stone vanished right out of his cell.” A frightening smile twisted his lips. “When the stone is gone, the daemons will realize they’ve been mind-fucked the last few months by Faolan. They won’t be too happy with him.”

  I’d love to see the alpha shifter get bitch-slapped by karma, but involving myself in another dangerous deal didn’t sound that appealing. “Why can’t you just kill Faolan? Wouldn’t that put an end to this without having to stoop so low and use me, a seelie-dae?” Sarcasm riddled my tone.

  “If Faolan dies here—especially by my hand—it would give Cortland a reason to start a war. He’d rile the shifters up over revenge against the elitist courts of unseelie and seelie. I can’t have that.” The muscles in his arms tightened, and he ground his teeth so hard I could hear it. “I need your help.” He practically growled those words. It must have taken a lot to spit that out.

  “So, is that what this was?” I motioned my hand between us. “You were trying to seduce me to get my help?”

  Viktor’s eyes glanced away for a millisecond before returning and hardening over like ice in a winter storm. “I’m not going to apologize for doing what I felt necessary. Too much is at stake.”

  My gaze fell to the floor. We were more alike than I thought. I’d been trying to seduce him to earn his trust. I was no better than he. Maybe I was worse, even. My endgame was to snuff his life out. “Well, at least it forced you to save my life. If you had no use for me, I’d be dead.”

  His jaw slackened. “Sloane, I—”

  I lifted my hand to cut him off. “There’s just one problem, Vik. I have no idea how to control my powers.”

  “I’ll teach you.”

  A humorless laugh slipped out. “That means you’ll have to spend a lot of time with me. I’ve only shadowmelded once, and you don’t even have that power.”

  “It’ll be torture for me, but I assure you, I’m very capable of teaching you.” He studied me for a few long, intense moments, chewing on his lip as if mulling something over. “You tried to shadowmeld during that fight with Maria, but the goblin cuff stopped you. I was the only one that noticed.”

  Realization dawned on me, and my body sagged against the pillows. That was the moment Viktor Hale had begun his little seduction dance. Now it made sense. “What’s in it for me?”

  The unseelie prince reached into his pocket to draw out a juniper stick then rolled it between his fingers before lighting it. The pine scent drifted in my direction. “I’ll protect you against Faolan and everyone else in the prison. In case you haven’t noticed, the other inmates don’t particularly care for your presence.”

  I scoffed. “Understatement. And the guards. That Gildafor is a piece of work.”

  Green mist swirled out of his mouth, a mouth I suddenly couldn’t stop staring at. “You won’t have to worry about any of them under my protection.”

  I tore my gaze away and ran my hand over my stomach. Faolan was bound and determined to kill me. The shifters and daemons were on his side. Isla had tried to knife me, and the guards turn
ed their heads any time I was in trouble. Hell, even Helena and Gemma were out for my blood. With Viktor’s protection, I stood a chance in this place. He’d also teach me how to use my magic, the very thing I needed to kill him.

  My skin broke out in hot and cold flashes thinking of using Viktor to help me murder him. Could I do that? Could I be so heartless and cold?

  “I-I don’t know.” The words softly crossed my lips, but I was answering my own question and not his.

  Viktor stood from the chair and leaned over the bed, bringing our faces only inches apart. “Hurry and make a decision, Sloane. Faolan won’t be in that hole forever. And when he gets out, he’ll be coming for you.”

  My appetite diminished the moment I stepped foot into the cafeteria. Hatred rolled off the shifters in thick, choking waves. They knew I was the reason their alpha had been tossed into the iron hole.

  Faolan had attacked me four days ago. I couldn’t imagine being surrounded by iron for that long.

  Because of the stone and his control over them, the daemons exhibited as much animosity as the shifters. Warden Balfour assured me the prisoners had been warned that any retribution would be met with swift and harsh punishment.

  That didn’t really matter if the retribution killed me first.

  “Sloane, are you okay?” Kimber’s voice broke my dark reverie. She sat across from me, worry lines creasing her forehead.

  “Fine. I’m fine.” I didn’t even believe me.

  She made a humming sound. “There’s something—I don’t know—different about you.”

  The luminescent glow had calmed in my eyes, but the silver flecks remained within the violet. “What do you mean?” Beads of sweat began to collect on my nape. No one except Mixon knew Viktor had given me his blood. I didn’t even want to imagine how people would react if they knew my body rejected everything but the prince’s pure royal blood. And it now flowed through my veins.

  I was an even bigger mutt than before.

  “Are you sure you’re okay? Maybe you should go to the medical ward.” Tristan scooted closer, invading my personal space again. He’d been a little too sweet and caring since the attack.

  “I’m fine. Really.” If one more person asked me that, they’d get a mouth full of my tray.

  “I’m glad that asshole didn’t do any permanent damage.” Tristan released a harsh breath. “I still think Warden Balfour should have sent Faolan to Morghead Prison. He belongs with the worst of the worst.”

  Having the alpha shifter sent to the maximum-security prison would be nice, but I was never that lucky.

  “It’s a good thing Viktor happened to be there to save you.” The hidden meaning in Kimber’s words was obvious, like a garish neon sign.

  I shot her a narrowed glare. “He’s a real hero.”

  Tristan’s body tightened, his fingers clutching his fork harder. “Why had Viktor been there? Wasn’t he in the hole for beating up that human?”

  I shrugged. “I guess he got out.”

  “It’s strange that Viktor is the one who saved you.” Tristan pushed the green beans around on his tray. They looked like little slimy worms.

  Ugh. That did not help the knots in my stomach.

  “He tormented you from day one, and then suddenly he saves you from wraiths and from Faolan?” Tristan shook his head. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

  “I don’t know why Viktor does what he does,” I mumbled. “He’s not a big talker.”

  Poor Tristan had no idea the prince only wanted to use my seelie-dae magic to make sure he remained at the top of the food chain. Images of us kissing in his room bled through the barricades I kept them behind. Every heated moment with Viktor had been a sham.

  We were both liars.

  That wasn’t exactly true, not on my part anyway. Deep down, I felt something for the prince. And I hated that.

  My blood unexpectedly zinged, coming to life inside my body. A sharp hiss exited my lips. The unseelie prince just entered the cafeteria, and I didn’t need to see him to know. I could feel him as if he were touching me even though we were on opposite sides of the room.

  I clenched my teeth and curled my hands into fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. I wouldn’t look. I would not look.

  Too bad my body had other ideas. I quickly lost the battle and my head swiveled. A pair of icy eyes wandered over me, heating every inch of my skin. How could his stare be so cold and hot at the same time?

  I turned back around, breathing raggedly. Kimber’s brow arched as a smile twitched her lips. There was no way Tristan hadn’t noticed that—whatever the hell that was.

  Why did I care what the seelie thought? Sharing a few—all be it hot—kisses didn’t make him my boyfriend. I barely knew the guy.

  “Is something going on between you and Viktor?” Tristan’s voice had dipped lower than usual, and the air around him quickly thickened with magic.

  Damn it. I should really tell him to back off. I didn’t have to answer to anyone.

  Before I could utter a word to Tristan, the hairs on my nape stood at attention. Faolan sauntered through the other entrance of the cafeteria, his eerie citrine gaze landing on me. My blood froze to solid ice.

  I couldn’t breathe as memories of his claws ripping me apart bombarded my mind. I was glued to my seat, trapped in a nightmare.

  “What the hell is he doing out?” Fine tremors began to move through Tristan’s body. “A guard should be on him twenty-four seven.” He shot out of his seat, taking a step forward.

  I snatched his arm. “What are you doing?”

  His fingers curled into tight fists that could probably demolish bone. If he had a sword, he would’ve yanked it out to take vengeance on the shifter in my honor. “I’m going to confront him. He had no right to do that do you.”

  My teeth ground. Did he only see some fragile, helpless girl? “I can handle my own fights, Tristan. I’m not a damsel in distress.”

  Blood rushed to his cheeks. “Faolan almost killed you, Sloane. Someone needs to teach him a lesson.”

  The seelie just didn’t get it. Even if his intentions were good, in my experience nothing was ever free. Would a day come when he’d want something in return for his chivalry? “You don’t need to stand up for me. I’ve taken care of myself my whole life. I don’t need a knight in shining armor.”

  Tristan’s head jerked back. He looked at Kimber, and her only response was a shrug. “Fine. Whatever.” He grabbed his tray and stormed off.

  “Tristan, wait.” He ignored me and disappeared out of the room. I rubbed my temples, trying to push away the sudden splitting headache.

  “Girl, he’s got it bad for you.” Kimber chuckled. “I don’t even know why he’s in prison. He seems too sweet for this place.”

  Tristan had probably gotten tossed in Wayward Fae Pen protecting someone.

  “Trouble in paradise between you and the seelie?”

  That gravelly voice had my head snapping up. Faolan loomed over me, sending alarms blaring in my head. “What do you want?” I snarled, hoping he couldn’t detect the quake in my voice. My shoulders relaxed slightly at the sight of the silver goblin cuff encircling his wrist. At least he couldn’t shift.

  He released a chilling laugh. “Don’t get too comfortable, sweetheart.” His fingers tapped the delicate bracelet. “Viktor isn’t the only one capable of getting these goblin cuffs off.”

  Acid oozed up my throat. Faolan wasn’t going to play nice at all.

  His face was pale and gaunt, making his yellow eyes more prominent. The iron hole must have taken a toll on him. “I just wanted to let you know I’m glad you’re all healed.” He leaned forward, crowding my space. “I want you fresh when I rip you apart again.”

  Sharp claws of panic tore at my chest. I grabbed my tray to smack him in the head, but he was suddenly wrenched back.

  “I warned you to stay away from her.” Power laced Viktor’s voice, each word shaking the ground beneath my feet. His shoulders swelled, broadenin
g his already intimidating presence.

  A sneer twisted Faolan’s mouth. “You’re not my prince. I don’t follow your rules.”

  “You better start before I remind you why I’m in charge.” Viktor took a threatening step toward the alpha shifter.

  I swallowed hard at the palpable tension between the two Fae. Viktor already seemed dead set on protecting me. Was he so sure I’d say yes, or was he prepared to fight Faolan either way?

  Faolan lifted his hands and took a step back. After being in solitary confinement for days, he was in no shape to take on Viktor. “I’ll let you win this, for now, prince.” He spat the title. “Just don’t get too attached to the little seelie-dae.” He spun and marched toward the table of shifters.

  Faolan practically foamed at the mouth to rip me to pieces. And I’d be no good to my sister dead.

  My gaze met Viktor’s. Words weren’t needed. He understood me loud and clear. My answer was yes, I’d destroy Faolan’s stone for his protection. I just hoped that afterward I could keep my promise to the queen and end her brother’s life.

  Chapter 23

  If looks could kill, I’d be dead. I would have been dead an hour ago. Viktor’s eyes spent half the time sharp as daggers of ice and the other flaming hot orbs of lava that could melt me. Either way, I’d wind up six feet under.

  “I told you I don’t know how to use my powers.” I wiped sweat from my forehead. “You knew this wouldn’t be easy.” He instructed me to light a vase of flowers on fire. So far, nada.

  His nostrils flared. “I didn’t think it would be like running face-first into a brick wall.”

  I jerked my hand to the left. “There’s a brick wall. Why don’t you try it and see what’s better?”

  “That would be better.”

  I released a frustrated grunt and spun away from the unseelie prince. We’d once again been assigned to laundry duty together. Viktor had persuaded a couple of elves to do our job while he dragged me into the basement for magic class.

  Our session wasn’t going well. I hadn’t been able to light one thing on fire or shadowmeld. I might as well still have the goblin cuff on for all the magic I’d managed to produce.