The Faery Hunt (The Wicked Grove Prequel) Read Online Free PDF

hitting the glowing targets around us .
    The infernal screams that followed were deafening . Even the now loud roar wind through the tree can opy was swallowed by the carnal wailing all around us . I wanted to fall to the ground and hold my hands over my ears to muffle the screeching . This band was lou der and madder than any we had extinguished before.
    We continued to hit them with arrows and bullets as Craig shot some down with his handgun . I reloaded as fast as I could but realized that the mass of dark Faeries had taken a different stance and began to bum rush right at us .
    Crap!
    I pulled out a hunting knife from my belt, just in time to slash one across the chest and butt another in the head with the bow . Their bright green blood splashed across my fa ce and arms as their veiny skin burst open under my blade .
    Their hair was made of twisted twigs and thistles while their skin was green like an emerald forest in spring with veins like leaves that spread across their bodies like emblazoned tattoos . They wore moss and long grasses woven into capes and pants . Their eyes glowed like the yellow of a cat’s eyes , reflecting the moonlight like feral orbs . They fought us bravely, falling in piles as our weapons got the best of them . Iron arrows and bullets decimated their numbers efficiently.
    Their sheer numbers pushed me fa rther from my brothers as they too spread apart to keep up with the rampage . Sweat gathered on my brow s as my heart jumped in my chest . If we don’t end this soon, we would be no match against them.
    As if they heard my thoughts, the attack slowed, more warriors came to stand around me as my ammo ran out . The ceasing of gunfire let me know that Craig too had run out . Panic seared through me like lightning, threatening to burst my chest open . I held my knife out, dropping the now useless bow to the ground .
    In a flash, one Faery grabbed the hand holding the knife , squeezing hard enough for me to yelp out and drop it . He moved in a blur as he twisted my arm painfully around my back and held it tight . Unable to break free, he shoved me forward, deeper into the forest and away from the calls of my brothers . The pain in my arm seared through me, making my eyes tear up as I stumbled under his impatient shoving . When we app roached a clearing, he shoved me down to the floor where I struggled to get back on my feet, rocks and mulch scraping my hands . Looking up, my eyes rested on another Faery who stood staring down at me intently.
    “Let me go!”  I yelled. The still face remained unmoving, boring down into mine . I tried my best to look away; knowing that to stare back into the bright yellow glow of Faery eyes was to become a prisoner of Faerie itself . I pulled my gaze away, tears spilling down my cheeks as I stared at the ground.
    “Please, don’t hurt my brothers . I’ll go with you, but please, don’t hurt them . Let them go.”   My voice quivered as my body shook, exhaustion and terror crawled over me, threatening to collapse the last bit of strength left inside me. Looking back up , I waited, studying his features, which were similar to the rest of their kind . The only difference was a twisted crown of wood and vines sitting on his head . His eyes glared at me, seemingly sucking my soul out into them as the world swam around me. I could hear but a whisper in my head as he agreed with my terms . Reaching out , he touched my cheek.
    A blazing burn ran from his touch down my neck and set my body writhing in pain . It seared through my bones like a raging inferno until a moment later when it receded slowly . Lying on the ground, I blinked back into consciousness . Slowly getting up, I stood and stared at the woodland Faery king . He gave me a curt nod before turning back toward the forest and motioning me to follow . Glancing down a t my hands, I realized the same leaf y green texture of their own skin was now tattooed my own .
    Reaching up, I touched the twisted twigs and