Chapter 1 #3
Vad whistled two high notes, three lower notes, and one high note.
Silus lifted his head, his expression grim.
Vad’s other—and in my opinion, better—trusted friend Thalen jerked toward us.
He had one hand gripped tight around Myantha’s wrists, and she was pleading with him, tears streaking her cheeks.
He then adjusted his grip, knelt, fumbled around, and snatched up the green-dipped blade that had fallen out of Myantha’s dress.
He tugged her forward, shaking his head and saying something I couldn’t catch.
She pulled back and dug her heels into the rumpled red carpet.
A flash of concern cut through me at the sight of that dagger. It looked like the ones the assassins had used on the blades in the third trial. Why did Myantha have one?
Quen shrieked as she tried again and again to make fire. Only two small sparks and a bit of smoke trickled from her palms. “Whatever happened, I’m blaming Kaylen!”
Holding her hands out, Thalira tried to make her way forward in the darkness toward my voice.
Her long blue skirt trailed along the floor, and she stumbled over a bump in the red rug that ran down the center.
“Briar!” she called out. “Briar, what happened?
" She froze, lifting her hands defensively as Veralt charged forward with heavy steps.
Quen spun in their direction as well, grasping at Thalira but missing.
Scowling, Thalira held out her arms at Veralt and commanded, "Whoa! Stand back, whoever you are, or I will cut you!”
Veralt caught hold of Thalira’s arm and replied, “If you cut me, you’ll die. I’d prefer you just follow. This way, ladies.” He grabbed Quen, too, and pulled both forward.
Rhielle forced her way past two fleeing guests, her wings brushing the walls as she dragged Yuki and Velessa with her. Their stumbling steps scraped on stone, their bodies colliding as they tried to keep up.
Two guards pushed through a gap in the door, the wood splintering around them. They carried torches that cast eerie light into the hall. “The magic is gone! All of the magic is gone! The portals have died.”
Thalen broke into a run as soon as the weak torchlight filled the room, his grip still locked around Myantha’s wrist. She stumbled after him, heels dragging over the carpet. His other hand clutched the green-dipped blade, his expression like carved stone.
“Treason!” someone shouted from farther away. More screams echoed off the cracked stone walls.
Guards continued to push through the opening in the door, the heavy tramping of booted feet on the other side announcing that there were even more to come.
Many-Greats raced toward me. I adjusted my grip on the dagger, half tempted to lash out at him. But now wasn’t the time or place. I needed answers. No more riddles.
Silus heaved Elara into his arms. Her head sagged against his shoulder, her lips pale, her breath shuddering in short gasps.
Vyraetos moved with him, one hand pressed to her side, his jaw locked tight as he whispered something.
They darted through the doorway on the left.
Rhielle was close behind as Vad shoved me forward.
Veralt passed us, pulling Quen and Thalira forward.
Thalen had nearly caught up to us as well.
His wings flaring out, Vad seized my arm and shoved me ahead of him. "Move! Now!"
I stumbled forward, feeling his hand at the small of my back as we raced toward the dais.
I dared one more glance over my shoulder to see that another dozen guards had broken through, all charging down the main aisle.
I glimpsed Vad's wings again as we ran. The coloration was uneven, mottled with darker patches and streaks.
The talons at the ends had lengthened and curved into hooks, sharp enough to tear through flesh.
"Briar!" Velessa called out as Rhielle dragged her and Yuki through the doorway. “Faster! There are too many of them!”
Rhielle reeled her back in as Veralt charged through the doorway with Thalira and Quen in tow, and Thalen pulled Myantha in as well.
We reached the steps of the dais, and I nearly tripped on the cracked marble. Vad's hands steadied me, then pushed me forward again. "Get inside!"
I scrambled up the steps, heart hammering. The stiffness in my wrist ached now, the butterfly tattoo still frozen. Many-Greats skidded to a stop next to me and pushed me forward. “I will explain everything that I can,” he said roughly.
Yeah, he would.
I bolted through the doorway and into a dimly lit chamber, blood pounding in my ears.
The iridescent fabric of my wedding gown swished around my ankles as I spun around, reaching for Vad.
He was less than three strides away, his massive wings tucked tight against his back as he charged forward, guards moving fast behind him. One of the spear holders halted and lifted his weapon.
“He’s throwing the spear!” I exclaimed.
I grabbed Vad’s arm to drag him in faster, and as soon as he was over the threshold, he slammed the wooden door shut with a bone-jarring boom.
A split second later, the spear punched through the wood with a sickening crunch...and agony exploded through our bond.