Chapter 25
i begin to run. the ten wyvern in the sky above me swoop closer.
Heart pounding, focus narrowing, all I can feel is the twist inside my veins.
The fire and sea, lightning and thunder, all wanting to break free.
Gathering everything inside myself, I push my will up into the clouds, and thunder booms loudly over the arena.
The crowd begins to panic, a fresh torrent of rain hitting them as the wind picks up.
I’m soaked to the skin, but I don’t stop.
I feel it all, the wild pulse of the storm, the friction as the cold air meets warmth, the electric fizz as the lightning forms. I am the storm and the thunder.
I am a reckoning.
The first wyvern of the horde overhead draws its wings in, shrieking as it spears the air. I throw out my hand, the wind whipping my plait around my head, and lightning forks from that storm cloud to the ground, frying the diving wyvern in its path.
Killing it instantly.
It thuds to the grass, but already two more are taking its place, preparing to dive.
And the real fight truly begins. I hear the shouts of Sember and Heath as they engage their first wyvern.
The two that have me in their sights hover above me, trying a different tactic, rotating quickly so there is always one at my back where I can’t see it as I turn, heart thundering like the swirling storm.
Then they both dive as one, claws extended.
I grit my teeth, drawing my fist to my chest, and close my eyes.
I sense them, the rush of wings, the narrowed hate and call on the storm. I call for lightning.
Then I open my eyes.
Lightning crackles from the sky and in a flash of searing light they’re both fried. I stumble at the impact as both bodies hit the ground on either side of me.
When I look around, I’m surrounded by charred wings and the stench of their death. Breathing heavily through my mouth, I feel for the first time the toll it’s taking to use this side of myself, the magic in my veins. But the shouts of Kell and the others sharpen me, and I whip round.
Drawing together all my strength, I get to my feet and walk towards them. Lightning forks from the sky, thunder crashing overhead, and as I hold a hand up to the thunderous clouds a cone of wind spins down, hitting the ground beside me. I realise, I am no longer a girl.
I am storm and lightning and rage.
I am the bringer of their destruction.
Two wyvern fall twitching to the ground, five circling and diving, harrying my friends into a tight group. My pulse thuds in my ears and I know it’s time. This is the moment. I call to Kell.
‘Kell, now!’
Kell looks over, terror lacing his features as he throws both his hands towards me, releasing a plume of pale flame. I guide my fist towards that flame, the spinning tornado gleefully consuming it, thickening and whirling …
And I unleash it.
Straight at the five remaining wyvern.
Two cannot escape fast enough, and with harsh cries are consumed by the pillar of moving flame. The final three try to fly, beating their wings in desperation, clawing at the air, even as they’re pulled back, the tornado reaching for them as well.
With a burst of fire, they’re all incinerated in the whirling vortex of death.
Heath collapses to the ground, panting, as his sword clatters at his side.
Sapira begins to cry in relief, burying her face in Kell’s shoulder, as they stand tall above Fey.
And Sember merely nods to me, a smile flickering on her face.
I bend my will round the tornado, asking it to cease, to calm.
And, with a wrench, it begins to still. The bodies of the wyvern crash, one by one, smoking and still burning.
The scent is overpowering and I cough, tears streaming from my eyes as I make my way to the others.
The rain begins to patter and I realise …
I have control. For the first time. I did not lose control of this storm.
And the wyvern sent to kill us are all dead.
The final Trial is over.
I walk over to the others on trembling legs, waiting for the commentator to declare the victor. But the crowd is whispering, a wave of murmurings all around us, and when I look to the ruling council I see they are arguing with the other representatives.
‘They can’t agree,’ I say in disgust. ‘None of them will concede.’
‘Does that mean it’s not over?’ Sapira says, staring with barely concealed terror up at the stands, then the sky.
‘Oh, it’s over,’ I say with a grin, spotting someone in one of the stands.
A friend, a face that brings hope as a blaze.
She waves, angling a mirror at the emerging sun, the flash winking over the arena.
There’s another flash in response on the other side in the crowd and I realise our allies are assembling.
A signal. Sember’s plan is in motion. ‘Be ready. This is about to get interesting.’
Sember catches one of the flashes of light and sighs in relief. ‘Right on schedule. Actually, you know, they’ve been a little slow …’
‘Who?’ Kell asks as I look back up to where Agnes was seated. But, of course, now she’s vanished.
I draw my blade, feeling the welcome weight of it in my fist. Then a firework erupts from the stands: red stars, like blood, exploding across the arena.
Another is set off in a far corner, then another, and chaos explodes like a bomb.
The crowd begins to leave, a great wave of people, all pushing the guards away, stopping them from coming for us.
That’s when I see her. The wave of dark red hair, the narrowed, spiteful gaze … the woman who killed my mother.
Captain Renshaw.
My heart jolts. Has she been watching the Trials, hoping I’d fail?
I haven’t laid eyes on her since that day Mer injured her, blood blooming across her shirt …
when she admitted she killed my mother. I lock eyes with her, and I tremble.
Not with fear, but pure hatred. She took my mother.
She gloated over the binding spell that took all the memories of my father.
And she would have gladly killed me too.
She’s in the stands, far from the ruling council, but she’s not fleeing to escape like the rest of the crowd.
In fact, she’s smiling. I snarl, narrowing my eyes, and wish she was closer so I could finally end her.
But as she regards me, standing here, full of hate for her, I find her smile widens in apparent glee.
Then she’s hidden from my view by the jostling crowd.
I release a breath. If she’s here now, she still wants to capture me.
What did she call us that day of the sea battle?
Her haul. I’m a creature to her, nothing more.
She’ll come after me again – I’m sure of it.
I have to get back to Ennor. We need to prepare for the attack I’m certain is coming.
There’s no use in hiding. The watch would overturn the isles to seek me out.
They would destroy everything just to watch us burn.
Seth, her son, was murdered by the watch right before my eyes.
Does she even care? Or was he really as expendable to her as he always claimed?
A shiver runs over me as I remember Seth. I know he will haunt me – our connection, his betrayal and his terrible death – to the end of my days. Was there more that I could have done? Would he have redeemed himself, if only he’d had the chance?
Sember, with Heath at her side, tugs on my hand, drawing my attention to her, and says, ‘Come on. Time for you to leave.’
I go to move, but Kell doesn’t. ‘Kell?’ I say, looking back.
But he shakes his head, standing by Heath. ‘I’ve a new job. Protecting this one. An offer I couldn’t refuse. Always wanted to see the world, travel to new places …’
I grin at him and reach out to clasp his fist. ‘I wish you well, my friend.’
‘If you see Helene, the woman who looked after me on Egan …’
‘I will tell her where you are and that you’re safe,’ I say. Then I look to Sapira. ‘Can you return home?’
She swallows. ‘Prince Heath has assured me he’ll see me safely home to Valstra. He’ll ensure Fey reaches her drake too, so she can make it back to the Spines. I have … things I must do. These Trials have opened my eyes.’
I nod, hugging her tightly, then look to Sember as the first guard finds his way on to the arena. ‘Time to go.’
We disappear quickly between the still smoking carcasses of wyvern, Sember reaching a door in the wall enclosing the arena.
It’s hidden below the seating for the spectators, so well concealed that I did not even realise it existed.
She flips that coin I’ve seen her use many times up in the air, and in her palm lands a key.
She places it in the lock, gives it a shove and sweeps her hand out.
‘There you are. Your escape route. I discovered how the guards get in and out after the labyrinth Trial. They’re very chatty after a few drinks and the clink of more coin in their pocket. ’
She smiles at me, mischief glinting in her eyes, as I say, ‘You’d better go and claim your victory.’
‘I had,’ she agrees. ‘Or His Royalness will get bored and complain that it’s all taking too long. You’ll find Agnes just outside, courtesy of some interesting allies I scooped up … friends of yours, I believe. Our deal is complete.’
‘Thank you. For saving us, for rescuing Agnes. For … sticking to your word,’ I say, taking her hands in mine, then pulling her into a hug.
‘A pleasure working with you,’ she says, hugging me then pulling away. She dusts herself off, flips back her hair and gives me a wink. ‘Well, I’d better round up my stray prince.’