Chapter 41
Corinne’s few hours of sleep were plagued by nightmares, but they were restful enough that her magic had rejuvenated.
Her entire body hummed with power like never before, a source of light and heat ready to be summoned.
She’d always been this powerful, this connected to Helaera’s Sun, but the Lightguards had taken that from her too with that bitter, poisonous tea.
And her first thought when she’d felt such strength, her strength, was utter terror, fear that Helaera would spurn her.
“You ready, Sunfire?”
Aryel was dressed more plainly than Corinne had ever seen him, leaning on the doorframe of the bedroom in an unremarkable tan shirt and brown trousers.
The Calais family had generously provided them with old clothing before their journey.
Corinne had rigged a sword belt at her waist to carry both her blade and the one she’d taken from the other Lightguard, heavy but grounding.
Her own shirt was tan, too, a color she hadn’t worn since she was a child.
It felt strange to don colors besides white and gold, but it was best for her to appear as ordinary as possible while they traveled.
Not that it would matter until they actually got out of Vytanos.
“Ready,” she said. And she was. I can do this.
They ran through the plan again with the others, voices hushed and hurried around the table in the kitchen.
Each of them had a pack that was, for now, mostly empty; it was a risk to hope they’d be able to secure supplies outside of Vytanos, but they had no other choice.
They’d all refused to take anything else from Iliana’s home, and every shop in Vytanos was closed.
Iliana’s family bid her a tearful farewell, and her younger sisters, Mira and Jaela, both hugged Corinne’s middle before she left. Touched, Corinne waved at them all as they stole outside into the darkness of the early morning.
The city gate wasn’t far from Iliana’s house, and after darting through two streets free of Lightguards, Corinne let the wild hope that they could avoid them entirely delude her for a moment. Iliana crouched at the exit of an alleyway, turning to them to nod before venturing into the street.
Danai grabbed her tunic just before she emerged, spotting a figure at the last moment.
All five of them froze. The figure’s white hauberk and cloak were unmistakable.
Whoever it was continued on their way, not noticing the five fugitives in the shadows.
Corinne let out a silent breath and followed them all quickly into the open, glancing behind them to ensure no one had spotted them.
They darted into another narrow alleyway, the main road just ahead.
Iliana dashed toward it on silent feet to peer at the gate, then returned to where they all hid behind emptied fruit crates.
“Three Lightguards,” she whispered. “One on the wall, two by the gate.”
“Can we handle all three?” Nik asked.
“It’s what we expected,” Danai said. They looked to Corinne. “You sure you want to do this?”
Corinne’s gaze hardened alongside her heart. “Give me a few moments.”
As she stood and stepped out of the alleyway, she begged Helaera for forgiveness, then approached the gate with wobbling steps. The Lightguards tensed immediately, their attention fully on Corinne.
“You’re out past curfew!” one of them, a man, barked. He drew his sword, his markings illuminating.
Corinne held up her hands and swayed. “Ssssorry,” she slurred. “I hadn’ heard about the curfew!” She stumbled forward a few more steps, falling into the man, who caught her out of shock more than anything. “Can you gimme directions? I think I’m losssssssst.”
The man holding her upright gaped at her in disgust. “Is she ill?”
“She’s drunk, Ro.” The other Lightguard, a woman, approached. “Ma’am, can you tell me where you live?”
Corinne slid her eyes to the other Lightguard, and panic seized her.
The woman stopped in her tracks, eyes widening. “Corinne?”
Before either of them could react, Corinne straightened, twisting the man’s arm and forcing him to his knees.
She drew her swords, her magic flaring to life along her arms and down both blades.
Fire licked up her skin, but she kept the temperature from getting too hot, a level of control she hadn’t expected.
She crossed the blades at the Lightguard’s throat before her, and he froze.
“Not another step, Tia,” she said, eyes flashing. “You, stand slowly.”
The man kneeling before her did so, his hands raised in surrender.
The Lightguard on the wall jumped down, poised to attack, and Corinne pivoted toward her, drawing a bit of blood from her captive’s neck. Her beautiful face was filled with shock and contempt. Sana.
“Open the gate,” Corinne said. Tia and Sana merely stared at her for a moment, and Corinne called more fire to her, the flames growing along her markings. “Now.”
Sana scrambled backward, keeping an eye on Corinne.
Corinne barely moved as the gate creaked and groaned, the portcullis lifting with agonizing slowness.
“My friends are going to walk through,” she said. “And I’m going to follow them. You attack any of them, and he’s dead.”
Tia’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, lifting her own hands away from her sword.
Corinne whistled, and four figures appeared in her periphery, each with weapons drawn. Even Nik had a small knife in hand, though he’d protested when Danai had given it to him.
Warm night air blew through Corinne’s hair and made the fire along her arms dance as she watched Danai, Nik, Aryel, and Iliana quickly dart through the city gate. Corinne slowly walked backward with her captive Lightguard, never taking her eyes off the two others, until she reached the opening.
She breathed in and then shoved him forward, withdrawing the swords.
He twisted, hurling magic at her, but Corinne ducked just in time. The Lightguard started after her, but just as Corinne prepared to counter his attack, magic slammed into his back, sending him careening to the ground.
Tia stood at the gate, one glowing hand outstretched, her eyes wide and her chest heaving. Sana was on the ground beside her, unconscious. Tia’s eyes met Corinne’s.
“Go, Corinne!” she mouthed.
Heart racing, Corinne tore her eyes away from Tia and sprinted after her companions.