50. Astraea
Chapter fifty
Astraea
Chaos erupts the moment the words leave Pravin's mouth. Scylia pirates begin swarming the cave immediately after he speaks. The dark muslin fabric of their clothes billowing around them and blending into the shadows we sought refuge in. Their weapons glint in the low light of the fire behind where Shayd and I stand, and Pravin’s smile only widens as he takes pleasure in our sudden realization.
We’re trapped. That is, we would be—if we didn’t have renders in our group.
I pull my blade from its sheath and press it to the hollow of Pravin’s throat before he is able to get out another word.
The swiftness with which I moved would have made Kyros proud.
My lips curl into a faint smile, and the flame in my chest flares at the thought.
Almost as though he’s here with me now, showing me his approval.
Pravin gapes, looking down at me with wide eyes, and I give him an assured grin only fueled by the fear I see in them.
Fear in the magic that wisps along my wrists and strengthens the grip I hold the dagger with.
“A lot has changed since I left Eathian, Pravin.” He swallows hard, the movement making the sharp edge of the blade dig into his flesh.
He closes his eyes as blood beads along the dark Tsalarian steel.
I hear the start of a fight to my side, but I don’t chance a look as I hold my glare on Pravin.
“I’ve learned that some messes are worth the consequences.
” I tilt my head, looking down from where my blade rests.
Letting my eyes narrow as they trail down his body.
“For instance, look at the mess I’ve made of you.
” Heat flares in my eyes as I watch the darkness spreading out over the fabric of his now soiled pants.
“Tell your men to stand down.” I growl, bringing my attention back to his red face.
His eyes darken as he regains some semblance of self-confidence.
Steel clashes, and my eyes jump only briefly to my group, just as Mavros and Ruaan are outnumbered.
“I won’t take my orders from you.” He spits, but I trap the words in his throat alongside a gasp as I press the blade more firmly to his windpipe.
“Actually, you will. You see, Pravin, your life literally depends on it. You mean nothing to me. Worse even, I’ve hated you for everything you’ve done at my father’s side.
Or don’t you remember?” I seethe and lean in close enough that the scent of his salty skin and urine accosts my senses.
My lip curls back in revulsion. He deserves to be humiliated.
He deserves far worse. The memories of him pressing my hips bruisingly to the counter in my bathing chamber assaults my vision.
The pain of each lash that was given at the end of his whip sears in memory across my back, and my lip twitches back as I hold in a snarl.
“Those people, though,” I jerk my chin in the direction of where the others are, now circled by dune pirates.
“They mean everything to me. If any one of them gets so much as a scratch, you’ll find out just how messy things can become.
” I'm bluffing, but I hope he can’t tell.
Judging by the reaction he’s had already, my act is convincing enough.
Although I know that if I weren't holding onto his other arm, my hand would likely be trembling, giving me away.
“What's it going to be?” Shayd says, stepping in closer to my back, and whatever Pravin sees has him blinking fast, stuttering his demand for the Scylia to stand down, and fear rounding his eyes.
“St–st–stand down!” He calls out. Then again, louder, more frantic.
“St–tand DOWN!” I allow him to lean back to relieve some pressure from the weapon I have pressed to his neck.
The shallow horizontal cut drips crimson to the bundled shemagh at his neck.
Fingers wrap around my wrist and gently pull my hand away from Pravin’s neck.
My eyes meet the gray steel of Shayd’s stare as he nods, telling me to let go.
I blink out of the painful past that seized me.
“I’ve got him.” He confirms, and I swallow, nodding. I step away as Shayd allows a gray, smoky magick to wrap a collar around Pravin’s neck. My father’s old right-hand’s eyes widen as the magick slides along the exposed flesh.
“Pah! And you think that we take orders from you? You can't even handle a simpering little princess.” One of the Scylia laughs, running his tongue out over his teeth. “It’s almost like you have never seen magick before. Go ahead, girl, finish him off. See if we care! ”
“Look what we have here.” Another rumbles low in his throat.
I turn my gaze toward him, and my stomach drops as I see the knife he holds out trailing along Cole’s collarbone.
Viltarin stands at her side, his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword halfway pulled from its scabbard.
Another pirate has a scythe pressed against the back of his head, halting him from pulling the weapon the rest of the way.
I barely see Ruaan as he weaves through the dark edges of the cave, coming up behind the two with shadow magick pulsing around both of his hands.
Things are about to get ugly. My eyes meet Mavros’ as he crouches protectively over the still unconscious Zinya and Beckett, where he sits at her side.
My brows twitch as I quickly try to take account of everyone in the dim space but come up short when I don't see Rowan or Kellan.
I don't have to wonder for very long. Just seconds later, Rowan makes himself known when the cave is lit with a blast of fire so bright I'm forced to shield my face from the onslaught. Heat fills the cave, as several of the Syclia are caught aflame by the magick he throws at them. Everyone moves at once. Pravin is thrown to the ground at my feet, held down by misty vines that are conjured from Shayd’s magick.
Cole steps back the moment Viltarin finishes pulling his sword.
The pirate threatening him is plucked from his feet by Kellan as he lunges from the shadows.
He pulls the man into his chest, burying a dagger between his ribs at the same moment that Viltarin swings his sword in a wide arch.
He swiftly meets his mark, severing the head of the Scylia pirate in front of him cleanly.
Blood drenches steel left and right. If we don't get out of here, I'm afraid that blood will be mixed with those I love.
More Scylia come flooding into the cave, and anger like none I have ever experienced shoots through me like the venom from a deadly snake as I hear Viltarin call out in pain. My eyes clash with his as he grips the wound at his side. Bright red blood seeps through his fingers. No.
I have no other choice but to act. Think Astraea!
My magick pools at my hand just as Kyros has taught me, and I sprint to Viltarin.
Flicking my wrist, I open a portal just behind him.
His eyes round as I put my hands on the center of his chest. For once, I hope my eyes show like Kyros said they do, and Viltain knows just how sorry I am for what I’m about to do.
He shakes his head, brows threading together as I shove him hard.
He loses his footing, falling backward into the portal I’ve rendered.
It snaps shut between us as he calls out my name.
Turning, I have to drop to my knees and crouch to avoid a blow from one of the Scylia.
The weapon whistles through the air above my head as I reach forward and pull my dagger hard across the back of his knees.
He falls with a scream of pain that makes me flinch.
Swallowing hard, I push myself to keep moving.
I have to make it back to Kyros. I have to make it out of this damn cave!
I shove my way through the maze of bodies, narrowly missing blades being hurled in my direction.
It seems like their orders to retrieve me have been changed.
Their attacks have not been held back, and every blow I escape is certainly meant to kill.
Holding both blades up, I come sliding to a stop with Colette at my back.
“What’s the plan?” She demands over her shoulder.
“We need to get out of here.” I grunt as I whirl my body around and land a kick in the center of the chest of a man coming toward me.
He reaches for my ankle, and I swipe with my blade just in time to slice into the flesh of his hand.
He bellows in pain as he falls backward with the momentum of my kick.
A loud cracking noise drowns out the sound of battle as my eyes snap upward to where the earth above us begins to open.
Frantically, I search for the rest of my family.
We’re out of time. Snagging Cole's hand, I pull her toward where Mavros fights off several men who are trying to pull at Zinya. Ruaan sees my trajectory and meets me at Mavros’ side.
Kellan lifts Zinya from the ground, and the moment he does, I look between the two groups.
Cole, Kellan, Zinya, and Beckett stand to one side, and Mavros and Ruaan fight at the other.
Almost everyone is here. I’m not sure where Shayd or Rowan are right now, but all I can do is hope that they’re both okay.
“Kellan, I’m going to open a portal to Kaeleith. I’ve already sent Viltarin through with an injury. Get them back to be healed! He nods, as does Beckett, but Cole shakes her head in refusal.
“No! Absolutely not, Astraea. I've been separated from you twice now, and I’m not doing it again. Not like this.” She argues, gesturing to the melee that surrounds us.
We don't have time for this. My head whips around looking for Rowan and Shayd and eyeing the fissure that keeps sending sand and rock crumbling from above.
I still don't see either of them. Grinding my teeth, I shake my head and look back to my best friend.
“Fine, but Cole? Don't make me regret this.” Hurt flashes across her features before I add, “I can’t lose you.” Her brow softens, and she takes my hand with a squeeze, and with the other hand, I gather my magick and throw it out, rendering another portal.
“Ruaan!” I call over the chaos. He fights off one more Scylia before he jogs to my side, breathing hard.
“I need you to go with them. They need someone there who can render a portal, just in case.” The muscle in his jaw jumps as he looks around, then his gaze settles on Zinya where she lays across Kellan’s arms. He nods.
“I’ll go. Kaeleith will know what to do with her.
” He accepts and nods toward Zinya, then steps in closer, gripping my forearm as he leans in, wrapping his other arm around my back.
“I won't let what happened to me happen to you. You and Kyros—” He pushes away without letting go of my arm, looking me in the eyes, and his hand tightens on my shoulder.
“You will both get your reign, with the flame burning between you.” Something dark crosses his eyes that looks a lot like regret, but without another word he releases me and joins the others.
Just as they walk through, my gaze turns to Mavros as he watches Zinya being carried through.
His brow is heavy over his eyes as he finally turns toward me.
I give him the choice to run through as well.
Motioning for him to go, I leave it open for a moment longer, but he shakes his head with pursed lips.
Just like Kyros, he would rather be separated from her than keep her here and in danger.
The portal snaps shut, and he nods before spinning on his heel and running back into the fray.
The impact of a blast from Rowan's magick has left the cave in ruins.
The flames continuously burn bodies and weapons—the scent is horrendous, and visibility is becoming less and less.
The fissure in the stone above us creates just enough structural damage that the ceiling of the cave continues to crumble at a rapid pace.
Rock fragments fall from the earth above our heads, and the walls begin to collapse.
The threat of our burial drives the Scylia to abandon the fight, and they run desperately for the entrance.
The ground beneath our feet begins to shift as Cole and I sprint the same direction as the pirates.
The sand is moving and making momentum on our escape nearly impossible.
Cole and I fall several times as we try to make it to the mouth of the cave, but after several minutes passing with our feet still struggling to find purchase, I throw my magick out, rendering yet another portal, this one below our feet.
We fall through with a combined cry of panic.
We land still hand-in-hand on our backs.
The warm sand offers no give as it knocks the breath from our lungs, but adrenaline wins, and we lurch upright, gasping for air as we scramble to move again.
Black sand sprays out around us as we fight in desperation with it to gain our feet.
Just before I push up, I look up to meet the fabric-covered faces of two Scylia, their curved blades raised.
My hand raises to unsheath my weapons in response, but before I'm able to pull a blade free, they take a combined step away from us.
Their fear is so potent, it steals all color from the sun-burnt skin around their eyes.
The ground vibrates again behind me, feeling similar to what happened when Rowan sent the blast of his fire in the cave.
This vibration, though, is too brief. The pirates back up with another slow step, their eyes only becoming wider as they look further above our heads.
Then the shadow rolls over us. Colette goes rigid at my side as she slowly turns to face what I already know is there.