Then emerald-green light spilled across the stone. Alena’s gaze snapped to Despoina, kneeling at one end of the courtyard, eyes closed in concentration. Dark magic poured from her palms, spreading like liquid smoke across the ground. It sweptforward in a perfect arc, meeting a matching half-circle conjured by Danaos at the far end.
The twins’ magic joined, enclosing the soldiers in a glowing dome, the air humming with raw energy. Alena squeezed her eyes shut, gritting her teeth against the crushing pressure, her pulse pounding in her ears.
A firm hand gripped her shoulder, grounding her.
Leukos.
Without thinking, she leaned into him, his presence helping her draw a breath through the chaos.
And then—the pressure vanished.
Alena opened her eyes, blinking at the sudden stillness.
The palace courtyard was gone, and in its place stretched a landscape of devastation.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
ALENA
“By the Moon…”
Where a village had once stood, only chaos and destruction remained. Smoke choked the air, stinging Alena’s eyes and throat, making it nearly impossible to see ahead. Through the haze, orange light flickered—buildings collapsing in on themselves, others swallowed whole by hungry flames. The rest lay in blackened heaps, still smouldering, heat rolling off them in waves.
Pelagios and Danaos sprang into action, shouting orders over the roar of the fire. Soldiers broke formation and rushed towards the river. Buckets moved down the line, water sloshing, hands working with frantic precision in a race against the inferno.
Leukos’ grip loosened on her shoulder, his tone firm. “Stay with Phoebe. Search for survivors.”
Before she could answer, he was already striding towards Theo. The two exchanged a grim look before splitting off, each barking commands to more soldiers. Somewhere in the smoke, Nik vanished—no doubt scouting for a Rasennan ambush.
A sharpsnapof Phoebe’s fingers yanked Alena from her thoughts. “Focus. Call the wolves. They can help us find survivors.”
Alena swallowed hard and summoned her Gift. She reached for the familiar threads binding her to the wolves, tugging at the invisible bond. Images flooded her mind—violent, raw. She saw through the eyes of the nearest pack: ruined huts, bodies strewn across the ground, smoking remains. The wolves prowled through it all, hunger burning in their bellies.
Bile rose in her throat. She staggered, the brutal visions pressing in on her senses.
Phoebe caught her arm. “What is it?”
“Wolves,” Alena rasped. “In a village nearby. It was destroyed too—so many dead.”
Phoebe’s mouth pressed into a thin line before her gaze swept the mayhem around them.
“I’ve called for them, but…” Alena’s voice faltered. The wolves would take time to arrive—time the few survivors might not have.
“Then we save who we can here.” Phoebe unsheathed her sword, her Gifted eye blinking rapidly against the choking haze. “Can you clear this smoke?”
“I’ll try, but the wind might feed the flames.”
“Go slowly. I’ll guide you.”
Alena reached inwards to the South Wind’s Gift, feeling the familiar pulse of magic stir in her chest. A breeze curled around her arms, warm and humid, awaiting her command with a quiet hum. Raising her hands, she pushed the smoke back, carving an opening. The wind sliced through the haze, revealing the full scope of destruction.
Soldiers surged forward towards the largest blaze—the barn. They joined surviving villagers, grabbing anything they could to haul water from the river. Leukos strode past, hands sweepingoutwards as ice spread across the structure in a tightening shell. Water hissed against it, steam rising in bursts before the wind scattered it into the sky.
After several tense moments, the barn’s flames guttered and died.
Leukos lowered his hands, ice still crackling at his fingertips. His gaze brushed hers before sweeping to the other fires. “I’ll handle the rest. Keep searching for survivors.”
He didn’t wait for an answer, breaking into a run towards the next blaze.
