And then there came the skittering sound of talons over stone.
They were inside.
I spun, ready to throw myself over Tay’s fevered body, to be a shield if nothing else, as I desperately searched for a weapon. Anything that might be able to hold them back. But there was little in the room, just the table I had already shoved in front of the door and a few chairs.
The door burst inward. The table exploded toward me, two of the legs breaking off under the door’s force, and it tilted to one side. I jumped between it and Tay, but the table came to a stop.
A burrower slithered into the room, its armored hide glistening with slime.
Everything in me tensed to run.
Instead, I stepped toward it.
I grabbed a chair and hurled it at the creature. It shattered uselessly against its shell. Snatching up another, I raised it like a shield, planting myself between it and my brother.
“Come on then, asshole,” I told the monster, trying to summon all my strength.
The burrower lunged.
But it never reached me.
It exploded in a burst of golden fire.
I turned away instinctively, dropping the chair and raising my arms to shield myself.
When the light died, Fieran stood framed in the doorway.
The burrower collapsed in a smoking heap at his feet.
“You’re safe,” he told me confidently. “That was the last of them.”
He looked as if he expected me to fall into his arms, to weep with gratitude, and let him hold me.
Instead, I shoved past him so hard he stumbled. “What did you do to her?” My voice cracked, wild and furious. “Where is my sister?”
“Cara—”
“Don’t.” I spun on him, chest heaving, my fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms. “Don’t you dare touch me. Protect my brother!”
I bolted from him, down the steps and across the square to where the door to Orx’s shop had been shattered. The interior was pure chaos—shelves overturned, bottles and jars shattered across the floor. Orx groaned in the corner, clutching his head.
Lidi was slumped on the floor. She reached out for me, and I pulled her into my lap, whispering nonsense likeyou’re fineandeverything is all right.
Words that are always lies, or we wouldn’t need to say them out loud and try to convince ourselves they’re true.
I held her tight, my tears burning down my face.
Behind me, the sound of movement. Heavy boots shifting across wooden floorboards, a groan, a curse. I turned just in timeto see Dairen—Dairen, who I had watched fall, blood soaking the stones—push himself upright.
Alive.
Healed.
Whole.
Magic glowed faintly across his wounds, sealing them into faint scars.
I stared at him, horror curling in my gut. Fieran had stolen my sister’s magic to save him.
