I spat out a curse and shot another blast of magic. This time, he tripped trying to dodge it, slowing him slightly.
Taking advantage of his disarray, I chanced a glance behind me, and my heart leapt.
Hell yeah!
Sam, Diana,andAndre were in on the chase. Catching my eye, Sam motioned for me to move to the right. I did, and she shot a blazing spell past me that barely missed my shoulder. Right away, I piggybacked on her assault.
Our spells struck one after the other, and Gian let out a roar as he fell to the floor. Diana’s purple magic flew over my head and created a shield around him.
My heart skipped a beat.Holy shit. We got him.I stopped running and turned to face my teammates. “Nice work, guys!”
“Thanks. Now are you going to tell us what the heck went on back there? When you touched him, everything changed, but I’m not sure how.” Sam arched an eyebrow.
Oh crap.
Did I have to tell them about everything my mark could do? Some of them might not know about it at all, and I’d rather not change that . . .
A million stories ran through my mind, but before I could land on a believable one, footsteps sounded down the hall. At any moment, we’d have company.
“Can it wait?” I asked, happy to have bought some time. “I promise I’ll tell you when we’re alone.”
Sam’s lips pressed together, but Andre nodded. “It can wait. We owe you from the last event.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ll explain everything later.”
Hopefully I can come up with a good story in the meantime.
Together, we walked toward Gian, and were quickly joined by Prince Elran, a contingent of royal guards, and Headmistress Wake.
The headmistress rushed to my side, and while the prince barked orders, she leaned in close. “How did you know?” She glanced down at my ankle.
I nodded. “Exactly how you think.”
“Say nothing to the court.”
Relief that I hadn’t told my teammates about the mark rolled through me. Keeping a secret was easier when fewer people held it.
“Release the shield,” Prince Elran commanded as soon as soldiers had surrounded Gian.
Diana did as he said, and Gian, knowing he was beat, remained on the ground, a scowl on his face.
“Gian, my old friend. Our informants have singled you out for a reason, so if you have obtained the means to lie, please spare us your untrue words. Tell me, are you the traitor who has been leaving death in your wake?” The prince’s face screwed up in pain.
My heart went out to him. He’d called Gian a friend. It would suck to learn that a friend had betrayed you.
Indecision flashed across Gian’s beautiful features for a moment before he threw back his shoulders to look as dignified as one could while sitting on the floor, surrounded by armed guards. “The Snowcap Court chose wrong all those years, old friend. Soon, the time will come when you will realize that. The Dark Court will bring unforeseen glory to Faerie, and I will be there, a sole envoy from the Cove—a new king.”
Prince Elran’s chin jutted out. “And what makes you think your people will welcome a king who allowed them to starve for years? Someone who isolated them from the rest of Faerie?”
Gian sneered. “It will not matter what they think in the beginning. Soon enough, they will see I was right and support the Dark Court.” His eyes shifted to me and glinted green with malevolence. “The real question is how didthisone discover my secret when no one else has for years? What dark magic do you know, witch?”
My spine stiffened as the fae turned their attention to me. Thankfully, Headmistress Wake saved me by stepping in front of Gian, her arms crossed firmly over her chest.
“My student knows nothing of dark magic,” she scowled down at the culprit. “You may have kept your secret from those who trusted you for years, but Spellcasters trains our students not to trust anyone until they prove their worthiness. Odette clearly learned that lesson well.” The headmistress extended a finger at the fae, and for a moment, I thought she might zap him on my behalf. “Not to mention, you seem to have gotten sloppy. Perhaps next time, you’ll mend your pockets before intending to wreak havoc at a royal wedding? That thing is glowing so brightly, how could Odette miss it?”
My gaze shot to where the headmistress pointed, and I stifled a gasp.
Gian’s pockets had ripped wide open, and a stone, one smaller than the one I’d discovered in Crescent Springs, glowed in its depths.
