I fan the air in front of my face, gasping, as I grasp the edge of the table, trying to see what was happening. My name echoes through the air, urging me to summon the strength to rise. The ringing in my ears is subsiding, but that explosion took out the front of the restaurant. Lavina gets to her feet, looking around in confusion, and I spot Kian and Tristan with their swords drawn, standing where the front doors used to be.
‘Stóirín, where are you?’
I rub my head, trying to recall the name of the restaurant, my fingers tracing the cut on my forehead. ‘Your aunt’s favorite restaurant.’
‘Stay where you are. I’m on my way.’
‘Where are you?’
Before he can answer, the walls tremble as an earth-shattering roar reverberates from outside, causing fragments of debris to rain down upon us. I crouch, covering my head as bits of debris fall around me. When everything stills, I slowly stand and shift my attention to the shattered windows. A gasp escapes my lips, leaving my mouth agape in utter disbelief.
At the far end of the street looms a massive giant in tattered clothes. I can sense his menacing presence from here, and it sends shivers down my spine. Suddenly, with thunderous footsteps, the colossal figure lunges forward, his massive arms flailing through the air, brushing against terrified bystanders desperately fleeing the street for safety.
Lavina stumbles toward me and grabs my arm, tugging me through the destroyed restaurant. “We need to get out of here!”
Reaching the back door, we both push, but something is blocking it. Probably rubble from the crumbling building. Together, we push relentlessly, exerting all our strength, until it finally yields, and we burst out onto the sidewalk. The warmth of the sunlight instantly embraces us, and I shield my eyes from the blinding light. The piercing screams and frantic yelling reverberate through the cobblestone streets.
“What is happening?” I breathe.
“Look.” Lavina draws my attention to where she is pointing, and I see something that takes my breath away.
Maxon and Raiden are in the street, their swords gleaming, readying themselves for battle. The obsidian sword forms in Maxon’s spare hand, his face set in a murderous glare. My heart races as at least a dozen deadlings slam into them.
Maxon’s movements are a sight to behold as he flawlessly wields both swords. The two of them are moving so fast, I can’t keep track. The sound of steel slicing through the air creates a symphony of danger and skill, an impressive show that I would admire if his life weren’t hanging in the balance.
My breath catches in my throat as a flood of people rush into the streets, heading straight toward the approaching deadlings. Above the chaos, I hear Maxon’s furious roar, resonating with anoverwhelming power. Raiden swiftly soars into the sky as flames engulf Maxon’s body. He unleashes a scorching wave, engulfing the Deadlings in a fiery inferno. The air fills with their agonizing shrieks, echoing as their bodies convulse in a futile attempt to escape the searing flames.
“We need to leave!” Lavina grabs my hand again.
“What about Kian and Tristan?!”
“They will catch up.”
Together, we sprint toward the castle. My hair flows behind me like ribbons, and I’m grateful for the fighting attire I’m wearing; it allows for effortless movement and speed. We reach a corner and come to a sudden halt. A shiver runs down my spine and my blood freezes at the sight before us.
Deadlings. Their elongated limbs and sharp claws lunge at groups of soldiers and civilians. The air is filled with their menacing howls. I spot Tristan and Kian, both their swords glinting in the sunlight as they slice cleanly through the deadlings’ bodies, severing limbs, and silencing their eerie screeches.
How did they get in front of us?
However, their efforts are in vain. The defeated deadlings seem to be replaced almost immediately by new ones emerging from the shadows and surrounding them with an unrelenting force. The group of soldiers is outnumbered.
“We need to do something!” I implore over the noise to Lavina.
Before I have time to move or even draw in my next breath, Lavina suddenly shifts, placing herself in front of me, blood dribbling down her chin. The long sharp claws of a deadling are buried in her neck, the other in her chest. Shock washes over me, leaving me rooted to the spot in complete stillness. Lavina’spurple eyes flare, and she spins, reaching for the creature. As she does, its claws tear from her chest, and slice open her neck. Her fingers wrap around its unnatural head, and with a quick twist, she snaps its neck. The crack seems to echo around us, and the deadling falls to the ground with a muted thud.
Lavina turns to face me, her face ashen as blood bubbles in her mouth, spilling down her chin. Blood spreads rapidly over her dress as we stand here, staring at each other. My brain finally catches up to the events that have just unfolded, and I let out a piercing cry. Terror seizes my heart in a fierce grip, and I stretch my arms out to catch her before she hits the ground, slowly lowering her.
“Why?” I beg her, desperately trying to cover her wound and stop the bleeding.
“Shhh . . . It’s okay, Vera.”
I jump in surprise at her words, mentioning the nickname reserved for those who were closest to me in my childhood.
“What did you call me?”
Her voice is strained as she speaks. “Your mother and I . . . grew up together. We were”—she swallows—“best friends for a long time. I wanted to tell you.” Her expression is filled with regret. “I was going to tell you.”
It becomes hard to breathe as a feeling of sorrow overwhelms my heart. She knew my mother?
