PART I: SPLINTERED GLASS
1
JACE
“Out of my way. Now.”
The two wide-eyed bodies blocking the exit remain planted between me and the stable doors. It’s a bold move—testing my patience. Even on a good day.
And today sure as all hell does not classify as a good day.
“Jace.”
I shove between Marideth and Dover, yanking the reins of the lithe Stygian horse. The sun glares overhead as I fit my foot to the stirrups and swing my leg over the saddle. Marideth dashes in front of the horse again, holding up her palms.
“I will run you down,” I growl.
And I will. I don’t care who they are—if they don’t move out of my gods-damned way, heads are going to roll.
“It will take you too long on horseback. Vod is a two-week journey without stops. Let us help you.”
“You can’t help! She ismyresponsibility.”
And this is my fault.
I should have fought harder. I should have cut down everything and everyone to get to her.
It’s been seven days, nine hours, and approximately thirty minutessince Serena was taken during the attack on the final night of King’s Fair. Seven days since I watched helplessly as blood ore shackles rendered her powerless, and she vanished right before my eyes. Seven days when I should have been on my way to Vod with Zadyn to get her back.
And every second I stand here talking tothesetwo is a second that she loses.
“And she ismyfriend!” Mar insists. “So is Kai. We want them back just as much as you. Now get off the horse and follow me. I have a plan that beats this idiotic one.”
“You are wasting precious time! Time she doesn’t have!” I shout, the cap on my temper bursting.
“Listen to her, Jace.”
Something in Dover’s tone hooks my attention. It’s the gravest I’ve ever seen the jovial, even-tempered male. My eyes narrow, meeting Mar’s pale gray gaze.
“There’s something I need to show you.” She stares up at me from the ground, beseeching. I loose a frustrated sigh, sliding off the horse.
“You have five minutes.”
“Where in Zed’sname are you taking me?”
My fingers twitch impatiently as I follow them around the back of the stables.
“I need water.” Mar pauses at the red trough, sinking to her knees before the murky water.
Oh, you have got to bekiddingme. “Your thirst can’t wait?”
Rather than answering, she places her hands on either side of the trough and leans forward, closing her eyes. The water begins to ripple as an image forms on the surface. Before I can ask what I’m seeing, it clears. And my heart stops.
Serena.
My knees sink into the caked dirt below.
She’s sprawled out on a black floor, unmoving, blood ore chainsclamped around her wrists, dark hair strewn across her cheek. I surge forward, gripping the edge of the metal trough so hard it dents.
