Selene’s steps faltered at the sight of the throng of guards in their path. Tears burned the backs of her eyes. They’d gotten so far… This couldn’t be it. It couldn’t be the end.
Augustus. He’d never know what happened to her here. She’d vanish from the world like smoke.
The only solace was that they’d have another life. She could hold onto that, at least. Maybe they’d even come back here so she could give Aspasia a piece of her mind.
The line of guards closed in from the clearing ahead?—
A thick line of fire burst toward the line of guards, and they scattered. Birds erupted into flight. Those nearest the blast caught fire and rolled to the ground, their screams piercing into the air.
A second line of fire joined the first, coming from the opposite direction.
Petrina seized Selene by the arm as they staggered away from the wall of immense heat. This must be what it felt like to stand on the doorstep of Idon’s realm.
“What’s going on?” Petrina asked. Her gaze flicked over every inch of the sky, seeking the origin of the danger.
A streak of iridescent blue and brown scales flew past Selene’s head, then circled overhead before coming down on her shoulder.
Selene laughed at the wide brown eyes and took the dronsian into her arms, holding him against her chest. “Hey, you. Hey…Gus.”
She laughed again. He finally picked a name.
Gus licked the underside of her chin.
Petrina shook her head. “Can you love on each other after we get out of here, please?”
Behind them, Turos torched the ground near several guards, his flames carefully avoiding the ancient trees.
Gus shot from her arms and soared ahead.
In the open field, raw sunlight scalded her eyes. Her heartbeat threatened to burst. The scent of roasting flesh turned Selene’s stomach, but sheturned her mind against reality. She’d feel this later. She’d feel this from somewhere safe.
Selene and Petrina sprinted through a narrow patch of scorched earth between flailing, burnt bodies. Furious shouts followed after them, each one trembling with fresh rage. They wanted her blood. They wanted her death.
“Just run,” Petrina pushed. “Don’t listen to them. You can do this.”
Faced with the size of the wall, Selene wasn’t so sure. Was it taller than she was used to? It had to be.
“Don’tthink,” Petrina shouted at her. “One step at a time.”
The wall drew closer, closer,closer?—
Selene didn’t stop to breathe. She just ran.
And when the wall rose before her?—
She leapt.
Augustus crawled onto the beach, fingers sinking into hot sand, and dragged himself upright against a sun-warmed boulder. His clothes were suctioned uncomfortably to his body.
“Augustus, hurry.”
Augustus nodded to his beloved’s whisper on the warm breeze.
Beside him, Oskar squinted toward the dense, shadowed forest, where no wind stirred and something ancient watched. “I’m here, Em. I’m coming.”
Em? Who wasEm?
Selene. They had to findSelene.
