Hugh still held onto my elbow as we darted right to follow Kane.Zyabrought up the rear, her dark braids swinging side to side as she glanced around for more enemies, dagger poised to strike.
“Shit,” Kane said suddenly.
The ringing of steel against steel filled the forest as our friend fought an unseen foe just ahead.
“Kane!” Hugh cried out, stepping toward the sounds of battle.
In that moment, something gripped my ankle and pulled. Losing my balance, I twisted and fell, peering into the trees to see who had me. The determined gaze of aPavosiansoldier stared back at me. Shrieking, I kicked out with my other leg, using the full force of my enhanced strength and aiming at his chest. The moment my foot made contact, the soldier went flying back through the forest, branches cracking and leaves falling in his wake. I stared down at my leg, remembering.
The Darkness wasn't the only magic I could call. I still had my Blessings.
Leaping to my feet, I whirled to face the two soldiers who'd emerged from the brush and were now circling Hugh with predatory intent.Zyawas a few feet behind us, fending another off with her shorter blade. I couldn’t reach her. Not yet.
Spurred on by anger, I stepped toward the two sneering at Hugh who stood, unarmed, between them. I lunged.
I had the first one’s spear in my grip before either of them saw me. Moving faster than light, I spun, cracking the soldier over the head with his own spear before he knew what was happening. His companion cried out as he hit the rocky ground, unconscious and skull fractured. The second man took a clumsy swing at me in his fury. I phased out of existence long enough for his spear to swipe through nothing but air. He gaped.
“It’s you,” he gasped, stunned. “You’re the one we came for.”
His hand darted to his belt and I lunged again. I was too late. The magic of the staff in my hands sent him crumpling to the ground, shaking violently and breathing his last but not before he'd activated his beacon. Not before a beam of light shot straight through the canopy of trees above us and gave a clear signal of our location.
Shit.
“Kane!” I cried, already whirling around in search of my friends. “Hugh!”
I stepped forward, picking my way over loose stones and sharp brambles.Zyareached my side a moment later, wiping the blood from her blade onto the front of her trousers and peering down at the soldier I'd killed and the glowing beam of light shooting out above him.
“We should go,” she said quickly, stepping around him. “We should get out of here before they find us. Adrian—”
“We just need to find the guys and then—”
“Looking for something?” the voice that rang out from the clearing just ahead was high and lilting, feminine.
I looked back atZya and exchanged an uneasy glance with her once before stepping through the trees. I gripped the sword in my hand more tightly.Zyadrew up her dagger once more. But the moment I saw what lay ahead, my heart sank.
“Kane,” I whispered, deflating. “Hugh.”
“Are these your friends, Third Ringer?” The woman crooned.
I pulled my eyes from my friends who each stood with a knife at their throats supplied by one of the half dozen soldiers waiting in the clearing. I turned to the woman who'd spoken and was surprised to find a familiar face. Sure, she was dressed in a shimmery silver gown that trailed past her feet to create a puddle of starlight on the ground behind her, finery that was quite out of place in a forest, much less a battle. But I would recognize her anywhere. I had, after all, grown up passing her likeness every day I trudged through the Second Ring on my way to work for HouseValin.
“Chassina,” I breathed, my voice equal parts awe and fury.
“So you recognize me,” she replied, lips spreading into a grin that revealed each of her teeth. “I wondered if you would. Good to see they’re keeping up a proper education in that city we both call home.”
I just glared at her, silently reaching for the dark. My friends were in danger. Kane and Hugh both had knives pressed againsttheir throats.Zyawas drawing closer to me by the minute, dagger in hand, eyes darting about to assess who would strike first. If there was ever a time to use my power, it would be now.
“Come with me,”Chassinasaid. “That’s all you have to do. Lay down your weapon and come with me. If you do, I’ll leave your friends alone.”
But the spear wasn’t my only weapon. It wasn’t even my best weapon. The better one was rising. I could feel it. I could almost reach out and touch it.
“Don’t, Adrian—” Hugh started.
Chassinasnapped her long elegant fingers and a blade slashed straight through Hugh’s throat.
Kane screamed as Hugh’s blood sprayed onto the dirt and he fell to his knees, eyes wide and choking.Zyagasped. The clearing fell utterly silent but for the sounds of Hugh dying. I took a step forward. Healing. I could heal him, that was one of my Blessings. But then a second sword appeared at Kane’s throat and I stopped.
“I would advise against that,”Chassinasaid coolly.
