With another forceful shove, I push against him, but he pushes back. It’s a battle of wills and magic, and I know he thinks his stone is stronger, that he’s unbeatable. But I grit my teeth and narrow my eyes in determination.
Gold bends, but stonebreaks.
Hand shaking, I push it forward, making more magic careen forward. It forms into a thick spear that hits his barrierright in the middle. The rock shatters from the impact, spewing chunks and dust into the air as it crumbles.
Victory and adrenaline race through me, and I rush toward him. The king’s eyes widen. I see the panic that twitches across his face. See the moment where he realizes hecanlose.
Then Carrick lets out a shout. “Brennur!”
That name makes a terrible feeling scoop into my brain.
Brennur…
My eyes shift. With my focus on the king, I failed to notice the old fae with the squared beard and clay-colored eyes behind him. Failed to notice the ring of grass growing up through the stone.
That terrible feeling grows.
“No!” Emonie shouts.
Panic booms in my ears, and I sprint toward them, legs pumping, ribbons outstretched, gold sloshing toward them as I push myself faster and faster—
I’m too late.
Right before me, their two forms are sucked away. Emonie and I lock eyes the instant before she disappears. I skid to a stop right in front of the grass, and I watch it wilt and wither. One blink it’s there…
Gone the next.
With a growl, I spin, shoving magic at the older fae. Gold ropes wrap around him, pinning him in place, making him drop his cane with a clatter.
“What did you do?” I snarl, my pulse raging.
His eyes widen but his mouth stays shut.
“Where did they go?” I demand as I grip my sword, the gold shining with the glare of my fury.
He refuses to answer.
“Auren!”
I look over my shoulder at Wick’s call just as he skids to a stop at my side. When he sees Brennur, his entire face creases with betrayal. “You! Youtraitor!”
On instinct, my ribbons block Wick before he can swing his sword at the fae. Then with the hilt of my sword, I land a fierce blow against Brennur’s temple. He crumples to the ground, unconscious.
My ribbons drop away. “I need him alive,” I tell Wick.
“I—” Wick’s words are hacked off with a blunt sound that thrashes the air. The entire city seems to tremble.
Wick and I look at each other, and then we both turn and race toward the city. Toward the sound. Toward the screams.
Because the king warned us. The Breaker is coming.
But he won’t breakme.
CHAPTER 31
SLADE
The Vulmin follow me asI sprint toward the city. They try to stay hot on my heels, but once I have that aura locked in my sights, distance becomes an opponent I have to defeat.
