I sigh. “I have to go to Erador.”
She blinks at me. “How did you know?” She waves her own question away. “It’s only a whisper, but being the daughter of an Elven Commander has some advantages, such as overhearing things I’m not meant to hear. They say there’s a spring in the heart of Mount Erador—”
“Where the females can harness deep magic.” I sink beside her. “I was hoping there was another way.”
“Marbella… you’re not thinking of going there?”
“Of course I will. I love him.”
Her eyes fill with tears. She tries to blink them away, but they drip down her cheeks. “What can I do to help?”
“I need to unfreeze all these people. Then I need you to get everyone out of here before the Elven Command wakes up. Gideon Glory is dead. He was the main sorcerer, but the others are just as dangerous. You have to get everyone far away from here. Including your father.”
She chews her lip. “We can go to Rath land. It’s furthest from the city. Sebastian told me there are places to hide in the Rath mountains—Baelen showed him where.”
“The House of Mercy controls Rath land now. They will protect you,” I say. “My brother is already back at Rath land and he will make sure you’re safe. Thank you, Sahara.”
“Marbella.” She hesitates, but gently lays her hand over mine. It’s a gesture I never thought I’d experience again—a consoling touch. “Be safe.”
“I’ll come back. I promise. The Elven Command is corrupt. It can’t be allowed to continue. But I have to help Baelen first.”
She nods while I rise to my feet.
“Storm!” I call, hoping I don’t confuse Sahara too much by speaking to something that’s not there. “A hurricane is called for. Something that will whisk those males to a place where they can’t get out for a while. And keep them frozen for as long as possible.”
The Storm ponders my request for a moment. “The bottom of the river? A dungeon?” Her eyes light up. “No… I know… The Storm Vault.”
How perfect. “You’ll have to seal its doors.”
“Of course.” She grins. “With pleasure.”
A mini tornado builds as I watch, catching up the Elven Commanders in its pull and tug, spinning them round and round. It spins toward the doors, pushing them open with ease, and the Commanders disappear from sight.
The Storm gives me a distracted smile.
I say, “I wasn’t sure if you’d stay here with me.”
“Of course. I stay where you are. But let me concentrate so I get this right.”
I trust her to do what she says and I can’t waste any time by hovering over her. If I’d created the thunder, then I could release everyone at once, but since it was Baelen, I have to touch everyone to bring them out of it. That’s twenty Storm Commanders and fifteen of Baelen’s soldiers. After so long not touching anyone at all, I brace myself for my senses to go haywire with sensory overload.
I brush my hand lightly across Jasper’s arm and then Sebastian’s. They’re the least wounded and will be able to help the others. Also, I trust that Sahara will explain to them what’s happening. I’m not sure how many difficult conversations I can handle right now. I don’t try to stop them running forward like they were about to. Sahara’s right there to catch up with them, drawing them to a stop before they race toward Baelen.
I cross the floor to Jordan, Elise, and Reisha next, but I’m not prepared for how emotional I am. They’re all wounded because of me. I drop to my knees next to Jordan who lies between Elise and Reisha. I stroke Jordan’s hair to wake her up, reaching across to touch Elise’s arm at the same time. They both gasp, turning onto their backs, staring at the ceiling, trying to get their bearings.
“Princess?” Jordan tries to get up first, while Elise uses her elbow as leverage, wobbling and squinting at me.
“Sahara!” I call. “We need help over here.”
“It’s okay,” Jordan says, holding up her hand. “I’m okay. Elise?”
Elise rubs the back of her head. “Just dazed. I’ll be fine.” She suddenly jolts upward with a new urgency. “Where is Commander Rath? What happened?”
“He’s…” I swallow. There’s no easy way to tell them what happened or that I’m leaving. It all tumbles out at once. “He’s hurt but I’m going to do everything I can to help him. But I have to leave you and I need you to be safe.”
I help them to their feet, grateful that the pause in time must have given their bodies moments longer to heal.
“Princess, we’re coming with you,” Elise says. “Wherever you’re going.”
