28
The deep springs are quiet when we land. Peaceful. The rock face above me is perfectly still. But it’s not empty. It’s covered in motley brown and gray bodies that look exactly like rocks: the Grievous and Hideaway gargoyles are exactly where they promised they’d be.
Indecision grips me. If the gargoyles attack from above, Osian will retaliate. He hasn’t let go of Indira, and it would only take the weakest death bolt to kill her. I turn and kneel in front of her. He holds her high enough that I would be eye to eye with her if she were conscious. I gently lift the hair away from her face, making sure it’s obvious who she is. She is the Grievous Clan’s leader. That alone should be enough to make the gargoyles positioned on the rock pause before they attack.
I speak as loudly as I dare without raising suspicion. “I brought you here. Now I’m taking her inside to heal her.”
I hope my message to the gargoyles is clear: don’t attack until she’s healed. I close my eyes for a second, trying to sense the Phoenix’s location: it promised it would be here too. I can speak to it without the Elven Commanders knowing.
I swallow my relief when I hear the firebird’s voice.Princess! What has happened?
They hurt Indira. I had no choice. Please make sure the gargoyles don’t strike until she’s healed.
I am on the other side of this mountain, the Phoenix says.How can I help you?
You need to find out what happened to the others: Erit, Llion, Roar, Jasper, Elyria…So many of my friends… I’m afraid…
I gulp, trying to steady my thoughts.Please fly to the border as fast as you can. If they are hurt, I need you to bring them here. If they are still fighting, I need you to find a way to stop them. The elven army is without leaders now.
What about the springs?
Inside my mind, my voice is cold.I will defend them.
Consider it done.
Osian snorts beside me, dragging Indira along the platform toward the entrance to the deep springs. I said that I would take her, but he won’t let her go until he’s sure I won’t retaliate. She is his only protection from me.
I don’t dare look up as we pass the gargoyles hidden at the entrance. The Hideaway clan is perfectly still, totally camouflaged. I also avoid looking at Grayson. I’m worried that the gargoyle inside of him will sense their presence and he’ll alert the other Commanders. I don’t want to give him any indication that we aren’t alone.
He strides beside me, not afraid to take my arm, but his grip is loose, almost gentle, guiding me inside. Very soon, we enter the sparkling cavity, our boots drumming in time to the drip, drip, drip from the ceiling.
Elwyn Elder is triumphant, spreading his wiry arms as he walks right up to the water’s edge. He is the smallest of the Commanders, but tough like weathered rope, his eyes a very pale azure blue, tapered at the edges like the other members of his House. “At last!”
Priscilla is giddy as she strides to the end of the path and tilts her head back to study the ceiling. This is the only place where the Elyria spiders spin webs of all colors: rose-gold, silver-green, sapphire, sunset orange, and lilac. Even Grayson seems awed by the beauty of the springs.
“Careful,” Elwyn warns Priscilla as her toes almost enter the water. “This water will not tolerate our sorcery.”
Only Osian is unmoved by the cavern’s beauty. He is a large elf, built for war, but not quite like a Rath. Elves in the House of Valor always had an inferiority complex about the fact that the House of Rath defended Erawind. Unlike Pedr, Osian hasn’t let himself go. He shoves past Grayson, grabs my arm, and gestures at the water.
“If you want to heal her, get in. I will pass her to you.”
I’m not sure if I can trust him. He could easily kill her as soon as I enter the water. His gaze flickers to Indira as if he hears my thoughts. The whole time he’s held her, he’s barely acknowledged her. She is athingto him.
A dark smile breaks across his face. “You think I will kill her.” He leans down to me, shoves his big face in mine, and pokes my chest with one thick finger. “It’s in my interests to keep her alive. As long as she lives, we control you. Now get in.”
I barely avoid the spittle that flies at me as he snarls.Disgusting old elf.I slide out of his grip and step down into the pond, reaching the bottom step before I hold out my arms for Indira.
Osian laughs at me, juggles Indira so he’s gripping her shoulder, and slings her out into the middle of the pond. A stomach-turningpoptells me he just dislocated her shoulder. I clench my fists, directing my anger into them as Indira hits the water on her back, her broken wings spreading out across the surface before the water sucks her down, toes first, then legs, torso, neck, mouth…
I splash out to the middle as fast as I can, my armor dragging.Can someone drown in the springs?I can’t take that chance. I have to keep her face above the surface. Osian knew exactly what he was doing throwing her this far out to keep me busy.
Right when her nose would slide under the water, I hook my arms under her from behind, grab her shoulders, and lock her arms between mine so she’s resting on my chest where I can keep her head above water. It’s so deep here that I have to tread water and the waves I create lap dangerously at Indira’s face. I kick my legs and use my free arm to glide us back to the steps, keeping her head tilted and clear of liquid. Then I lower myself onto the middle step, grip both my arms across her chest, staying beneath her, my cheek pressed against hers.
My back is to the Commanders. Before I reached the edge, they were clustered at the side of the springs, studying the wall. I’m vaguely aware of Grayson’s presence nearby—he hasn’t joined them. I guess he’s my guard as usual.
Now that I’m facing the other way, none of them can see my face or the tears burning in my eyes. My tears burn so hot, like acid rain leaking from my eyes. I squeeze my eyelids closed and beg quietly for Indira’s life. She started out as my enemy, a fierce one, but she became my friend. A true friend who fought beside me.
“Please live. Please, Indira.” My whisper cracks into little pieces. I slide my hand to her stomach, gently floating there. “Please be alive, babies. Please… please…”
