Arguing was a waste of precious time. Even Ayla’s gloating wouldn’t last forever and their chance to escape would be forfeit when she finished. Serenna’s gaze darted to Fenn.
His silence smoldered, fury darkening the glare he aimed at Taryn. They needed a way out—now—before Ayla delivered them back to the elves.
Taryn studied her nails—her talons now gone—and said, “Those of us who refused the terms…” Her attention flicked to the tunnel where the humans had entered the fortress. “They were sent in first, minds broken—fodder even lower than the mortals.” She flicked her fingers, conjuring an orb of light. “But a few of us were granted the blessings of the stars. Half the talents now, the rest after Lykor’s capture.”
A slow smile curled her lips as she studied the illumination dancing above her fingertips. “Quite the generous arrangement, really. Few can claim the honor of portaling an army to this ‘untouchable’ stronghold—but I can.”
Taryn stepped closer to Fenn, a feverish light glowing in her eyes. “We’re pure-bloods, brother. We’ll stand high in the realms—nextto the elves. The king has promised us lands—a place to rule over half-breeds and humans.”
Fenn scoffed. “And what happens after your usefulness expires? You think the elves won’t simply snatch your magics back?”
Serenna read the defiance in Fenn’s tone and tensed, dread flooding her veins as Essence flared around him.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Ayla clipped, snapping her fingers. The magus responded instantly, magic sparking to life around their circle. “A portal.” Her gaze slid away, as though her captives no longer warranted her attention. “Take them to the top of the Spire. Tethered and under guard. They’ll make an amusing trophy for the general when he returns.”
A gateway ripped open, its darkness yawning wide to devour them and seal their fate. Serenna’s pulse drummed in her ears, each beat a countdown. Ayla’s words landed like lead in her chest, pressing heavier with every breath.
The top of the Spire. That was Vesryn’s office—thecommander’soffice. Ayla couldn’t have been put in charge of Centarya. It defied all logic. Had Elashor cast aside the magisters and magus forher? An unthinkable possibility, but here the magus were, obeying her every word.
Likely sensing Serenna’s rising panic, Fenn wrapped his fingers around hers, the chill from his chain mail gloves seeping into her skin.
“What’s the matter?” Ayla lilted, voice spun like silk. “You look pale. Have you finally pieced it together?”
Serenna swallowed hard. She had no other plan but to keep Ayla talking—anything to delay the surrounding magus from shoving them through the rift.
“No, I suppose even you couldn’t have anticipated this,” Ayla continued, saving her the trouble of speaking. “As you know, the king provides the realms with exactly what they need—stability, order, a future.” Her tone sharpened, mockery crystallizing into triumph. “A unified royal family, forged from the purest bloodlines. Thestrongestbloodlines. And since the prince failed to perform his duty, the king took matters into his own hands.”
Pausing, Ayla’s eyes gleamed as she lowered the hood of her cloak. “Which means you now have a queen.”
A sleek, triangular jewel on Ayla’s forehead drew Serenna’s attention. The crystal glinted from the center of a silver circlet, previously hidden by her cowl. Its edges shimmered like fractured starlight, core pulsing faintly. Serenna’s breath hitched. The material was hauntingly familiar—like the Heart of Stars, but a smaller fragment.
Heartbeats stretched as Serenna pulled her focus away from the strange gem, grappling with Ayla’s words. Her eyes widened at the terrifying shift in power. Ayla wasn’t just Centarya’s commander—she carried the mantle of the elven queen.
Ayla tapped her painted lips, the gesture dripping with cruel amusement. “I see you’re catching on.” She took a step closer, peering into Serenna’s eyes and squinting at the reddish halo. “You might recall my gracious offer—to step in as my surrogate.”
Fenn tensed beside her, a low rumble wrestling free from his chest as Ayla leaned down.
She wrinkled her nose at Fenn’s flashing fangs before dismissing him. Her whisper curled against Serenna’s ear. “I’ll make sure you have aspecialplace. A broodmare deserves a barn, after all.” Straightening, she pointed at the portal. “Off you go, then. Return to campus so I can finish here without indulging in any further distractions.”
Fenn’s thoughts sailed down the bond, his claw tightening against Serenna’s palm.We need to take to the skies.He cast a quick glance upward, the heavy cloak of night draped over the valley.
What?Serenna’s heart thundered as panic tangled with disbelief. A dozen plans raced through her mind, each disregarded as quickly as it formed. The grim-faced magus closed in, the pressure of Essence pulsing around the ring, ready to force them through the dark void.
Warping up,Fenn clarified, calm and certain.
Up? You can’t get through the shield,Serenna pushed back, her desperation rising.
Fenn radiated assurance, steady as the surrounding mountains.My talons can.
Had they not been teetering on the precipice of disaster, Serenna might’ve quipped about whether he could also draw water from stone. Instead, his bold assertion made her pause, eyes flicking down to their entwined palms.
Clarity struck like lightning, slicing through her turmoil. The wicked points of Fenn’s armored gloves glinted gold in the faint illumination.
He must’ve sensed her next question.I can warp as far as I can see, but we’ll be free falling until I can reach a safe landing.A flicker of uncertainty wove down the bond.I haven’t attempted this great of a distance before. We might not make—
“Enough stalling,” Ayla snapped, shoving Serenna hard enough to make her stumble.
Ayla’s crystal flared like a beacon as it emitted a sharp metallic whine. But there was no time to dwell on the strange noise slicing through the air.
