The mist slowly cleared, revealing a kneeling angel of death. With ethereal grace and perfect control, Sin rose from the sand, his entire being radiating power and malice.
I had never seen anything more beautiful yet terrifying at the same time.
The Silver duo stared at Sin dumbfounded as he lifted his hands and every ounce of water in the canal surged toward him. Thousands of gallons spun into a massive swirling vortex, the water churning and coalescing into the shape of an enormous dragon that loomed up over Sin's back. Two whiplike water tails thrashed while six clawed hands flexed in anticipation.
Sin slammed his palms together, and the dragon lunged, smashing down upon the casters with the roaring fury of a tidal wave. Water flew in every direction, dousing the screaming spectators in the first dozen rows.
After a moment, the water ebbed, wicking into the sands and sluicing back into the canal to reveal a lifeless Tenyn and Tenebra suspended in a floating pool. Sin flicked out a hand as he turned and stormed out of the arena.
The bubble holding Tenyn and Tenebra collapsed, and the two bodies crashed to the ground.
The Silver Court casters didn’t move, didn’t breathe, and I couldn't summon any pity for them.
I felt only relief that Sin had won.
Which meant that now it was my turn.
Chapter forty-five
“I’ll be right back,” I said, ignoring the wary glances Dey was giving me.
“Raynella,” my father warned, apparently unwilling to let me disappear a second time.
“I need to go to the bathroom. Seeing all that water… I’ll be fast.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but I was out of my seat and halfway up the stairs before he could reply.
I rushed in the direction of the tunnel, my feet moving faster than I thought capable. When I reached the entrance, I yanked the door open, letting the darkness swallow me whole. I barely registered the flame that surrounded my hand as I ran toward the arena.
Just as I neared the end of the tunnel, strong hands grabbed my shoulders and pressed me into the wall.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sin hissed into my ear.
“I have to,” I panted. “I had faith in you, Sin. I need you to have faith in me.”
He cupped my face. “No heroics, Rain. When that horn blasts I want you to take a dive, okay? These igniservians are different. The fire controls them more than any other element. They won’t hesitate to go for the kill, so do not give them the chance.”
“I won’t,” I replied firmly. “Where’s Cam?”
“He went to hide Ram and heal him as best he could. I didn’t tell him about my power, but he knows something is up. I don’t think I can keep my illusions a secret from him after this.”
“So don’t,” I said, caressing his face. “You need to let people in, Sin. You can’t go through life alone. Cam and Ram care about you, and it kills them that you shut them out. Believe me when I say you can trust them.”
He nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
I kissed him. “I’m always right.”
He laughed and his arms tightened around me.
I coughed, struggling to breathe under the pressure from my corset. “I don’t suppose you have anything else I can wear?”
He smirked. “You could always go out there naked. I’d be the only one to know the truth.”
“Sin!” I exclaimed, smacking his chest.
“Okay, okay,” he conceded. Laughing, he reached down to grab a pile of clothing at his feet. Female fighting leathers. “Peywyn keeps a stock of clothing in the training room. These should fit.”
Stripping off my restrictive dress, I held Sin’s gaze. Heat flared in his eyes as I stood before him naked. Pulling on the leather pants and tunic, I watched his eyes narrow as my curves were covered up.
