Rawn stepped in front of her, shielding her. “Stand back, Commissioner Moreland. Those black clovers could harm her.”
Veron clasped his hands behind his back. “My intention isn’t to harm you. The clovers are merely for our protection, and clearly, it’s well within reason. Now, please don’t cause us to use force. Come with us.”
“And if we don’t?” she asked, filling her hands with electricity.
The Azure Guards unsheathed their swords. Rawn swiftly loaded his bow, aiming it at the commissioner. Zev’s claws grew, and he crouched to spring. Both flanked Lucenna on each side like sentinels of steel and strength, their hard faces highlighted by the glow of her Essence.
They would fight their way out with her.
“Our swords are tipped in silver,” Veron informed them. “We will attack, should you be difficult. Not to mention the clovers would render all your magic useless. We are well prepared for any possible confrontation against all the beings of Urn, I assure you. Hence, I suggest you stand down. I would rather this go peacefully.”
Lucenna tensed at the mention of silver, but Zev continued growling, his eyes reflecting a menacing yellow. His wolf hovered on the surface, inches from attacking.
“Calm down,” she hissed at him under her breath. “You’ll be killed if you’re cut.”
“We will yield peacefully,” Rawn said, motioning for them to comply. “Zev.”
Taking a breath, Zev loosened his rigid stance, but his throbbing body heat hovered against her. His hands curled loosely at his sides.
The commissioner nodded. “Your weapons, please.”
Rawn set his bow, quiver, and sword on the ground.
“And where are your remaining companions?”
None of them replied. Lucenna peeked at the pier, hoping Cassiel and Dyna wouldn’t come back this way.
“Corporal Willam, search the pier,” Veron said, having noticed where she looked. A guard with curls and spectacles saluted and led a group of ten guards away.
Zev growled a curse, and she groaned.
“Please come along,” Commissioner Veron said.
The guards kept their swords pointed at them until they reluctantly came forward and followed the commissioner away from the tavern. The guards marched behind them.
Lucenna walked between Rawn and Zev silently. She focused on filling her lungs with air and blinked away the bitter tears that wanted to spill. She had done her best to avoid any attention, always remaining alone and out of large cities, but all her efforts had been undone. The bounty would lead her father to her. She knew it in her bones.
Lucenna’s temple continued to pulse with her brother’s call. By now, Lucien must know their father was notified about her location.
He’s coming for me.
Rawn placed a hand on her shaking arm, but Lucenna jerked away from him. “I should never have joined you.”
“We didn’t know this would happen,” Zev whispered.
“I will not allow any harm to befall you,” Rawn said. “Trust me.”
Lucenna glared at the ground. She didn’t know how she could trust them after their lie led to her capture.
They walked in silence through the busy streets with the guards. People stopped to stare and titter. Lucenna shivered from the chill that wouldn’t leave her. The further away they moved from the pier, the further away they were from their escape. Her mind raced with ideas to get away and find a place to hide. She couldn’t let this render her mother’s sacrifice meaningless and take away her chance of reuniting with Everest again.
They reached the city center and stopped in front of a five-story building. A wide set of steps led to a pair of archway doors. The morning sun shone on the many glass windows. Guards in blue coats went in and out of the building, some dragging chained prisoners through the doors.
“Headquarters of the Azure Guard,” Rawn informed them quietly.
The guards forced them up the steps. Commissioner Moreland opened the door and motioned for them to go in. Only five guards followed them inside.
“Constable, I leave you to continue the search for the princess,” the commissioner quietly said to a guard that remained outside. “We must find her, or this matter will have to be brought to the king.”
