The knife was cool in her steady hand, its cold, sharp edge definitive against her pulse. The value of her life was the only bargaining chip she had, and she was prepared to use it.
No one else would die for her.
Von inched closer, and she backed further away to where no one could reach her in time to stop the knife.
“You know the map is enchanted,” she told Tarn. “My Essence is the key, and the inscriptions will disappear with my death. Without me, you willneverget to Mount Ida.”
Tarn’s pale eyes were as frigid as two orbs of ice. “Where is the journal?”
“I have it, and only I can open it.”
“Benton,” he called, his gaze pinned on her. The old mage came forward.
“Don’t come near me.” Dyna pressed the knife against her skin until a warm trickle leaked down her neck.
“Stop!” Cassiel cried out frantically.
Zev stirred, and his trembling hand reached out to her. Overwhelming shock and relief hit her. He still clung on. He must have caught the scent of her blood.
Her teary eyes flooded. “Zev.”
“Show it to me,” Tarn ordered in a low tone.
She removed Azeran’s journal from her satchel and tossed it at Benton’s feet. His hands glowed red as he lifted it, reacting to the power within.
The mage nodded and brought the journal to his master. “It’s secured by enchantment.”
“Can you open it?”
“Perhaps.” Benton shrugged. “But we will need her to reveal the map.”
“I’ll come with you willingly,” Dyna said. “But only if you spare them.”
“No, Dyna.” Cassiel bucked, ripping at the vines.
Taking the journal, Tarn’s piercing gaze lined in pale lashes studied her for a long moment. She held her breath. “Very well,” he said after a long pause. “Come with me and I won’t kill your Guardians, Dynalya Astron.”
A flinch went through her at the coarse sound of her name on his tongue. “I will after I tend to my cousin.”
She ran for Zev, but Von seized her waist and snatched the knife out of her hand. He lugged her on his shoulder, heading to his master’s side.
“No, wait! Let me help him!”
Tarn turned away for the woods. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Please.” Dyna sobbed and kicked, holding out a hand to Zev. “He’ll die!”
Von nodded at his two other companions, and they retreated. With a wave of Benton’s staff, and the vines detaining Cassiel receded into the ground and the containment dome around Rawn dissipated. He sprinted up the hill.
“You will not take her.” Cassiel grasped his sword. Divine fire burst to life.
Elon unsheathed his weapon again while Benton, Von, and the remaining Raiders simply watched.
Rawn reached the top of the hill as Cassiel launched in the air. Elon hurled a knife. It speared his wing, and Dyna’s body spasmed at the pain shooting through her back. His back hit the ground and the sound of bones snapping swept through her in a wave of agony.
Cassiel staggered to his feet, breathing raggedly. His wings hung in irregular angels behind him. Every part of her throbbed with his pain. Wild anger hardened his features.Esh Zayin’sflamescrackled in the rain as he faced off with Elon. Divine fire met steel as they fought. Even injured, Elon parried his swings effortlessly. He moved with the nimble grace of the elves that Cassiel couldn’t match. Elon’s sword slashed across his chest. Dyna shrieked, feeling the blade slice through her.
Stumbling back, blood saturated through Cassiel’s tunic. The elf delivered a swift kick to his face, throwing him to the ground. The blow reverberated through her skull. She dropped, and Von caught her. Cassiel rose to his feet, spitting out a clot of blood as his wound and wings healed. He lifted his divine sword off the ground as Rawn lined up beside by him.
