Lenna inhaled sharply. If it weren’t for the intimidating presence of the man in the corner and the undeniable feeling of being observed and under indirect attention, she would have made some snarky retort. Perhaps a “who has fucked up now,” a “for Fifth’s damned sake, it surely can be that bad,” or—
Fuck her self-control.
She had lost too many things in the past couple of days to lose her bloody personality as well. Lenna scoffed before spitting, “Let’s line up before we’re fucked again, then.”
Hope crossed her arms, staring at every being in the room. Were she and Ciaran aware of how alike they looked, dressed in black leathers and determination, power and magic? They were one and the same. A devastating combination that didn’t look afraid to take on the world.
“Llunal whispered, and his whispers don’t lie,” Ciaran said, before calmly bowing his head to Hope.
“My throne in Thyria has been usurped,” Hope said between clenched teeth. “The black Cardinal Queen, eldest sister of the five red Cardinals, was released from the quarter of a millennium curse her sisters had restrained her with. After we killed Rhei Coralt, she took advantage of the absence of the Organ Mandor protecting the Cardinals Temple and the Core and seized the throne and control of the entire island of Thyria.”
The blood in Lenna’s veins froze, her lungs feeling way too small to take oxygenated breaths. She ran towards the window facing the Radel Sea and saw the island of Thyria, closer than ever, on the horizon.
The sun was rising above the line cutting the water and the sky. It brought the unwanted light that would slow down the shadow magic of the courtrades. But it didn’t bring only that.
Breathtaking fear overrode Lenna’s senses, her mind dizzy as when her inner scale unbalanced. The others joined her by the window, everyone quiet as they tried to decipher what the black, moving mass floating over Thyria was.
The closer the army of courtrades pushed them to the shore of the East Petal, now distinguishable as it grew closer by the second, the clearer the vision was, the stronger the panic sank into Lenna’s body.
It wasn’t a mass floating over the land. It was thousands of black, winged creatures, hovering, waiting for meat to be served the way a scavenger circled its next meal. Except, by the waythe creatures were closing in towards the navias, they were approaching them becausetheywere the meal.
Hope’s voice broke the silence. “You aren’t the only one with an army, Ciaran.”
No, he wasn’t.
The Cardinal Queen had sent her own.
4
Hope
“I’ve seen these creatures before,” Jake whispered.
Ciaran swallowed. “So have I.”
Lenna cocked an eyebrow at both males. She faked clearing her throat, and since they didn’t even look at her or notice her cue, she added, “Care to share?”
“You won’t like it,” Jake muttered so quietly it was barely audible. Lenna’s eyes widened, her mouth shut as if she had been taken aback by something unexpected.
“Where have you seen them?” Hope asked.
“In ancient tomes shelved in the dark sections of the libraries in the West and East Houses, when I was researching the Fifthpower,” Jake said, crossing his arms in front of his chest as his silver eyes narrowed, examining the approaching creatures with dissecting-intent.
Ciaran nodded. “They are called sangins. And as far as I remember, none had been spotted in centuries. They can only be born of the Cardinal Queen’s blood. With one drop of her black blood, one creature is born with her direct magic. They obey only her.”
The corners of Hope’s lips tugged upwards, a low chuckle escaping her lips without her consent. A sudden slap of realization fueled the rushing blood in her veins. She hadn't received any better news in a long time than this.
One of the red-haired twins stepped right in front of her, holding Hope’s shoulders with slightly sweaty hands. Hope met Lenna’s golden eyes, glowing under a furrowed brow. From the firm grip on her skin, the transparent worry of her friend was not only towards the flying army behind her but likewise towards Hope’s mental health.
“Erm, Hope—what part of having a thousand-odd black-feathered winged creatures with talons heading towards us, creatures product of the blood of the Queen who just stole your throne, is causing you to…smile?”
“It’s interesting,” Hope pursed her lips.
“Interestinghow, to be precise? I think they aren’t the friendly kind to come have tea with us. I think they are coming to makeustheir tea.”
“Interesting that there aresomany of them.” Hope’s nostrils flared as she tilted her chin, looking at Lenna and then at the sangins closing in. “They are born from the Queen’s blood, you said?”
Jake’s silver stare was fixed on the black flying mass, but Ciaran’s dark blue eyes observed Hope with a twinkling glint. Both of them replied in unison: “Yes.”
