COLGRAVE
The last thing I wanted to do was take my eyes off Audryn, but she’d asked me to help her father. So I turned away and rushed to get to his side. Or at least that’s what I thought I was going to do until guards got in my way. No matter how much I relied on my voiding magic, it wasn’t enough to easily overcome those blocking my path.
Initially, I considered voiding the entire area, but that would not only decimate my sister’s abilities, but Audryn’s as well. And I wouldn’t risk putting either of them at a disadvantage, especially when we remained outnumbered, even with the two dozen witches I’d brought with me. So I focused on individuals rather than the group.
The darkness was consuming, but I leaned into it. My onyx eyes remained, magic a constant thrum at my fingertips. The split-second it took to conjure my ability might’ve been the difference between me living or finding myself with a blade plunged through my chest.
My eyes widened when her father was forced to his knees. A blonde man in a dark uniform held a shining blade high above.My heart and hands stuttered in time with the ground’s jerky movements.
Time stalled, and my legs were leaden as I tried to force my way past the guard putting up a good fight. A breath later, I pushed past the woman who sent her sword nicking my arm.
A dozen feet away, I watched in horror as the blonde guard readied himself to drive the sword into Audryn’s father. Before I could fend off the attack, the guards pulled the man forward, and plunged the blade into his back.
The ground’s movement ceased as the blade was removed and the man readied himself to drive it in once more. Pivoting, I drew back my sword and sliced into the guard’s arm, severing it completely. Blood spouted out of his empty shoulder. He turned, confusion marking his face as his blade tumbled to the ground. My stare trailed to the still-clenched hand wrapped around the hilt. Audryn’s unmoving father lay face down with a gaping wound next to the severed limb.
The two other guards prepared to confront me, but a witch moved in to fend off both of them on her own.
I moved once more, stepping forward and swinging at the guard's neck, sending his open-mouthed head toppling across the lawn of blue flowers. His body fell seconds later, delayed by the shock of the injury.
When I read the name “C. Hunt” above the uniform pocket, a lump formed in my throat. I hadn’t recognized the guard’s face, despite having seen him only days prior.
I dropped to my knees next to Audryn’s father. Putting pressure on the wound, I looked for signs of life. Only his body remained, color fading by the second and devoid of breath. Audryn had given me one job. I failed not only her father, but her.
“He’s gone, Col,” Sky croaked. “But so is Audryn.”
“What?” My head snapped up to where I last saw her. She’dbeen there only a second ago. Or had it been a minute? Maybe even more time had passed. “Where did she go?”
“I’m not sure, I was out here with you.”
“Take him to Rynholm. We can’t leave him here—she needs him.” I crossed one of his hands over his other and placed a gentle kiss on the top. “I will keep your daughter safe, Mister Clair.”
Sky grabbed the arm of a passing guard marked with a ruby and ordered him to assist her in carrying the body. It wasn’t what her father deserved; none of it was. But Sky was a superb rider, and at least she’d get him back in one piece. It was a minor consolation for such an enormous loss.
Several guards circled Ryder, fighting off men and women in white kitchen uniforms. Interesting turn of events, I thought, but I was pleased to see his staff revolting against him.
I pushed through the crowd and poured my magic out to void the group. One man in a white chef hat stepped back the moment I made it to his side, and I struck the guard he’d been diligently fighting, making a hole for me to get to the prince.
Ryder’s eyes turned to saucers and his body went rigid. A breath later, he slipped on a cocky mask and settled into a fighting stance. In our youth, we had endlessly fought in the training ring while our parents dealt with political matters. Years had passed since our last spar, but I was well aware of just how evenly matched we were.
“Move away,” he ordered the men and women around him. “He’s my kill.”
“Where’s Audryn?” I roared. “What did you do with her?”
His head tilted. “Dead.” A smile moved across his mouth.
My gut felt like it had been punched, and my heart ripped from my chest. Bile rose in the back of my throat.
“No.” My voice was a whisper, and my breath hitched. She was everything. I didn’t even know how I’d lived before I met her. Ringing in my ears overtook the shouts around me.
Ryder burst out laughing. “You should see your face right now!” He stepped back, cocking his head. “The bitch left with my guardandmy lover. But—bring her back, I’ll happily kill her and you can watch.” He smirked.
My chest filled with new resolve to end him for making me think, even for a second, that I’d lost her. Pride swelled. She’d made it out alive.
Ryder lunged. He was always one to react too fast. I sidestepped, letting the blade miss me with more than ample room. He recklessly swung, technique lost to emotions. He’d wear himself out before I needed to make an offensive move.
It was the worst type of fight to engage in; he was like a cornered, wounded animal, desperate to survive. It was unpredictable and left little room to devise a plan of attack.
I countered and struck the upper part of his arm with my blade. The hit wasn’t much, but it had cut through his clothes and into his skin. Blood stained his white coat, the liquid expanding outward to fill the surrounding fibers. Ryder removed his cloak, letting it fall to the ground.
