He’d wandered into the library shortly after filling the grave, finding a pale Serill and Farrah arguing about what language to use in his letter to the King of Severina. How to explain Brela’s drill drawing that they would attach with the prince’s seal. How, exactly, Oni could get in and out without being detected while also making sure the message was received.
Elias barely registered their comments as he curled onto a bedroll and tried to quiet his mind. The king would have to actuallyacton the information, and he was pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen unless Brela and Cason came back with real proof. The warning would probably only serve as evidence they were following the king’s orders. Convince him to bring Brela’s promised reward.
They still had ten days before they were set to meet the king in Averlyn. Get Brela’s payment. Be done with Severina and Ovir.
Then what?
Sleep eluded him, just like the previous night, so he got up and moved. Circled the perimeter and found the cave-in where the sun-blessed had entered the underground library, where the earth-blessed had covered their tracks.
They hadn’t discovered the hidden tunnel that Brela had marked. Maybe some of the Veil Worshippers escaped. It was the only hope he clung to as he tried to keep his worry about Brela from spiraling out of control.
He hadn’t noticed the sun rising until a gritty wind curled around him and a glass hand rested on his shoulder.
The crystal man stumbled forward when he saw the hand-dug grave, the stone slab waiting for Brela’s instructions before being carved with shadow-kind patterns.
He spun to Elias, black eyes wide. “Where is she?”
* * *
“You let her dowhat?”Oni growled, staring across the table at the three of them. “Owa kria zatyb?”
Are you stupid?
“Akaza,” Farrah growled.Watch it.“Says the sprite who shoved her in a pit.”
Oni bared his fangs at her, but she didn’t back down. Didn’t feel an ounce of fear. He hadn’t expected Brela to teach them what she knew of the sand sprite’s language. Her hope was that it would keep Oni calm.
That didn’t seem to do much good since Elias and Oni looked like they were just a few seconds away from throwing punches.
“We need proof, and, unlike us, she and Cason look Anfroidian. They can blend in.” Elias waved his finger at the sprite’s face. “You’re the one who told her to stop the army. If anyone’s to blame for this idea, it’s you.”
Black sand eyes narrowed. “I didn’t think she’d waltz into their territory without protection, or that herfamilywould let her.” He enunciated the words, twisting them like knives into their hearts. “I would have stopped her.By any means necessary.”
“Some of us don’t bounce back from gettingstabbed, Oni,” Elias hissed. “Be glad the dragon went with her to keep her safe.”
“Zaxova,” he growled back, his wind whipping around them. “Kria woba zaoczi xa aravkir.”
Cowards. You’ve handed our shadow to the enemy.
Serill’s fist slammed into the table, startling them.
“I would appreciate it if you would all stop bickering and focus,” he snapped, glaring between them. That voice… it was a king’s voice. “As much as I want to worry about Cason and Brela, our fire wielder and non-gods-blessedassassincan handle stealing plans for a drill and whatever hellthorn concoction they’re brewing.”
Oni’s eyes darkened as the wind sucked out of the room.
Ah, fuck.
Serill raised his brow, confused at the shift of tension. Elias paled, opening his mouth to snarl a warning at Oni.
Farrah blinked, and then the crystal prince pounced.
Oni dove over the table toward Elias. Glass jaw met an earth-blessed fist. Crystal shattered and remade itself as they tumbled, long fingers and fangs clawing and snapping. Strength-backed kicks and elbows connected with glass as they rolled across the stone, fighting for the upper hand.
Elias shoved the sand sprite against the fire-lit wall and loaded. Oni became wind a breath before Elias’s fist smashed through stone and flame, sending rock and fire spraying out of the hole. Then Oni materialized, crystal arms lifting and slamming Elias into the floor. Rock cracked underneath his weight as Oni pinned him.
“You should have told me!” Oni howled on his wind, jabbing a sharp finger at Elias. “You’ve killed her!”
“She knows what she’s doing!” Elias roared back.
