Arianna stared open-mouthed at the mass of bodies behind them, all running for their lives with an even bigger horde in pursuit. The sheer number blotted out the landscape, stretching all the way back toward the horizon.
But … but the ocean was to the south. The mountain range stretched all the way to the water. How had so many Dark Fae crossed over it so quickly?
Niall’s words had ice coating her veins.
You have no idea what you’ve just unleashed.
Could—did Vairik really hold this kind of power? Had he been storing these creatures here since the beginning of his reign? Had he finally decided this continent wasn’t worthfighting for? He’d already destroyed Levea. Nàdair was next. Genocide. He was committing genocide. It wasn’t even about her and Rion anymore. They didn’t matter. All he wanted was the extinction of the Fae race itself. Or at least the part he couldn’t control.
Madness. This was absolute madness.
She’d been praying they still had time. Raevina still had sway in Fiadh as a Lady. Arianna had thought they could recruit more allies before the final fallout. But Fiadh was closer to Pádraigín than Levea. The city beneath the mountain could already be gone. Was Nàdair all that remained? Nàdair and the frightened citizens fleeing for their lives?
A kaleidoscope of colors burst from the rear line, racing toward the sky as if moving along an invisible wall. It shattered at the top before sizzling out altogether. Were there Fae fighting alongside the dark creatures, protecting them from being torn apart by magic?
Vairik. Arianna clenched her fists. She understood two things with sudden clarity. First, those magic-wielding Fae were the only thing standing between the fleeing citizens and the horde of monsters racing to devour them. Second, she’d sooner die than stand on the sidelines.
Arianna spun toward Gavin. “Protect her at all costs.”
Gavin nodded, his face pale. He vanished, his magic engulfing him and Ellie entirely to shield them from view. She sensed him backing toward the trees, climbing back up the mountain. Maybe he’d return to the cabin and wait until this was all over.
Arianna looked over the field again. She was the queen of their people. As much as she wanted to just protect her sister, she had an obligation to them all. To the woman running, clutching her child. To the Fae who were carrying their injuredallies. To those who were born without magic and couldn’t defend themselves at all.
Arianna turned to The Demon next. He still gripped her arm, as if expecting her to bolt. “I’m going,” she stated simply.
He took a moment to absorb her resolve, then nodded. “I’ll be at your side.”
She gaped at him, but as soon as he released her arm, Arianna dove from the trees. Magic rallied in her core, then exploded, racing across the ground toward the four-legged creatures pursuing the Fae fleeing for their lives. She could see others scattered across the plains, too. Small groups fighting those who’d escaped past the warriors’ main line.
Ice raced up the beasts’ legs, engulfing their bodies entirely until they were nothing more than frozen statues. The Demon’s magic caught half a dozen others on the furthest side, crushing their enemies in an instant.
Those who’d been running fell to their knees, turning in wide-eyed terror to absorb the frozen Dark Fae who’d nearly stolen their lives. Arianna shattered them a second later, snapping the civilians out of their fear-induced stupor. Bite marks covered the lot of them, blood dripping from their arms, legs, and torsos. Some clutched stubs where limbs had once been, while others had crimson plastering their hair to their heads. Younglings wailed while mothers or sisters held them tightly against their chests.
She whirled as more screaming echoed from behind. Birds sped in the sky above, Fae racing for Nàdair. They’d warn the warriors stationed there, but they might arrive too late. These people needed helpnow.
Saoirse skidded to a halt beside her younger brother, mouth gaping as she took in the chaotic scene in the near distance. “Tell Alec to get off his ass.”
“Already on it.” The Demon raised his arms, and the earth shifted beneath their feet.
“It’s miles off,” Arianna said, trying to figure out what the two were planning.
Saoirse smirked. “Trust me, he can reach.” Just like that, the earth rose, then The Demon threw his arms forward and a great wave rolled across the ground. It uprooted trees and rocks and sent those attempting to run temporarily to their knees.
Arianna’s heart beat faster. She didn’t know the High Lord’s stance on anything, nor the protocol. But she did know that Dark Fae roaming across anyone’s land would warrant immediate action.
Hurry, she willed the disappearing wave of rock, praying whoever it reached would know what it meant. Had The Demon done something like this before?
“Looks like we get to have some fun in the meantime,” Saoirse said, rolling up her sleeves.
“I’m not sure I like your definition of fun,” Zylah quipped.
“Anyone have a proper weapon?” Saoirse called to the small crowd. Six Fae jumped to their feet, and others pulled out blades they clearly had no idea how to use.
Saoirse reached for one and ran her thumb along the edge. “That will work.” Zylah chose another, then tossed one to Arianna. The Demon chose his own and the Fae holding it sank to his knees before the monster, fear consuming his body. She watched the interaction momentarily before turning back to face the chaos.
Another line of civilians ran past, staring back at the creatures pursuing them. This group didn’t stop. Saoirse turned back to those still on the ground. “I suggest you get moving. I can’t guarantee we can keep them all at bay.” Several faces paled, but they all scrambled back to their feet and began hurriedly limping toward the trees in the distance. Saoirse stared at herhome city, then pivoted on her heel and launched toward the beasts. Arianna let ice rise through the air and joined her.
A Fae female went down screaming, her throat torn out before Arianna could intervene. A surge of energy seeped into her veins, and Arianna suddenly felt more alive in this moment than she had in days. Her sword pierced the flesh of a creature that had managed to escape her ice. A slender tree wrapped around the feet of three others and snapped their legs, leaving them incapacitated on the ground before rock rose to tear through their bodies.
