“Hurry, before this entire place comes down.”
Rion stumbled to his feet, rocking sideways as he rose. He couldn’t do it, she realized. He didn’t possess the strength and, loathe as she was to admit it, Arianna didn’t either. Fear grippedher heart at the prospect of this being her last image of him, a male fighting to the death to protect those he cared about.
And she’d called him a monster.
Liam’s and Saoirse’s magic snaked out and wrapped around their bodies. Both peered through the hole above, ready to make the jump as soon as the rubble cleared. Talon and Raevina were still fighting off the creatures. Then the wall behind them shattered entirely.
Saoirse cursed, and a resounding roar echoed from above. Arianna scrambled to the edge. Zylah descended fast, clutching vines created by the dozens of warriors following in her wake. Wind tore Arianna’s hair from her braid. The female hit the platform and barked out commands. Trees and vines spread, consuming the horde that had just broken through the rear wall. Saoirse and Zylah locked eyes, then they were all yanked from the crumbling floor and pulled straight up past the remaining levels.
Magic flew in all directions, fighting off Fae and falling chunks of the walls all at once. The final floor crumbled, and Arianna gasped, but Rion’s magic yanked her away from the falling surface. She pressed into him, relishing his warmth. A strong arm pulled her close. Arianna clutched it with one hand, and the area where their skin connected came alive like fire to kindling.
It didn’t burn as much as it had done before.
They landed ungracefully on what was left of the first floor and darted for the exit. Sive was there, arms outstretched, fingers moving through the empty air as she cast rune after rune after rune.
Arianna tried to pause beside the female, but Rion tugged her forward. “We have to go.”
“I thought I had to be the last one out.”
“The magic has been broken,” Sive said through gritted teeth. “Go.”
Another tremor and the stone beneath their feet cracked, forcing everyone back.
“I’m not leaving you here,” Arianna screamed. Sive didn’t have time to respond as the floor collapsed. Rion’s magic grabbed Arianna and Ellie, flinging them toward the door. Sive leapt through with them. Warrior after warrior followed. Then Talon, Raevina, Zylah, and Saoirse emerged.
“Go,” Talon roared, scrambling to his feet.
Arianna slipped, then Gavin was before her, tugging on Ellie’s arm. She relinquished the hold on her sister, and the male sprinted for the exit. In the hall, they passed Weaver after Weaver, all drawing runes, their bodies alight with that ethereal blue glow.
Arianna didn’t question it. She didn’t have time to.
She slid to a halt at the final staircase. It led into the palace. If the creatures followed, they’d overrun the city. The citizens couldn’t defend themselves.
“Go,” Rion pushed, one hand on her back.
She gritted her teeth and hesitated. Then the Weavers began moving in perfect synchrony. It took a few seconds for the runes to appear. To her eye, they were nothing more than wisps of smoke dancing on an invisible breeze. She allowed Rion to pull her up the stairs. Ellie was already out.
Arianna burst into the palace halls, panting. She blinked against the sudden brightness, but spun to watch warriors spilling out into the room right behind her. Rion pulled her away from the entrance. Gavin held Ellie to their left. Talon and the others stood before the doorway, magic and weapons poised.
Arianna held her breath, counting the seconds, waiting for those last familiar faces.
Come on, Sive.
The floor trembled, and for one terrifying second, Arianna feared the entire palace might collapse. They’d cracked the foundation. The library was directly under the palace—
Saoirse emerged, dragging Zylah by the arm. More Weavers followed, their hands still moving. Their eyes never left the door. Tendrils floated from the Weavers’ fingertips, all feeding into the doorway. The symbols melted into the stone itself, twisting in the same familiar pattern as the runes that had winked out below.
Arianna could hear the Dark Fae now. Her skin prickled at the sound of their claws raking across the stone below. Alec and her father rounded the corner, sprinting straight for them, their magic already flaring. Avalon took count of his daughters. Alec’s eyes found Saoirse, then both High Lords paused before the entrance.
“Seal it,” Sive called from below. Arianna’s blood went cold. She ran toward the entrance. Avalon grabbed her arm, stopping her. Just below, in the center of the stairs, Sive moved her hands, blue wisps of smoky runes surrounding her body.
She was still so far down.
Sacrifice.
Sacrifice.
Sacrifice.
