My kin take off through the city and up the hill toward the Old Kingdom. Nyx and I head north toward Calmara.
I try not to fear the worst since I know Atlas is the one fighting in that direction, but it's nearly impossible not to. My nightmares flash in my mind. Images of him being tortured. The sound of his screams.
"Kitarni," Nyx punches my arm as we sprint up the hill. "You with me?"
"I'm here," I nod. But as we round the corner we catch sight of someone running in our direction. No, not someone. Vesper. Nyx and I stop when she spots us, her smile cruel and wicked.
"Oh, how delicious running into you of all people," she purrs. "I'm so glad I get to be the one to tell you, I killed your friend with glasses."
My heart drops to my stomach. "You're lying."
"Why would I lie?" She tosses a thumb over her shoulder in the direction she came from. "Go see for yourself. I stabbed him in the chest." She pulls her dagger up so we can see the blood soaking it. "Such a pity. He could have killed this worthless body with his pain magic. How jealous I am of his abilities. What wondrous things I could accomplish being a pain inflictor." She paces side to side. "But he's weak and is afraid of his magic. In the end, his kindness cost him his life."
Nyx points one of his twin swords at her, rage and sorrow clouding his hazel gaze. "I am going to cut you up bit by bit – "
"And release me from this boring body?" Vesper sighs in boredom. "Do it. I'll just consume another soul."
I tug at Nyx's arm and whisper, "We need to get to Finn. I can heal him."
"Go," he says, brow furrowed. "She's not getting away this time."
"Nyx, I'm not leaving you."
Vesper whistles loudly and when we look up at the rooftops, we're completely surrounded by Soul Eaters. On ground level, wolf-crocodile creatures from the underworld come to stand beside Vesper.
"Oh, you won't be able to help your friend," Vesper coos like she's won. "You will be coming with me."
The Soul Eaters and beasts beeline for us. I wait until they're close enough and put a shield around me and Nyx and with every bit of strength I have, blast it outward, knocking everyone on their asses. Nyx cuts a few of the creatures down and injures a couple Soul Eaters so they're incapacitated. I blast balls of light at anyone who comes close, but just as it appears we will be able to best Vesper, a tiny iron ball rolls to us. By the time I look down, it's too late to put up a shield.
The ball explodes sending me and Nyx flying. My head slams into the side of a building and I fall to the cobblestone street. I spare a glance across the way and see Nyx lying unconscious, blood all over his body.
"Nyx," I rasp. My hand flies to my head and when I pull it back, it's coated in crimson. "Fuck," I hiss, trying to stand to my feet. Vesper's boot connects with my ribcage and I roll. Two of her uninjured Soul Eaters hold me down and Vesper sits on top of my chest. My vision is blurry, but I notice when she pulls a tiny vial from her pocket. She uncorks the top.
"Like I said." She pours the contents down my throat. "You will be coming with me."
My flails fall short of heroic and the last thing I see is Vesper's triumphant smile before everything fades to black.
Thirty - Five
Eris
Watching the smoke waft from the safety of Starnborough is a torture of its own making. My mind is jumping to each and every worst-case scenario. I should be out there with my friends. The only reason I'm not is because my mother is in town. If she sees me or my magic displayed, I'm as good as dead. But hell. My family needs me.
A whimper sounds behind me. Ronan's sister. Petra swipes a rogue tear from her cheek. Her eyes shift, in hopes no one heard her cry. When she meets my gaze across the room, she tenses. She's sixteen. She's never seen the true cruelty of this world. If I were in her shoes, I'd be an emotional wreck. She's probably holding it together for Viggo, her younger brother. He hasn't spoken a word since the explosions. His parents have tried comforting him, but nothing they say or do helps.
Queen Esme's energy is completely spent. Her attending the wedding in itself was a miracle but having to rush her to the castle and trying to console her frightened children, has her pale.Rafe orders soldiers to get her something to eat so she doesn't pass out, but I know it's not hunger. Her sickness is spreading. By the look of her, she doesn't have much time left.
My eyes water at the thought of the sweet queen not being around this time next year. She deserves better.
Viella's pacing draws my gaze. She's still in her wedding gown, biting her short nails. Though her eyes are open, they're distant, as if seeing into the future. I've urged her to sit three times but she only jumps back to her feet within minutes. It's annoying, for sure, but it's how she's coping so I let her pace. After all, her new husband is out there fighting, and we have no way to know what's going on until it's over.
Rafe joins me at the window overlooking the destruction and pats my back. "How are you holding up?"
"Could be better." I shrug. "Could be worse."
"They're all going to be fine," he says, maybe more so for himself than for me. "Maybe some scratches and bruises, but nothing they can't handle."
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I'm sure you're right." I offer him the only smile I can muster.
