“Listen, Eri. This will work out. You don’t have to tell me everything now. We’ll get you back safely. I’ll corroborate your story, and we will go from there.” He said it in a desperation that cut through Erinna’s heart like a knife. It was clear there would be no changing his mind, and he trusted that things would work out in the end. But Erinna knew better. Chancellor Tyril wouldn’t show her mercy, and Inez was guaranteed a fate worse than death.
He took another step closer, and Erinna held her ground. They were feet away from each other. Nearly arm’s length.
“What are you going to do with those who fell back at home?”
“They’ve all been taken to the infirmary and kept stable. We are doing all we can to break the curse.” It was slight, but the tell was unmistakable. He was lying to her.
Erinna moved on instinct, bolted to Inez with a hope that she would be able to wrest her from the bindings. Strong arms grabbed her shoulder and yanked her to the ground. She hit the hard soil with a bone-rattling thud.
“It will work out, Eri. I promise. I won’t let any harm come to you.” Damien stood above her, eyes begging her to surrender as he prepared for another set of arcanum bindings.
Before Erinna had time to react, Damien was launched to the side by a figure shrouded in smoke and shadow. Kane moved so fast, Erinna only saw the blur of movement as he rounded on the mage.
Damien’s head was thrust into the ground beneath his boot. A blade drenched in scarlet pointed at his throat.
Erinna’s heart constricted as she scurried to her feet. “Wait!” she cried.
Kane plunged a dagger through Damien’s hand, pinning him to the earth. He roared in pain, and Erinna felt her resolve falter. Her chest constricted so tight, she didn’t know if she’d be able to fill her lungs again. Damien may be a product of the academy, but his kindness set him apart from the rest. Maybe not now, but someday she might be able to get through to him.
“Make up your mind, Yarrow.” Kane jerked his head to the horizon. A fleet of Navy and Academy vessels dotted the waters, heading directly to the island. The sigil of the Chancellor’s tower was unmistakable. They had come to complete Chancellor Tyril’s initiation, and the pirates were running out of time.
“Eri, I guarantee Chancellor Tyril will grant you mercy,” Damien grit through the pain and squirmed beneath Kane’s weight.
“Keep her name out of your mouth,” Kane snarled and pressed Damien’s head deeper into the ground. The pirate’s shirt was coated with blood; a few streaks of scarlet decorated his cheek. None of it his own.
“Stop!” Erinna pleaded.
His gaze pinned her in place. “We’re leaving. Now. He’s the only one left. And if you let him live, there will be no corner of Sumora for you to hide in. They will know what you have done.” He said it like a promise. He was right.
“Please.” Her voice was nothing more than a whimper. Kane glowered but obliged, pulling his boot from Damien but leaving the dagger rooted in his hand.
Kane shot one more warning look at Erinna before moving to help Inez from the ground.
Erinna fought against tears and swallowed down misery. She looked at Damien with blurred vision. His last plea fell short when he saw the resignation on her face.
“You’re making a huge mistake, Eri.”
She could see the fear in his features. Not for himself, but for her. For what would happen to her if she left.
“No, I don’t think that I am.” She backed away in the direction of theHellish Rebuke.
Damien pulled the knife from his hand with a hiss. “It will work out, Eri. I promise.”
Arcanum buzzed behind her, so soft she could barely feel the spell racing her way.
Her wrist grew warm where the bracelet sat against her skin.
He was using his Talent against her. Aimed the spell her way. Erinna didn’t have time to react before a bolt of fire raced over her shoulder.
The flames singed her cheeks. A sharp infernal arrow. By the time she turned, the spell had already landed, searing through Damien’s armor, piercing through his chest.
The air crackled with arcanum. Damien rose to his feet, blood dripped from his wounds, soaking into the ground below. He had used most of his power to save his life from the attack.
“You’ll pay for this, pirate. For what you’ve done here. To her.” Hatred and venom coated every word.
Energy thrummed as Damien prepared another spell; the static in the air grew suffocating. One look to her side, and she knew Kane could feel it too.
Before Damien had time to land one last blow, hellfire roared from Kane’s hands.
