At a distance, I can hear Evander calling my name, but the sound is muffled as if I’m underwater. I struggle to tear my eyes from the red petal. I’m paralyzed, my muscles locked into place. Muffled voices begin whispering around me.
A woman’s lilting voice sings over the rest. “Come find us.” It repeats, over and over.
Rocks tumble down the mountain. The thundering soundrips me from the trance. My muscles flinch as the numbness subsides.
Evander shouts, fear lacing his tone. “Lena! Are you okay?”
I hear him walk the horses closer, their hooves on the stone echoing through the temple, but I’m already fleeing for the entrance.
“Yes, sorry! I got distracted,” I reply, while throwing glances over my shoulder as I retreat from the temple.
His eyes narrow, and his mouth pops open to question me, but two large shadows streak along the ground between us.
Our heads swivel up. Two masses of white and black wings break from the sky and descend in front of us.
Mathilda and Lachlan slam onto the ground behind our horses, causing them to cry out in fear. Evander reins in his horse while I try to soothe mine.
“Gods!” Evander yells. “Was that necessary?”
They straighten from their crouched position, their massive wings flaring at their defensive stance. My pulse races at the sight of Lachlan with his wings out. They’re larger than Evander’s, the black color hinting at more of a purple undertone than a blue one, like the other guards’ wings I’ve seen before.
Lachlan answers Evander first. “We ha’ to get her back right now.”
My eyes flare slightly at his voice.
It rumbles like thunder as he stares right at the blood still splattered on my leathers. It is nothing like the voice I know. It rings with power and command. His expression is grave, and even though I’m still furious with him, I long to see the familiar sparkle in his eyes.
Evander and I share a cautious look before he replies, “What’s happened?”
They both hesitate.
Mathilda finally answers, “Someone has destroyed your room, Lena; it looks like they were looking for something.” Herexpression is apologetic as her eyes jump between me and Lachlan.
My mind whirls; I don’t have any belongings of significance here. Other than my necklace, I suppose, but I never take that off.
What could they have been searching for?
Unless they weren’t searching at all. This is retaliation from a certain someone I defeated earlier today.
Evander seemingly reads my mind and rolls his eyes. “Are we sure it wasn’t Julius retaliating?”
I smirk at his question. Julius raging through my room is not an image I was expecting in my time here.
Mathilda shakes her head. “Odessa said he was with her the whole time.”
“Lena, may I have a moment alone to speak with ye?” Lachlan asks, and his face is so full of anguish, I nod my agreement before I can even register his words. He brushes past me and into the temple.
I make eye contact with Mathilda before I follow after him, and she asks, “Are you sure?”
I nod and make my way back up the temple steps.
Lachlan’s back is to me, and his head is tilted up at the dome ceiling when I approach. His wings are now tattoos upon his golden skin, and he sighs deeply before turning around to face me.
“I am so sorry I wasn’t there to protect ye today.”
My eyes flash to his. “I don’t need you to protect me. Ineededyou to be honest with me.”
My words land their blow, and his eyes widen slightly. “I deserved that.”
