Nylah whimpered, pressing herself against Bridget’s side. Bridget wrapped an arm around her protectively, shielding the girl from the biting wind. For a moment, the chaos of the fight seemed miles away. Only the storm’s wild howl and the pounding rain.
A cold, rattling shriek shattered the moment.
The Wraith dropped from the roof’s edge, landing between them and the broken wall that led back inside. Its hollow eyes burned like embers, limbs twisting unnaturally as it advanced.
Bridget’s breath caught in her throat. She moved to stand in front of Nylah, every muscle tense. “How the hell did it find us?”
Cassia didn’t answer, only stared up at the Wraith with wide, horrified eyes. The creature darted forward.
“Cassia, move!” Bridget shouted, shoving her and Nylah out of its path.
The creature scuttled up the ancient ash tree, leaving a trail of black sludge oozing down the bark. Its claws dug deep into the timber, gouging through as it climbed, rain hissing against its form. Bridget raised her swordand swung, but the weight of her soaked dress clung to her legs, restricting every movement. They just had to attend that damned dinner.
The Wraith leapt again. Cassia moved this time, barely dodging as the clawed limb raked through the space where her head had been seconds before.
“You have magic!” Bridget snapped, eyes burning as she backed Nylah away from the tree. “Do something!”
The moment the harsh words escaped Bridget’s mouth, the glass doors leading out to the courtyard shattered. Bridget twisted toward the sound. Quinn stood in the shattered doorway, untouched by the storm. Her tattered dress clung to her like blood, the Bloodstone clutched in her palm glowing a deep, pulsing red.
A cruel, satisfied smile flickered on her face. “Found you.”
Bridget tightened her grip on her sword. “What do you want?” she snapped. “You can’t win here. No matter what you try, Cade isnotending up in Cavamyne.”
Dread curled like smoke in her gut. Where the hell was he?
Quinn didn’t answer. She stepped through the shattered doorway, the Bloodstone in her palm glowing like molten coal.
“Now’s not the time for reason, Bridget,” Cassia muttered, ducking as the Wraith slashed through the air again, inches from her head.
Bridget refused to back down. “Is Vega controlling you? Did she send you for the Tuathan artifacts?” The others had to be close. She refused to believe any other options. “Well, guess what. They’re not here. Looks like you wasted your time.”
Lie. There was one. Bridget pushed Nylah further behind her. Like hell was that crazy Witch getting anywhere near her sister. She desperately hoped Nylah had left the stone somewhere in her room.
A harsh laugh escaped Quinn’s throat. Blood streaked down her wrist. “Do you still think this is about the artifacts? Vega wants so much more.”
Quinn raised her palm. Magic pulsed from her hand, power crackling like the lightning surrounding them, ready to strike. But just as Bridget raised her sword, glass shards knocked Quinn to the ground.
Glowing with powers, Cade stepped through the far stone archway. He raised his hand again, sending more glass toward the Wraith circling Cassia, Stellan and Marin at his sides. Stellan’s tattoos blazed with magic, and Marin’s cloak whipped behind her in the wind, her eyes fixed on the Wraith.
The Wraith shrieked, piercing the roar of the storm. It lunged toward Nylah, claws slicing through the air. Bridget shoved Nylah behind her, shielding her with her body as the creature veered toward them. But Nylah stepped out from behind her, chin lifted.
“Nylah,don’t—” Bridget started.
Nylah pulled the small lighter from her pocket, her thumb sparking it to life with shaking hands, and thenthrewit. The lighter arced through the air and landed at the Wraith’s feet.
Fire burst upward.
A searing, unnatural scream tore from the creature as its legs caught flame. The blaze clung to it, hissing and devouring the shadows snaking up its arms. The Wraith staggered forward, writhing in the storm, its hollow eyes locked on her sister. Bridget swung at the beast, but it dodged her. With a flick of its wrist, it knocked her to the ground. Stone dug into her back and rain choked her as she gasped for breath.
“Cade, stop it!” Bridget begged, voice hoarse as she used all her strength to pull herself to her feet.
Instead, Marin surged forward without hesitation, throwing herself between Nylah and the Wraith. A blast of frost exploded from her palms, holding the creature off. But its claws whipped around, slashing deep across her back and shoulder.
She screamed, but stayed standing.
Bridget couldn’t breathe. It was exactly what she’d seen in Stellan’s head.
“Marin!” Stellan faltered, eyes going wide. His eyes lit up with blue fire, he caught Marin before she hit the ground. With a blast from his palm, he sent the Wraith hurtling back toward Cassia.
