Darion laughed as well.“When I heard the Citadel alarm, I feared the worst.I wasn’t expecting you back until tomorrow morning at the earliest.What happened?Did you fail the third Trial?”
“No, I made it to the tower,” I said.Darion noticeably relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
I told them about everything—the tower, the note, the escape.The only thing I held back was that I could hear Zephyra’s thoughts.Something about that felt dangerous; even the idea of saying it made my chest tighten.Trusting someone with that truth had once cost me dearly.
“Do you have the message Adela Fenn gave you?”Darion asked.
“I do.”I pulled out the note and handed it to him.
He looked it over and let out a long breath.“Thank dust.This is your ticket to see the Emberlight Council.And since Elena’s on the watch list, I can bring her along as well.”He turned to her.“But we’ll have to blindfold you, Elena.I’m sorry.”
“I understand,” Elena said, looking happy just to be included.
“How didyouknow Elena was in danger?”I asked Darion.
“I’ve been worried about the two of you ever since our run-in with Orlik in the market.I’ve been keeping an eye on your house.”
My heart swelled.For much of my life, it had been only me caring for Elena, constantly worrying and bearing the burden of the promise I had made to my mother.Of course I would always honor that promise, and I loved Elena dearly, but the weight of that burden got a bit heavier each day.And now, for the first time, there was somebody to share it.
“Thank you for keeping my family safe,” I said, voice cracking.I put a hand on his shoulder.“I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“Looking out for the people you care for isn’t something that needs repaying,” Darion said.
The three of us hugged again.I choked back the tears that were welling up.
“We should get going,” Darion said.
“Where to now?”I asked.
“Now I’m taking you to the Emberlight Council.”
Chapter twenty-four
The Order of Emberlight
TheentrancetotheOrder of Emberlight headquarters was an unassuming opening in a stone wall running along a desolate passageway.On first inspection, it seemed unguarded, but as we approached, two men in studded leather armor emerged, one with a beard and the other clean-shaven, both with their hands on the hilts of their swords.
“Welcome, Darion Thorne.Who do we have here?”the bearded man asked in a deep and authoritative voice, eyeing Elena and me.
“Hello, Caldren.This is Cassian Nightbrook and his sister, Elena,” Darion said, pulling out the note.“Cassian has completed the Trials, and his sister seeks refuge.Their home was destroyed, and she’s on the Royal Guard’s watch list.”
“Welcome to the Order of Emberlight,” Caldren said solemnly.“I’m sorry to hear about your home.As the head of the guard, I offer you refuge.”
“Oh, and I should mention that the Starling entrance is compromised,” Darion said.“We…um…disabled it.Permanently.”
“Understood,” Caldren said with a slightly quizzical look, then whispered to the clean-shaven man, who nodded and then ran off into the building.
“You may enter,” Caldren said, and gestured toward the door.
Once inside, Darion said to Elena, “We can remove your blindfold now.”
Elena ripped it off before either of us could help her.“I won’t miss that.”
Few could accuse the Order of Emberlight headquarters of being too opulent.Flickering torches adorned the rough stone walls, casting dancing shadows.The furniture consisted of simple wooden tables and chairs.The air had a bite to it, as was typical in the Underworld.
A few people we passed in the hallway shot us questioning glances, but Darion continued undeterred.Soon a man walked up to us with brisk strides.He was tall and strikingly handsome with blond hair and a light complexion.He carried himself with confidence, his chin held high.
“Darion, it’s a joy to see you,” the man said, extending his arm.“It’s been too long.”
