“Get the rest of these to the mystics.” He nodded to Isla. “If what you say is true, and Sintarrak is not only after the Bellator powers, but also his fellow Embodied, we’re putting a rather large target on Lotrennia.”
My gut flipped.
“Five Bellators and two Embodied,” I agreed. “And if he’s already killed the rest of the gods, then he already has the power to heal and to travel through space. He could be here at any moment.”
Something rumbled through the floor of the Living Library, and I reached for Isla’s arm as we looked around wildly. Books dove from the shelves the ancient tree had formed, disappearing as they hit the ground, as if the tree were safeguarding its wealth of knowledge.
Color leached from the old master of spells’ face as he watched them vanish, and he snapped his head up. My hand had found its way to Isla’s, and I glanced down to find her face pinned on mine. I waited for her to loosen her grip, but she squeezed, something curious and soft sitting in the depths of her amber eyes.
“They’re coming. Bring as many fighters, múritinne rings, and rubelline weapons as you can manage,” Khato instructed, moving quickly through the stacks and back to the pulley-like vines stretching across the center of the massive tree.
We hurried into the baskets before they dropped to the first level.
We strode through the massive rotunda and down the entry hall of the colossal organism, where flashes of light and hurried shadows marched past the opening. Twilight crept through the clouds, and Lotrennian soldiers marched through the dim avenues of Ayla. Heads whipped upward, shields and spears following. My hand tightened on Isla’s, and I followed their gazes to the skies, where massive, silver-winged creatures flew.
My gut heaved as one swooped down, reaching sharp talons around a soldier’s arm and lifting him to the sky. The elven warriors reacted, and they moved into practiced, precise formations. Archers sprinted to higher ground, and foot soldiers raised shields before thrusting them at the near-invisible creatures.
“Pixies?” Isla asked, her brows furrowed.
“No longer.” Khato frowned, shaking his head. “That is surely Ganmira and Renova’s work, turning creatures of our realm against us.”
Civilian elves rushed through the chaos, and children clung to their mothers as the monstrous pixies attacked from above.
“Bring Lyvia and Tiberius to the Eye of the Wood.” The master of spells turned to Astraeus and me. “Tell them to stayhidden and to keep her powers leashed until we have them cornered. Only when we’re certain we have an upper hand can they appear.”
Lord Astraeus stilled, something lethal dripping in his gaze as he cut it to the master of spells.
“—not using her— bait,” he bit out, my eyes tracking the movement of his lips and catching only a few words as his arms remained pinned to his side, shoulders rigid.
I snapped my face at the master of spells, sure the pirate lord had misunderstood. Khato’s bristly gray brows turned down.
“We will do whatever we need to protect the people of this realm,” Khato snapped back, hand movements fluid. “Your air oath with the Bonder might have ended with your death, but I doubt you’ve forgotten the words you swore.”
The pirate lord’s lips peeled over his teeth in a snarl as his brows drew down.
“We need something to distract them,” Khato continued, nodding to where Isla and I stood. “They are focused on Lyvia’s power. Take her to the Eye of the Wood, and Aquila or Nishanth will tell Tiberius when and where they should appear.”
“Lyvia will be the only one decidingwhen and whereshe shall appear,” Astraeus growled as he signed. He turned toward me, hand outstretched.
My throat bobbed as I turned to Isla, realizing her hand still gripped my own. She squeezed once more before I dropped it. I gave the pirate a grim nod, and we disappeared.
I stumbledup the rocks leading to Eghan House on our third pass, my head aching from the whiplash of the back-to-back trips. We’d shifted the great distance from Lotrennia to Votruviaand back five times now, taking weapons and warriors with us, Vulcan, Raek, and Aeriden among them. The pirate lord fueled me up after each pass. I’d only been able to transport a few winged horses, and we had one last trip to make. The Advetis seemed to sigh in exhaustion at the thought.
The dry scent of hay and distant salt of the Crimson Sea shoved up my nose as I gained my bearings. Astraeus asked me to land near the stables, and he wiped the back of his hand over his lips and nose, the beads of blood smearing across his skin.
I paused, frowning as I surveyed him with a long look. While his Conduit abilities allowed him to transfer power to and from others, I didn’t know what it took from him.
“Are you all right?” I asked, scanning him.
The pirate lord gave me a grim nod and trudged up the stony steps.
Mother Eghan wrung her hands in the doorway. The old woman’s brows were scrunched as she listened for our arrival. The young healer stood slightly behind her. Naomi focused on Astraeus as he neared, but I could tell even from behind, the pirate kept his eyes on his mother as he reached his hand out.
I caught the last few words on Mother Eghan’s lips as I neared.
“—wary of the cost.”
Astraeus must have replied, because Mother Eghan’s reddish gray brows pulled together, displeased with his response.
