Worst of all, Solkar’s Reach entrance had been compromised. Those masked attackers couldn’t have entered without someone from the inside revealing the secret passage.
Perhaps that is why the crater’s magic was suffering.
It sensed a rift in my people.
If dissemination had been sowed, it was my fault I’d let it happen.
“Where do you keep your daggers?” Soryn asked.
“In the fortress’ armory, along with all of our most prized weapons,” I said. “And, yes, my warriors know that.”
Thinking one of them had betrayed me clawed at my most basic instincts. Like I was breaching their trust and spitting on their sacrifices.
“Then they are the first suspects,” Zandyr said.
Despite all the evidence, my entire being rebelled at the thought. I stepped back, their cold gazes suddenly feeling heavy. “My warriors are good people.”
“Brother, even the best people can be misled by a skilled mind.” Soryn sighed. “Thatis unavoidable.”
I shook my head.
I saw how they all looked at me, with needless sympathy because I still forced myself to believe there was good in this world.
That I wanted to protect my own, even those who might not have deserved it.
I didn’t care.
“We will investigate everyone who was on Sanctua Sirena that day,” I said. “Someone could have infiltrated your city and stolen the blade before luring us there.”
Whoever had done it held devious skills. To hatch such a plan to destabilize two of the largest Clans in Malhaven and succeed could have only come from a legendary mind.
Or more than one.
“But Solkar’s Reach is impenetrable,” Elysia said, disbelieving.
“Not anymore,” I said, each word a thunder. “Solkar’s Reach has been compromised–and I fear it won’t be the last time.”
Chapter 3
Allie
“You’re making me nervous.” I gulped against the cold air hissing through the trees and hooking itself into my skin while Dax tinkered with that monster of a backpack he’d somehow carried all the way up north.
He flashed a bright smile, before returning to unbuckling the countless leather straps caging the worn canvas. “Patience, dear cousin.”
I sucked in a harsh breath. My blood raced through my veins, settling at the bottom of my feet, as my heart gave a painful thump. “You sound just like my dad.”
The words scratched out of me before I could stop them.
For only a moment, I could almost hear his steady voice between the falling snowflakes.
Allie, some things require patience.
Tears stung the corners of my eyes, and I couldn’t pretend it was the prick of cold. Not in front of Dax.
“He would have been very proud of you, Allie,” he said gently, before his gaze sharpened. “And we will avenge him.”
Yes, I would.
