At least not yet.
If not Dax–
The thought thundered in my mind, constricting my chest.
“Or–” I whirled toward the window, as if I could shout a warning into the void and he would be able to hear it. “The traitor has truly gone with Ryker to war.”
It would explain why the Northern Clans didn’t know the latest information.
No backstabber to witness everything–because he was behind Ryker right at this moment.
“Maybe your beloved Commander will deign to come back soon and you can tell him,” Dax said.
“I can send Sylvester again,” I said urgently.
“Maybe keep him around in case we’re attacked. Those three louses seemed cautious, but enough to not invade? We don’t know.”
“They’re cautious because they’re not sure what power the crater and I truly have. The last battle helped, let’s hope–”
Suddenly, my entire body blazed.
I swayed on the spot for a moment, before my vision turned black.
“Allie?” Dax asked.
I fell to my knees, bones rattling against the hard stone.
But it was nothing–absolutely nothing–compared to the pain searing through my veins.
My entire body scorched with despair so deep, I couldn’t imagine ever feeling happiness again.
The power inside of me flickered, crying out.
“Allie!” Dax yelled from above.
I writhed on the ground, hands scratching at my chest to rid myself of this ache. Just when I felt I couldn’t take any more of it, a howl of pain ripped from deep within me, so fast and strong, I was sure I would spit blood.
It vibrated through the room.
In the distance, I heard the windows shatter.
“Huntress!” Vylkor banged on the door, almost ripping it off its hinges with concern. “Permission to enter!”
“Get in here!” Dax shouted, desperate hands trying to keep my head from hitting the stone floor as I writhed out of control. “Stay with me.”
I couldn’t.
This pain was dragging me to unimaginable depths of despair.
Another wail tore from my lungs as Vylkor thundered next to me.
I was dying.
This endless, unstoppable ache would kill me.
I could never survive this.
Nobody could.
