He looks at me as if waiting for me to answer, to contradict Adrian’s statement. Or confirm it. Something in him looks… unsure.
Then I realize what he walked in on, what he must think. The shock of seeing them here after all this time made me temporarily forget what transpired just moments ago.
They begin to look impatient in the doorway. I’m still frozen. They haven’t come in, as if they’re hesitant to approach me. “What’s it going to be, princess? We don’t have a lot of time.” Daegan speaks the words with a cold indifference.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see color, orange and bright. Out the window, there’s a blazing fire. My jaw drops as I look back at them.
“Shit!” Adrian yells as he notices at the same time.
“Choose wisely, though,” Rhydra says. “There might not be much left on this island when we’re done with it.”
Adrian steps forward, then halts and looks back at me, clearly torn. He reaches out a hand. “Come on. We have to go help. Your water powers will be useful.”
Daegan glances at my wrists, which are now free, and something dark crosses over his features. They remain planted in the doorway, weapons raised, like they have no intention of letting Adrian leave this room.
After a year of pushing everything down, being a coward, a quitter, and a version of myself that I might forever look back on with shame, I’m finally, truly done.
I look at Adrian, pretending to reach for his hand, and then I slap him across the face with all the fury, frustration, and anguish I’ve been holding onto.
He freezes for a moment, shock all over his face, and I don’t hesitate. I shoot dozens of sharp icicles his way. Some puncture skin, and a few even stick into his face. Then I shoot a powerful force of water at him, and it launches him into the corner of the room.
I turn and bolt for the door, grabbing nothing on my way out. The one thing I need is still tucked securely inside my shirt.
“I need to get the fuck off this island,” I say, suddenly getting tunnel vision. I know he’s not dead. I’m unpracticed with my magic, and it felt weak. But suddenly the need to get the fuck out of here overpowers everything else, so I run to the door without looking back.
Rhydra whips into action, leading the escape down the hallway.
“We don’t have much time,” she yells from up ahead. “Raef is facing the entire stronghold on his own, and there may be more waiting for us when we reach the mainland. We need to get as far away from here as possible, as fast as possible.”
“Fine by me,” I mumble, following their lead.
“Daegan! Now!” Rhydra hollers.
Glancing back, I realize Daegan stayed behind, holding a sword with a murderous expression on his face, glaring into the room like he’s conflicted.
“Daegan!” she yells again.
He looks back one last time with regret, then takes off after us.
“Elysande?”
I stop, turn, and freeze.
“Phaedra.”
“What’s going on?”
“It’s time to go. Come with us.”
She hesitates. “Where’s Adrian?”
“Taken care of.”
She gasps. “Did you… kill him?”
“No.”
“We don’t have much time. This place is burning to the ground. I don’t want to leave you behind.”
