Page 97 of The Serpent Prince

But, at first, nothing happened.

Imani broke the silence. “What are we waiting for?”

The prince looked at her for a long, hard moment then back at Zadie. “The high sentinel of the death angels. He was supposed to meet us. I have to imagine he should be here soon.”

So, things weren’t going to plan, and it didn’t appear Kiran was simply leaving Imani to go about his business like he’d mentioned before. He wanted her for something else, that fucking liar. Her hand tightened around her wand again.

A buzzing began in the background; a low-level hum at first, and then it grew more pervasive until Imani was practically clutching her ears.

Kiran slid a blade from his back and held it; his wand in one hand, the sword in the other. He shifted his feet and motioned for everyone to get their wands out. He was anxious. He hadn’t anticipated this part, and Imani found herself oddly excited for what was to come.

Until she saw more shadows blacking out the moon and swooshes hitting the treetops above.

With solid drops, three women appeared before them, magic twisting and cracking around their hands holding two blades. All wore fierce black armor and were similar in size and looks with minuscule variations.

“Furies,” Kiran muttered. “Here to kill us for trespassing into the world of the dead when we are, in fact, alive, as is their duty. A bit much to send furies for such a crime, but the Under is in disarray right now.”

One fury shook her head and pointed at him. “You will not pass where you do not belong, living ones.”

A black zap of lightning cracked from her fingers, aiming to hit Kiran square in the chest. He blocked it with his wand, and with it a chain reaction was set off. The other two furies dove to the sides to attack Esa and Zadie head-on.

Kiran struggled against the furies’ lightning attack, grunting as he blocked each pulse before managing to turn to Imani through gritted teeth. “Imani, come; show them your mark.” He seemed to be struggling to pull up his own sleeve.

Imani, enraged at Kiran being attacked while being civil, charged forward and was suddenly ensconced in shadows. Imani moved so quickly in shadow form that, in the next second, she materialized behind one of the furies with her wand at the creature’s neck.

“Cease this senseless attack,” Imani hissed, “and call the high sentinel of the death angels.”

Despite the attacks still happening around them from her companions, the fury froze. “You have the magic of this realm.”

“I am of this realm,” Imani growled, ripping up the sleeve of her tunic where her red brands gleamed in the moonlight. This. This was why Kiran had brought her along. He was truly a magnificent liar.

Imani felt betrayed yet proud he had been able to pull off such a skilled manipulation. That man was a menace—a brilliant menace—but he knew how to get what he wanted.

She could enter when he could not. He’d wanted this deal with her not because she was a Norn elf, but because she was something else. The second he’d seen her red brands, he’d put this plan into motion.

Underestimating Kiran, as always, was stupid.

It infuriated her that she couldn’t hold her own as an equal against him. She must find the Drasil. Otherwise, Zadie was right; he’d use her until she was a husk of nothing.

The lead fury shouted something in a language Imani didn’t understand, and the others paused their fighting. But not before a gash sliced across Esa’s chest so deep she collapsed backward.

Another shout from the lead fury pulled the three of them together, and they stood waiting, presumably to take them to the high sentinel.

Esa gasped as she took in the spreading blood across her chest.

Kiran’s voice was flat. “She can’t travel like that.”

Imani glared at him. “Heal her.”

He clenched his jaw. “I can’t. Not right now, at least.”

“Because you already expended too much healing me? That sounds like bullshit,” Imani snapped.

Kiran didn’t reply. Instead, he and Zadie exchanged a look before Zadie nodded, but Imani knew she was correct.

“I will take her back to wait at the slip and do what I can to staunch the bleeding. But hurry. This puts a limit on our time here. We will be missed by now and need to get back to your father in a few days to keep up the ruse of Imani’s illness.”

“No.” Esa struggled. “I need what I came for, and I will get it.”