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“There’s been an attack.” Vincent’s words were grim. “Your father wants you to return to Embercrest as soon as possible.”
Callum cursed viciously. “How does Oakenbell fare?”
“Not Oakenbell.” Phillip shook his head. “On Senona. Sepra has attacked the capital.”
Callum’s eyes closed, and his Adam’s apple moved with his heavy swallow. Despair moved across our bond. My heart climbed my throat. The words fell from my lips.
“I thought the trade talks were successful. Weren’t they supposed to sign the final agreement this morning?”
“Whatever was agreed upon had been for show apparently,” Vincent said. “Sepra laid siege overnight. Nolan is dead along with most of the ruling clans.”
Callum eased me from the bed, keeping his body between me and the others. “Whiterock? It’s fallen?”
Whiterock. My mind spun. Callum grabbed my chin, keeping my gaze locked with his.
“No, Your Highness,” Simeon murmured. “They were able to push them back. Sepra abandoned the city shortly before sunrise.”
“Who rules?”
“Garrick Rantler.” Vincent’s voice was heavy.
Callum’s eyes filled with grief that echoed through the bond. “Jacob Armand is dead?”
It was Shelby who answered, a wealth of grief in the word. “Yes.”
Jacob? As in…
“Her Jacob?”
Callum nodded.
Magic crackled along my skin, faster and stronger than before. It gathered in my palms with no thought at all. The fire jar on the nightstand fell and shattered, but I didn’t feel the cuts of the shards along my calves and feet. My hair lifted in a sudden breeze. Someone behind Callum cursed.
Callum’s hold on my chin tightened.
“Breathe,” he ordered.
I shook my head as tears lined my lashes, falling down my cheeks and over my chin before I could hope to hold them back. Callum switched his hold, cupping my face and locking his fingers behind my head.
“Holy Persynthia,” someone gasped. It might have been Sutton. “Her eyes.”
“Sterre, you need to breathe. Grab hold of me and breathe.”
My hands shook as I slowly grabbed his forearms. Vaguely, I saw the texture of… of scales in my skin, nearly translucent.
“Sc-scales.”
Callum’s mouth tightened. Understanding flowed across the bond. Understanding and acceptance, though he made no outward movement.
“I… I’m…”
Callum pressed his lips to mine, forcing the words away. Despite my mind racing, the message was clear: Not here. Not now.
“Amethyst?” Amaria asked, closer than before.
Callum shook his head.
“Not a word,” he growled.
