Page 56 of Commanding Scythe and Sky

Bellamy closed his eyes as vines coiled around his neck and covered his mouth.

“Release her.”

My amplified voice echoed off the surrounding buildings and rose above the tumult.

Fae’s roots snapped apart, breaking themselves to free her from his rigid arm. She flew into Alec’s waiting embrace as fresh vines surged from the earth and formed a chrysalis around Bellamy.

Even as the ground began to swallow him whole, his eyes found mine.

Confusion tightened my chest because there was only one word for the expression on his face.

Relief.

It quickly twisted into panic.

Finish it. Now, heiress.

Memories strobed through my mind, each more agonizing than the last.

His bright, hard-won smile.

His hand extended toward me in the alleyway.

His body spread over that little boy—a human shield.

His blood covering my hands.

“I… I can’t.”

Pain shuddered through those dark eyes. Even half obscured by the vines, I saw his expression crumple.

Run, Green.

Two words, and the man vanished.

August’s bow tore through the empty cocoon like a spear, accompanied by a feral snarl.

The warriors made quick work of the few remaining demons while I stood gaping, shock anchoring me to the spot as I replayed every second.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Only when Alec and Fae appeared before me, horror stamped across their faces, did the reality of what had happened finally slam into me.

“Mags,” Fae breathed, absolute terror in her voice as blood seeped between the fingers pressed to her face. “What did you just do?”

“Get her out of here,” Alec ordered no one in particular. “Now!”

Fae snatched my hand, and the world vanished.

ELEVEN

LAMB

AUGUST