Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“Are you, Alora? Because there was just an attack in Blackwater, and it threatened my entire clan.” I can’t stop my nostrils from flaring at the reminder of the fire in Maeve’s eyes, the way she chased Willow, trying desperately to kill her. “Korah and Hassha say there’s a traitor in Blackwater who has sided with Selah. Whoever it is, they’re close. It’s no one from my clan, and it’s not the Kessel soldiers. It’s someone who knows exactly what I am. The only new person who poses a threat is Valden, and you are the one who sent him.”
“What?” Alora’s face pales. “You think I’ve sided with Selah? Now I know you’ve really lost your fucking mind!” This is the first time I’ve heard Alora use such harsh language. Her face is reddening with anger, but her eyes are desperate. “Caspian, put an end to this right now. You know exactly who I am and what my motives are.”
“I would understand why you’d join her, Alora. You want to protect your people. Your territory. You said it yourself that you’re terrified.”
“I—I am, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for what is right!”
I step back, shifting my attention to Hassha. Hassha moves forward and stands above Alora.
“Hassha, please,” Alora whispers, peering up at her with pleading eyes.
“Remain still.” The tips of Hassha’s fingers sharpen, and she grips Alora’s head to dig them into her skull. Alora wails as blood accumulates around Hassha’s nails.
Blue light transfers from Hassha’s hands to Alora’s head as she stares at the other side of the tent, eyes flickering. This goes on for several minutes, and there isn’t a single second of it that Alora doesn’t cry in agony.
Alora sucks in sharp breaths that make her sound like she’s choking. Blood drips from her eyes and ears, and everything in me wants to look away but I can’t.
If she’s the traitor, I need to watch. I need to know.
Finally, Hassha stops, the light fades, and she removes her fingernails.
Alora collapses on her side, breathing raggedly with thick streams of blood in the corners of her eyes.
“Well?” I ask.
Hassha’s head shakes. “Nothing. I went through her. There is no trace of Selah on her. No hidden memories. Nothing.”
At that, Alora cries harder, and blood drips onto the quilt beneath her.
Fuck. “Alora, I—you have to understand,” I say. “Valden is a stranger. I don’t trust him, and your worries seemed to be clouding your judgement. I assumed—”
“Yes, you assumed!” Alora barks at me, struggling to balance herself on her hands. Hassha tries reaching for her, but she yanks her arm away, which only results in her falling onto her stomach.
“Your energy is low, Alora. Let me help you,” Hassha insists.
“No,” she growls at her. “I don’t need your help.” With a grunt, she manages to rise to her feet, but her entire body is trembling. She swipes the bloody tears from her eyes, leaving crimson streaks on her cheeks. “Just return me to Vanora. We still have a war to prepare for.” Sniffling, she swipes dirt off her gown then raises her chin. “And bring Valden with us.”
Hassha collects Valden from the ground, and he limps with his head hung low, blood still dripping from his nose and mouth.
“Alora,” I call as Hassha closes her hands around their wrists.
Luminous blue sparks appear around them, the sign that Hassha is about to teleport.
But before they go, Alora tosses me a wounded look. Her eyes brim with regular tears, and her bottom lip quivers.
Fuck.
I know that look. I know it all too well.
I’ve betrayed her.
“Of all the people in Vakeeli, I can’t believe you’d think so low of me, Caspian,” she says with a rare crack in her voice.
Before I can blink again, they’ve vanished.
SEVENTY-TWO
CAZ
I leave the tent feeling worse than I did before arriving.
“Wasn’t Alora, was it?” Rowan asks, following me through the forest.
“No.”
“What about Danica? What is Korah doing with her?” he asks.
“Let’s find out.”
We make our way back to the castle, but my attention catches on two figures in the distance swallowed in lavender light.
Korah and Danica.
I make my way to them, and Danica is on her knees, her face pointed to sky as she convulses.
“What’s happening to her?” I ask, watching as she grunts and jerks.
“Reading,” is all Korah says. With a flourish of her hand, Danica stops shaking and collapses on the ground. “Take her back to camp.”
“Not her either?” I ask as Rowan lifts Danica up.
Korah responds with a shake of the head.
“This doesn’t make any sense,” I mutter.
Footsteps rustle through the grass, and I peer over my shoulder, spotting Killian. “Conan is in the village with armor and weapons,” he pants. “He wants your approval on them before heading back to make more. I’d go with you, but I need to check on Mum and all.”