by Linsey Hall
I pressed a hard kiss to his lips, both so I wouldn’t have to see his face and because I wanted to, then I spun and began to dress.
Fear didn’t mean I had to lie down and cry.
Tarron’s magic flared, and he handed me a freshly conjured shirt to replace the one he’d ripped last night.
“Thanks.” I shot him a smile, and though it wasn’t one of my best, it seemed to make him feel a bit better. Or he’d figured out that I didn’t like the concern. I appreciated it, but I didn’t like it.
Soon, we were dressed.
I strode to the door. I was about to pull the door open when he gripped my arm and pulled me to him.
Reluctantly, I met his gaze.
“You may not believe in yourself,” he said. “But I believe in you.”
My throat tightened unbearably, and all I could do was nod, my lips pressed tight together. I turned away, sucking in a deep breath as I pushed the door open.
Crowds of fighters had already gathered in the clearing. I could see them through the trees—hundreds of them, prepared for battle. My gaze went to my sister immediately, somehow able to find her without trouble. I could do that with Tarron, too, I realized.
I shot Tarron a look over my shoulder. “I love you.”
I turned back to the crowd and flew to the ground. They turned to look at me, and I straightened my shoulders. Tarron joined me, and I caught the look he gave me.
Say something.
I drew in a deep breath, shoving the fear down deep. They didn’t need to see that. Slowly, I moved my gaze over the crowd, then spoke so my voice rang out, heavy with the gravity of the situation. “We fight for freedom. Together. Your home has been invaded from the inside by a terrible dictator. But we will defeat her. Together. And when we win, you will have control of your own destiny.”
That was it.
I could say more words, but those were the important ones.
Fortunately, everyone agreed. Cheers rang out, and the Fae raised their weapons, shaking them to the sky.
I shivered and shared a look with Aeri.
This was really never where I’d expected to be. Leading a crowd of hundreds into battle. Not my scene.
Life threw curveballs at you sometimes.
“I’m going to speak to my troops briefly,” Tarron said.
I pressed a kiss to his cheek, then launched myself into the air and flew to Brielle, who waited at the back of the crowd, closest to the forest exit. I landed in front of her.
Finally, she cracked the smallest smile. “Good job.”
“Thanks. Not really my normal.”
“This is no one’s normal.”
“It is yours.” I looked back at the camp. “You’ve been keeping things going here. You should lead us into battle.”
She nodded, her jaw firm, then turned. She raised her spear and then started into the forest. I followed her. Aeri joined me, along with Tarron and Declan. The FireSouls caught up, and we moved swiftly through the woods.
Every now and then, I glanced back to see the fighters behind us. Hundreds of them, steely-eyed and determined.
We broke through the forest as the sun was rising. It shed a golden glow over the field, somehow managing to cast the city in shadow. Or perhaps that was the false queen’s influence.
We made it across the field without issue.
We were three quarters of the way across when Aeri spoke at my side. “It’s weird. None of the guards are coming to greet us.”
“They don’t want to leave the safety of the fortress,” I said.
“Not safe for long.”
“No. Not for long.” Our goal would not be to kill—just in case those we fought were under the influence of the dark queen. Brielle had passed the word around last night, and since most of these Unseelie Fae had left loved ones behind in the city, they were quick to agree.
As we neared the city walls, shouts sounded from behind it. Fae guards gathered at the top of the walls, pointing toward us.
I could hear the shock in their voices, and it surprised me. “I’d have thought they’d expect this.”
“Brainwashing is powerful,” Brielle said. “They may not even realize there is a Resistance.”
Spears began to fly, blasts of magic following. Our core guard rushed to the front, holding up massive shields in front of the troops. Weapons and blasts of magic exploded against the shields, throwing some of the guards back. Others replaced them.
Tarron launched himself into the air, a shield covering his body as he threw out his hand. His magic surged, and an enormous gust of wind exploded from his palm. It drove the flying weapons and spells back at the Unseelie who had fired them.
They shouted and dived, taking cover behind the walls. The blasts of magic—all colors of the rainbow—exploded against the castle walls. Huge holes appeared, and sections of rock tumbled to the ground.
Tarron turned back to his troops and shouted, “Earth powers!”
He waved his arm, and his magic swelled on the air. Other Seelie joined him, stepping forward, their magic swelling. There had to be at least two dozen of them, all with the power of manipulating the earth. They joined their king, and a massive wave of magic exploded from them, rushing toward the city wall.
The ground beneath the wall began to shake, an enormous crevasse opening up right underneath.
The stone gatehouse was the first to fall, tumbling into the giant pit. A dozen Unseelie guards launched themselves off the top of the gatehouse, flying to the safety of the air.
Connor raced forward, shouting, “Stunners, attack!”
His troop of Fae—all of whom had been chosen for their excellent aim—followed him to the front, stopping right behind the line of shields. The guards shifted to get lower, giving the stunners room to throw. They hurled potion bombs into the air, aiming for the Unseelie who flew above the collapsing wall.
Glass potion bombs exploded against the Unseelies’ chests, and they swayed, flying clumsily into the city, their wings faltering as the stunning bombs took effect. Connor had modified them so the Fae wouldn’t drop on the spot. Falling could be deadly, even for one with wings.
Within minutes, a huge section of castle wall had fallen into the earth, and dozens of Unseelie guards had been taken out by Connor’s stunning potions.
“Go!” Brielle shouted. She ran forward, and the troops followed.
Time to storm the castle.
Tarron flew toward the city, moving his arm in an arc. The crevasse began to close up, forming a bridge for the land bound to walk across. Though most of our troops were Fae and could fly, our plan revolved around sticking together on the ground.
We reached the edge of the city and raced over the uneven ground. Ahead of us, a huge avenue stretched into the city, all the way up to the palace steps.
Like a red carpet that would be made crimson by blood. I shook away the terrible thought. We’d avoid that fate. I’d see to it.
Unseelie guards and citizens alike rushed toward the avenue, appearing on sidewalks and at the front of their homes.
“Declan, lightning!” Brielle shouted.
Declan launched himself into the air, his feathered angel wings carrying him high. He raised his hands, and his magic surged. Lightning struck, hundreds of bolts shooting straight into the ground on either side of the avenue.
Declan had amazing control, because not a single bolt hit a Fae—Seelie or Unseelie. They did cut them off from the avenue, however, giving us mostly unobstructed access to the palace beyond.
“Forward!” Brielle shouted.
Our side surged ahead, racing down the massive street. Some of the Unseelie had been trapped with us in the street, but Connor and his troops took care of them with potion bombs. Nix followed behind, conjuring protective cages over their unconscious bodies—we didn't need anyone getting trampled.
No doubt some of these Unseelie fought with the false queen because they wanted to. There were a few bad apples in every group. But we’d s
ort that out after the battle.
We were halfway down the avenue when Aeri muttered, “Too easy.”
“The false queen will be here soon,” Brielle said. “You won’t be saying that then.”
As if she’d heard us, a scream rent the air. Though I couldn’t see her anywhere, it was so loud that my ears rang. The noise brought with it a massive wind that blasted Declan’s lightning away. Unseelie surged into the street, their weapons raised.
Shit.
We’d planned for this—not how it would happen, but what could happen. Still, it was terrifying. This wasn’t an enemy we could just kill.
“Barriers!” Brielle shouted.
Nix raced forward, her dark hair flying behind her and her magic surging. She raised her hands, and barriers appeared on the side of the street. Tarron’s magic joined hers, and the fences grew up in an arc over the street.
The Unseelie launched themselves into the air, shooting magic down into the street. I raised my shield, covering my head from an aerial attack. Next to me, Aeri and Brielle did the same.
Connor and his crew threw potion bombs up into the air, stunning some of the attacking Unseelie. They lost control and fell, collapsing onto the tunnel of fencing that protected us.
Nix turned and caught Brielle’s eye. “I can’t hold it much longer!”
A few moments later, the Unseelie began to break through the barrier. We were nearly to the castle, and the fight was about to begin in earnest.
Dozens of Unseelie landed on the street with us, raising their weapons and attacking. Del adopted her phantom form and raced into the crowd. They swung their blades at her, but the silver passed right through. She went corporeal long enough to grab their weapons and toss them to the Seelie who flew overhead.
Ahead of me, golden magic swirled around Cass. She transformed into her griffon form alongside Aiden, her mate. The two of them launched themselves skyward, their powerful wings beating the air.
They swooped through the sky, grabbing Unseelie in their claws and carrying them off, away from the battle.
All around, as the Unseelie converged upon us, our troops were forced into battle. It was riskier for our side, because, unlike those we fought, we weren’t out for blood.
We did our best to wound but not kill as we fought our way toward the palace. I just needed to reach the forest beyond…
Another shriek rent the air, this one coming from much closer.
“She’s getting pissed,” Aeri said.
Lightning struck in the distance, thunder booming.
Shit.
The smaller griffon landed at my side. Golden light swirled, and Cass appeared. She dragged me into a little alley. An Unseelie tried to follow us, and she punched him hard in the face, knocking him unconscious. She dragged him to the stoop of an indented doorway so he wouldn’t be trampled.
In the alley, she turned to me. “Time for you to go.”
“Are you sure?” My gaze flicked to the lightning that continued to strike. “She’s more deadly than ever.”
Cass grinned. “So am I.” She poked me. “Now get ready.”
Her magic flared again, and an illusion settled over her. Black hair replaced her red, and she grew several inches. Black clothes replaced her denim and brown leather, and she grinned, red lips stretching wide.
It was like looking in a mirror.
“Fates, that’s crazy.” I fumbled in my pocket for the potion that would make me look like a non-descript Unseelie. Brielle had given it to me last night. Quickly, I chugged it.
The taste of sour vinegar exploded on my tongue, and I felt my skin grow cold as the illusion overtook me.
I spoke into my comms charm. “Aeri, get in here. Little alley to the right.”
Cass nodded. “It worked. You look different. Boring. But different enough.”
I pointed at her. “And you look fabulous.”
Aeri joined us, pinching me to make sure I was real.
“It’s me.”
Del appeared at her side, still incorporeal. Her blue form gleamed, semi-transparent—until Cass’s magic extended to her. Then she became Aeri, shifting to become blonde and willowy.
Next to me, Aeri drank her own potion, becoming a person I didn't recognize. Besides the eyes. Those stayed normal, and I was grateful.
Nix raced up, dark hair flying. Her T-shirt was speckled with blood—a good bit of it hers, from the look of the wound on her shoulder—and it partially concealed the cartoon cat who appeared to be riding on a rainbow Pop-Tart.
“Dibs on Tarron!” she shouted.
Cass grinned, which was weird because she looked like me when she did it. “Good, because that’s all that’s left.”
A moment later, Tarron appeared. He reached into his pocket, withdrawing a little vial. As Nix transformed into him, he adopted the looks of another person entirely. A boring one, but at least I could recognize him in the eyes.
Del pulled her comms charm off her neck and handed me the necklace. “Here. It’s connected to Nix and Cass. Once you get the Aranthian crystal into the well, we’ll contact you when the people are no longer under her influence.”
“Now go.” Cass gave me a little shove. “Seriously, don’t worry about us.”
“I can’t stop that, but I’ll go.” I caught her eye. “And thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
“We’ll hold her off,” Cass said.
I prayed they could last until I’d cut off her source at the well of power. Only then would we really have a chance at beating her.
As if she could read my thoughts, Cass said, “Don’t worry. We can take it.”
The three of them raced out into the fight, becoming bait.
Aeri, Tarron, and I sprinted out behind them.
The battle had turned into chaos, but we’d nearly reached the palace. The three of us raced through the crowd, dodging the fight as we headed to the dark forest and the maze beyond.
In the sky, the false queen burst out of the glass windows in the highest tower, a shriek of rage accompanying her. Her black lace gown glittered as if it were made of diamonds, and I hated that she looked better with every ounce of power that she gained.
Her black and white hair was swept into an updo that was threaded through with massive spikes. Her black wings were bigger than ever, carrying her down toward the crowd.
“Hurry!” Aeri said.
I turned my attention away from the false queen and sprinted past the palace. The dark forest was right ahead of us, the twisted trees crouching low to the ground.
My lungs burned as we ran, leaving behind the sounds of battle as the shadows enveloped us. Guilt streaked through me at the idea of my friends left behind to fight in my place, but this was the only way to beat her.
Even the faerie lights in this forest were dim, and the darkness seemed to creep into my very soul. The trees began to shudder.
“Something is coming,” Tarron said.
Roots popped out of the ground around us, reaching for our ankles. I kicked one away, then called on my sword, swiping out to slice them off.
Green acid shot out of the broken root, splashing onto my skin. It burned fiercely.
“Don’t cut them!” I cried.
“I’ve got it.” Tarron’s magic swelled, and it forced the roots back.
They shuddered and fought, but eventually curled back on themselves.
“Nice work,” Aeri said.
We sprinted past them, jumping over the few that managed to break past Tarron’s control. They were sluggish, though, and easy to avoid.
When we spilled out of the forest, the hedge walls that created the maze rose up high in front of us. Dark magic rolled out from the maze, and smoke wafted from the tops of the bushes. The place radiated deadly threat.
“Holy fates.” Worry echoed in Aeri’s voice. “We’re going in there?”
“Yep.”
15
I sucked in a deep breath and approached the maze. Dark magic emanated from
it, reeking of the false queen’s signature.
I grimaced. “Anyone see an entrance?”
Tarron launched himself into the air and did a quick flyover. He returned a moment later. “There is no entrance.”
“Damn it, of course.” Just our luck.
Tarron turned to the maze, his magic flaring. Nothing happened. He strode closer and tried again. Still nothing.
He glanced back at us. “My power can’t manipulate it.”
“The plants are imbued with the false queen’s dark magic.” I drew my sword from the ether and approached.
Determination filled me as I swung my blade, slicing through the first layer of branches. They began to grow back, but I moved quicker, swinging as fast as I could, hacking away at the greenery. It reeked like brimstone and putrid night lilies, and I held my breath.
Aeri and Declan joined me, attacking with their own blades. We cut our way through to the interior of the maze, scrambling over the sharp hedges and arriving in a long corridor.
Immediately, the hedge wall grew back into place behind us.
“Which way?” Aeri asked.
I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, then coughed on the stench. Aeri patted me on the back.
“Okay, apparently breathing is not an option,” I said.
“As if this weren’t hard enough.” Aeri’s eyes—the only part of her that looked like her—sparkled.
I called upon my seeker sense, trying to focus on my connection with the false queen. It was awful, though. This place smelled like her, felt like her. And made me want to be nothing like her.
I’d wanted magic like hers so I could defeat her.
But now that I was faced with it…
It seemed like a terrible idea.
So I focused on my skill—my seeker sense. I’d created this magic on my own, with my Dragon Blood. That’s what I would use to defeat her.
It felt like a revelation, though it shouldn’t have.
But my seeker sense worked, pulling me to the left. “This way.”
I sprinted forward, and Tarron and Aeri followed. We raced through the maze, leaping over branches that struck out to attack. Sharp thorns made contact with my skin, drawing blood. The wounds burned like acid.
