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I snatch up my weapons, strapping daggers to my thighs and sheathing my sword across my back. Then I follow the Evercore sisters as a second blast of the horn sounds. The magic in the air tickles the back of my neck, sends a deep, unwavering chill down my spine.
Talis likes to play games, I remember Cristen saying.
“Be ready,” I command Harmony and Sera.
They share a wary look.
“Whatever comes next,” I tell them, “it won’t be easy.”
Chapter Fifteen
TheEvercoresistersandI leave the woods. Blood coats the center of the arena from the first day’s battle. My boots scuff up deep, burgundy patches, and I force myself to lift my chin, to not feel the pain echoing through my chest. The bodies of the women lost may be gone, but their spirits linger here, tension and anger thick in the air. It’s as if their souls are trapped in this damned pit, only to be vindicated when one of us takes the throne.
I scan the edges of the woods.
Only five other women appear, their weapons at the ready.
Where are you?I search for Cristen.
At the top of the pit, where the throne rests, Talis stands in formal attire. The Royal Council crowds on either side of him. They all stare down upon us like Gods. A wild smile glitters across Talis’s face, and my gut tells me to fear that smile, to know that nothing good has ever come of it.
“Something isn’t right,” Harmony whispers. She nods to the Royal Council. “Our parents aren’t up there.”
I tear my gaze away from Talis. I don’t recognize any of the faces on the Royal Council, and I frown as I realize who else is missing. “Caya, the Princess. She’s not there, either.”And where is Gretta?The beast wound tightly in my belly roars to life as I find my friend missing. I put her on the back burner. Cristen promised she’d be safe. My eyes flick back to Talis, to that crazed smile.Fuck.
“Nor the Heir.” Sera keeps a firm hand over the hilt of her sword, ready to pull it free. “He’s not here with us, and he’s not up there with them.”
“And what is that?” Harmony asks. She points ahead.
My steps falter at the sight of a massive black curtain. It hangs magically by itself, its thick fabric rippling like oil.Fuck fuck fuck.I wet my lips. “I’ve seen those before.”
We slow several yards from the curtain, the other women in the arena ignoring us. It seems we’ve all come to an amicable agreement – whatever’s next, we fight it together.
Magic pulses out from the curtains. It latches to my skin. I shake it off with a growl as it attempts to dig into me, to seek out all my desires. It’s just like the magic of the Underground, and the thing in my stomach breathes fire. My skin heats with anticipation, and my finger pulses with the need for blood lust. There are some things that will never change when it comes to that curtain. My need to kill will always be one of those things, especially with the curtain and its possessive magicherein this arena.
I want to give in. I want to let it take what it wants, and I want to sink my blade into wherever it transports me.But I need to play smart. I grit my teeth and spread my feet to anchor myself.
“Push it off,” I command my allies, all of them. “These curtains are used for the Underground. Normally, its magic will crawl inside you, procure your needs, and transport you where you want to go.” I clench my fists as the magic tries to pull on me harder. “I have a feeling these curtains won’t be giving us what we want. Not even close.”
I train my eyes above, meeting Talis’s wicked stare.
The smile stretched across his lips pulls at the disfigurement of his burnt flesh. He gives me a small nod, but it’s far from encouraging. It’s an acknowledgment that the game he has in store is up to par with my strength. Perhaps, it even surpasses it.
“Welcome, ladies. I’m glad to see we’ve already narrowed it down to our top eight. Well done.” His voice carries down to us with an amplification enchantment. “As you all well know, the biggest threat facing Estal Kingdom is our unruly streets. More specifically, the armies occupying what is known as the Underground.”
The curtain waves harder as if wind pummels it despite the still, quiet air. Its magic zings and crowds around me. I gasp as it breaks my barriers, digging its claws down into my rib cage, then wrapping around my heart.
Never have I felt magic like this. Itburns, like talons sinking in. I breathe out a shaky breath, swaying a bit.
Some of the women gasp as they fall into the magic’s clutches. Even the Evercore sisters falter at my side, their stern expressions furrowed with pain.
But no one backs down.
Talis’s smile pulls down into a slim grin. His face darkens with annoyance as we all stand firm and proud.
I throw a dazzling smile on my face and offer it up to him, forcing his grin into a firmly pressed line.It’s going to take more than that to knock us down, I think toward him, leveling a challenge with my stare.
He adjusts his stance and throws an arm down to the curtain. His frustration wipes back into that wicked expression of his. “The magic inside you currently seeks your greatest desires, as the curtain of the Underground typically does, but it is also finding your deepest fears. Tonight, you will be called into the curtain, and you must face what lies beyond. Only those who return will continue in the tournament.” He juts out his chin. “Extra points go to those who eradicate all they pass during their time in the Underground. Bosses, mercenaries, loiterers,anyone.”
