Then seven Scourgers surfaced.
“You’ve got to be…” Ellabeth seethed.
I could feel a holy rage burning through my blood.
“The traitors will be scourged! Then they will be placed in the dungeons until they have thoroughly paid the price of betraying Temple Efysis.”
She threw an arm into the air and cried, “Blood for blood!”
“Blood for blood!” the angels responded.
Something powerful, and otherworldly—something I’d never felt before—churned in the pit of my stomach. My vision filled with starry spots. I tried blinking them away, but couldn’t. A galactic film slid over my eyes, painting the world like the stars.
Down our bond, I felt Quazar’s fear. On the outside, he still wore the grin that was pissing off Granmanmi. But inside, he couldn’t lie. He was terrified. Not for himself, but for his friends, his Talon family. For his beloved little sister.
“No matter what happens, promise you will stay with me, Quazar. Promise.”
“Even in the Ellelights remember? You have my word, my Safah. I will always stay.”
My hearts swelled just as Granmanmi turned to the Scourgers. “You may begin.”
She was so smug. I wondered if I’d ever known her at all. The Scourgers floated forward, each gripping tightly to a Dragontail. They lifted their arms ready to strike.
I was moving before I could stop myself.
I rushed the dais,fyusingmid-flight. I landed with a loudboomon the glass, the starfire inside of me churning like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.
“Donottouch them,” I screamed so loud my voice rang out over the entire arena.
A hush fell over Titombwe as I slammed my wings into the glass, throwing out a shield of starfire around the Talons, effectively blocking out the Scourgers.
Scourger Jeroah and Lilithine were among them. Their glittering crimson eyes took me in, trailing my starry skin as if I was some fascinating creature they wanted to experiment on.
“Well,” Scourger Jeroah said. “This is…unexpected.”
His airy voice made my skin crawl as if I was covered in spiders. Lilithine said nothing, but she had a vile look in her eyes.
“If you’re going to bleed them out,” I seethed, turning from the Scourgers to glare at Granmanmi. “You’re going to have to get through me.”
“You’ve lost your rotting mind.”Quazar boomed down the bond.“You are so rotting stubborn. Safah, donotdo this. You’ve tasted the leather of a Dragontail before. Please. I can’t stand seeing that happen to you again. Don’t!”
“I love you, Princeling,”was my only response.
I threw up the veil between us, blocking him out. I stood tall. Looking over myself I was stunned to see, this time, even my gownfyused. Not an inch of skin or cloth was left unchanged. Thatthinginside me churned again. It was restless. It was angry.
It was hungry.
I looked at Granmanmi Asarah, tilting my head.
“Granfifi Safah. Pride and joy of all Anathelles,” she said, her tone like a steel blade. Sharp. Cutting. Merciless.
“Your bravery is commendable but these traitorous demons will be dealt with. I am only disappointed that they managed to deceive you before revealing who they truly are.”
“Cut the bullrot, Granmanmi.”
I folded my arms. She flinched as if she’d been visibly slapped. An audible gasp rang out across Titombwe.
“You and I both know you’ve just fed all these angels a load of crap for them to choke on so you could justify bleeding out the Talons for no reason. They’ve done nothing wrong.”
