“Shewhat?”
Several gasps broke out. I glowered at Quazar, who was glaring at me.
“How?”
“Piss off, traitorous demon. I almostdiedthanks to you,” I snapped.
I rolled away and pushed to my feet. Hobbling, I held my side with an arm and threw the other to my back where I’d been stabbed. I needed Zara, immediately. From my quick scan of everyone, I was the only one who’d been wounded within inches of her life.
“Ellie,” I breathed, my vision swimming. Stars. I needed to sit down somewhere.
Daelun flew over, but I floated away.
“Leave me be,” I snapped. “Ellabeth, where is she?”
I looked around.
Ellabeth was nowhere to be found.
Then I remembered the anger in Dakairi’s eyes as he followed her through their star gate. Slowly, I turned my gaze on him. Something feral churned in my gut. Rage flushed my neck hot.
“Where. Is. Ellabeth?”
Dakairi shrugged, nonchalantly, crossing his arms. Then he grinned, his eyes dancing.
“She was getting tired.” He tilted his head.
The Talons grinned, wickedly.
“So I put her to sleep.”
Dakairi’s blue eyes blazed.
What had he done to my best friend?
Something in me snapped. I didn’t think about my pain. Or the fact that I could hardly walk. I didn’t think of my shredded wings. Or how I kept putting my body through endless Hèls since the dawn I came to this temple.
Without thinking, Ifyused. I whipped out my wings and slapped Dakairi across his face so hard, his body snapped, jerked back, flew across the hall, and slammed into one of the wingtower pillars. Hard.
Before the angels could react, I launched myself at Quazar, and slapped him just as hard. His head snapped back, golden blood gushing out of his mouth.
The Xadari Talons snarled. Their jeweled eyes began to glow. They launched themselves at me.
But Seventh Choir got to me first, shielding me. Every last one of themfyused. Before I lifted my wings again, Seventh Choir attacked. Then my Choir, and the Talons, tumbled into an all-out brawl.
Chapter 20
Electric light exploded into the charged air, setting the tower alight with destructive energy. Quazar snarled at me, rearing back on his legs as he spread all six wing pairs. Then he launched himself forward, tackling me.
I was ready for him, bracing my wings in front of myself as I tried to shield myself against the brunt of his weight. Through slitted eyes, I watched him lick the golden blood trickling from his lips. His eyes were ablaze.
Daelun laughed, darkly. “It was about time things got fun around here.”
His skin had shed itself, becoming the very tendrils of wind and air. All that remained were his dark eyes as he tackled Ivyana. His body slammed into hers, throwing her across the great room. As Daelun charged again, Ivyana’s emerald eyes glowed. Daelun thrust out his arms. A sky quake began trembling the tower, shaking the edifice. I dodged Quazar’s incoming blow, as Daelun exploded with a strong gust of wind, throwing Ivyana into its loop.
I grinned.
Then Daelun started screaming.
