First Holt. Then Rohak, now Ellowyn.
It seemed I couldn’t save anyone I loved.
A great, guttural sob heaved from my chest as I watched Rohak’s chest rise and fall once more before it fell completely still.
My heart broke—completely shattered in that moment, and my keening sound of pain mixed with that of Ellowyn’s until it was all I could hear, all I could see.
Then, through tear-filled eyes, I saw the telltale sign of ashes and embers of Destruction Magic. But, instead of the smoky tendrils I was used to, I saw a wall of pure power erupt from where I last saw Ellowyn. It hovered for a moment before moving outward at a speed that was almost incomprehensible, devouring everything in its path.
My eyes were drawn not to the awesome display of magic, but to the woman who became a close friend. She stood tall, eyes ablaze even from here, as thick strands of Destruction weavedand wrapped around her limbs—her very skin seemed to crack with it, exposing not muscle and sinew but pure, raw power.
It was then that I was sure of my discoveries.
There was a goddess in our midst.
Chapter 96
Folami
Itwirled my spear around my head before slamming it downward until the point of it struck the place between the Mage’s neck and shoulder. Blood spurted from the wound, coating me in a fresh, coppery wave. I’d killed so many that my braids were matted with it, my charms no longer tinkling against each other from the weight of the liquid.
I was supposed to stay in the lower quarters to help with the evacuation once Torin had Ellowyn. But I’d watched in acute horror as the gods swept through Vespera, killing any who posed a threat or got in their way.
I’d watched as a vile man with a headful of yellowed and cracked teeth had sought out a fleeing mother just for the chance to lift her skirts and rape her before chopping her head clean from her body with his crude axe.
The scene sent a fresh wave of anger and hatred through me, lighting my blood with a renewed fire and purpose. It was like I was thrust back into the massacre of the Valley—just this time, I coulddosomething about it. So I gathered my small team and made quick work of scurrying through the back streets and into the city’s courtyard before the wards activated.
Now, I had to watch as all my team members died violent deaths. Our rebel force, or the small contingent we took here, was nearly eradicated. I’d lost Torin in the scuffle hours ago, and I was growing tired. My arms were like lead, my muscles rubbery and protesting with each movement.
We have to get out of here.
It was clear we weren’t going to win. Clear that this was a slaughter. Clear that we should leave Vespera to the gods and regroup while we still could.
This can’t be our last stand.
My thoughts were panicked as I focused on eliminating soldier after soldier who threw themselves at me. At least their magic was finally depleting—most of our force and the Academy’s army had been reduced to physical weapons a long time ago. The playing field was finally evening, but it was too late.
We were already defeated.
With a cry of exhaustion, I lodged my spear into the throat of an incoming female before ripping it out and twirling in place, ready to face my next attacker.
Only, none came.
The world seemed to freeze as a woman’s blood-curdling scream lilted through the early morning air, followed by the abrupt appearance of a literal wall of Destruction Magic. The wall grew to an impossible height and stretched nearly ten men wide, hovering for a moment before it sped away from the female Mage, engulfing all in its path. The gods’ army was standing directly in its way, and the magic consumed without any regard, without any compunction, before sputtering and dying out just before reaching the surprised and wary expressions of Solace and Kaos.
The female Mage wobbled for a moment, the Destruction Magic that was twined so closely with her body flickered and died before she collapsed to the ground.
Ellowyn.
“Torin!” I screamed, my voice echoing across the quieting space, and watched, relieved, as Torin picked his way through dazed soldiers to Ellowyn’s side.
The world froze completely, a near-total silence descending over the courtyard. The quiet was so sudden and so loud that it buzzed in my ears. The gods stood in stunned disbelief, slowly cataloging the massive losses that one Mage inflicted on their army.
Nearly half. I gleefully noted.
Almost as one, the gods’ army dropped their weapons and turned tail, fleeing the courtyard and the deadly display of magic. They trickled through the remaining Academy soldiers and rebels, none of us having the energy to stop their retreat.
Solace and Kaos shared a look before following their army, disappearing as quickly as they appeared, leaving utter destruction and death in their wake.
