“We must figure out how to destroy this,” Selvina urged, and as she stepped forward, a deafening crack echoed from the entrance of the cave.
Blades were drawn as the group whirled toward the cave opening, and yellow light flashed from the arch. Drystan’s eyes were wide in shock. His silhouette was a stark contrast to the violet glow of the distant sunrise, with his black robes billowing against the wind. A terrified Evony stood next to him, her long braids trembling, as she let out a shocked yelp. Her hand was clasped in his, and she grappled at his Death Scholar robes with her other.
Drystan’s crystal eyes shot to mine, and I noted the luminescent tip of a star pointing from the bit of copper skin that peeked from beneath his shirt.
My lips parted as realization hit. Drystan had harnessed the Advetis power. How did he know we were here? What was he doing here? And with Evony?
Shocked silence stretched across the cave for a heartbeat before Kellan shouted, “We need to?—”
One moment, a foreign breeze stole through the archway and out of the cavern. The next, I doubled over as a spine-stiffening scream ripped through the air. Or was it my mind? The most pain-filled, gut-wrenching sound deafened me as my hands clasped over my ears, and I pinched my eyes shut. My knees barked in pain as they crashed to the stone floor.
My powers writhed deep within my chasm, but not in urgency to unleash, to defend. They awakened in a state of panic, ofrawfear, and I barely registered the tug of wind from behind.
The screaming didn’t stop. Wouldn’t stop.
I moaned against the sound, my hands dropping to the floor. Wincing, I opened my eyes.
I forced my head up as the screaming continued. Selvina’s slim form lay crumpled several feet from me. I scanned the cavern floor. Bodies everywhere. And thatscream.
“HELP!”the woman shouted.
My stomach plunged. That was Olienna’s voice.
Bayne moved. His boots slowly pressed against the floor as he staggered upright, his teeth clenched as if fighting some invisible battle. His emerald gaze found mine, dark brows angled downward, and he gave me a firm nod.
Olienna howled into our minds, a wretched, torturous, high-pitched sound that turned the insides of my stomach.
I pressed off the ground, my legs shaking as I stood, eyeing the others slowly stirring, attempting to break free of the gruesome sound.
Another deafeningcrack, and Drystan’s form vanished.
My powers continued their panicky chaos as I reached for Honor. The scream peaked, the agony in Olienna’s cry enough to raise the bile in my throat, when it was cut off completely.
I blinked, my grip on Honor’s hilt a wet, slippery thing. Those of us in the cavern looked around, blinking through confusion when two voices echoed from beyond the elaborate archway.
“Hello, little thief,” they purred.
