“The magic on this side will kill on impact,” he explains. “There are spots in the top of the net enchanted to allow birds and insects through, but no exceptions exist down here.”
Blood drains from the twin’s face, and she takes a trembling step back. At the same time, Wren brushes up against me, and I feel her shiver as her hand reaches for mine.
Now that Alaric has drawn attention to it, evidence of the net’s lethality is all around us. The forest is lush, but nothing is touching the glistening barrier. No leaves, no branches, no animals.
A dragonfly flutters on the other side of the net, and then it hits the barrier. Blue-green sparks fly. The insect falls to the ground.
Dead.
A beat of silence passes as we all regard the dragonfly, then Alaric steps forward with the other rebel.
“This is Wendell,” the captain says, gesturing to the older man who appears to be in his fourth or fifth decade of life. Wendell’s skin is a dark brown, and an old burn scar runs up the side of his neck. A wilting rose is tattooed under his left ear. “He’s Blessed, and he’s here to help.”
Wendell raises his left hand in greeting, and yellow embers float around it. “We will have sixty seconds to pass through the barrier once I’ve temporarily dismantled it.” He looks at each person in turn, waiting for them to nod, before he moves on to the next. “Any longer, and we risk endangering all those who live here. Understood?”
A chorus of agreement rises, and Wendell instructs everyone to step back. Wren stays by my side, and I rest my hand on the small of her back, keeping her close.
A sunshine yellow flame flickers in Wendell’s palm. His brows furrow, and he steps closer to the net. Murmuring under his breath, he paces in front of the barrier for several minutesbefore kneeling. Hand extended, he reaches for the shimmering magic.
The air itself seems to hold its breath as the flame slowly ascends. It hovers before shifting towards the barrier, and the flame crawls over the net before it disappears. A crackle comes from all around us, and then a gap in the wall appears. It’s no more than ten feet wide, but where the net used to stand, now there is nothing but a dark line gouged in the dirt. The demarcation is stark—there isn’t a single blade of grass growing where the net had been.
Wendell stands so fast, his knees crack.
“Quickly,” he urges. “Go now.”
There’s a rush as everyone moves towards the gap at once. The twins lurch past the line, diving into Wren’s waiting arms. The trio dissolves into tears, clinging to one another, sobbing and talking so fast, I don’t know what they’re saying.
Maia and Theon are close behind. Alaric moves to Wendell’s side, and they make it through the net moments before the air crackles.
Wendell turns towards the net, yellow sparks like lightning bugs flitting around his fingers, forming a flame. Silently, he lobs the fire towards the lush forest.
The magic sails in an arc, but it never hits the trees on the other side. There’s awhoosh, and then the shimmering barrier is back in place.
I exhale, blowing out a long breath as Theon makes it to my side. My oldest friend bumps his shoulder against mine, the gesture familiar. I grin, hugging him and slapping his back.
“Theon,” I say warmly. “It’s been far too long.”
“It has. And it appears you have been very busy.”
I glance at Wren, who is still hugging her sisters. “I have.”
“We have much to discuss,” Theon adds, tugging me away from the others. “Your father islivid, Gabe.”
“I expect he is.”
I also do not give a fuck what he thinks. My father could die tomorrow, and I couldn’t care less. In fact, it would make my life a lot easier if he did.
“He has been experiencing fits of rage,” Theon continues, his voice hushed. “His emotions are more volatile than normal. Even Father is commenting on it, saying he’s never seen the king like this. He’s been so busy dealing with that, he even pushed aside dealing with Maia’s marital status—or lack thereof—for the time being.”
“Oh?” Theon and Maia’s father, Samir, is the Hand of the King. He has held the position for decades and is instrumental in the running of the country.
Or so I was always told.
But seeing as how everything I ever thought was true has been proven to be a lie, I am holding room for doubt.
Theon gazes over at Wren. I follow his gaze automatically, my eyes unwilling to stray from Wren for long.
“Is she worth throwing your life away?” he asks.
