Several beats pass, each feeling longer than the last, before Wren’s face hardens. Across the room, a baby wails at the top of their lungs. A cry comes from the right. Low moans.
The air is subdued, and even the children seem to recognize the weight of the situation because they’re quieter.
Wren turns to Skyler. “I want to help.”
She winces. “I don’t think Bellamy would be okay with that. He’s in charge of the injured, and he’s made his position clear?—”
“Not here.” Wren looks at Skyler pleadingly. “I want to help defend this place. Please, take off the cuffs and let me use my magic.”
23
MY FAULT
WREN
No matter what Gabriel says, I know this ismyfault, not his. These injuries, the blood being spilled, the lives being endangered. It’s all happening because of me.
Once again, I have imperiled others. I’m glad Gabriel sent my sisters away—this situation is bad enough without having to worry about them.
Gabriel and Skyler are both staring at me as if my offer to help is preposterous, but they’re wrong. It isn’t.
“I want to fight,” I repeat. “Please, let me help.”
I’m not incapacitated, and I don’t want to sit around helplessly. I might not know exactly how my magic works, but itdoeswork, and I want to use it.
My Mark has been burning for days, and there’s a crawling sensation under my skin, an itch I can’t scratch. I’m certain it’s because the shadestone is cutting off these powers I don’t fully understand. I think my magic is linked to my emotions, but thanks to the manacles, I haven’t been able to test that theory.
Skyler draws her bottom lip through her teeth, running her hand down her braid. I know my new friend well enough to recognize the signs that she’s unsure. “I don’t know, it might not go over well...”
A patient screams as a healer begins stitching up a wound in their arm. The sound of their distress pierces my core, and I shiver.
I can’t stay down here. Iwon’t.
I tap my forehead, the Mark warm beneath my touch. “Please. I have magic inside me, and I can be of assistance. The others like me, the ones you call Blessed, they’re fighting, aren’t they?”
That’s where I need to be.
Skyler nods. “Yes, they are, but people might not take kindly to you if you come and fight.”
“It won’t be much different from now,” I point out. Already, we’re garnering attention, and more than a few people are glaring at us. “I want to be useful.”
I am tired of reacting to things, of being pushed around by fate. I want to make the decisions that will affect my life instead of watching as others decide my destiny for me.
I turn to the Hunter. “I can do this, Gabe. Ineedto do it.”
His emerald gaze drills into mine as if he’s peeling apart the layers that make me,me. It feels like hours pass although it is probably just a few seconds before he inclines his head.
“I understand,” he murmurs. To Skyler he says, “Wren is powerful. Her magic is strong, and if she wants to help, you should let her. I will fight by her side. Honestly, it really is the least we can do.”
Skyler studies us for a long moment before inclining her head. “If you insist.”
“I do,” I say firmly.
“All right. I’ll take you above, but Alaric is the only one who can remove the cuffs.” Skyler lifts a brow. “If he says no, there’s nothing I can do.”
“I understand.” It’s better than staying down here and doing nothing. “Lead the way.”
The journey out of the mountain is a blur. We pass more wounded people, and the rubies’ warning hum increases in pitch. At some point, Skyler hands us cloaks and gloves, and we put them on to defend against the cold.
