Her bargain circle with Sira.
Magic crackles, snaring her wrists and ankles like webbing. The suspended water above us seems to reach for her, drawing her life force…
Making thatthing, that ethereal glowing figure, more real, more here. It’s him. Caspian’s father. The Baron of the Green Flame.
“No,” I breathe.
Shadows flood behind Sira. A tide of them.
“So many choices, little rose,” Sira sneers. “But there’s no time. Once Aurelia’s fully drained, he will be free. The baron will enter this world fully—forever!”
My heart slams.
The baron has come. My mother is in chains. Caspian’s being overtaken. Shadows are spilling like oil from the walls. Our magic is weak down here. Every breath cuts me from the inside out.
Which problem do I fix first?
I grit my teeth, eyes darting between all of them. My princes look to me. They look to me for answers.
And maybe I have them.
“Kel!” I shout. “Keep Caspian busy. Don’t let him fall!”
Kel is already moving before I finish the sentence, ice leaping at his heels.
“Papa!” I face my father. “Help me. We free Mom together.”
He meets my gaze with a nod.
I turn to Dayton, Farron, and Ezryn.
“The rest of you…kill Sira.” My voice roars like thunder, and the moment ignites.
Steel flashes. Spells fire, washing the Below in light.
And I run toward my mother, praying I’m not already too late.
Sira laughs as the princes charge her.
Farron is first, his Lance of Valor blazing gold in his hands. Dayton follows, summoning the Trident of Summer in a crash of light and heat, its three-pronged edge gleaming. Ezryn comes last, his Hammer of Hope striking the stone floor with a deep, thunderous hum.
They move like dancers. Like gods.
Sira blinks in and out of puffs of smoke, dodging every blow. She slices at them with shadow blades. Farron’s lance piercesher side, but she’s gone in an instant, laughing again from across the chamber.
Dayton stumbles, his face pale, breath ragged. He lifts his trident for another strike, but I see the tremble in his arms.
“Day!” I shout, but Ezryn’s already there.
He throws his shoulder into Sira’s next blow, shielding Dayton, and counters with a swing so powerful it splits the stone beside them.
And still, she keeps coming.
The only one that’s ever been able to hold her back is?—
Cas. But he’s fighting a war of his own. As I must.
“Help me!” I call to Papa and summon two golden blades of thorns, tossing one to him.
