Page 24 of Witch’s Heart

A figure filled the doorway. Herrin. He was panting, holding a travel sack in his hand.

“Herrin,” I cried, taking in his bloodied, rumpled clothes. There was a small gash on his forehead.

“We’re leaving, Mina. Now.” He sounded panicked. I’d never heard him like this. There was something else in his voice, too. Something I didn’t have time to question.

I surged forward to examine him. He was favoring his right foot. “What’s going on? What’s happening?! Is it the⁠—?”

“Do you trust me?” he demanded, eyes desperately searching mine.

“I… Of course.”

“Then grab whatever you can carry in the next five seconds and follow me.”

“What’s happened, Head Wielder?” Viktor stepped forward, keeping his tone respectful.

“I’m not head wielder anymore.” I froze halfway across my room. “Damn it, girl,” Herrin snapped, noticing my lack of movement. “If you don’t get your things and leave with me right now, you’ll be dead. Worse than dead. I promised—I promised Fiona I’d get you out of here. Now come!”

“We’re coming too,” Elianna said, voice hitching.

“Then you’d better get your asses moving.”

“What of our things?!” Anne cried, looking conflicted.

“We didn’t bring anything we can’t leave behind,” Elianna said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

I reappeared beside Herrin, my travel pack in hand, glad I’d never bothered unpacking. He gave a nod and led us cautiously out into the corridor. Silence had fallen in the thirty seconds it had taken us to gather ourselves.

“Let’s go.” Herrin took off at a sprint. We followed.

“There she is!” A cry sounded far behind us down the corridor. It was accompanied by running feet. Gianna was here for me. “Hurry! They’re getting away.”

I cursed under my breath. That bitch! What had she done?!

“A distraction would be good right about now, Mina,” Herrin growled.

I winced, then thought of the explosions I heard. Offering up a silent prayer of forgiveness to the Citadel, I used my abilities with air, diving deep into myself. I slammed a powerful wave of magic against the corridor behind us. A boom resounded, shaking me to my bones. The walls began to collapse, cutting off our pursuers. I did it again, and then again, hoping to thwart them. I bought us as much time as I could, destroying the Citadel walls in our wake.

I had a thousand questions.

I had a nagging fear in the pit of my stomach.

I had a desperate sense of self preservation.

All of these things drove me as we reached the stables.

I thanked the gods that Henrick was still on duty. He met us with wide eyes. “What’s going on out there⁠—?”

“No time for questions,” Herrin snapped. “Get Mina’s horse saddled, now! Mina, help with the others.”

“Of—of course, Head Wielder,” Henrick stammered. “At once!” He jumped into action.

We were a flurry of activity, getting the horses prepared. I used as much magic as I could, gritting my teeth against the growing pain of it.

“They’re coming,” Anne cried from her lookout at the stable’s door.

“Out the back, now!” Herrin shouted, appearing behind me. He lifted me into Jarrow’s saddle without apologizing. He thrust my travel pack into my hands and slapped Jarrow’s flank. My horse took off.

The back exit loomed before me. I blasted it open, sparing a glance for the others. They were quickly mounting. I had just enough time to see them take off at a gallop as a group of witches and wielders skid into the stable, all led by Skye.