Page 136 of The Reaping Rose

“He has to be in there,” Greer seethes, her eyes narrowing.

My magic reaches out to the path ahead of us, ribbons of flame searching for a way through, but I’m met with resistance.

“The guards’ minds are protected from my magic. Malachi is definitely in there blocking anyone from going unnoticed.” I sigh, frustrated.

“We need to get closer.”

“We need to stay alive,” I remind her when the fire in her eyes ignites.

I know that look—vengeance.

All the anger Greer carries around is aimed at one male right now, and if she’s not careful, it will get her killed.

“We found Malachi,” I tell her. “I can mark this place so we can get back here quickly with a Gate once we have the void.”

“What if they move?” Greer argues. “We need to get closer to learn what he’s planning.”

“Our mission was to find him, not engage unless necessary.”

“That’s not my mission.” Her voice cracks; a sheen coats her eyes.

I step close, and she shifts back just as much, avoiding me. “I know you want to kill him, and hell, he deserves it. But we’re outmatched. Walking into that camp is sure death.”

Finally, a tear slips from her eye, but she wipes it away as quickly as it falls. “Go back then. I’m getting answers.”

Greer pushes forward, knowing damn well I’m not going anywhere and leaving her here. I throw out a marker so we can find our way back if we manage to get out of this alive.

My sword is up and ready, firm in my grip. There are only three guards at the edge of the trees. Between the two of us, we have no trouble taking them. But the moment they fall, movement comes from our sides. Figures spill out from the forest.

We’re surrounded.

It does nothing to stop Greer as she shoves into the clearing, refusing to back down.

“Subtle,” I mumble, equally irritated and impressed at her unwavering confidence.

It earns me more of a smile than she’s shown me all morning, but it quickly falls as more warriors step out of the shadows.

Three in the clearing. Two at my back. One on either side, and four more spread deeper in the trees, ready if we run.

It’s a trap, as we should have expected.

But the flap on the blue and gold tent has yet to move, and I know Greer must be thinking the same as her eyes drift that way. There’s no Malachi or Cyan in sight.

“Look, it’s the traitor,” one of the guards sneers, skimming Greer over in a way that has me itching to peel off his skin.

“The only traitor is the king you bow to.” Greer holds her head high. “A traitor to his kingdom. His people.”

The guard chuckles as Greer moves. Faster than light. Than sound. She shoots forward, the male still smiling as her sword drives up through his jaw and out the top of his head.

He slumps to the ground as she pulls her sword out, and all amusement has fallen. The Guard unleashes.

I turn, covering her back as two come at me from the forest. One bearing daggers, the other a sword and shield. Flames lick the blade as I send it in a perfect arch, cutting one of their heads clean off.

But when I try to strike the other, his shield catches the hit. Metal vibrates my grip as two more run from the trees. Blood rains. Fire skates the ground as I send flaming ropes to break the necks of two who try to sneak up on Greer from the right.

When she ducks, I sweep the sword over her head, slicing open the chest of her opponent. She turns just as quickly, throwing a dagger at the one behind me. We battle, moving as if she and I have trained together our entire lives.

A new rush of warriors floods in when the first fails, this one double in size. I send a wave of flame that some deflect with their own magic, while others fall. But there are too many, closing in too fast.