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I blocked what I could, the way Nylah had taught me. And for a moment, a cool breeze put out the fire on my skin, and I could take a deep breath.
Zander faltered for just a moment. He hadn’t expected me to block his power. I’d shocked him a second time.
I was just as surprised. I hadn’t thought I could do anything, either.
“It’s a curse, Eleanor,” he said.
“What is?” I asked.
He attacked before he answered, and I blocked the blow. He was stronger than I was, but I held up my end, until he brought his magic out to play. The blazing heat came with a renewed strength, and I screamed. I couldn’t fight it this time, and I thought it was going to consume me. My vision blurred and became black, and it was just a matter of time before the fire and the darkness—such a strange combination—would consume me.
The door burst open, and a fresh wave of power pushed into the room. Dex stood there, a snarl on his face. Nylah was with him, driving the magic. It was too much for Zander to face them and me.
He turned, ran to the window, and in a flash, he was gone.
“After him!” Dex shouted, and warriors barged into my room.
Six warriors went out the window after him. Two remained, keeping watch in case he came back this way. I heard more shouts from outside my window, where warriors were searching.
“He’s gone,” I said.
“Are you okay?” Nylah asked, rushing to me.
Dex cursed under his breath and ran out of the room, ready to continue the search, but they wouldn’t find anything.
“It was him,” I said, trembling.
“The hunter,” Nylah said, nodding.
“Not just the hunter, it was Zander.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I’ve been in his body. There was no doubt about it.”
Nylah shook her head. “We need to tell Dex. If Zander is behind the attacks, this is bigger than just the assassination of the King.”
I couldn’t think anymore. I was trembling with shock and the aftermath of the adrenaline pumping through my veins, and I felt drained and weak.
“Come, we need to get you to bed.”
Nylah helped me up and tucked me into bed the way I imagined a mother would. She sat on the edge of the bed, holding my hand, and I felt a cool breeze wash over me. She was using her magic to soothe me, to heal what he’d damaged. I wasn’t sure what damage had been done. I didn’t know what scope the dark magic had and how it could hurt me. I’d seen what Ren had looked like after the Conjurite—who I now knew was Zander—had attacked him.
But I didn’t feel like death warmed up.
At least…I didn’t think so.
Dex returned. He looked grim.
“He got away,” he mumbled. “But we’ll get him. Now that we know…” He looked at me. “The King wants to see you.”
I frowned. “Me?”
Dex nodded.
“You should go,” Nylah said. “You’ll be safe.”
I was still scared. But Dex would be with me, and when I left my room, warriors surrounded me like I was of royal blood myself and needed to be protected.
