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Hearing enough, I opened the door, then sped down the stairs. I found them in the parlor room, both hunched over the table between the chairs, looking at a map of the city. Anna's eyes glistened when she saw me. “Your majesty,” she said with a warm smile, and I raced to her, pulling her into a tight hug.
“I'm glad you're alive. I was worried.”
“Zach saved me.”
I nodded. “I heard.” I let her go, then looked at Zach. “Where in the city are they?”
“I'll show you. We're going there, anyway. You should, uh, brace yourself.”
I ran cold. “Why?”
Anna pressed her lips tight, the edges curving slightly. “We have allies. They want to see their queen.”
THIRTY-SIX
Olivia
Thecitywallshadnever been so powerful. Many had fled, but the ones who stayed were safe within the barrier Azia, Charles, and the other sorcerers had created separating us from Salenia, who was closing in, I could sense her in the blood tie bond, but she hadn’t quite reached us yet. I was certain she would gather the aniccipere in the south first, to help battle us.
I was the safest one here and would take my place on the front line when the battle came. She couldn’t risk killing me—not while our lives were intertwined.
Sebastian wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my neck from behind me as I found them at the edge of the city. “We will capture her,” he promised. “No one’s going to hurt you. We’ve kept the tie a secret,” he whispered. “Just us and Niall and Elizabeth know.”
I cast my eyes downward, knowing that if someone just killed me right now, this would all be over. They could be free of Salenia, but Erianna, Zach, Sebastian and Azia all kept the secret from the others who’d joined us to fight her. I was surprised to see how many from inside the castle wanted to defeat her, but then, she’d destroyed the things they’d valued the most. Still, we were fractured.
The threat of war with Asland loomed like a storm cloud, with whispers of the other kingdoms joining them, too. The nobles and subjects here were aware of the damage she’d done. But most were afraid to go against her, which I understood. She was a goddess, and they had a better chance of defending themselves against a war with the rest of the world with her by their side.
But I was their true queen, the one chosen by the gods to take her down and rule of the vampires, to restore order. I hadn’t led war to them, and I was Sargon’s daughter, a man revered by most.
Then there were those I spotted, speaking of revenge—many who’d lost friends or family when she killed most of the Blood Brothers, knowing very well they could be next.
But war was more than swords and fighting. As I looked around, spotting less than a few hundred of us, I knew we couldn’t take her on alone with her army, alone.
We needed more. She knew we were outnumbered. Sebastian was keeping our tiny army under control, showing his power and ability to lead as he welcomed new people, and Azia and the other sorcerers held a barrier up strong enough to stop Salenia’s sorcerers from penetrating it, for now. But it wouldn’t last long, not when she was back in her original form. Once she arrived at the gates, there was no going back.
It wasn’t just her many wanted to fight—it was the aniccipere, and I wanted to bet that’s what moved more of the vampires to our side. Our hatred of them wasn’t as divided as it was with Salenia.
I turned to face Sebastian. We loved each other, more than anything, but we were the rightful monarchs, and everyone depended on us. As much as being apart tore me up inside, I knew what I needed to do. “I have to leave the city.”
“You want to leave?” he whispered. “But I thought—”
His chest pounded as I splayed my fingers over his chest. “Trust me.” I gazed into his eyes. “I will be back shortly.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No, they need you here. I’ll be okay. I’m taking Niall with me.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say I need him for this specific task.”
His brows furrowed. “I trust you, but it isn’t safe out there. At least tell me where you’re going.”
“I can’t talk here,” I said, looking around. “But I won’t be far. I promise.” I pressed my fingers against his chest, then softly kissed him. “Please, have faith in me.”
“I do.”
I turned to look at Niall, whose brown stare found me through the crowd. I slipped off to the side of a building, and Niall joined my side, Sebastian watching us closely from a distance.
