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I’m coming, he promised again.
Rion tightened his hold on the chains and yanked with every ounce of strength he possessed. They didn’t budge. He growled and yanked again and again and again until his hands were slick with blood, until his muscles begged for relief and the metallic ring of those chains was the only noise that echoed through the chamber.
He slammed his body weight against them again and again and again and again.
Wait for me, he begged down the bond. Don’t let go.
Chapter Seventy-one
Arianna
Arianna crouched behind the cracked stone fountain and waited. The torrential downpour made Talon’s silhouette difficult to identify in the dark, but that was exactly the reason they’d decided to leave.
If she couldn’t see him, neither would the guards.
She was soaked to the bone already. Water pooled in the bunched crevices of her cloak before spilling onto the ground. It pattered against her hood and Arianna shivered despite the warm weather.
She was going to find Rion. Find him, save him, then bring him home.
Thunder cracked, loud and rumbling, then lightning flashed across the sky.
Talon gave her the signal.
Arianna dashed from her hiding spot and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Water soaked through her boots and she dodged the deeper puddles, determined to be as silent as possible.
She slid behind the next statue and paused at Talon’s side.
Guards patrolled in both their animal and Fae forms, stalking the entire yard at what seemed like random intervals. But Talon had studied their rotations. He’d planned this exit strategy weeks ago. Just in case.
Lightning flashed again, and Arianna cringed when thunder boomed loud enough to rattle the ground.
The gods were truly looking down on her tonight.
Talon dashed from her side again and she watched him fly across the yard like a wraith. She would follow in just a few breaths, as soon as he lifted his hand to signal that the sentinels ahead had passed.
After their meeting with Gavin, quick plans were made, then they were off, determined not to waste time.
She and Talon would rescue Rion, or at the very least, locate him. If the underground dungeon was too heavily fortified, then they’d have to rethink their strategy. All Arianna knew was that if she found her mate, there was no way in hell she was leaving without him.
The rest of their rebel group planned to go about their day as if nothing was amiss. Ellie intended to play it off as though Arianna was sick and wished to be alone. Saoirse and Raevina were setting up an evacuation plan for the half-breeds in the event things went horribly south. Arianna wasn’t sure it was necessary, as she couldn’t see Niall harming them, but both females had been insistent. And Gavin claimed he’d function as their spy. Provided Niall didn’t already know everything and wouldn’t kill Gavin as soon as he saw him next.
With any amount of luck, Niall wouldn’t even notice Arianna was gone until she was too far away for him to pursue.
They just needed a few days at most. She hoped. Arianna wasn’t really sure what they’d do after they discovered the prison. Hopefully exile Niall from Ruadhán, though she questioned whether the council would take her side.
Talon lifted his arm and she positioned herself into a low crouch. Her long knives pressed against her back, the metal a gentle reminder of what she might soon face.
Shorter blades lined her boots, her thighs, and the belt strapped across her chest. She felt like a walking arsenal.
Talon gave the signal again and Arianna dashed from her hiding place. She kept her breath even and her strides long before sinking into the shadow of another statue.
A mountain cat paused and the pair held their breaths. Its ears swiveled one way, then another. The feline stepped toward them and sniffed the air. Seconds dragged out before the Fae finally moved on.
Arianna silently thanked the gods for the rain. Without it, they never would have successfully masked their scents. She was relying solely on dumb luck and prayers to make this plan work.
Thunder cracked across the sky again and Arianna ran at Talon’s side as they crossed the final stretch through the lawn.
Raevina was right. Everything was about to go to hell.
