56. Elianna

Chapter fifty-six

Elianna

Once the meeting in the war chamber ceased, everyone scattered. Leon, Gage, and Zae left to prepare the troops, letting Jace and I know that it may take a few days, which we granted. The twin witches were ordered to stay close while we prepared to enter Isla unseen. Everyone else retreated back to the estate to get some rest before the madness persisted.

Jace and I stayed behind at our headquarters with Veli as she prepared to cast the whisper spell.

We stood across the room from her as she remained seated at the stone table. Closing her golden fuchsia eyes that we were barely used to, she set her focus on those who sat in Isla under the queen’s grasp.

“ Venifikas sussorae ,” she spoke, and the otherworldliness of her voice sent a shiver up my spine.

We watched as her mind worked, her eyes darting beneath closed lids as if under the trance of her own spell. Her head twitched in each direction, appearing as if she was looking around wherever her mind had drifted.

“ Is that supposed to happen? ” Jace asked silently, not wanting to disrupt the spell .

“ I’m not entirely sure ,” I answered.

Her eyes snapped open, the glow from them flashing through the room as it slowly diminished. Her breathing became erratic, as if she had to work to catch her breath.

“Veli,” I said as I moved toward the table. “Are you alright?”

“There is magic at work in Isla. Azenna’s presence is everywhere.”

Jace and I exchanged a glance as he pressed his lips together into a firm line.

“But you were able to reach them?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered.

I tilted my head to the side. “You don’t seem sure.”

“No, I did. I have just never had to navigate around another’s magic. It must be because of the book. Her power grows, and she was felt in every inch of the city.” Veli stood from the table. “But perhaps this is not the best idea, Elianna. There is a high possibility that Azenna sensed that magic.”

I crossed my arms. “Well, would she be able to tell what kind of magic was used?”

“No, just sense its power and presence.”

“Then we proceed as scheduled. Worst-case scenario is that she senses another witch is present in the city, not necessarily who. It could be others from your coven looking to aid her cause to Idina. Lines are being drawn, sides are being chosen at every end of the realm. We aren’t even giving them enough of a chance to prepare for a possible attack—we leave in hours.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” she answered .

“Besides, she won’t think we would be, in your words, foolish enough to barge into the city and start escorting people out. They would never guess that was coming. What did you say to those who received the whisper?”

“They were instructed to remain in their homes until the moon is set highest in the sky this evening,” she stated. “We are to rift walk through so I can knock the guards unconscious with magic…or kill them. Whichever you would prefer.”

I considered it for a moment. “We don’t know where their true loyalties lie. It may, at the moment, just be with survival. Let them live.”

“You are too kind sometimes, my Lia,” Jace growled.

“She has that in common with her father,” Veli stated, and I half rolled my eyes. “Let’s get some rest. We have a long night ahead of us.”

Our court and generals gathered a few miles outside of the city to transport in anyone who flees with us. This also ensured our citizens were protected in case someone undesirable managed to sneak through the portal’s rift.

Veli, Avery and I stood at its front, dressed in all black leathers, to better blend within the shadows. I smirked as my eyes roamed over my sister and the weapons strapped to her body as a precaution.

“You all know the plan. No one who rushes through the gateway is to be harmed. They will likely be frightened and untrusting until we return. We will run through last in order to make sure that everyone who risks treason against the false queen finds sanctuary.”

“Understood,” Leon said with a nod as he stood off to the side, a small troop behind him, waiting to assist the newcomers.

Jace approached me and pressed his lips to my forehead. Mocking coos sounded from all the surrounding men, forcing a quiet scoff from him.

His eyes bore into mine, soft smiles adorning both of our faces.

“ Come back to me, okay? ” His voice echoed in my mind as he held my hand in his, toying with my wedding ring.

“Always,” I answered aloud, and he slowly backed away from me.

I turned to the right, where Gage was giving Avery words of encouragement. “You’re going to be great, and I will be waiting right here for you when you return.”

“Thank you,” she answered, her cheeks blushing.

“Give them hell, my little rebel princess,” he teased, before turning to stand with Jace.

I gave her a thumbs up as I winked at her. “Rebel princess!” I whisper-shouted, and she giggled.

“That’s enough, you two,” Veli hushed us. “They’re about to open the rift.”

Empri and Madalae held each other’s hand, interlocking their taloned fingers together while they simultaneously held out their opposite ones towards the fields that lay before us .

A scarlet glow cast beyond them as their magic brewed. “ Odium Embulae ,” their voices echoed in tandem, and the air instantly changed.

The wind picked up, sending my braided hair whipping around as the grass beneath our feet lashed out in all directions. Lightning erupted from thin air only several feet before us, forming a tiny crack in the realm. In seconds, it shattered into several more until a hole appeared—a darkened alleyway of Isla awaiting on its other side.

“ We will keep this open until you’re back, but you must go. I feel the presence you spoke of when you cast the whisper. I believe there is a shield at work ,” Empri’s voice sounded, as if she spoke it into our minds.

Avery looked terrified as she realized that Empri hadn’t spoken aloud. The twins each remained frozen in their stance as they held the rift open.

“We must go. Now!” Veli announced as she stalked toward the gateway that mimicked a mirage of flowing, opaque swirls.

“Is it going to hurt?” Avery asked as we stepped up to it.

“A bit of a tingle, but no pain,” she answered as she led the way and stepped through the rift.

My sister turned to me, and I gave her a gentle nod. “Stay close.”

And then we stepped through to Isla.