6. Six

Six

A plan. I needed a plan and my daggers.

I would start at the top of the dorms and move everyone down into the dining hall. From there, I would take them to holding.

Pandemonium erupted as I burst through the doors of the dining hall. Students were screaming and shoving each other in a desperate attempt to get closer to Asrai, who stood at the front of the room. Ignoring the chaos, I sprinted towards the fireplace. My heart pounded urgently against my ribs. My bag was still there, wedged tightly between Ata’s favorite chair.

“Silence!” Asrai’s voice boomed like thunder, shaking the glass in every window that lined the hall. My hands trembled as I pried the round stone away from the hearth and retrieved my belt of knives from its hiding place.

Strapping them to my chest, I fought my way out of the crowded hall, the fading echoes of Asrai’s commanding voice, deafening.

I had to reach the ninth floor.

The stairs seemed to stretch endlessly before me as I ran, praying to the Gods that whatever was coming, would wait until the children were safe.

Gasping for air, I reached the peak of the stairs and forced myself to keep moving. I closed my eyes, sucking in a deep breath and willing my body to calm down. My arms extended out to my sides as my fingers stretched into the darkness of my mind.

Shadows erupted from me like a silent explosion, spreading through every hallway and room on the floor. Their heavy presence engulfed the entire space, extinguishing every trace of light as frightened students poured out of their rooms and stumbled toward the stairs. My shadows moved them downward while I cleared each floor with calculated movements, checking each dorm room before following the students down to the next floor, then the next, and the next. As the last student reached the bottom of the stairs, I let out a sigh of relief.

We were halfway there.

A hush fell over the room as I entered with shadows flowing out of me; the myth of them finally becoming reality as the students stepped away from me, keeping their distance. The air crackled with tension as I pulled the shadows in, creating an aura of darkness around my figure. In the midst of the now-blinding light, I climbed onto a nearby bench and commanded everyone’s attention.

“Listen closely,” I said, taking a deep breath to steady myself. “I don’t have time to repeat this.”

“Why won’t anyone tell us what’s happening?” A young student’s voice pierced through the quiet, echoing the thoughts of many. The room exploded into chaos as others joined in, shouting questions at me.

With a flick of my hand, shadows engulfed the crowd, silencing them with scattered gasps and shrieks.

“As I said, listen, and I will explain.” I pulled the shadows back again, leaving them gathered slightly behind me, enough to keep the attention of everyone in the room. “At some point in the next hour, Rahval will be under attack.” A collective gasp came from the bodies standing in front of me. “We are still working on gathering information. Until then, it’s my job to make sure all of you, who are under fighting age, get to safety.” My hands began to tremble and I could feel sweat building on my hairline. Get it together.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Taft walk into the room and lean against the entrance with his arms folded across his chest. The stones seemed to shudder against his broad muscled shoulder as he beckoned me, gesturing his head toward the hallway. I looked back at the teenagers gaping up at me, all with panic sewn into their faces.

“Stay here and do not move. I will be back in a moment.” I sent shadows crawling toward all doorways leading in or out of the hall—makeshift security if anyone decided to run while I wasn’t looking. My pace was quick and eager as I approached Taft. “Any news?”

He snatched my arm and pulled me around the corner out of eyesight and slammed his lips against mine.

His hands weaved into my hair, grabbing handfuls as he pushed his tongue against my teeth, begging to be let in. I parted my lips, giving in to his kiss as I wrapped my arms around his neck, and pulled him as close as I could get. I pushed my body against his begging him for more; silently pleading for him to take me right there, against this wall, and fill me with him one last time. He pulled his lips from mine and trailed kisses from the base of my neck to my jawline, to my ear.

Heat blazed between my thighs as he pushed away from me. Panting, I kept my arms locked around his neck, and searched his eyes for any emotion, and found nothing but emptiness.

“The War Teams left through the tunnels, but I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to you.” A flicker of sorrow flashed in his eyes before turning hollow again. Had it already been an hour?

My mind was spinning. This was happening.

The War Teams had officially been called to duty. This beautiful stone and iron fortress would soon be locked down.

Ata. I had to find Ata. I hadn’t seen her or Ardan since the meeting. I couldn’t leave without seeing her. I shook my head, trying to focus back on Taft.

“When are you leaving?” I asked, my voice cracking.

This was the moment I now understood I was so utterly under prepared for.

This was our last goodbye.

“Now. I—” A deafening crack cut Taft off and reverberated through the room and loud gasps broke out in the dining hall.

“What was that?” I whipped my head around us, eyes wide, trying to find the source. Within seconds, another booming crack rang overhead. A splinter ran through the stone ceiling.

“Get back into the hall,” Taft growled, drawing his axe and eying the ceiling. A blood-curdling scream rolled through the fortress as stones came falling from the ceiling. Taft palmed my chest and sent me flying backward through the archway. I hit the ground, scrambling away from the entrance as it collapsed, spewing rubble all over the floor.

Taft was trapped on the other side.

Screams echoed throughout the halls as three black-winged Tragi flew into view. My heart stopped as they landed only feet away from a group of children no older than ten. They stretched out their leathery wings, revealing red scales on their underbellies.

Ice ran through my veins.

Ammord had sent Tragi to do their dirty work.

I had only ever read about Tragi in The Stories . They were mutant dragons, bred with black magic running through their veins. The Tragi towered over us, their scaly bodies stretching as tall as the castle walls. Their bat-like wings beat the air, stirring up dust and debris. Each step was marked by a deafening scrape as their sharp claws dragged along the stone-littered floor. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from their dragon-like heads—their razor-sharp teeth.

Their glowing yellow eyes scanned the room. Their pupils split into four as they tracked us.

The first one spoke. “How nice of you to gather for us.” Its forked tongue flicked out as it spoke, the words hissing and slithering like a snake. The voice was female, soft, but deep and menacing, drawing out each syllable with a taunting tone.

I had to do something, anything. They weren’t supposed to attack.

Not here.

My heart pounded through my ears as the realization dawned on me. We had just sent every War Team to Rahval.

We were completely unprepared for an attack like this.

My heart threatened to break free of my ribcage as I silently pulled two daggers from my sheath and gripped them in my hands. Pushing my way through the crowd, I realized that nothing could fully prepare me for the terror of facing these monsters in real life. But this is what Asrai had trained me for, and I would protect my family at all costs.

“You are not welcome here.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt a surge of adrenaline ignite my veins. The Tragi responded with menacing growls, baring their sharp fangs. I stood my ground as the smallest one stepped forward. Her beady eyes locked onto mine and she let out a low, threatening hiss.

“You dare face us, Shadow Plier?” Her voice dripped with venom as she spat out the words. I stood tall, adjusting my grip on the gleaming knives in my hands.

I would not let these children die at the hands of these creatures.

“You are not welcome here,” I repeated, my voice louder—steadier.

“I guess we will have to see about that, won’t we,” the third spat as it took a step forward.

I turned my face to the side, keeping one eye on them and whispered, “Run.”

The Tragus let out a deafening, guttural screech that reverberated through my skull. With each violent gust of breath, flames surged into the air, engulfing everything in sight as ash rained down on us.

Their massive wings beat against the ground. Propelling them higher as they unleashed their fiery wrath upon us. The heat was suffocating and I struggled to breathe as I watched the flames surge into the ceiling, reaching towards the heavens.

The students behind me were shrieking and scattering like frightened animals. Desperate to find any possible escape from the terrifying chaos unfolding before them. The entrances to the dining hall had collapsed, and I could hear scraping and thudding on the other side of the ruble; hands desperately digging to get to us, to help us.

But there was only me, I was the only one here to protect these students.

The Tragus’s malevolent eyes locked onto us.

Its prey.

A primal fear coursed through my veins.

Violent wings of darkness burst from my back; lashing out with such ferocity that I stumbled backwards. With a powerful gust, they lifted me off the ground, hurling me into the air and leaving trails of inky blackness streaming from every pore on my body. As they lifted me further above the ground, the fire aimed at the students below us was quickly swallowed by the darkness in my path—drowning in its all-consuming rage.

The Tragi let out another screech as its wings thrashed against the air; trying to reach me as I soared above it. The newfound power behind my shadows seemed to repel its fire, shielding me from harm.

Flames clashed with the darkness emanating from my body and I thrust my hand forward. Unleashing a surge of darkness towards the ball of fire headed directly for me. The two forces collided in midair, and the explosion of magic meeting shook the entire fortress.

The battle between us raged. Each of us unleashing our powers against the other. The Tragus’s flames were powerful and destructive, but my darkness consumed them again and again.

I didn’t know how much longer I could hold them off alone.

The room was covered in shadow as dense and dark as a starless night sky, smothering the sounds of the wailing children underneath it. My energy was draining; my bones shaking at the sheer power leaking from every inch of me. My body had never created shadows of this capacity.

I couldn’t control it.

I searched frantically, looking for any place to land safely. A loud crashing of stones falling to the floor came from the entrance of the hall; then out of the darkness, Taft and Ardan appeared in a blur. Their blades glinting in the fire with deadly intent, bounding off the tables below with ferocious speed, they launched themselves towards the smallest Tragus. Their blades sliced into its wings, dragging down its leathery webbing.

An earsplitting roar of pain echoed through the room as blood sprayed out, coating everything in a thick, silver sheen. With the sleeve of my sweater, I wiped it from my face. I spit the remnants of it from my mouth, leaving the acidic metal taste burning on my tongue.

With a deafening thud, the Tragus crashed to the ground, unleashing a torrent of fire from her flared nostrils as she charged towards Ardan, her bloodied wings dragging on the ground beside her. Ardan sprinted towards her with his sword held high, ready to strike at the center of her skull.

Just before impact, her sister lunged down, whipping her long tail through the air and connecting with Ardan’s body. Ardan slammed into the unforgiving stone wall with a sickening crunch. My throat burned and tightened as I screamed his name.

No! No! Ardan! My mind raced and I tried to will my wings toward him.

“Ardan!” I screamed over and over.

I can’t lose him. He can’t die. Not like this.

He lay slumped against the wall, his clothes torn and his body bloody. My eyes darted from Ardan to Taft, who was sliding across the floor toward him. Taft lifted his axe and with one swift movement, sliced through the Tragus’s scales and into her flesh.

The spiked end of its tail fell to the ground, silver blood saturating the cracks in the stone floor. The Tragus let out another deafening roar and with another rapid swing, Taft struck a fatal blow to the mangled monster on the floor.

Anger seared in the Tragus’s eyes as she watched the murder of her sister and locked her vision back on me. Her severed tail spewing silver blood over the tables below us. She screamed, lunging towards me, her claws aiming straight for my chest.

I raised my hands in defense and called upon all the darkness within me. A blinding flash of light erupted from my palms and collided with the Tragus. There was a moment of stillness before the creature let out one final screech and disintegrated into ash before my eyes.

Searing hot pain surged through my body.

My throat shredded from the scream that left my lips as fiery restraints flew through the air and cut into my skin. I writhed in agony against the strong burning ropes that wrapped around my wrists and ankles, pulling me to the ground. The pain blinded me; red splotches replacing my vision.

My sight blurred back into focus as I searched the ground for the source of the ropes now holding me captive. As my shadows faltered against the pain, a swarm of men came into view, gathering below and pulling at my bindings to drag me to the ground. They were dressed in identical gray battle gear; the same gear Asrai had donned all these years.

My mind raced frantically. She wouldn’t.

She wouldn’t betray us like this. Not after everything.

The pain bit into me again.

Another agonizing wave of heat melted into my flesh and my body convulsed.

I wasn’t strong enough. The pain was too much.

My shadowy wings gave out and I crumpled to the ground. My limbs felt like they were shattering as they met the solid stone floor. The rope, ablaze with crimson and orange, seared my skin as it loosened around my limbs and slithered across my legs and arms. Parts of my clothing and skin burned away in its wake. The smell of raw flesh consumed my nostrils, and I gagged on the bile that rose in my throat.

I glanced up through tears that stained my face, trying to blink them from my eyes as a sinister figure emerged from the small battalion. A malevolent grin spread across his scarred face as he moved toward me.

He opened his mouth, but before the words could leave his lips, a brilliant golden light burst into the room, crashing into the men with incredible force. I threw a hand into the air to shield my eyes, turning my head away from the source. Squinting through the blinding radiance, I made out a figure.

Asrai emerged from behind it, her hair blazing like an inferno in the light.

“Get her out of here!” Asrai snarled as a woman broke out from behind her, sprinting towards me. It wasn’t Ata—she didn’t look like Ata—but as she grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet there was something familiar about her. She pushed my arm over her shoulder, wrapping hers around my waist to steady me as we fled from the scene alongside the students now making a break for the gaping holes in the walls. She scooped up my satchel as we passed the fireplace, her strained breaths and gasps for air telling me she was using so much of her strength to drag me from the room.

We rounded the corner and began our ascent up the winding stone staircase towards Asrai’s chambers; our boots sliding on loose, fallen stones as we climbed higher and higher into the castle’s tallest tower.

Blood spewed from my mouth as I coughed, my skull splitting in pain with each movement I made.

“Taft . . . Ardan,” I managed to choke out their names. “We can’t leave them.”

“We won’t.” It was Ata’s voice. But her face . . . I had never seen this woman before. “They are only seconds behind us,” she said as we reached the landing of the top floor and she moved to lean me against the wall.

A large gash from her left brow to the bottom of her right ear had blood still slowly dripping from it. What had they done to her? She lifted her arm against the wall to steady herself, wincing as pain shot through her body.

The woman’s features slowly morphed before my eyes and I gasped as Ata’s familiar face returned. I shook my head blinking wildly up at her. I hit my head. I had to have imagined it.

I examined her as she caught her breath. The frayed edges of her sweater revealed deep cuts and dark bruises that were starting to take on a sickly purple hue. Nausea began to tickle the inside of my throat as I took in the damage.

She whistled three notes into the silence, waited three seconds, then whistled them again. The doors of Asrai’s chambers flew open exposing Wren behind them, as bruised and bloodied as the rest of us.

Two hooded figures lurked in the corner of the room, clad in obsidian battle leathers and armed to the teeth—like creatures from a nightmare. Wren pulled us into the room as they exchanged hushed whispers. Hurried footsteps sounded from the hallway and I spun around to face whatever threat had followed us.

I clenched my fists in preparation as Taft and Ardan’s heads peaked around the corner. Relief rolled over me at the sight of them and I collapsed against the wall. Wren shuffled them into the room, glancing down the corridor as Taft rushed toward me.

A loud snap echoed from a corner of the room, and the door melted into the wall. My head twisted to the sound and my eyes landed on the strangers standing before us.

The larger of the two slowly lowered his hood.

My heart stopped dead in my chest for a mere second as my eyes met his. The breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of him. We stood there, our eyes locked in a magnetic pull as a silky smooth voice interrupted us, breaking our trance.

“We really should be going,” the voice purred, lowering her hood. This woman, small and slender, matched his beauty. She gave us a soft smile that seemed so out of place against her fierce features.

“Who are you?” Ardan asked as he spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor; his eyes narrowed on the man in front of us as he pulled Ata closer to him.

“Right now, I am simply the man getting you off this island.” His voice rumbled like distant thunder, and I shivered at the intensity of it. “Proper introductions will have to wait until we are a long way from these grounds.”

“And you just assume we are going to go with you?” Taft snapped back, his hand landing on my lower back as he pulled me into his side. The man’s gaze swept over me, lingering on Taft’s touch as a slight smirk formed on his lips.

“No, I do not.” He slid his hands into his pockets coolly. “It would actually be much easier if you did not come.” He let out a deep, quiet chuckle. “The only one I need, is that one.” He gestured to me with his chin and grinned. My spine stiffened. “I would just be doing the rest of you a favor.” He slid his arms across his chest. “But of course, she can still say no and stay here while this fortress crumbles underneath your feet.”

I felt a growl rumble in Taft’s chest as he stepped in front of me. “She is not going anywhere with you.”

Ata turned to Taft and scoffed. “So you would rather she stay here and die?” She looked at me with pleading eyes. “Please, Cin, let’s go. We have to get out of here; now is our chance.”

“All of us are going.” Wren’s voice sounded behind us and we turned to look at him. “They have been vetted. This is not a request, this is an order.”

“From who exactly?” Taft spat, motioning around the room “As far as I can see I am the highest ranking commander in this room and—”

“Well, this has been fun,” the man interrupted, taking a step toward me. “Hyacinth, what is your decision?” His eyes—the deepest, most intense shade of emerald—locked on mine and held me captive. I felt a strange tug in my chest, as if an invisible string was pulling me towards him. I pulled my eyes away from him, looking to Wren.

“What about the students? The others? We can’t just leave them here.”

“Asrai instructed me that if it were to come to this, to make sure we got out. I do not know her plan for them, but I assure you, she will not abandon them,” Wren said, taking a step toward me. I stared at him a little longer, guilt flowing through my body at the decision I had already made.

“I’ll go,” I whispered, stepping out from behind Taft’s large frame and glancing at Ata before looking back at the strange man in front of me. He nodded, confirming my answer and bowed slightly, holding his hand out to me as I turned toward Taft.

“I love you,” I said quietly. “I hope you will come.” Then turned back to the stranger and reached for his hand.