Chapter 19

The clouds were swallowing us up when the two witches broke free of my magic and raced into the street below.

I couldn't hear what they were yelling, only saw fireballs flare before Tristan soared out of range.

The clouds enveloped us in a cold, wet mist, droplets rippling down the wyvern's neck. We had the sword, and our confirmation—the pendant was definitely the other piece. All we had to do was retrieve it from Trubahn's shop.

I patted Tristan's side, his scales smooth as glass. "You are never to offer a drop of your blood to anyone, ever again, least of all witches."

He huffed out a sound, somewhere between an apology and a snort, then banked to the right, heading for the Wynter Palace.

We both knew the Oracle was there.

I flattened myself along his spine. "Faster, Tristan. I'm not going to fall." At least, I fucking hoped not.

The wind roared dully in my ears, mist pouring over Tristan's wings as we flew, swifter than I ever thought possible. We circled the palace, flying low enough two Reapers broke free from the main host over Tempeste and headed our way.

I blasted them into slips of shadow, and a moment later we touched down in front of the palace, kicking up enough dust to clog my nose. No scent of rot. Not yet.

But the atmosphere at the palace turned darker.

Tristan shifted back to his Fae form the moment I was off his back, and I tossed him his trousers then handed him his knives as he slid his feet into his boots.

I shoved the box into his arms. "Hide this. Somewhere I can't see. Now, before we go inside." With a quick nod, Tristan crashed through the bracken beside the castle and disappeared.

Fear wove through my chest with every tortuous minute he was gone, my heart beating so hard my ribs ached. Finally, Tristan reappeared picking leaves from his hair.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" His gaze was steady, even though his face was leached of color. "We can leave, Anaria. We should leave. Right now. Fly to Blackcastle." His fingers bit into my arms. "Find the other piece. Complete the weapon. At least then we'd be ready."

"I know."

The bitter mountain air stung my windburned face, then a boom echoed from deep inside the palace. Tristan's skin rippled, scales appearing where pale skin had been a moment before, his shoulders tightening into a rigid line. We crept through the open front doors, shivers raking down my spine, tension tightening my belly.

"Someone should have been waiting outside. Raz or Tavion," Tristan murmured. "For sneaking off the way we did."

"I'd take Tavion's yelling right now over this silence." I hung onto Tristan's arm as we pushed down the empty hall, layering us in as much magic as I could manage.

Every painting in the main hall was ripped to shreds as if enormous talons had torn through the canvases. Priceless urns were shattered across the floor. Furniture and glass splintered. I scanned every dark nook and cranny, every room we passed.

No movement, nothing so much as breathed.

"Fuck. I have to get you out of here, Anaria." Tristan stopped so suddenly I crashed into his back. "If the others are…" He gazed down the dark hall, his eyes hard. "I have to get you to safety."

"I can't leave them behind." Every word was strained. "You know I can't."

The Oracle had warned me, hadn't she? The bond between us was as much a liability as a boon. Strength and weakness and she would exploit both to her advantage.

Pale smoke trailed out of the doorway ahead of us. I peered over Tristan's shoulder. Bexley's experiments lay in ruins, vile green liquid eating a hole through the dining table, his books—what was left of them—piles of ash on the floor.

There was no rhyme nor reason to the wanton destruction.

Only blind rage could have created such a chaotic mess.

Tristan's head cocked to the side, hazel eyes gleaming with fear. "Anaria. Please. Let me take you out of here."

"We'd only lead her to the Keep where there are more targets. More casualties." I chewed my lip, surveying the damage. Oh, the Oracle was pissed, alright. She'd spent weeks trapped inside her own head, and now that she was free, her retribution would be terrible.

I didn't know why she'd waited, but I'd make sure her anger was only aimed toward me.

I grasped Tristan's arm, turning my spine to steel.

"Listen to me." His eyes begged me not to ask, but I dug my fingers into his skin. "I need you to promise me. Get the others out. Go somewhere she wouldn't expect. Somewhere she'll never find you." Tristan grit his teeth, the sound like stones grinding. "She won't kill me, Tristan, she still needs me. But she'll hurt all of you to punish me, and that's the only thing that would destroy me."

"Don't ask me to do this, Anaria," Tristan begged, shaking beneath my hand. "Ask me to do anything, anything but leaving you behind."

Fear turned to focus as I let him go and stepped away. "You know this is the only way we survive. Promise me, will you?"

"Fine. I promise I'll get them out, but if you are in any danger?—"

I kissed him, my lips crashing into his so hard he groaned. "I can handle the Oracle. Pick your moment, and when it's time, get them out. Be smart and take them somewhere she'll never look."

I sucked in a tear-stained breath. "When I can, I will find you. Do you hear me? I'll find you, Tristan. And when I do, we will finish this together."

Then I let him go.