Chapter 22

While the storm raged around us, I tracked Tristan's retreat into the Taranth Mountains, Tavion cursing loud enough for me to hear every foul, raging word over the storm.

We landed on a sheltered outcropping within sight of the palace.

Instinct told me to go back, to protect Anaria at all costs. The logical, rational part of me knew that would be tantamount to suicide.

Plus, she would totally kick my arse for disobeying her.

"What the fuck happened today?" I fisted my hands at my sides so I didn't wrap them around Tristan's throat when he transformed, shivering as the cold mountain air blasted into him. "When did you decide to go rogue and fly Anaria to some godsforsaken village in the middle of the blight?"

"Be glad we did or the Oracle would have us all on our knees right now," Tristan snapped. "Her included. And where the fuck is Zorander?"

"Gone," Tavion growled, tossing his cloak over the shivering archer. "I recognized her magic the second she breached the wards around the palace. Told the bastard to get airborne, or whatever the two of you call your…flying thing."

Tavion glared up at the storm, his jaw working. "I told him to go to Blackcastle."

"Let's hope he got there." I dragged my hand down my rain-slicked face. "You never should have taken her to Mysthaven, Tristan. That was reckless and dangerous."

"Reckless and dangerous and they saved our fucking arses." Tavion punched Tristan in the shoulder, driving him back a step. "But you ever fucking snatch me up in your talons again and fly me through a fucking window and I'll kill you where you stand."

"We got what we went for. But the weapon's still at the palace." Tristan's eyes flared when I stepped closer, Tavion casually moving between us before I did something I'd regret. "Don't worry, I hid the damn thing where no one will find it. Even Anaria doesn't know where. But we need the pendant for the weapon to work."

"What happened at Mysthaven?" Tavion asked, his voice steady as we put our backs to the cliff face, the wind howling strong enough to knock us off the ledge. "Did you learn anything?"

"Besides the fact I fucking despise witches more than I did before?" Tristan muttered with another sideways glance my way. "Anaria was right about witch magic holding Corvus's blight at bay. Mysthaven is the stronghold of what remains of the Vanguard Conclave. There were only two of them left; the rest of the coven fled to safety days ago."

"But you got the weapon?" I winced when I imagined how far south that negotiation went. "Tell me she didn't fight them for it."

"Not at first, but let's just say they took some convincing since the Oracle got to them first. But we ended up with the knife, and according to them, once we find the other piece Anaria can use the weapon against Corvus."

I wanted to rip this world to pieces. First, I discovered Anaria was missing, then the Oracle appeared and I couldn't do a fucking thing to stop her. I'd never considered myself weak, but today…I blew out a shaky breath.

Being at the Oracle's mercy had shown me the meaning of powerlessness.

"Today was a fucking shite day. We'll have better ones." Tavion dragged his eyes off the storm. "I want to go back there as badly as you do, Raz. We both know that would only put Anaria in a more vulnerable position."

"We have to go back," I grumbled. "Leaving her alone with that monster…" The shudders wouldn't stop, wracking me to my bones. "I feel like I've failed her all over again."

And there it was. The origin of my guilt when it came to Anaria.

"She ordered us to leave, and she was right. If the Oracle used us against her—and she would have—Anaria would comply with whatever orders that creature gave. This way, Anaria makes her own choices, for the right reasons instead of because she's protecting us."

"Uhm, I'm fucking naked and freezing my arse off over here," Tristan grumbled, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.

"Anaria asked me to get you out. I got you out, even though you've done nothing but give me shite. She said to take you somewhere the Oracle wouldn't expect, but fuck knows where that is. I'm too drained to fly to Stormfall. The Keep is even further."

"Blackcastle would be our safest bet, Raz. You know it as well as I do." Tavion crossed his arms over his chest. "We have allies there, and we have to search Trubahn's shop and find that pendant."

I peered across the gully in the direction of the palace, obscured by the storm.

"No. Not Blackcastle, that's the first place the Oracle would look. I have a better idea."