She glanced at Damien and the others nervously. “But the guards...”
“They’re no longer here,” I said, and her eyes widened. “You’re free. We’re getting you all out.”
“Truly?”
“Truly,” I said, my heart twisting at the first glimmer of hope in her expression. “You can trust us.”
I guided her toward the others, hating how filthy she was, how her beautiful skin was marked with scrapes and bruises. How many others like her had never seen the light of day again?
Damien lowered to his knee. “Just a little longer, and you’ll be able to see the sky again. We’ll get you home to the floating islands quickly.”
Tears welled in her eyes, her lips curving into the first smile of what I hoped would be many more.
The ground shuddered beneath our feet, the walls shaking, and my heart lurched as I braced myself against the table, instinctively shielding Aesos with my body. She cried out, curling up into me as she looked to the ceiling, dust raining over us.
“What was that?” Micah asked, looking around nervously.
The beast within me paced and my heart raced. “Someone tripped a ward.”
Damien stilled, and our gazes briefly met, dread crawling over me like ice.
“Damien?” Micah said, glancing at him.
“Thalia, I need you with me. I need to make sure Lucia is all right,” Damien said, his skin paling. “You’ll be able to track her down the fastest.”
I nodded before lowering myself to Aesos’ level while Damien barked orders to the others, grabbing an earth magic wielder to join us. “Listen to me. I need you to be strong. This is Micah, my bonded. I want you to go with him and show him where the others are to get them out. Can you do that for me?”
She drew a deep breath and nodded.
“You get them out, Micah,” I said, turning to him. “No matter the cost.”
He drew closer to me, his voice dipping low. “I’ve seen what those wards can do, lost friends to them when we pulled you out of this hell. I’m not leaving your side. If there are more wards?—”
“Promise me,” I said, my voice far harsher than I intended as I grasped his hand. “Promise me.”
Fear painted his face. “I promise.”
“I’ll be all right. I’ll meet you at the gates,” I assured him before pressing a kiss to his lips.
He held me close, resting his forehead against mine. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I said, before pulling away to lead Damien into the tunnels, leaving the other warriors to aid Micah in searching for the remaining prisoners.
We couldn’t leave anyone behind. Not Lucia, not the captives, no one... Not again.
22
THE GIRL WITH STORMY EYES
10 YEARS PRIOR
White hot pain shot up my spine, carving a burning path down my arm.
Hands grabbed my face, pulling me back against a solid body, and hot breath poured over my skin, the scent foully sweet with lingering hints of ambrosia liquor, of fae wine and gods knew what else.
A deep voice poured into my ear, guttural and low. It clawed its way into my brain, searing into the ink staining my skin. “How many times do I have to teach you this lesson before you learn?”
I couldn’t respond, biting down another scream as agony tore into my shoulder, my face smashed sideways against stone as he held me in place. Rock cut into my bare skin, tearing into the wounds that still lingered. My lashes lifted, the room spinning too fast, surroundings blurred. I tried to move, tried to fight, but my body wouldn’t respond, my limbs leaden,legs useless.
