Page 236 of The Dawn of the Cursed Queen

“Glad we have that covered,” Elianna said. “I’m leaving, and if you guys are smart, you will too. Things are about to get very, very ugly.”

My head snapped toward her. “And how do you know that?”

Vincent moved with celestial speed, and Elianna yelped when he appeared behind her. He gripped her shoulders and asked, “And why are you stealing documents?”

“I’m leaving. Are you insane? Nismera fears him. Who doesn’t? We all know he’s pissed, and these papers will ensure I can hide until this damned war passes over. I don’t have anyone else but myself.”

Vincent’s eyes darted to me, and I knew what he was thinking.

“Come with us?” I asked.

Elianna shook her head. “You? Why?” she asked.

“One, you have far more information than we do, and two, we need those pages. I can see the writing from here.”

“Okay, what’s in it for me? It’s not like you two can ensure my safety. We all heard what went down in those chambers.”

“Camilla wants to return to Dianna,” Vincent interjected.

“Are you insane?” Elianna all but gasped. “She will gut us alive for what we did to Samkiel, even if he still breathes. We’re better off staying here with Nismera.”

“No.” I glanced at Vincent. “I know Dianna. War is brewing, and she cares about her family above all. I don’t just bring her information but also a way to protect them. She will help us. No heads will roll. I promise.”

Elianna held the documents a fraction closer. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because even at her lowest, her deadliest, she didn’t kill me,” I said. “And besides, we have this.”

Vincent opened his cloak, revealing the medallion inside. Elianna’s eyes widened. “How?”

“It’s not important. Are you with us or not?”

Elianna stared at us, her fingers tightening on the papers. “Vincent won’t make it past the front door after everything he’s done. I know that above all.”

“Then, if he dies, so do I, but we’re leaving,” I said, giving Vincent a small reassuring smile. “Together or not at all.”

A small smile tugged at his lips. They were the same words I had said before and the same ones he said to me when he spoke of our plan.

Elianna’s bottom lip wobbled, and I saw the longing in her eyes for something more than council meetings, death, and destruction. She shrugged as much as she could under Vincent’s hands. “Fine, whatever. We’re all going to die anyway, right?”

She said it so calmly, almost like a joke, but my magic stirred as if reacting to it like an omen.

ONE HUNDRED

NISMERA

The walls sizzled where magic had burned them, and a thousand and one pieces of metal lay scattered about. The last table clattered to the floor as my guards ransacked Killium’s makeshift shop. I twirled my spear, crunching the ashes of mercenaries beneath my boot. I stopped and spun, pointing the tip toward Killium. “A little birdie told me you made a strange weapon for a strange man. So tell me. Where is the fate?”

Killium laughed, his teeth bleeding pale white blood. “You think fate needs a weapon?”

My boot collided with his chest. I kicked until I heard a bone break, and he screamed.

I flipped my hair back, smoothing the sides. “Answer the question, or I will decorate the walls with you.” I grabbed his jaw, forcing him to look at the dust smear nearby. “Like I did with sweet old Jaski.”

“You have already taken everything from me. I hope you rot.”

The world shook, and I stumbled off my feet. My guards rushed forward, grabbing my arms and helping me stand back up. I pushed them off, sneering. “I’m fine.”

There was another deep rumble, and parts of the ceiling began to crumble.

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