Page 37 of From the Mouths of Sirens

They sat clustered together in the wet sand for what seemed like an eternity. It was agonizing, waiting there as Sune continued to bleed out. Anxiety and exhaustion dulled to a distant buzzing in the back of Saoirse’s mind. She had no idea of how the other tributes fared or how they progressed through the maze. Each team exited the labyrinth in four different corners of the arena, her view of the other tributes obscured by the tall walls of the maze. Saoirse leaned back against the sand, closing her eyes. All she could do was wait.

After an unbearable stretch of time, the jaunty tune that had played at the start of the trial filled the air from above, the cheerful trumpets blaring across the arena. The stone walls quivered, lowering back into the earth the same way that they had emerged only hours before.

“Tributes,” Korina’s voice cut through, “congratulations on surviving your first trial.” The Master of Trials’s booming voice was mirthless and devoid of any excitement, remaining neutral even as the crowd went wild. “Healers will arrive shortly. Those of you who have completed your tasks shall be granted the right to move toward the next trial. The second stage of the Revelore Tournament shall begin in one day’s time. May glory be given.”

Vaguely, Saoirse was aware that several white-robed healers had suddenly swarmed them, emerging from one of the doors of the arena. But as they began speaking to her, she couldn’t understand a word that they were saying. Her mind was fraying at the edges, her head pounding.

“Princess Saoirse,” a voice called. “Princess Saoirse.”

She tried to turn her head at the sound, but her vision had begun to darken at the corners. She could feel assessing hands on her, could feel expert touches as they evaluated her for injuries. She stared up at the cloud-covered sky as she was lowered to the ground, her back resting against the soft white sand. Rain spattered across her cheeks, caressing her with a soothing touch.

She thought she could see the dark figure of a winged-man silhouetted against the clouds, lowering down to her in a graceful spiral.

Then everything went dark.

19

ROOK

Rook collapsed on his cot, soaked to the bone and weary beyond belief. He looked up at the tent ceiling stretched above, listening to the patter of rain against the fabric. He closed his eyes, trying to process all that had happened in that cursed maze.

Memories of the beast he had faced within the labyrinth flashed in his mind, its bloodied jaws mere inches from his face. Rook hadn’t expected to turn a corner and come face to face with the horrifying chimera, its serpent’s tail flicking through the sand. He could still feel its hungry yellow eyes upon him, glittering with a predatory shine. A shiver went up Rook’s spine when he remembered the mangled body of a Tellusun tribute at the chimera’s front paws, his orange cloak in tatters. But the worst of the chimera hadn’t been its dagger-like teeth or its massive lion’s claws. It had been the onyx ram horns that curled from its head, wickedly sharp and glistening with fresh blood. He remembered the raw terror that had washed over him as the beast lowered its head and charged at him.

Rook opened his eyes and wiped his damp forehead, trying to scrub the memory of the chimera from his mind. He couldn’t afford to be haunted by nightmares this early on. Not when it would only get worse. He fidgeted on the cot, restless as the rain pattered above. He’d forget the face of the fallen Tellusun tribute eventually, perhaps even by tomorrow. What mattered was that Veila and Eros had been waiting for him on the other side, whole and alive.

“Rook,” a frantic voice called from the tent entrance.

Raven swept in, her face flushed with fear. She tore the dark hood from her head, casting off the soaked cloak from her shoulders in a heap on the floor. She sat beside him on the cot and grabbed his hand

“You made it out,” she said in a near whisper. She touched his cheek, as if to make sure she hadn’t conjured him in a dream.

“I assume you watched it all,” Rook said roughly, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Up in that comfortable tower of yours.” As soon as he spoke the words, he regretted them. He hadn’t meant for them to come out in such a biting tone.

“No,” she replied, “as a matter of fact I didn’t.” She looked away from him, her eyes haunted. The guilt Rook felt grew tenfold and his heart softened towards her. Of course she hadn’t watched.

“I’m sorry, Raven,” he apologized. “I’m tense, that’s all. I saw things in that maze I never thought possible.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling his sister against him.

“You’re all I have,” Raven whispered. “I know we haven’t been on the best of terms as of late, but I can’t lose you, little brother.” She pulled away from him, her frown deepening as she looked at the bloodied gash on his face. “I don’t take any pleasure in watching you suffer.”

“I survived one trial,” Rook sighed, touching the sticky liquid that clung to his face. “Only two more left.” He looked at his hand, now stained with his own blood.

“Your Majesties,” a voice interrupted from the doorway. A soldier stood in the entrance, a scroll clutched against his armored chest. He gasped for air, his wings shuddering as he sucked in deep breaths. Rook and Raven abruptly stood, instantly on edge.

“Captain Aderyn? Did you fly the entire distance from Southeastern border to Aurandel? Alone?" Rook asked.

“What is it?” Raven demanded. “Whatever your qualms, certainly a scout could have informed me.” Gone was the sisterly concern in her voice. Now, only a queen stood in the tent.

“I’ve come from the Terradrin border,” Aderyn explained, his voice coming out in a rasp. “There’s been an uprising.”

Rook went cold, long-repressed memories bubbling to the surface. He prayed the uprising wasn’t where he thought it might be.“Explain,” he ordered, dread pooling in his stomach.

“The trade city of Meysam is in an uproar,” Aderyn told them.

Raven exchanged a glance with Rook, a knowing expression on her face. Their parents had been killed in Meysam. Aderyn handed the rolled up parchment to Raven. She took it from him and quickly scanned the letter, her dark brows furrowing in concern.

“What happened?” Rook asked, his mind racing. The city stood just before the Aurandel border, one of the few major Terradrin towns that lay on the surface world. The most populous Terradrin cities were found in underground caverns and cut into rock deep within the earth. But Meysam served as one of the only points of trade to the outside world. It was also one of the most closely regulated cities of the country, occupied by several thousand Auran troops at all times.

“Revolutionaries ambushed several Auran patrols in the Eoin Market,” Aderyn explained, a distant look in his eyes. "They gathered at the Elder Temple peacefully it seemed at first, but it quickly devolved into chants to overthrow your rule, and the Elder's authority. They marched on the market and rapidly gained numbers, easily out-muscling our skeleton regiment assigned in the early morning. They were murdered, storefronts ransacked, and livestock slaughtered."

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