Page 120 of Wings of Death

I raise my brows. “Oh yes, I am aware.”

He steps closer, and my breath catches. “Your weapons are special, a gift from the gods.”

He takes my hand and places something inside it before kissing my forehead and disappearing.

I glance down to see a green rock about the size of my palm. It’s smooth with flecks of gold embedded inside it. It’s stunning. But I can’t help the confusion that comes with it. Couldn’t he have given me a sword, or a magical key, or something that can actually help me?

I curl up in my corner, placing the rock next to me as I adjust my blankets and stare at it. My mind races with possibilities of its power, knowing Alaron has given it to me for a reason.

I just have to figure out what that reason is.

The following morning, I wake feeling warm. Having the extra blanket makes a difference. The air feels cool against my cheek, and I know there will be a frost outside.

I sit up and grab the rock, turning it over in my fingers. There has to be more to this. It can’t be just a rock.

“Zarla!” I look up as Amaros comes running through the tunnel toward me, and I quickly slip the rock into my pocket and rush to the cell gate to meet him.

“Please, get me out of here,” I beg him as I grasp the bars.

His worried eyes scan over my body. “Who did this? Are you hurt?”

My eyes well, and I have to swallow back the tears. “Hethenos had the twins lock me up. I’m okay. But please, let me out before they come back.”

He wraps his hand around mine. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m going to get you out. Stand back.”

I follow his demand and move to the back of my cell as he pulls a sword from his holster. He swings it down at the lock, and it makes an awful clang, but nothing happens. Grabbing the lock firmly in his hand, he pulls on it, but nothing. He hovers his hand above the lock and blasts a ball of power at it, which fizzles out as it makes contact.

He lets out a frustrated grunt. “She’s sealed it with some kind of powerful magic.”

I wipe a stray tear from my cheek. “At least you tried.”

His grey eyes bore into mine. “I’m not giving up. I will get you out, I promise.”

“Is my father all right?” I ask.

His expression shifts, and I can see there’s something he’s avoiding telling me.

“What is it?” I press him.

He rubs the side of his face. “He’s gravely ill. We’re not sure what’s happened. We think he’s been poisoned.”

My body tenses at the mention of poison. “It’s Hethenos. She did the same to me.”

He drops his hands to his sides. “You’re sure?”

I nod.

He rakes his hand through his dark hair and turns away from me for a moment. “I will fix this,” he tells me. “All of it. Can you hang in there a little while longer? I’m going to get you out.”

I walk back to the cell gate. “Please be careful. She’s powerful. And you can’t trust the twins.”

He turns to leave.

“Is it true? About you and Astelle?”

He doesn’t face me right away, which basically gives me my answer. I’m not jealous or anything, just disappointed. She tried to kill me. Why would he want anything to do with her?

“It’s complicated,” he says, slowly turning to face me.

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