Page 40 of Wings of Betrayal

Demetros runs a hand through his hair. “Yes and no. I am confident we can defend ourselves. But…”

I frown. “But what?”

He flicks his gaze to Lacinda, then back at me. “If a lot of them show up, I don’t know that we can take them. They’re strong, and their claws are deadly. I’ve seen what they can do. We both have.”

Finlay and I fly back to Silanthia after that, but our conversation with Demetros and Lacinda has left me rattled.

I don’t want my friends put in a dangerous position where they can’t defend themselves. It’s not okay. Something has to be done about this. Where are these lost ones coming from?

You all good?Finlay asks through the mind link as we pass the barrier into Silanthia.

It’s difficult to communicate any other way when we’re flying at this speed.

I’m just worried about them, that’s all.

I know it’s scary, but they’ll be all right. They are powerful fighters. Plus, Harlum sent more seconds down, remember?

I’m about to respond when an ear-piercing screech sounds from behind. Finlay and I both look back to find a horde of about twenty lost ones following us through the Kingdom.

With wide eyes, I look at Finlay.

What do we do?A note of panic edges his voice.

I don’t know! We need to keep them away from populated areas. Head for the Dark Forest,I suggest.

There’s a loud snarl, and I whip around to see a group of Zelons flying close behind in pursuit of the lost ones. Thank the gods they’ve seen them breech the Kingdom boundary.

Finlay and I swoop down toward the edge of the Dark Forest along the east side of the Kingdom boundary where more Zelons are guarding the borders.

We both land at speed with a thud and draw our weapons.

The lost ones land one by one before us, their long claws extending out farther than I remembered from last time. Their expressions are hollow and void of emotion. The angels they used to be are long gone, and all that remains is a thirst for blood. Up close, they are terrifying. Their pale skin is flaking off, and their hair is straggly and barely attached to their heads. Their wings, sparsely covered with feathers, are dripping with black blood.

They stare at us through milky eyes before letting out another awful screech. Then, they charge forward.

But the Zelons are fast, and they land around us, boxing the lost ones in. We outnumber the lost ones three to one, but I won’t allow their obvious disadvantage to get the best of my confidence. I know how deadly a slash from their claws can be.

“Careful!” Finlay shouts, and I duck out of the way as a lost one slashes their claws toward my face.

A huge Zelon catches the movement and leaps in front of me, biting down on the lost one’s arm and tearing it right off. It screeches again but doesn’t seem too fazed by the loss of its limb.

My stomach turns at the sight, and I have to take a deep breath to calm the nausea.

It bares its broken and rotten teeth and launches toward the Zelon. He’s quicker though and snaps onto the lost one’s head, taking it clean off and tossing it to the side, where it comes to a rolling stop against a tree.

Gross.

The remaining lost ones charge forward and crash into the Zelons with teeth and claws snapping at one another. It’s total chaos, and I’m unsure what to do.

Finlay and I exchange a brief look before jumping into action and joining in on the carnage.

Don’t get scratched!I warn Finlay.

He slashes his sword across a lost one’s back, and it falls face-first into the ground.Wasn’t planning on it!

A lost one comes at me, and I spin out of the way and slice my daggers along its wings. It screeches and arches its back before turning on me. I slide my daggers away and draw my power, allowing it to build in my palms before blasting it into the lost one.

It absorbs my power, and its entire body shakes as cracks appear in its thin, flaky skin. Light bursts from its chest as it stares up at the sky, and I rear back just as it explodes into a thousand pieces.

---