Page 189 of What Lies Within Masks & Shadows

The wooden leg she held barreled toward his face while her sword was fisted tight in her other.

He caught it with the edge of his curved sword and winked shale-colored eyes that, in the dim tavern’s light, seemed completely colorless.

Eyes wide and foolishly forgetting the scene unfolding around her, fighting leathers groaned as Alora threw her arms around the male’s neck, knocking his triangle hat to the bloody floor. “Aiden!”

Warm arms eagerly pulled her close in a tight embrace, and Aiden sarcastically shoved at Jade. “See? Nowthatis a proper welcome home!” Just as he let go, hands forced Alora to the ground and pulled Aiden into the crowd. “Do you mind? We’re trying to have a reunion here!”

A heavy boot slammed into her gut, choking the air from her lungs as Aiden’s face disappeared, running into the crowd. A glint of metal flashed high above her face.

With horror, she realized it was her own sword. Lost like a child on their first day of training. And then, like a cruel joke, itwas Thalon’s voice scolding her as the metal—in slow motion—inched closer to the hard spot between her eyes.

‘Lose your sword, lose your life.’

How could she have been so incredibly careless?

‘Anything is fair in battle. Show me what you have learned.’

Garrik’s voice…

She wouldn’t die there.Not like this. With no other option, Alora lifted her hand as a heavy whirl of black smoke whisked around it. The fireplace flames grew, and candles flickered as embers formed in her palm.

Sparks gathered and lit in her outstretched hand. Ready to defend her life.

But a shadow-covered ringed hand bent her fingers inward.

A rock-solid airwave barreled through the room, turning everything to ruin.

The room fell deathly quiet. All except for the harsh panting of the three left standing.

An endless abyss for eyes glared down at her. With sharp, gritted teeth and pale skin pulled tight across pointed facial bones, the Savage Prince growled in a thunderous breath, “I leave … for four hours … and you determine it suitable to demonstrate your powers to loose-lipped rabble.Have you gone mad?”

Alora could barely think past her panting and thundering pulse but managed to snarl back. “You’d rather me die?”

“Knowledge is currency. If anyone would have abandoned this tavern without our knowing, our efforts would be fornothing. Magnelis would be enlightened within hours and unleash himself. We would be dead,you would be fucking dead.” Garrik’s lips and teeth quivered. “You think that display at the wall was for my own sick entertainment? We all have a part to play, you are no exception.”

She attempted to pull her fist from his but he held true. Alora seethed, bracing her boots against the wooden floorboards warm against her leathers. “What was I supposed to do, then?”

But he didn’t answer her, reigning his own anger through his tense shoulders and cold face as if he was counting to ten before speaking. Garrik scanned his eyes to Jade and Aiden, who waited, panting. “Explain,now.” His growl shook the floor, and shadows from every darkened part of the tavern retreated at his voice.

Not one said a word. Not even a breath.

Alora whipped her fist out of his and rolled away, standing up with sore knees.

Foolish girl. You’ll pay for what you did.

Shut up, she snapped at Kaine’s voice running talons down her mind.Shut the hell up!

Remember what happened last time you put his army in danger?

Stop.Alora’s bones began to tremble.He won’t.Though she didn’t want to admit it, Garrik was right. Wandering eyes made for great enemies. One moment. One watchful, greedy eye could be their downfall—and she’d be to blame.Again.

Garrik stepped toward Jade and Aiden when the tavern door swung open and Thalon stopped mid-step inside the threshold. “Where the hell have you been?”

Widened golden eyes scanned the tavern, mouth gaping. Thalon forced a swallow and rolled his shoulders back, standing rigid. “I was … out.”

Garrik’s power rumbled through the room. “I am waiting for a starsdamn explanation as to why those held in the highest regard of my ranks saw it fit to act like drunken fools.Speak.Or I swear?—”

He’s coming for you. Better run, foolish girl. Back to me. I’ll protect you.

---