Page 65 of Sundered By Fate

Aric's mind raced as he tried to concoct a plausible lie. "I—I wasn't talking to anyone."

Cyrus narrowed his eyes, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword. "Don't play games with me, Solarian. You think I can't sense the stench of demonic magic in this hallway?"

The soldiers tensed, their hands on their weapons, ready for battle.

"I—I was just—praying," Aric said, his voice wavering slightly. "Praying for guidance."

Cyrus took a step closer, his eyes searching Aric's face. "Praying? To whom?"

Aric swallowed hard, his palms sweating. "To the Light of the Divine," he said. "For strength to face the challenges ahead."

Cyrus opened his mouth to retort, but the arrival of a new voice cut him off.

"There you are!" Davin called out, jogging down the hallway with a grin. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Cyrus scowled as Davin skidded to a halt beside Aric. "Who the hell are you?"

"Davin Lyantros, Silver Tower envoy," Davin said smoothly, producing a badge engraved with the Tower's insignia. "The Lord Regent asked me to escort Aric back to the Silver Tower for further questioning."

Aric shot Davin a grateful look.

Cyrus glared down at the badge, his jaw clenched with barely contained fury. "This isn't over, Solarian," he spat.

"I'm sure it's not," Aric replied, turning on his heel. "But right now, I've got orders from the Lord Regent to obey."

With that, he and Davin hurried away, leaving Cyrus and his soldiers behind in the flickering torchlight.

Once they were out of earshot, Aric let out a shaky breath. "Davin—thank you."

Davin flashed him a grin, but it quickly faded as he noted Aric's pale face and haunted eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Aric shook his head, trying to silence the visions still swirling in his mind. "I just need some fresh air." He grabbed Davin's wrist and yanked him toward the stairs leading up to the palace gardens.

Aric and Davin navigated the palace corridors, their steps quick but measured to avoid drawing attention. Once they were a safe distance from the Pureblades, Davin leaned in close.

"What the hell were you doing down there, Aric? What did you find?"

Aric hesitated, his discoveries settling heavily on his shoulders. "Valerian's workshop. It's—it's a nightmare."

Davin's brows furrowed with concern. "What do you mean?"

"It's the anomaly," Aric said, glancing over his shoulder to ensure they were alone. "He's trying to—Gods, I don't even know what he's trying to do. But it's tearing at the seams of our worlds."

"What are you talking about?" Davin pressed. "Aric, what did you see?"

Aric shivered as he recalled the glowing runes, the twisted shards of ley lines, the gnawing void that seemed to swallow all light. "He's trying to harness the same force that caused the anomaly," he said finally. "To eradicate the demons from our realms forever, and gods be damned what it does to the land."

Davin sucked in a sharp breath. "What? Why would he?—"

"I don't know," Aric admitted. "But I think he's convinced it's the only way to stop them once and for all."

Davin shook his head, disbelief written across his face. "But he's our Lord Regent," he said, as if trying to convince himself as much as Aric. "He wouldn't do something that reckless."

"Wouldn't he?" Aric shot back, frustration and fear mingling in his chest. "You heard him at the tribunal—he's willing to do whatever it takes to protect Astaria. To protect humanity."

"And how does destroying half our realm protect us?" Davin asked.

"Exactly." Aric's jaw clenched with fury and desperation. "Whatever his intentions, his methods are pure madness."

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