Page 118 of An Honored Vow

He raised his hands and pulled a thick wall of stone from the earth. It split most of the Halflings from the soldiers as a second wall erupted, giving them only two directions to run.

Dynara opened portals on either side and sent the lucky Halflings into Myrelinth.

The unlucky ones were caught in the first attack. One of theshiraksucked in a small breath and blew a fiery spout of death onto the Halflings below.

Feron and I raised stone shields from the ground, protecting most but not all. Grief-stricken screams fused with the screams of terror as a second beast attacked.

“Gerarda, cover the Halflings in shadow,” I commanded.

She lifted her hands, and black shadows flowed down the hill like rushing snowmelt. They joined and stretched, creating a dark fog that kept the Halflings from view. Thewaateyshirslowed its descent, confused and no longer able to see any movement except for the soldiers lining the city walls.

A portal appeared and Dynara stepped through. “Hurry!” she shouted at Gerarda.

Gerarda placed her palm over her face and chest and left. I held my breath, counting the seconds until I saw proof that they had survived the third fiery spout from the skies.

Nine. Ten. Eleven. A beam of pure light shot from the front lines of battle killing twoshirakin its wake. I watched through my spyglass as a third dove for Gerarda. The Arsenal’s pendants glowed bright once more as they took control of the beasts.

Thewaateyshirwhistled as it plummeted toward the ground, filling its chest with enough air for a deadly attack. It spread its wingsand Syrra leaped from the wall with her blood-bound blade raised above her head.

Her aim struck true. She pierced the beast’s red center and it exploded into a blast of shadow. Feron raised his hand and Syrra somersaulted onto a ramp of stone.

A low horn blew as Gerarda launched another attack. I turned to the Order to see Damien’s ships charging after Myrrah’s as it sailed into the channel between the island and the city shores. Feron lowered the wall of stone he’d erected along the battlefield, clearing his line of vision.

Crison’s flock of birds slowed the royal ships but not enough. Feron stood, his hands suspended in the air as he waited for the ships to sail over the right spot. His fists clenched. The ground shook as the white wall that surrounded Koratha was joined by its missing half. White stone erupted from the waters, splintering Damien’s fleet to ruin.

Crison gasped for all of us to hear. “Holy shit, that worked.”

“Thanks for the assist,” Myrrah’s voice sounded, and my chest loosened with relief.

Gwyn grabbed my arm as Gerarda felled anotherwaateyshir. “It’s time to send us in.” She turned to Fyrel with their hands joined. My heart ached; they looked nothing like Brenna and me, but on the field of battle, it was like peering into a looking glass of what could have been.

I hugged Gwyn. “You are a warrior today.” I placed my hand on Fyrel’s shoulder. “You both are, and I am honored to fight alongside you.”

Tears welled in Gwyn’s eyes, but she said nothing. She only turned toward the city where Damien was waiting. Fyrel transformed into her bear form, roaring and pounding on her chest. Gwyn climbed on and I soared after them.

I landed beside Gerarda and lost myself in a blur of action. The Arsenal noticed my presence and focused all their strength on me. I flitted between my eagle form and my Fae form, fending attacks from every direction.

Theshirakcircled above me. The soldiers charged at full speed, their amber pupils bright and pulsing with no care how their movement caught the attention of the hungry beasts. Gerarda and Syrra used the distraction to their advantage. Gerarda ran, drawing theshirakaway from the Halflings caught between the soldiers and our ranks. She exaggerated her movements, almost dancing to keep their attention as Syrra climbed the white wall.

I transformed, dodging a fiery blow and a stray sword. I shifted back and used my gusts to pull the air from every soldier’s lungs around me. Three dozen men dropped to the ground.

Two more dropped from the wall. “Leave some for me, Keera,” Elaran teased in my ear as she sent another sentry falling to his death.

I turned and saw a small group of soldiers approaching the portal Dynara had left open. Nikolai stepped through with a shaking sword in his hand.

“Dynara, close the portal!” I shouted, fending off three soldiers of my own. I blocked one swing and saw Nikolai dodge a death blow by a hair. “Someone help Nikolai!” I commanded into the water hanging from my lips.

Dynara appeared at the portal. Her hands glowed as she closed it with Nikolai still on the battlefield. I walked backward trying to make my way to Nik. I slashed my dual blades in all directions.

The gates of Koratha opened again. A flood of fresh soldiers charged through—each with a black eye and amber pupil. I lifted a thick wall of stone from the ground. It cracked along the bottom as I closed my fists. The whirling feeling inside my chest grew to thepoint of pain, needing release. I raised my arm and sent the strongest gust I could muster against the stone wall.

It teetered along the fracture. I clenched my teeth and kept my gusts pushing against the stone. My vision blurred from the strain as the wall fell and flattened the troops. Dust filled the air, obscuring my small victory.

My stomach sank as the dust settled. More soldiers poured out of Koratha, marching over the stone and their fallen brethren without any regard.

“Do you think I care how many walls you erect and flatten?” a voice called from above.

I recognized Damien’s scowl. It lingered on the face of a pimply faced, broad-shouldered man. The Bow. The only Arsenal member Damien didn’t give a pendant. If the silver bow fastener at his neck didn’t mark him for who he was, the empty chest plate did.

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