Page 17 of The Demon Tide

My mind-bending concern intensifies.How long has Lukas been in Vogel’s grip? Why was I briefly able to see my fastlines?

And that Shadowfire of Vogel’s—how did Lukas survive it?

The answer hits me like a bolt to the heart.

The same way I survived it.Yvan’s Wyvernfire bond conferred me with immunity to being burned. And I fed that Wyvernfire straight into Lukas all those times that he kissed me and drew on my power.

Which means... I must have extended Yvan’s fire bond to Lukas, as well.

My mind spins.Sweet Ancient One.Yvan’s fire saved Lukas.

But...if Lukas is alive, where is he?

My spine tightens with a flame-streaked rise of revolt, my wand hand reflexively reaching for my Ash’rion blade.

I have to return to the West and save him.

“Ny’laea!”

The teen’s voice cuts through my rebellious thrall. I turn, her repeated calls of my false Elfhollen name finally registering.

“What’s the date?” I demand.

She eyes me with obvious confusion. “The third week of Seventh Month, I think. I’ve... I’ve lost track of the exact days.”

My mind casts about.Over a week. Lukas has been in Vogel’s grip for over a week...

“Who were you screaming for?” she throws down, meeting me demand for demand.

I give her a level look. “Someone I need to save.” Rain begins to drizzle as I rise, my gaze sweeping over the trees like I’m sighting a nocked arrow, thoughts igniting.

I need to unbind my power, andfast, so I can go after Lukas. Which means I need the help of people adept at complicated magic.

I need to get to the Wyvernguard.

It’s where Lukas, Chi Nam, and Valasca were planning to bring me. It boasts some of the most powerful sorceresses and sorcerers in all the Realms including portal sorceresses—and if I’m going to return to the desert as quickly as possible, I’ll need a portal.

And even though Chi Nam is no longer with me, I have allies there.

Trystan. I need to find my brother.

I take a quavering breath and hope against hope that my youngest brother made it to the Wyvernguard when he fled east with our older brother Rafe and other loved ones. Tierney, Sage...they were bent on joining the Wyvernguard, as well.

I glance toward the hostile forest, the immensity of the journey ahead swamping me as I visualize the map in Chi Nam’s Vonor. The Vo Mountains present a formidable barrier, even without their killing storm band. And before the mountains lies the treacherous Zonor River...

“Ny’laea, what happened?” the teenager demands, green eyes blazing hotter, as if she’s finally summoned enough courage to force answers from me. She points emphatically at the bats. “What are those runes?”

I meet her rattled gaze as the rain needles down. “Corrupted Mage runes,” I answer, conflicted over drawing her and her family into my doomed orbit. I glance at her sickly mother and small sister. The little girl lets out a rattling cough and the incredible realization circles down—their situation is so dire that traveling with the Black Witch, hunted by a multitude of powerful forces, is likely their best shot at survival.

“I need to get to the Wyvernguard,” I tell the teen.

“Why?” she asks, her heart-shaped face tensing.

Lightning forks across the sky and thunder cracks overhead.

Because I’m the Black Witch, I almost respond in fearsome challenge.And I want to subvert the Prophecy as spectacularly as possible.

“My brother is in the Wyvernguard,” I say instead. “He can help us.” I motion toward the blade in her hand, gratitude welling. “You saved my life.”

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