Page 120 of Blinding Light

“Are you saying…” Archer swallowed thickly.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this place.”

“Cyprian,” the Luminary guard boomed. What answered was the unmistakable sound of voices. People. Hushed whispers that were too loud, giggles and a scream, and then the sudden flare of light, directed at the silhouette of a man who stood between the parked hover cars.

Archer screamed.

There was another flicker of light. The stranger was close. Cyprian couldfeelhim. “Archer, listen carefully to me now,” he whispered, his eyes still on the lurking shadow. “Things are happening. I can’t explain it. But the murderer is close. And this place…you need to get the hell out of here.”

Help him.

There was another flickering vision. Suddenly, Cyprian could see the stranger, could stare into those desolate, grey eyes.

“He’s watching.”Theo had warned him. Had he been talking about his own brother?

“Do you remember where the door is?”

Archer nodded.

“I’m here!” Cyprian called out. A flashlight shone in his direction immediately.

“Good,” a guard replied. “We’ll come your way.”

“No!” He pushed Archer toward the light. “We’ll come your way. Go,” he mouthed to his friend.

Archer frowned, realization dawning in his eyes. “Not without you.”

Before Cyprian could object, there was a popping sound,followed by a string of swear words. One of the guards went down. Archer screamed again.

“Cyprian!” The other Luminary guard shouted. His light flashed on both of them, and he headed their way, only to stop when he was a few steps away. Cyprian stared in horror as the man’s mouth opened, eyes wide in shock. A slither of blood trickled out of the corner of his lips as he stared into eternity. He’d been shot. He’d only been a student.

“Go!” Cyprian pushed Archer for the exit. “Please. Tell Moargan—” He couldn’t finish that phrase. A vision hit him with such ferocity that it took his breath away. He stumbled to the ground, groaning when the pressure once more ordered access. “I’m afraid,” he whispered into the darkness. “I’m afraid to let you in.”

This is your destiny,the woman whispered.Embrace your Dariux.

Cyprian’s vision blacked out. The gem on his incisor pulsed. He felt Archer holding on to him, pulling on his arm, forcing him to move. As they stumbled through the darkness, their lights were abandoned. Cyprian felt his palm heat and saw gold liquid flood his veins in search of him. His mate called out to him. Moargan was worried. And all Cyprian could do was blink as things slowly fell into place, not even surprised to realize that his eyes had adjusted to the darkness. His night vision had kicked in.

But his eyesight portrayed another scene. One of light climbing countless stairs. Down the brightness went, illuminating the darkness of the dungeons.

Then he sawhim. Helianth. Prince of Helion.

“Archer!” He called through the fog. His eyes popped open. “Thank light, you found me.” Cyprian then understood. How Helianth had begged him to be saved.

His mind clicked back to the present.

“Helianth,” he called out, but he no longer saw the prince.

“Cyprian,” Archer sobbed. “I need you to walk. I can’t carry you myself.”

“No!” Cyprian tried to pull himself free. “They have Moargan’s brother!”

Slow clapping poisoned the tense air. Next to him, Archer sucked in a breath of air.

“Well done,” a voice said. “A bit slow, but at last, the puzzle is solved.” More clapping. Faster now, more hands. A mocking sound that grated Cyprian’s ears. There was the unmistakable whooshing sound of a whip slapped on the skin, followed by a pained wail.

“Oh yes, Helianth Zephyranth. The nation’s favorite Imperial Prince. He’s also…how do those Imperials like to describe their victims? Ascreamer.”

People laughing in the dark.

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