Page 86 of Essence of the Throne

Time passes with agonizing slowness as I work at the restraint. My head pounds, vision swimming from the effort of fighting both my injuries and the suppression drug. But gradually, methodically, the metal weakens from my efforts.

The snap of the first restraint breaking is thunderous in the silent lab. I freeze, straining to catch any sign I’ve been heard. Nothing. I’m the only living body in here, thank the Angel.

My wrist is raw and bleeding, but I ignore it as I examine the other. The essence has reached a place that I am able to tug on it just a little, but enough that my umbral strand responds. The cuffs are sealed closed with not even a lock, which is just my fucking luck. It will take more effort to open them, but I’ve no other choice.

I guide the shadows into the restraints, forcing them to expand and destroy them from the inside. One by one, they crack and split until finally I’m free.

Standing proves to be a fucking challenge. My legs tremble with such force they threaten to give out with each step, but I manage to walk up the steps and make it to the cracked door, peering out into the dimly lit corridor.

A single guard stands watch, his back to me. Foolish amateur.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ariella

Imove from the lab in silence, irrespective of my injuries, years of conditioning guiding my body forward. My arm wraps around his throat before he registers my presence. He struggles as I flex my muscles, twisting his head until he goes limp. I lower his body quietly to the ground, despite my need to tear through something. Retrieving his blades, I sheathe two at my sides and grasp the hilt of the third, pointing the sharp end outward—I will not die from some avoidable injury by holding it incorrectly.

At least not until I find Caspian.

My feet guide me through several eerie tunnels before I pause, frowning. I don’t know where they’re keeping him, and yet…something pulls at my chest, urging me in the direction I know he is. I can feel the rightness of the pull. It makes no logical sense—but the feeling is insistent, impossible to ignore.

Calling to my vital strand, I heal the worst of my injuries, just enough to move and breathe properly. When that painful experience is done, I follow the humming under my sternum and run through the rest of the labyrinth. It’s strange, but I’ve no need for light or touch as I move, seeming to know exactly where theturns are and how much further until I reach the main part of the castle.

The halls are empty as I enter from the west tunnels. No staff, no nobles, no guards. Either it’s later than I thought, or something is very wrong.

I pause at the sound of hurried footsteps ahead. Gripping my blade tighter, I press against the wall and wait, forcing my breathing to slow. The steps grow closer, accompanied by hushed voices.

“—have to find her. The king will—”

“Shh!” the second voice hisses. “Do you want the whole castle to hear?”

Elowen and Jessenia round the corner, both freezing when they spot me. Elowen’s eyes widen as she takes in my appearance, while Jessenia’s hand flies to her mouth.

“By the Angel,” Elowen breathes, rushing forward. I raise my blade on instinct, and she halts. “You need healing.”

“I’m fine.” My voice sounds like gravel, and I clear my throat. “What are you doing here?”

Jessenia steps closer, her usual shyness replaced with a hard edge. “Looking for you.” She glances behind us. “Though I didn’t believe we’d find you.”

“Where’s Caspian?” Elowen asks, and I notice the way her hands twitch, likely itching to heal me.

That pull in my chest tugs again. “The arena.” They share a look I don’t like. “What?”

“The king announced your execution to those attending the next phase of the Frostwell competition,” Jessenia murmurs, her silky brunette hair falling over a shoulder.

Of fucking course he has.

I brace to move past them but make a quick decision. “Listen carefully,” I command, straightening despite the protest of my muscles. “I need you both to do something, and you cannot fuck it up.”

Elowen nods. “Anything.”

“The king has taken children, experimented on them.” Their faces pale. “I don’t know if there are any still alive, but I need you to get them out if so. Find where he’s keeping them and get them somewhere safe.” I grab Elowen’s arm when she makes to speak, pointing my blade at the center of the other woman’s chest. She’s still just as beautiful as when she was hanging from the prince’s—no, focus.“If either of you get caught, I will kill you myself.”

“How will we find them?” Jessenia questions, doing her best to avoid the weapon above her heart.

I shrug, releasing Elowen and stepping back. “There’s an entrance to the underground tunnels through the south wing. Take it and follow the right path until you reach a fork. Go left, then take the second right. You’ll find a door that leads to a lab—they are not in there, but I’m sure Thalion keeps notes on their whereabouts.”

“What about the guards?”

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