Page 119 of Court of Secrets and Flames

“By these…black shadowy creatures.” The last guard enters with wide, unfocused eyes. “Made of shadows, yet corporeal at the same time.”

The drachen have come.

Chapter Forty

Soldiers clad in leather armor with formfitting scale mail chest pieces and steel helmets swarm into the king’s chamber like a rogue wave.

They aren’t covered in blood, nor as confused or terrified as the others. They’ve drawn their swords, but those aren’t bloodied either. The man in front wastes no time rushing to Sterling, asking for orders. That voice…belongs to Agnar. I don’t know the others. With their full armor on and helmets snugged tight, it’s impossible to recognize them.

Regardless, they are scattered forces desperate for a leader.

And not paying a bit of attention to me.

Both Sterling and Jasper start barking out instructions, and I stare out the open door. Somewhere out there, amid the screams that continue at a quickening pace, are my mother and sister. Leesa told me she’s in the northwest wing. The king’s chambers are in the east wing.

Just thinking of how far I’d have to travel to reach them has my nerves on edge. My breath speeds up.

“Let’s go.” The king’s sudden command spins me around. “Knox, I’m entrusting Lark to you. Keep her safe.”

It isn’t me he wants to protect. Not truly. It’s my blood and my dragoncaller abilities.

Sterling lifts his chin in a grim nod, then moves to the front of the line. “You have your orders. Move!”

Two guards flank me, but thankfully, they don’t grab me and half drag me like they did upon my arrival in Tirene.

Ahead, Sterling pauses at the door, checking both ways before signaling for the rest of us to follow him outside.

As we leave the chamber, I automatically check for my weapons. My bow and quiver are strapped across my back, my short sword sheathed at my side.

Heads on a swivel, we travel down the halls in groups of six or eight.

Sterling and I are together, along with five soldiers. Jasper and Agnar helm another group of a half dozen or so men, and Bastian and leads the rest. Echoes of far-off shrieks of pain and calls for help bounce around us, climbing in number and intensity.

Inside me, fear raises its head like a viper, but I shove it back down. There’s no time for that.

We head for the first doorway into the courtyard, brightly illuminated by the lanterns on either side of the opening. As usual, the reinforced doors hang open. The cool night air wafts into the palace to chase away the heat of the day.

Sterling pauses, checking for attackers before letting us proceed.

Rounding the corner reveals the palace courtyard. Gloom stretches the twenty paces between lit garden torches, with only the wan moonlight to reveal bodies sprawled out on the lawns.

Servants, nobles, soldiers, and even pajama clad children lie face down in the grass.

The sight grips my heart in a cruel vice and causes my muscles to liquify with dread.

Every face is hidden in the thick carpet of greenery, as if they died, then fell.

Do I know any of them? Where is all the blood?

Uniforms, clothes, nightgowns, and caps are splattered with crimson. But there’s no sign of it on the manicured lawns leading to the gardens.

Sterling’s group lurches forward, and I stay close as they inspect bodies, shake their heads. and move on.

My stomach churns as I again think about my mother and sister. Are they out here among the chaos?

Reeling around, I spot Jasper. The soldiers in his group have their swords drawn and have formed a protective ring around him.

My group moves onto the moonlit paths. We’re surrounded by shadows shaped by the decorative topiary.

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