Page 124 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Ellie growled, her gaze darkening as she glared at Arianna. The magic within Arianna hesitated, pacing within her as if it hadn’t expected this outcome.

Was this just another of Vairik’s illusions? Was Ellie really in front of them or was it someone else?

No, this wasn’t an illusion, it couldn’t be. She’d been subjected to various glamours already. She’d felt Vairik in her mind, tearing through it as he pleased. This was real, which meant Ellie needed her help.

Arianna searched her sister’s gaze, hoping to find some hidden plea behind her eyes. Did she want them to run or fight? If they got Kirian to safety would she cease this façade or was there something else holding her back?

But Ellie’s hard stare was unflinching, filled with a darkness Arianna didn’t recognize.

“Let’s not drag this out,” Vairik said. “As you can plainly see, Evelyn is in good hands so be good little experiments and get back in your cages before something happens that you’ll regret.”

Vairik lifted one hand and the five Fae beneath him drew their weapons. Flames and shadows rose to surround Raevina. Ice materialized around Talon. Saoirse, despite her injured state, summoned the plant life from beneath the stone. Wind whipped around Gavin and Zylah. And that male, that strange male summoned the very stone at his feet. It rose up to circle his body, winding around him and her friends.

Earth. There was only one Fae said to be able to use that kind of magic. Only one cursed to wield nothing more than dirt and rock.

Arianna’s heart thundered in her chest, but Talon wasn’t running from him and neither were the others. Had they—she didn’t have time to finish her thought as the Fae rushed forward. More jumped from the balcony above with magic, steel, and iron in their grip.

The creature within her roared and Arianna let it burst free. It was angry, so very angry.

Water shot toward those still falling and wrapped around four, shifting to ice in an instant. They shattered like glass upon hitting the ground. The beasts lunged for any pieces that rolled in their path, crunching the frozen chunks of flesh between their teeth.

Sand and stone shot across the floor and grabbed the legs of six others, crushing them faster than she could blink. They screamed out in pain, grasping at the limbs that would never function again.

She turned her head to him again, studying the male. His gaze drifted her and it almost seemed as if an apology resided there. Their gazes broke as more Fae joined the fray.

Raevina surged forward, melting the skin from bones as she fought, stealing knives and launching them at opponents across the colosseum floor. She shifted into a small bird, diving around another body before shifting back and sinking a blade through his neck.

Talon followed her, hoarfrost coating everything he touched. He grabbed a Fae’s arm and ripped the water from his entire body, rendering him nothing more than a husk before reaching for the next.

Zylah was tracing runes over Saoirse’s leg, over and over again while constantly looking over her shoulder. Saoirse looked ready to explode, but she stood back, using her magic whenever one of the enemy came too close. Gavin stared up at Ellie as if seeing her for the first time, then collected himself and helped Saoirse keep their enemies at bay.

One of the chains broke and the beast charged straight for her. Arianna braced herself, her magic sinking deep into the floor, then deeper, as if it had an alternate agenda.

A rock jutted up suddenly from beneath the beast, impaling it straight through. The creature kicked its feet and howled in pain. Arianna’s gaze met The Demon’s. He nodded to her as if confirming he had her back.

But … why?

More chains broke and each of the Dark Fae focused on a target, almost as if they’d been directed. Fire bubbled in one’s mouth and fear flew through her as she remembered the Dark Fae that’d attacked the village. A brief glance at Vairik told her he was enjoying their distress. But Ellie—Ellie was smiling too.

Kirian had righted himself, but Arianna was forced to look away as she dove to the side, avoiding a stream of molten fire. She cringed from the heat that’d narrowly missed. Earth rose around her body and Arianna rolled, separating herself from the monstrous magic. She glanced up at the male,wondering if he were playing both sides. Or maybe he’d been working for Vairik all along.

Talon hadn’t turned, but he was also focused on Raevina and his own fight with two of the beasts who seemed immune to his magic as well.

The male stared back, his brow furrowed as if confused about her reaction. Then sorrow covered his face. Sorrow? No, that wasn’t right, a creature like him couldn’t experience such a complex emotion.

The Demon’s magic reached for more of the creatures, crushing their bodies in seconds. She did the same, shooting her magic at any that drew too close to her or her companions.

It was chaos. All of it. The Fae fighting, doing Vairik’s bidding. The Dark Fae from legend, breathing fire. The Demon, tearing everything apart as if he were their ally. Her sister enjoying the show at Vairik’s side.

Ellie jumped from the balcony and Arianna watched her sister’s rapid decent. One of the beasts turned on her when she landed and Arianna’s heart jolted. Ellie ducked then slid under the creature’s belly, dragging her blade along the entire length of it. It curled in on itself like a dying spider then thrashed, rolling across the floor in agony. Ellie stood without looking back, her attention fixated on Arianna.

“This is taking too long.”

Vairik didn’t stop her, but he said, “We must learn patience, dear Evelyn.” Ellie gave him a vulgar gesture over her shoulder.

A wicked smile Arianna didn’t recognize covered her sister’s face. Ellie adjusted the grip on her blade, then rushed forward.

Arianna barely had time to react to Ellie’s speed as she ducked around her sister’s blade and danced back. Ellie movedwith her, step after step after step. It took every ounce of concentration to keep out of range.

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