Page 126 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Vairik clicked his tongue. “What a rude thing to call our dear Evelyn.”

Another tear rolled down Ellie’s face, but she only adjusted the grip on her weapon again.

Arianna’s body shook as grief and anger flooded her heart. Tears spilled over, trailing down her cheeks.

She turned toward one of the fallen Fae. Her magic wrapped around the hilt of a blade and Arianna pulled it to her hand.

The iron gate lifted behind her and the creatures burst out, all charging at full speed.

Arianna twisted to face the new enemy, keeping an eye on her sister who looked ready to join the fray.

The Demon’s magic lifted too, then shot toward the beasts, capturing three of them in his grasp.

Arianna felt her magic resist her call as if it were too taunt. She focused on the surge that was still making its way underground, digging past the rock, creating an entrance where there was none.

A Dark Fae jumped past The Demon’s magic. He cursed, but she summoned her own magic and threw a handful of shards at the creature’s face. It howled and stumbled back, scratching its eyes. Arianna ran forward, blade in hand and sank the sword straight into the creature’s foreleg.

It stumbled back again but Arianna’s magic raced for the wound, entering the slit she’d just created. The water moved inside the creature, heating hotter and hotter until the beast’s very blood began to boil.

It fell on its side, thrashing and clawing at itself until Arianna sent her magic straight to its heart and squeezed tight.

The beast fell silent and though snapping teeth and clanging steal still surrounded her, Arianna glanced up at Vairik.Niall stood beside him, watching the events unfold as if they were some sort of entertainment.

The floor rumbled beneath her feet, nearly knocking her off balance. Arianna cursed, then dared a glance toward The Demon, wondering if he were the one responsible. His gaze was locked on Vairik. She’d never seen so much malice from a single person before.

Not allies then. Had Vairik brought The Demon here to experiment on him?

More iron grates lifted, the heavy chains creaking as if they hadn’t been moved in a few human lifetimes. Beasts and Fae trickled in and Arianna’s heart sank.

They were just going to keep coming. She was certain Vairik wouldn’t run out of Dark Fae or warriors anytime soon. Not with how many centuries he’d had to plan everything out. He’d watch them fight until their last breath, then clamp iron around their wrists and do as he pleased.

He’d make Talon watch as he tore Raevina apart. He’d kill Zylah for being a half-breed and Gavin for being a traitor. Saoirse would likely be used as a pawn against Brónach.

Arianna shot a glance toward the hall from where she’d come. If she combined her magic with The Demon’s they might have a chance at escape. Unlikely allies for a time, sure, but they were out of alternatives.

Arianna watched the creatures prowl in, one after another. But it wasn’t just the fire breathing beasts this time. These creatures possessed wings and elongated fangs. Barbed tails and deadly claws.

Ellie merely stood in center of them, uncaring about the danger that lurked right behind her. She was like a puppet on center stage.

Arianna’s gaze flicked back to The Demon. She might be able to rely on his need for survival, but Talon was the only one she could trust to get Ellie out alive.

Knock her out,Kirian had instructed.

She gritted her teeth, ready for the fight, but something below her was building, draining her energy against her will as magic kept pouring from her body.

Then the colosseum floor split in two.

Chapter Forty-Two

Rion

“What have you done?” For the first time, Vairik seemed unsure of himself as he watched the earth split the entirety of the colosseum in half. Everyone turned to face him, but Rion lifted his arms. He was as clueless as the rest.

Another crack and steam burst from the fissure, rising up to coat the air. The heat from it had Rion shielding his face with one arm.

Arianna.

Rion looked at his mate. He could feel her magic pulsing through the droplets in the air, as if she controlled every single one. A queen ready to make her final stand even if she had to bring down the castle itself.

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