Page 58 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“Let me guess, you’re going to ask us to stay behind.” Arianna’s temper flared. She was so sick of everyone attempting to protect her.

Conall balked. “Never. Your strength might be the key to getting everything we need.”

“Which is what?”

“Our comrades, information, and destroying that city.”

Raevina’s frustration was nearly palpable. “You want to destroy the city but not him, you’re not making any sense.”

“We can’t destroy him. Not there. It’s a city fortified with iron. It weakens our magic.”

“Wouldn’t it also weaken theirs?” Raevina challenged.

“It does but the Fae there have iron weapons. Their magic is irrelevant. He has relations with the human kings and they wield weapons far superior to the ones that subdued our ancestors.”

“But I thought he had human slaves?” Zylah questioned.

“And who do you think he buys them from?”

“Gods, there’s nothing that race of barbarians won’t do, is there?” Saoirse said.

Conall shrugged. “A profitable business is a profitable business, no matter how grotesque.”

Arianna glanced at her hands and felt her magic spark beneath her skin. To infiltrate his stronghold and leave him alive … Could she or Rion put an end to him? Were they strong enough together? “He really won’t stop until he gets what he wants, will he?”

“I’m afraid not,” Conall said.

Arianna stared between each of them. This wasn’t just about conflicting countries anymore. This was a fight for their race and their right to the truth.

“Make the arrangements. Take us to Ashling.”

“To war, My Lady?”

Arianna straightened. “A rescue, then we expose the truth.” She met each of their gazes one at a time. “Then yes, to war.”

Chapter Sixteen

Arianna

Arianna tried to stretch her legs and winced. She probably should have moved around sooner, but with all the information Conall was giving them, she hadn’t wanted to interrupt.

Rion and Cara were both at her side a second later. “I’m fine,” she assured them.

“May I be of some assistance?” Sive was already on her feet, carefully walking around chunks of rock and dirt. Arianna nodded, but Sive’s gaze traveled to Rion, seeking permission from him as well. It warmed her heart to see someone take his comfort into consideration. They behaved as if his outburst hadn’t even happened.

Sive carefully knelt with Cara’s help, then proceeded to trace the glowing symbols across Arianna’s abdomen. The relief was instantaneous. Their entire group watched the woman carefully, but it was difficult to feel threatened by someone who carried a youngling, especially one so far along. If anything, Sive’s partner appeared far more uncomfortable than any of them. These were pensive strangers around the person he loved and his unborn child.

“You mentioned humans needed blood to draw the runes. Do Fae require a medium?” Saoirse asked.

“Only Weavers can draw and use the symbols without a liquid medium. The Fae require something, be it blood, water, paint, whatever will hold up for the length of time they need the rune for.”

“So, could I do this to myself?” Arianna asked.

“You could. Your magic doesn’t work on your own body, correct?” Arianna shook her head. “Then a few healing runeswould do you some good, though they wouldn’t be nearly as effective as your magic. It wouldn’t even be as effective as mine. It takes time to strengthen the ability, just like any other. The more you use them, the easier it is to pull the magic from the earth and mold it to your will.”

Talon stood. “I think we’ve had enough revelations for one day. You need to rest.” Arianna nodded, though, what she really wanted was to soak in a warm bath.

Conall stood as well. “He’s right, I fear, in our excitement, that we might have kept you too long.”

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