Page 88 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Those rage-filled eyes softened. He looked her over, as if assuring himself she was here, then let up and stepped back, sheathing the knife.

Conall awkwardly nodded his thanks. “Let’s not waste anymore time then.”

The magic buzzing through the air faded and it was just then that Arianna realized it’d come from their allies. If Rion had hidden, then the two males likely would have passed by none the wiser. She stared at their frozen figures, her anger trying to surface again at their words. Maybe they’d deserved what they’d gotten.

Raevina emerged from the same cell Gavin had and Arianna could have sworn Talon’s shoulders relaxed at her presence.

Without further distraction, they all set to work. More emerged from the water, including a cursing Saoirse and a very green Zylah.

They opened each and every cell on the first, second, and third floors. Some Fae screamed but were quickly silenced and placed into the line. Those with Móirín’s magic were already transferring them to the channel and out into the open water. Another team would transport them back to the tunnels and ultimately freedom.

She prayed their minds wouldn’t be as plagued as Eimear’s, but given that Vairik enjoyed experimenting on mates, she wasn’t hopeful.

Arianna healed a few here and there, but made a point to preserve her magic. She thought her outburst might have left her drained, but it’d done the completely opposite. She wasinvigorated, ready to tear the entire place apart one stone at a time.

But she wouldn’t take that anger out here. She’d save it for Vairik himself. And his wicked son.

They entered the final hall. More lights flickered on the walls and a thick iron door stood before them, blocking the exit into the next area. From here, they’d be relying on Gavin’s drawings and memory.

At Conall’s command, the last few cells were emptied and Arianna watched the third stone on her bracelet fade.

Nine hours to go and they were about to start phase three: Split up and search.

Some had already begun, following specific routes laid out by Gavin in the search for information. Conall had assigned multiple teams to tackle various locations. He wasn’t taking any chances on a single group. Arianna wasn’t sure exactly what kind of intelligence he hoped to gather, but she supposed if they all survived, she’d find out then.

“You try anything,” Conall said, glaring at Gavin, “you die.”

Gavin rolled his eyes. “In case you forgot, I’m here for Evelyn too.”

Conall’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t comment. The male knelt and pressed his ear to the door. Arianna glanced at Saoirse, then Raevina, and Talon. They’d be splitting up from here out. Saoirse and Zylah would head to the front to create a distraction for their escape. Raevina and Talon would help Conall’s warriors infiltrate the council’s offices and gather intel.

She, Rion, Talon, Gavin, Conall, and a few of Conall’s warriors would all search for Ellie.

Arianna studied Gavin. He’d seemed so childish the first time they’d met. Like a youngling who’d been excited to just be in the presence of his queen. Now, though still young, heresembled a warrior. A male ready to lay down his life for his mate. Even if that mate might never return his feelings.

She watched Rion next. He possessed the keenest hearing she’d ever seen in a Fae. If she trusted anyone to give them the signal to move, it was him.

Another moment passed, then Rion and Conall nodded. Gavin twisted the handle and they all emerged into a long hall that stretched to her left and right.

This was it. Saoirse met her brother’s gaze and something passed between the siblings. An unspoken promise. Talon watched Raevina, but the female was already staring down the left hall, watching the shadows. Seconds later, Saoirse, Zylah, Raevina, and Talon were all sprinting down that very hall with half of Conall’s warriors following in their wake.

Her stomach twisted in knots. This could very well be the last time she saw any of them. She just prayed trusting Conall wasn’t the biggest mistake of her life.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Arianna

Her friends disappeared behind a bend in the hall, then Arianna turned to face Rion and the others.

“Ready?” her mate asked. He was sturdy. Prepared. He’d been on missions before. As had Talon. Maybe she was the only one still questioning their decisions.

Arianna rolled her shoulders and refocused. “Let’s go.”

Conall gave Gavin the go ahead and they all ran down the opposite hall. Arianna refused to look back.

Various doors were already open, the contents within rummaged through by the previous groups who were already deep within the castle.

How long would it take Vairik to realize his castle had been infiltrated? Was twelve hours too long to hope they could remain hidden? He was a male with ten thousand years of experience. Was it possible they’d all walked right into a trap?

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