Page 159 of Heir of Illusion

“Thank you for the kind offer,” Thorne replies coolly. “But we decline.”

Relief wars with guilt as I do my best to show no reaction to Thorne’s words. I didn’t think he’d hand me over to them, but I also know it would be the smartest option.

A smile plays at the corners of Darby’s mouth. “I hoped you’d say that. May the veil welcome your souls.”

“Is it just me,” Griffen mutters behind us, “or does he not seem upset about our refusal?”

My lips twitch, but the amusement promptly fades as Darby turns to the Forsaken, apparently done addressing us.

“My friends,” he calls out. “Tonight, what was broken will be remade. The first pieces will be reunited as we usher in a new era.Hethanks you for offering your lives in service to his mission.”

A hand touches my shoulder as Darrow leans forward to whisper in my ear, “If this goes badly, you run. Whatever happens, you can’t let them get the collar.”

My head whips toward him, searching for answers as questions race through my mind. I catch sight of Thorne’s stony expression. A muscle flexes in his jaw as he narrows his eyes at Darrow’s proximity to me.

I’m about to ask theenchanterwhat the fuck he’s talking about when movement from the Forsaken steals my attention. Chills skate across my skin as they each raise their right foot and stomp it against the ground in unison.

Darby’s fevered gaze settles on me once more. “It’s time.”

The words set everything into motion. As one, the Forsaken begin closing in on us. They prowl forward, their faces twisted with loathing. Just like in the alley, their weapons are a mix of blades and other crude objects. It’s as if they’ve armed themselves with whatever they had lying around. My mouth goes dry as my attention catches on a tall man clutching a mallet. The idea of him using it to crack open my friend’s skulls makes my teeth grind. I bend my knees and press my back against Thorne’s as I prepare for the incoming swarm. They’ve almost reached us when their advance is suddenly halted.

A great wall of fire springs to life, its flames roaring as they ignite in a circle around our group and drive back the Forsaken. Several of them scream as the blaze licks their skin, filling the air with the smell of burning flesh. Heat snatches the oxygen from my lungs, warming my body instantly.

“That was…” I trail off, unable to describe the sight before us.

“Impressive?” Thorne suggests at my side, one eyebrow raised as he stares down at me. “Awe inspiring?”

I give him a bland look. “Perfectly average is what I was going to say.”

One corner of his mouth kicks up in a half smile. “I’m sure.”

The amusement fades quickly as the reality of our situation presses in. “I need to get inside.”

He shakes his head, his eyes glued to mine. “You aren’t going alone.”

My jaw clenches at his commanding tone.

“To be fair,” Griffen pipes in as he squeezes to the center of our small group, “I don’t think any of us are moving anytime soon.”

Ignoring the blond fae, I keep my focus on Thorne. “Can you fly us over the flames? We could try to enter through the roof?”

He opens his mouth, but before he can speak, Fia steals our attention. She stands at the back of our huddle, her face frozen with horror as she looks toward the other houses.

“Archers!” she cries. “Get down!”

My head whips toward the sky, where I spot a dozen arrows heading straight for us.

Chapter

Forty-Four

Barely a second passes before I’m pushed to the ground, a large body covering mine. The others fall around us, but I can’t see anything as Thorne’s large frame blocks out the rest of the world.

Arrows ping off the cobblestones, dozens of them landing one after another. A feminine scream cries out, echoing over the roar of the fire. My stomach drops. I twist my neck painfully, but I can’t see anything over Thorne’s shoulder. His body goes rigid, straining as a pained grunt rises in his throat. The sound turns my skin to ice despite the inferno surrounding us.

“Thorne?” My heart gallops against my chest, each beat sending another shudder through me as I wait for him to respond.

“It’s nothing,” he grumbles, shifting above me. “The bastards have shit aim.”

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