Page 191 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“How did you get here?” He asked.

“The hunter brought us.” I nodded to our guide and Tharan gave her an appreciative nod.

“I was so worried. I thought Erissa had you.”

“She did. She had me and Caiden, but we broke free, luckily. Oh, and as I’m sure you’ve discovered… Baylis is a traitor.”

“Oh, we’re aware,” Roderick chimed in.

Amolie rushed over, wrapping her arms around me.

“I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“Me too. I’m glad you’re all safe as well.” I took in the scent of nutmeg and honey still lingering on her skin. My heart soared and sank. We still had to get to the Wells before Erissa knew we were here. A chill crept down my spine. I didn’t want to ask them to do more than they already had.

“We thought Queen Calliope had taken you at first,” Amolie said.

“Oh no,” I whispered.

“Yeah, Tharan had it out with Calliope and sent her crawling back into the sea.”

I swallowed the dread pooling in the back of my throat. I had put the ones I love in danger again.

“I’ll likely regret that later, but at least I still have the song.” Tharan shrugged.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose. I had to tell them about Erissa and the scepter, but I couldn’t bear to see the looks on their faces.

“That reminds me… Erissa has the Scepter of the Dead.”

A hush fell over the room, and I sucked in a breath. I couldn’t look anyone in the eyes. My love for my sister blinded me and now we’d all pay the price. More than that—the continent would pay the price.

“She can’t use it, though. She’s already tried. It won’t bind to another’s blood until I’m dead, and she can’t kill me yet. She needs me for the Wells.”

Tharan sighed, running a hand through his silken locks.

“Well, she has some hold over these people. She’s sending them out to hunt for us tomorrow night. She promised them the power that had been stolen from them. Whatever that means.”

I shuddered at the thought.

“Nothing good.”

“So, what are we going to do?” Caiden asked, ringing his hands.

Everyone looked around at one another.

“Well, I’ll tell ya what I’m doin’. I’m gettin’ outta ’ere,’’ the hunter said. She took her lantern and left.

“Alright, so what arewegoing to do?” Caiden asked.

Tharan thumbed his lip.

“I think we should try to open the Well tonight.”

“Tonight?” Sumac’s eyes went wide.

“They’ve gone to bed after their ceremony and won’t be back until dawn. We should go now when they’ll least expect it.”

“Tharan, there’s something I need to tell you.” My voice was little more than a squeak.

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