Page 279 of Emylia

If anyone could make it through this, it was him. And Evie had to be with him. I knew it with no logical reason except faith.

“We need to go,” Maalikai said, low and urgent. “We need to get to Ari. She can protect us.”

Of course.

The wards.

My mother.

The only place still safe.

An unspoken agreement settled between us as we readied ourselves to escape.

I helped Triska with a bag, shouldering the supplies so she could carry Rebekah. We slipped into the night like ghosts–silent, desperate, disappearing into shadows as smoke curled through the trees, veiling out escape. Every step feeling like it would be our last.

At the stables, we found Jet and Stormfire. But only two horses. Five people.

Not enough.

“Maalikai and I will cover you,” Thrainn said, already gripping his blade again. “Emylia, saddle the horses. Triska—watch Rebekah.”

I moved fast. Hands shaking. Heart hammering. Leather buckles. Cinches. Reins. I barely saw what I was doing, but my hands knew, moving with muscle memory, with a speed that defied logic.

With words that were almost silent I helped Rebekah into the saddle passing her the reins.

I was a step away from Stormfire when I heard it—a low, wet gurgle.

I spun.

And the world snapped again.

My uncle stood behind a fallen warrior, pulling his blood-slicked sword from the man’s ribcage.

Twelve more stormed from the smoke.

“Ride!” I screamed, grabbing Triska and shoving her up into the saddle. “Don’t look back—get to my house. Find Mom.”

I slapped the horse’s rump hard. It bolted into the darkness, hooves thundering against the earth.

Then I turned.

ChapterSixty-Two

Unsheathing my sword with a hiss of steel, I faced the oncoming threat.

Twelve armed men.

Three of us.

My uncle.

Maalikai.

Me.

“You should’ve gone with them,” Thrainn growled, stepping beside me.

I met his gaze, fire in mine. “And leave you two to die?” I raised my sword. “Not a fucking chance.”

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