Page 71 of A Blightress of Wrath
Iwondered for a split second what the boom actually was beforeIsaw it.Aportal had opened in the sky just as the black vines of whatThevinhad called theBlightcrawled over the ledge of the balconies, oozing their thick massive trunks over the white stone, trickling into the room smooth as water.
Thevinpulled me instantly, once again repeating that we needed to get out.Ihadn’t been quick enough.Ihadn’t done enough to give them time to stop this.
Hervoice resounded in my thoughts asIwas pulled away through the panicking crowd. “Ithought that might be you,LittleOne.Howis it that you can reverse time?”
Ishuddered, refusing to respond. “Revertaydenen tepiore!”
“You’rewelcome.I’veenjoyed it, too.”
Iflew fromThevin’sgrip on my waist, running wildly through the crowd, the last line of the song on the slight breeze that drifted through the room somehow smelling like iron and salt.
“Wecannot reverse what’s come at great cost, but we can take the time to remember them.”
Ifound my mother at the edge of the room, weeping silently, the tracks of tears down her face a mirror to the onesIwould shed in less than a minute ifIcouldn’t stop this.
Igrabbed her shoulders. “TheBlightress—she’s here.She’scoming from there.”Ipointed to the south-facing windows and it took all but a moment for my mother to take action.Theroom erupted for a third time in applause, and my mother ran through the crowd, erecting a wall of green that spanned from her outstretched hands, encasing the domed, round room in a shield of her light.
Theboom sounded asI’dheard twice before, its thundering rattle not nearly as loud behind my mother’s protection.
Thevinfound me, pulling me to him as we watched theBlightressstep out of her portal onto the very edge of the stone balcony, nearly touching theBaron’swall of shimmering emerald.
Thescreams still poured through the room as the crowd backed away to the northern balconies.TheBlightslithered up the sides of my mother’s shield, unable to penetrate her power.TheBlightbeasts followed in vicious growls, muffled through the green haze.Mymother watched them carefully, then shot her hand through the air, impaling each one with a spike of solid green power.
TheBlightress’sgaze caught mine through all of it, and once again she spoke in my head. “Thislittle power of yours is quite the irritation,SaelynofFelgren.”
Igulped a breath, refusing to break her stare and responding in my mind. “You—you can remember?”
Abrilliant smile lifted her crimson lips. “I’veremembered every time you’ve done this,LittleOne.Allthe way back to three years ago, when you discovered this unique part of you.Ican show you more, if you’d like.Allyou have to do is reach out your hand to me, andI’llshow you the extent of the power you wield.”
Sheopened her hand to me and my mother whipped around, fear gripping her face. “No!” she screamed, turning back to theBlightress.
“Whereis my father?”Ibegged. “Please,Iwant my father back.”
Theancient woman’s eyes darted to my mother and she spoke in a harrowing voice that resounded through the shielded room. “Oh,LittleSprout,” she started with amusement. “Youhave not told her the truth?”
Hercold laughter filled my body down to my bones, andIfearedI’dnever be warm again.Thevinpressed me even closer to his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around me, ready to bolt at any second.
ThevoiceI’dnever forget sounded once more as theBlightreleased from the shield, pulling back into the dark abyss of the portal behind theBlightress.Withanother of her saccharine smiles, she nodded to me, calling, “Untilwe meet again,LittleOne.”
Inflash of dark power, she was gone.
Chapter35
Thevin
“Howlong hasshe spoken to you?”TheBaronofFelgrenpaced at the gathering of theFour.OrtheThree, in this case.Wewere missing one of the leaders.
“Tonightwas the first timeI’dever spoken to her,”Saeresponded, shifting in her seat and watching her mother move back and forth across the low light of the room.
Theyhad placed her in a red chair the color of fresh blood, and her gown clashed horribly.Shelooked frightened and confused, but that same determinationIloved allowed for the slight raise of her chin after every inquiry as to how she knew theBlightresswas coming and saved us all.
Thecouncil of theFoursat at the long table across the dais of the room used solely for these meetings in theSpire.TheViceroy,Lanna, andLadyLamoralsat at the center of the table with theMadameof theMountainsandClairanniaat the ends.Themedicus conduit had introduced herself at the gathering as a commander in theWieldwryns.Aseat had been left forBaronKarus, but she had refused it, preferring to pace in front of her daughter instead.
“Saelyn, we are trying to understand,”MadameZoreyahsaid softly, folding her hands in front of her.Thebrilliant gold tattoos across her brown skin almost glowed in the flickering light of the candles lit in sconces along the walls.
Thiscircular room was windowless, lying somewhere in the middle of theSpire.Therewas one door in, one door out, andI’dseen my fair share of inquiries take place within its sandstone walls.Ileaned against the stone, carefully watchingSaein profile, observing her reactions to the questions directed solely on her.
TheMadameleaned forward further. “Howis it exactly that you knew theBlightresswas coming if you had never spoken to her before this night?”
