Page 72 of A Blightress of Wrath
Sae’schin lifted once more andIbit down on my tongue.I’dbeen allowed in this meeting by theBaron’scommand, though most who usually attended had been turned away.Myparents, too, had been allowed to stay, standing quietly behind the long table.Iwatched every one ofSae’sexpressions as she tried to hold together the turmoil that kept sweeping across her face.Nota single tear fell down her cheeks, thoughIknew they threatened to by the occasional tremble of her chin.
“I—”Saestarted, her eyes flickering over the faces at the table, landing on her mother who had stopped her pacing, waiting for the explanation we needed.
Ididn’t understand it either.Howdidshe know?
Onemoment we’d been dancing, the next, she had sprinted from my grasp, finding her mother first to warn against theBlightress’sattempted onslaught.Bythe look of how manyBlightbeasts she’d brought with her, most in that room would have been slaughtered, if not all.
Saestraightened in her seat, heaving in a big gulp of breath before stating, “Ifelt her presence before she came.Idon’t know how.I’venever felt it before.”
Shewas lying.Iknew her tells, and the white-knuckled grip of her hands across her lap was one of them.Hernostrils flared slightly—another sign.
Ifrowned.Ididn’t understand why she’d lie.
LadyLamoral’svoice came haggard, harsh, and slow as it drifted quietly in the silence of the room. “Howcould you predict the presence of theBlightressif you’ve never seen nor spoken to her?”
Withher gray hair, sunken eyes, and drooping lips against her wan skin, she looked as if she’d just left her deathbed to attend.Though, the truth was,I’dnever seen her any different.
Lannaplaced a hand over her mother’s, amending, “Whatmy mother means to ask is, what was it that correctly made you believe it was theBlightresswho was coming?”
“Idon't know,”Saereplied.Anotherlie.
Iglanced atBaronKarus, curious if she also realized her daughter was not telling the truth.Asif in a trance, she stared without blinking, standing still as a statue and just as silent as one.Hereyes narrowed slightly and a feather ticked in her jaw, transfixed at a blank wall.
“Youcan understand, my dear,” began theViceroy, “how we find this ability of yours to be…curious.”Hisgentle smile lifted, easing the tension. “Sucha power as to be able to track the movements of theBlightresscould be supremely beneficial in this war, especially as theDimmingdraws near.”
Saecleared her throat. “Icannot track her.Ijust…Icould feel that she was coming.”
MadameZoreyahaddressed the rest of the council. “TheBlightresswould not have come unless she knewSaelynwas here.Shewould not have expended so much power.”
“Agreed,”Lannasaid with a nod. “I’vealready sent word to theBlightLineto hold outside ofLythglyn.I’veasked for a reprieve for theWieldwrynsand theRunnersfor a week which will allow us to settle when we arrive.”
TheViceroycountered, “Perhapsthis is the time to push for theDimminginstead of hold,LadyLanna.TheBlightresshas weakened herself and will struggle for a short time to siphon enough power to replace all of theBlightbeasts she lost.Notto mention the portal she created to get them here.BaronKarus,”—he turned to addressSaelyn’smother—“will your shield hold theSpirefor the time being?”
“Itis already up and holding.”
“Good, good,” he replied. “Shecertainly won’t be able to cross through?—”
“Excuseme, but,”Saelyninterrupted, “what do you mean when you say she would not have expended such power unless she knewIwas here?”
Clairanniashifted in her seat, her eyes on theBaronrather thanSaelyn.
Lannaanswered as if reciting from a book, “TheBlightresshas limits.Eversince your father sacrificed his life to diminish the strength of her heart, she has been unable to neither portal nor produce herBlightas quickly as before, according to your mother and those inFelgrenwho interacted with her seventeen years ago.”
Saefrowned, glancing to her mother, but again lifting her chin. “Andwhat exactly is theDimming?”
Irubbed my hands across my face, my stomach dropping.I’davoided telling her, hoping to find the right time, not even sureIwas the right one to explain.
TheViceroycleared his throat, adopting a soft tone. “Itis the day our armies amass to invade theBlightress’slands and render her power useless.Weare nearly ready, but have been waiting for some time.”Hegave her another slight, simple smile. “Wehave been waiting for you,Saelyn.ForwhenBaronKarushas deemed you ready to join our forces with your great power and defeat theBlightressand her evil once and for all.”
Sae’seyes flicked to her mother in shock.TheBaron, catching on to what had been said, reached out to her daughter, cupping her hands overSae’s. “Youare seventeen,LittleLove.Youare more than ready.”
Shestood, pulling out of her mother’s touch. “TheDimmingrelies on me?”Hervoice seethed in a rare temper, but one that was quick to ignite.Sheaddressed the table, “Andhas she told youwhois in theBlightress’slands?”
“Saelyn,” her mother warned.
“Myfather is there.Alive.”
Gaspsand frantic looks pierced the air.IwatchedLanna, knowing how she’d feel about the news that the hero she’d idolized and looked up to her whole life still lived.
