Page 161 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“They’re Umbra’s wraiths, creatures usually trapped in the underworld. Last time they appeared was Starfall, according to Solflara. No idea why they’re here now…”
“Gods, that’s horrible. We’ve been trying to get people out of here,” Kaia explained.
“I want to help.”
“This way—” Kaia stopped mid-step.
The mist around Archer thinned. A wraith, tall and menacing, stood before him. Haunting cries of pain and terror rose behind it.
Archer raised his hands and conjured multiple versions of himself that fanned out in all directions, meant to confuse the wraith. Its head swiveled, uncertain, before lashing its chains through one illusion, then another, unable to find its true target.
While it was distracted, Archer projected a high-pitched sound into its mind. The creature staggered, clawing at its hooded head.
Like the one before it, this wraith collapsed into smoke. Alaire rushed across the scattered debris to reach Archer, checking that he was unhurt.
“Alaire! Archer!” Kaia shouted from the far end of the room. “We need to get these people out!”
She stood over a group of humans cowering behind a pillar, flanked by a pair of fae, all desperately trying to hide from Umbra’s wraiths.
“Hadrian will meet us. We’ll get as many to safety as possible,” Kaia said.
“Aleisia will help too,” Archer added.
“Solf,can you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“A group of humans is trapped near the rear of the ballroom and can’t make it to safety.”
“Fear and terror fuel them.They cannot remain together.Groups emitting fear are beacons for wraiths.”
“Can you create a diversion to hold their attention?We need to get them out.”
“On it.”
The ballroom lit with splashes of orange and pink.
When Alaire reached Kaia, the humans turned toward her, eyes wide, mouths gaping.
“Didn’t recognize you earlier in the confusion. But the rumors are true. Hear a lot doing this job, but never thought I’d see it—a halfling royal.”
Alaire raised her hand, silencing the murmurs. “Everyone, I need your attention. We have to move now. Archer and Kaia will escort you to safety. Stay close and do exactly as they say.”
The group pushed a few gangly teenagers forward; one hid behind long bangs, while the other two were skeletal with protruding cheekbones. Haggard circles under their eyes and gaunt features reminded her how fortunate she was at Aeris Academy, with three meals a day. The sight split her heart wide open.
It had been months since she’d seen another human. She hadn’t expected the serving staff at the Celestial Cascade Ball to be so young. But a job meant getting paid. Getting paid meant food on the table. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Each whispered “thank you” as she and Kaia ushered them toward Archer. Whatever Solflara was doing was working—until it wasn’t. On the third trip, the air warmed for a heartbeat before plunging to near-freezing.
She looked over her shoulder and spotted more wraiths approaching.
Fuck.
Several launched chains at once, binding their victims. One human male screamed in agony as he writhed on the floor, clawing at his face and begging for it to stop. His nails tore through skin, rivers of blood streaking down his cheeks.
She couldn’t let it continue.
Solflara’s warning echoed in her mind. Before anyone could stop her, Alaire threw herself in front of the remaining humans as another wraith unleashed its penumbra chains.
