Page 160 of Wings of Ash & Flame
“Been a little”—she screeched—“busy.”
“What is it?What’s happening?”
“Umbra’s wraiths.Shadow creatures from the underworld that bind victims with spectral chains,forcing them to relive their worst memories and fears on an endless,torturous loop.Light,mind,and fire-based magic are our best weapons against them.It’s been a long while since they’ve appeared, not since the vampire attacks on Starfall.”
“And,of course,I can wield none right now.”
“Well,we know you have magic.Somewhere.Probably.Hopefully.”
“Still not helping.You need to stay outside to prevent as many wraiths as possible from passing through.”
“My duty is to protect you.”
“No,Solflara.” Alaire’s voice was firm. “You can protect those people better than anyone else.I’ll be a hindrance,but I can quickly relay your instructions.Teamwork makes the dream work,remember?”
“What is it with mortals and their horrible catchphrases?” Alaire could practically hear her phoenix clucking her tongue. “Stay out of the way,and whatever you do,do not let a wraith touch you.A single touch could be deadly.”
“Keep an eye on Dawson for me,Solf.”
“The prince is fine.He’s helping Premiere Lords,Ladies,and high generals develop a strategy.”
Before she could ask more, several fireballs arced into the air and crashed to the ground. High-pitched shrieks rang out as glass shattered. Alaire curled into a ball, shielding her head with her arms.
When the sounds of splintering glass subsided, she rose slowly, taking in the chaos around her. Blood dotted her forearms where shards had cut her skin. The screech of metal shredding throbbed in her ears.
Elemental fae had assembled in rows facing the windows. At the helm stood Max Aster, barking orders at the defensive line.
“Lord Aster,” she called, approaching. The group turned, expressions shifting from surprise to skepticism as she neared. Max’s eyes narrowed, but he gestured for her to speak.
“Solflara, my phoenix, will remain outside to fight Umbra’s wraiths,” she stated. “If you need to communicate anything to her quickly, find me. I’ll be helping with evacuations.”
Max exchanged a glance with a bald fae in combat leathers, heavily armed, before nodding curtly. “The other celestials have already joined Solflara in protecting the crowd,” he replied, grudgingly respectful. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
Alaire backed away, craning her head in search of Kaia and Archer. She’d lost them in the fray.
As she skirted the perimeter, a prickling sensation crawled along her skull. Shadows seeped beneath the doors, lengthening and coalescing into dark, menacing forms. Like the bloodravagers, their eyes burned crimson, faces obscured by hoods. They floated above the floor, tattered cloaks billowing in a nonexistent breeze.
Most frightening of all, they moved in utter silence.
Her stomach twisted at the sight. Spectral chains of shadow wrapped around several fae’s limbs. They didn’t fight; they crumpled to the floor, clutching their heads as they wailed and wailed and wailed.
A flaming arrow whistled past her ear, striking one of the wraiths square in the chest. Its eyes blazed before it erupted into smoke. Solflara had been right.
Anarchy followed the wraith’s defeat. Fae from every house launched themselves into the offensive. Those at the rear released flaming arrows lit by House Arculum’s lightning to keep the wraiths from advancing.
With no magic and Solflara defending outside, Alaire unsheathed her twin daggers she’d hidden beneath her dress.
More than ever, she was angry at her magic for ignoring her pleas—especially when it could’ve helped prevent innocent bloodshed.
Mist thickened, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. Arms suddenly gripped her ribs, and she pivoted with both daggers raised, poised to slash—until she heard a familiar voice.
“Alaire, it’s just us!”
She exhaled, recognizing Kaia. “I’ve been trying to find you both. Are you okay?”
“Fine, fine.” Lightning flickered between Kaia’s thumb and forefinger. “It was you we were worried about. What are these things? Hadrian’s never seen anything like them.”
“Aleisia could only tell us they prey on your worst nightmares,” Archer called from somewhere in the haze. The mist completely shrouded him.
