Page 146 of Kingdom of Chaos
Breaking eye contact with Talon, I look at Becks. His face is tight with concentration, scanning the shadows for any sign of Kerrim.
“Becks,” I call softly. His head snaps toward me, his eyes wide. “Get Titus and Ensley out of here.”
He bares his teeth in a grimace, shaking his head hard. “No. I’m staying. I can help you.”
“I’m not asking because you’re weak,” I say firmly, holding his gaze. “I’m asking because they need you. If they stay, they die. I know you can protect them. Ineedyou to protect them.”
A trace of frustration slips across his face, familiar and gutting. I know that look. I know what it’s like to feel like the weakest link, the one without magic, the one who’s always just a step behind. But I’m asking him to protect those I love, because if there’s anyone who will fight with everything they have to keep Ensley and Titus safe, it’s him.
Another streak of fire tears through the night, hissing past just inches above our heads.
“Move!” Talon barks, his voice sharp, cutting through the mayhem like a blade.
We scramble to our feet, instinct driving us toward the cover of the trees. There’s so many of us to conceal. Not far from us, Kade with the healer and his fighters are running for cover as well.
Becks slings an arm under Titus, who’s barely conscious, while Talon grabs his other side to help support his weight. Imogen shadows them, sharp and fluid, scanning for the next threat.
We hide behind a grouping of trees. The cover is flimsy and won’t last for long, especially with fireballs being hurled at us.
“Becks,” I plead. “You have to go.”
For a heartbeat, he hesitates, torn between staying and going. Then Ensley appears, nudging Talon out of the way and slipping her arm under Titus’ other shoulder. Tears stream down her face.
Becks locks eyes with me, a raw, desperate intensity behind his gaze. “You better come back to me. I’m not ready to lose you again,” he says, his voice hoarse.
With one last lingering look, he nods to his sister and then they vanish into the darkness, Titus barely upright between them.
Another fireball streaks past, slamming into a tree with a crack and a burst of flame. One of Kade’s men cries out—a searing, guttural scream that pierces my ears—and collapses, smoke rising from his back. The healer dives toward him, already working to stabilize him as Kade curses under his breath, scanning for more threats.
“Kade!” I shout over the madness. “Hold the line here! I’ll handle Kerrim.”
He starts to argue, but I shake my head fiercely. “I have to do this. Keep the others safe.”
I whirl around, trying to center myself, trying to find that flicker of power inside me, but . . . it’s gone. A hollow echo, a dead weight in my chest. Not even the pendant causes it to spark to life.
Panic rises like a wave, sharp and suffocating.
“Locklyn.” Talon’s voice comes from behind me, steady and low, like an anchor in the storm. I turn to him, wide-eyed, breath ragged.
“I don’t have any more in me,” I whisper, voice breaking. “I can’t fight him.”
Talon reaches for me, cupping my face in his hands. His touch is cool, grounding. “You can. We’re connected. Draw from me.”
“But—”
“Do it,” he orders, his voice rough, urgent.
I close my eyes, focusing on him. Focusing on me. And there it is, a pulse of magic, silver and gold threads shimmering between us, flaring bright as they weave through my veins. The power rushes in like a flood, sharp and sweet, and I gasp as it ignites my skin.
“Talon!” comes Imogen’s alarmed voice. “What are you doing? You know what might?—”
He cuts her off with a sharp look. “It’s fine.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing between the two of them as the threads connecting Talon and me glow brighter, pulsing like a living thing.
“Nothing,” Talon says, but when I glance at Imogen, she looks away, a deep scowl tightening her face.
“Am I hurting you?” I ask, my concern spiking.
