Page 93 of Riftborne
Osta took his hand and slowly rose to her feet, trying to keep her balance. He steadied her with his other hand.
“Osta, right?” he asked in the softest voice I had ever heard from him. She merely nodded.
“Let’s find a place to sit down,” he said, urging her toward some of the seats at the edge of the clearing.
Beneath my shock, white-hot anger simmered. Raine rushed to Osta’s side, and Briar followed along shortly after.
“Raine, Briar, watch her. I’m going to find out who did that,” I growled, turning back toward the river to see a few figures wading through the water.
Baelor Soleil. And a new set of groupies.
“That was insane, Baelor. I can’t believe General Ashford demoted you,” one of them gushed.
Baelor shrugged, motioning for the man on his left to go procure a few drinks with a dismissive gesture. The man hurried off toward the tables.
I stormed toward him, finally able to make out his pale, blonde hair and crisp, white Guard’s uniform. The Scales emblem was stitched into the fabric.
Mud flew up around my boots as I closed the distance between us. Anger was roaring through my entire body, and I could already feel the tendrils lurching forward in anticipation.
His eyes locked onto me, something dangerous snapping into place as he took in my movements, a look of contained excitement playing across his typically stone-cold features.
“Two Riftborne here tonight. How unexpected.”
“You did that on purpose?” I seethed, planting my feet directly in front of him.
“Soleils never lose control of their flames.”
His words hit me like a dagger. I almost couldn’t form a response.
“What the fuck is your problem, Baelor?” Nazul yelled from behind me. I felt the heat of his presence as he approached.
Baelor looked him over with a blank expression.
“You saved the abomination?” Baelor asked.
“You’ve gone too far, Baelor. You sound insane,” Nazul growled, but there was a kind of pleading in his voice.
“My duty is to protect this realm. And it won’t be safe until every Riftborne is wiped from existence. You used to be of the same mind,” he said, righteousness lacing his words.
“Ineverwanted anyone dead, Baelor. You’ve spiraled into madness.”
Suddenly, the sky bloomed with storm clouds, thunder cracking through the clearing. Raine stepped forward, wind tossing her braids to the side. She reached up, as if she were grasping something in the heavens, before throwing her arm down, a blinding strike of lightning following. It landed right at Baelor’s feet.
He didn’t even flinch.
“I’ll light your ass up Baelor. I’d be doing this realm a fucking favor,” she spat.
“All of you protect the Riftborne? You should be treated as traitors,” he said, his voice steady.
“Raine, Nazul, go check on Osta. This is between me and Baelor,” I said, finally able to form words. Raine paused, her eyes shooting over to me. But it seemed something on my face reassured her.
“Fuck him up, Fia.” She smiled wickedly as she turned and pranced off. Nazul hung around for a few more seconds, eyes burning into Baelor, who looked between us, focused on nothing in particular.
“You’re an asset to the Guard, Nazul. Leave the Riftborne to me. I’d hate for you to get caught in the crossfire,” Baelor said.
Nazul stepped forward with a look of defiance, fists clenching at his sides. He was ready to fight if the veins in his neck were any indication. His eyes moved to me, and I nodded. He tore away, and trudged back to the group.
“It’s such a tragedy one of your kind has been able to infiltrate the Guard. Our leadership is weak. Tainted.” Baelor took a step to the side, foot falling on the scorched earth from Raine’s bolt.
