Page 162 of Death of the Glass Angel
Panic tore through Gemellus’ strained voice. “I don’t know. I can’t see her.”
“You can’t-” Talon froze.
Those white tendrils, the reflective water. . .
“You.” He ripped out of Gemellus’ grip. “It was you.”
Gemellus composed himself quickly. “Kill an evoker and the spell ends. This way.” He shoved Talon forward.
Talon had a dagger. What was he supposed to do against Alfaris? His questions for Gemellus would have to wait—they had a common foe. Weaving through the flame and rubble, he trained his mind to calm. To quiet. To ignore the burning tracing down his back.
He’s missing it.
He’s going to die.
Fire!
Talon dashed around another bend to see Alfaris waiting for them. Shadows collected in Gemellus’ hand, forming into a spear of night. It streaked through the fire toward Alfaris’ heart.
Another card appeared between Alfaris’ fingers. A great orb of white, twinned in the night. The Moon.
White light enveloped them, blinding Talon and destroying the shadows fueling Gemellus’ spear. A fire raged to life as the spell faded.
“So this is your doing.” Gemellus spat. “I thought so.”
“Not entirely.” Alfaris corrected.
Gemellus cursed, shoving Talon forward. “Find Heras.”
The bastard had pushed Talon toward the terrifying old man.
“The Hermit and the Hierophant.” Alfaris sounded downright excited. “Shall we? It’s been some time since we last danced.” He flicked another card between his fingers and drew his blade.
Talon glimpsed only the bright gold of a sun on the card’s black surface before it vanished into tiny spheres of light.
A monster appeared in its place. A winged warrior materialized mid-flight, its great spear pulled back to strike.
Perfect white skin concealed its facial features, and gleaming golden armor encased its being. It lunged upon Talon, aiming for his throat.
A well of darkness rose from the carpet, transforming into the gaping maw of some horrible creature. It snapped down on the winged knight, yanking it away from Talon, and throwing it against the wall.
A crater appeared where the winged soldier impacted. The shadow creature lunged from its pool of gloam, talons gleaming ebony as tattered wings spread on its back. Talon slid beneath them as the two clashed.
This was not evoking. Who were these people?
Gemellus dashed forward, interrupting Alfaris before he could reach Talon. The flickering shadow spear blocked the swing of Alfaris’ long, thin blade.
“Go!” Gemellus shouted.
Turning away, Talon leaped over a piece of rubble, pulling his dagger loose. He nearly slammed into a pair of nobles fleeing for the stairs, pushing past them to reach the private box Heras had been seated in.
The guards were gone. Only Heras remained, standing alone amidst the fire and debris, calm.
She turned to look at Talon as he approached, hard iron eyes emotionless. A flash of silver drew his gaze to her wrist, where a beautiful winged bracelet looped her arm.
Between two fingers, she clutched a card. A great tower rose from a cataclysm, wings sprouting from the clock at its peak.
She could use Alfaris’ magic, too.
