Page 23 of King of Knights

“It is not gone. I can feel its presence,” Yanique says.

“But sister, look. It is not upon the podium. Have one of you moved it for study?”

“No, I haven’t,” Annaniah says.

“Neither have I,” Yanique interjects.

I go with my instincts as I, too, can feel the book’s presence. I turn for the stairs and lead the way up.

“Forget it. It will find us in the right time. We must go,” I say firmly.

I move as fast as I can to get away from this place before we’re trapped. My mind goes to Kendrick. He has taken to the valley to train.

He isn’t expected to be back for another few days. He is out too far for me to send someone to get him. We are on our own.

We burst through on the upper level. The sanctuary is silent, but that doesn’t fool me into a sense of security. In fact, while the sanctuary is still, the sound of chaos comes from outside.

The villagers are panicked. Fear of the king’s soldiers is something they live with daily. To have them riding into the village has to be terrifying.

“Let’s go. I will lead us out. Arm yourselves,” I say.

“No, I will lead. You get behind me,” Yanique says.

“It is fine. I will be fine.”

“Sister, no,” Yanique growls.

“What’s going on? What haven’t you two told us? Something has been going on,” Annaniah says.

“Once we get out of here, I will tell you everything. Remember everything Kendrick and I have taught you. We mustn’t be captured and taken to the city.”

Yanique closes her eyes and murmurs an incantation. Twin swords appear on her back, and a whip in her hand. Looking to my other two sisters, I see they also have called upon their gifts to form weapons.

Zandra has her shield and axe, while Annaniah has her two chakrams. Unlike my sisters, I don’t need incantations to conjure my weapons like I once did as a young girl. With the wave of my hands before me, I have my bow ready.

We rush out of the sanctuary, and Henry, one of our loyal servants, is waiting for us with his wagon and horse. I hate to have him in the middle of this, but we will get further with his help. Henry helps us all into the wagon like a gentleman.

“Thank you,” I say.

He winks at me. “Anytime, mistress.”

Once all are settled in, Henry takes off toward the woods that lead to the forbidden valley, as the villagers call it. Wise idea, Kendrick has enchanted the woods and valley to keep the humans away. The soldiers should fear following after us.

“Night has fallen. They should have a harder time tracking us,” Yanique whispers.

“Will you tell us what’s going on now?” Annaniah whines.

I go to open my mouth, but the sound of horses following after us catches my ear. I shake my head at my sister. Lifting my bow, I use the light from the tip of my arrow to find my target as the sound grows nearer.

An arrow whizzes by my ear. My sisters cry out, but I have no time to turn to see why. I release the arrow and send a rider from his mount.

The force of the magic in my arrow carries him back effortlessly. I grin and form another arrow, ready to take out my next target.

“Get down,” Yanique orders. “He is gone. I will take over the reins.”

Henry.My heart clenches. My first instinct is to turn and save him, but if Yanique says he’s gone, there’s nothing I can do. I have to keep the rest of us safe.

I take out another rider, but their numbers are growing. I start with my split arrows, but they give me less precision as I have to split my focus to guide them to their targets.

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