Page 18 of Treasured

The Second Order of Isvana’s Chosen Ones were a mix of vampires and witches who lived in eastern Eleyta, near the Indigo Ocean. Of the remaining orders—the First, Second, and Third—they were the most isolated. I’d never been here, but if Phyrra trusted them enough to leave Marius, Luna’s sickly half-brother, with them, it was safe enough. My spymaster’s trust was almost as hard-won as my own.

We could fly over the walls, but politeness seemed like a prudent course of action since we sought sanctuary. Especially since Luna’s brother was here.

Come! The queen’s call was a shrill, piercing screech.

The intensity caught me off guard, and I stumbled forward. My heart pounded, and my head ached. My legs trembled, and I nearly collapsed. This one was worse than the last one, and I failed to hide my grimace of pain.

Luna grabbed my arm. “Can you walk?”

Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure I could. But I needed to get her to safety. “I’ll be fine,” I insisted as we finally reached the gates. “Let’s get inside.”

Concern pulsed through the Binding Mark, but before Luna could ask one of the many questions I was certain were waiting on the tip of her tongue, I reached for the bell hanging on the gate. I tugged it three times. A ringing echoed through the courtyard, cutting through the silence of the night.

For a moment, nothing occurred. Not even the wind blew.

Luna glanced at me, raising a brow. “Do you think you should do it again?”

I shrugged. “Sure.”

At this point, I would do anything to get her to safety. I went to ring the bell once more when a blur appeared on the other side of the gates. A lock turned. The click of a key never gave me as much relief as it did at that moment. The ancient gates creaked open, revealing a regal, lithe priestess on the other side. Her hair was so light it was almost as white as her robe. Lined with silver, the garment had meter-long sleeves that brushed the snow as she moved.

The priestess looked from me to Luna and back again, her gaze lingering on my cheek. The wound burned under her gaze, and I fought the urge to touch it. Instead, I moved in front of Luna.

“Priestess.” I dipped my head in respect. “We require sanctuary.”

Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth as though to speak. Her words never registered. I didn’t hear anything except a sharp, unyielding noise like a discordant note on a piano played at its highest volume.

Come!

This summons was different. It went on and on. It was an endless battering ram slamming against my will.

I roared.

Black spots filled my vision, my legs gave out, and I collapsed.

* * *

Red-hot flames burned in my head and licked at my insides. This searing agony was unending. Even exposure to the sun’s deadly rays did not compare to this. My skull was being ripped apart. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even open my eyes.

My shadows twisted in my veins, and my dark magic pounded. My wrist burned, and my connection to Luna was the only thing keeping me alive.

It was barely enough.

The only thing I could do was scream.

And so, I did.

A hoarse, guttural, never-ending cry left my lips, echoing all around me. I screamed for seconds, minutes, hours, days. Time had no meaning. Not anymore.

Mercifully, my voice grew hoarse, and everything went dark again.

* * *

Something soft was underneath me. The smooth sheets were like the coarsest wool against my skin, irritating the flames licking my entire body. I was burning alive.

Where was I?

I opened my mouth to speak, but all that came out was a strangled groan. My throat was scratchy, as though I’d been screaming for days.

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