Page 46 of The Phoenix Inheritance

Isobel

Ijump to my feet with the sound of Dane approaching, but waste no time in hiding in the shadows the instant I see two brilliant mops of russet hair instead of one.

The second one, more slender than Dane and deceptively friendly looking, waves sheepishly.

“Hi there.”

I don’t respond and only shoot Dane a questioning glare.

“Warwick wants to stay with us,” he explains as he opens my cell. “You can trust him. He helped me escape.”

I eye the brother’s hands warily. Hours ago, those very same fingers shifted into claws that attacked me relentlessly.

“Escape what?”

“It’s a long story,” Dane sighs, catching me by the shoulders and hurling me forward so hastily I slip on the damp floor. “All you need to know for the moment is that the whole Kingdom is against me right now, so we need to hightail it out of here, and fast!”

But weren't his people celebrating him when we were in the arena this morning? My head spins, but the one thing that remains stable is that mane of auburn I don’t want to see.

“Does he have to come?”

Dane bites his lip as he studies me in anguish. “Listen, Isobel–”

“I’m sorry,” Warwick interrupts from behind. “I’d promise never to give you any reason to fear me again, but then I guess actions are better than words.” A grin, so much easier and lighthearted than Dane’s, weaves across his handsome face. “Give me some time, and I’ll become your favorite brother-in-law.”

I narrow my eyes, though some of my doubts already melt away. If Dane chose to bring his brother along, I trust he didn’t make this decision heedlessly. And no, my change of heart has nothing to do with how charming Warwick’s smile is.

“We’ll see,” I mumble before we take a sharp turn.

But as we round the corner, an army of armors appear, lunging towards us with their spears. The gasps that escape both sturdy brothers are none too reassuring.

My reaction stems out of pure instinct. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a lone bucket, placed to collect the water from the many leaks in the dungeons. Though it’s dreadfully heavy I hoist it up and throw it forward with all my might.

The guards shriek and tiptoe around the pooling water like a battalion of frantic ballerinas, as if I’d just splashed men with boiling oil.

“My gorget!” One cries out in despair. “I just polished it last evening!”

“Get out of the way,” another wails as he pushes a comrade away. “Or my sabatons will grow rusty again!”

Warwick peers at me, brows drawn high in grudging admiration. “Ingenious.”

I can’t resist the boastful beam twisting my lips. “Yes, it rather was, right?”

Booming roars echo in the hallway as it sounds like a veritable stampede of monsters have penetrated the dungeons.

“Hurry up, you two!” Dane groans in annoyance. “We’ll have time to break the ice later, if we can even get out of here!”

Because indeed, at that moment the most intrepid guards decide to brave the water and are already charging at us. On the other side, beasts in all forms and colors barge in with maces, mauls, or just their bare fists – judging by the sheer size of them though, perhaps they need no more weaponry.

Dane hauls me over and pushes me out an opening in the rock. I land outside on all fours, and the sight that meets my eyes nearly causes me to topple right back through the window.

Østrom is burning. Great blazes engulf its highest tower, as the Phoenix flag is eaten up by flames. A barricade topples over, eliciting agonized cries as the stones crush those beneath it. Even the sky is streaked with angry red. It’s impossible to see beyond the black fumes that cover the sky.

“Isobel!” A familiar voice exclaims. “Hide while you can! The Gargoyles have no allegiance anymore and have come to life!”

Chilling panic seizes my heart as I recognize Garrison’s blue eyes beneath all the soot covering his face. I stare at the hand he stretches out to help me to my feet.

“We killed the Phoenix King, can you believe it? The bastard’s brother just handed us the poisoned sword and set us free!” Garrison pants with difficulty as a formidable blast blows ashes our way. “We’re looking for the sons so we can finish them off as well.”

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