Page 59 of When Storms Ruin

“There’s nothing we can do about that now,” Liss pointed out, joining Zion and resting her hand on his shoulder. “She has already created the monsters who siphon. Our only path forward is to figure out how to stop them. The problem now…is how Donika was spotted this close.”

“My point exactly.” Warrick clenched his jaw shut.

He let go of Tyr with such force Tyr rolled backwards, unable to catch himself. “Who do you think told her where we were?”

“I couldn’t have—” Tyr’s words were cut short with a gurgle, and blood spilled forth from his lips. Startled, I jumped forwards, my arm on Warrick’s.

“Stop it!” I hissed.

His gaze never strayed from Tyr, whose gurgling continued, causing blood to spray across his shirt and the hardwood floor beneath us.

“Warrick,” I warned.

“There is no way he could have given our location away if he didn’t know it in the first place, mate,” Puck said, moving forwards as if he would stop Warrick himself if he needed to.

Warrick still didn’t move. My eyes narrowed on him, and I reached into the core of my magic, ready to call on it if needed. My magic surged forth readily,desperately. It wanted to be unleashed equally as much as I wanted to unleash it.

“Don’t make me warn you again.” My voice was deadly calm.

When Warrick still didn’t glance away and Tyr’s gurgles became panicked gasps, I raised my hand towards Warrick, letting a surge of amethyst magic burst forth.

Warrick was standing in front of me one moment, and in the next he was across the room being thrown into the bookshelf. The bookcase rocked back against the wall, books and supplies falling forth as Warrick slumped to the ground with a grunt.

“Warrick, you are out of line.” I moved forwards, my hand still extended towards him.

I relaxed when he didn’t move, only stared up at me in shock, his jaw slack.

“Might be the last time you don’t listen to her.” Puck laughed under his breath as he shot Nik a proud glance from across the room.

“That will be the last time you use your magic on him like that. Do you understand me?” I asked, my expression cold.

“Diana…” Warrick shook his head, stunned.

“I said…do you understand me?” I repeated.

Nik silently moved to my side and without a touch or a word, I could sense his strong presence at my back.

“Your queen asked you a question. I believe it’s in your best interest to answer her. Now.” Nik’s voice was stern, his shoulders taut.

He was prepared to act on my behalf if needed, but I had thrown Warrick across the room by simply raising my hand. I might not be able to wield my storms right now, but I was still a damn powerful witch, and I would not be walked all over.

I could fight my own battles.

Tyr had slumped over, unconscious, a pool of blood surrounding him. Liss moved forwards silently, pressing a hand to his forehead and reciting the words of a healing spell she knew like the back of her hand. His eyelids fluttered, but they did not open.

Isaac moved around the desk, his eyes on me, his expression reverent. When I first met Isaac a few weeks ago, I had been the scared, fragile Stormshade who had just escaped the Stormvault.

But I was a queen, and now I was starting to act like it.

“I understand,” Warrick replied, his voice hoarse.

“If you try to kill a prisoner without the vote of this council again, you will no longer be a part of it.” Isaac’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Liss, if you would please tend tohim. We need to discuss the matter of how to proceed with accommodations.”

Liss and the guards who brought Tyr in exited quietly, the only thing left of them was the pool of blood before us.

“Is the location of this safe house not compromised now as well?” Nik asked, turning towards Isaac.

“I believe only the last location has been compromised. Donika was spotted on those streets, a long-haired male Shade at her side,” Isaac replied.

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