Page 147 of Burning Heir

The soldiers ran through the Night realm, swords drawn, while the civilians of Demetria screamed. Violet-caped figures darted into the alleys, seeking shelter.

Near the gates, I spotted him.

Charles.

He was leading the charge, his form steady as he directed others through the broken barriers. My grip tightened on Setrephia’s feathers as we landed.

“Charles!” I screamed his name, over and over, flailing my hands.

His blank gaze flicked toward me, his eyes softening as they met Setrephia’s. He gave her a subtle nod, acknowledging her presence.

In the pale moonlight, Charles looked different—his face dirt-smudged, his chin shadowed with grime. The three relics at his side glinted faintly, catching the silver glow.

Three cloaked figures emerged from the shadows, moving toward him. They whispered in his ear, their words too low for me to catch.

Charles’s lips moved.

He mouthed my name.

I stepped back instinctively, my pulse hammering in my ears.

Before I could react, slender hands gripped my elbow, their hold as cold and unyielding as iron.

I turned to face Myla… her face was unrecognizable, and a new scar marred her temple.

I felt a pound on the bond.“Severyn, Naraic says you took off?”

“You’re alive?”I called back.

“Myla, what—what’s going on?”

Not a muscle quivered in her blank stare as if she had no idea who she was, who I was. She dragged me toward Charles.

“Charles, what the hell is going on?” I demanded.

Archer yelled through our once-faded bond.“Severyn, leave. Now!”

Charles closed his eyes. “You should not be here, Severyn. Why thehellare you here?” A red-handled sword rested against his spine, rusted with blood. There’s no denying the commander stood before me.

“Are you attacking—are you the threat?” I lifted my arm, forcing it out of Myla’s grip.

Archer was in my eyes.

“I don’t have a choice. Malvoria was—taken over.” He eyed the cloaked figure behind him. “They—”

“Who arethey?”

Charles winced through his teeth. “I can’t say. I’m warded.”

“The Forgotten ones?” I hissed.

Charles kept his jaw still. But the look he gave me, I knew it was that. His face contorted, his spine tremored. His golden eyes faded to white, and my brother was unrecognizable.

The same void that held Knox during the last trial.

The cloaked figure lowered his hand, peering at me. His voice was icy and hoarse. “Severyn Blanche, you should not be here.”

“Severyn—”Archer called.“Forgive me.”

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