Page 243 of The Call of Crimson
We manage to cut down five of them before someone drives a sword through Ryder’s chest. My shadows retaliate instantly, slicing through his killer’s neck and severing his head from his body. There’s no time to respond to his loss before the next attacker is on me.
Darian and I fall into rhythm, fighting back-to-back as bodies drop around us. Until it’s just us, surrounded by a circle of corpses
“Well, this has been entertaining,” the general drawls, a mixture of boredom and annoyance plastered across his too-perfect face. “But we’re done appeasing your tantrum.”
The strangest thing about this entire fight is that it felt like the enemy was holding back. They were fighting to subdue, not to kill. Like a cat playing with a mouse before it’s eaten.
Several archers aim arrows at Darian, and the general snaps his fingers. “Kill him.”
I make a reckless decision that I pray is right, that my instincts were correct in believing they have orders to bring me back alive.
I throw myself in front of Darian. I’m smaller than he is, but I cover enough of him that they don’t have a clear shot. “If you want to kill him, you’ll have to kill me first.”
“What are you doing, Breyla?” Darian hisses under his breath.
“Saving your life.”
He curses, wrapping his arm around me.
The general tilts his head, contemplating his response before he finally says, “Hm, I suppose we could make use of the Prudian general.”
I barely hear the words as I feel the tug of Darian’s magic. He’s preparing to jump.
“Take them both,” the general commands.
The searing pain is all I register as I look down to find an arrow protruding from my gut. Another has struck the arm Darian wrapped around me.
It must be poisoned with something because my vision begins to fade, blackness creeping in around the edges. I try to scream, to call for help, but I’m not sure I actually make any noise. I think of Aurelius, wishing I could see him one last time, but grateful that it’s not him with me now.
Something snaps in my chest.
The last thing I hear before the darkness claims me is Aurelius screaming my name.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
AURELIUS
Blinding rage consumes me as Breyla’s screams echo in my mind, raw and desperate, crying for me. She’s in pain, and she’s terrified.
Then it goes quiet.
I’d suspected for quite some time that we were able to hear each other’s thoughts, but we never had the chance to discuss or confirm it. Now, there was no doubt in my mind.
But it’s the silence that terrifies me more than hearing her screams.
Something primal and foreign builds in my chest, ripping out in the form of a viscous snarl. The thought of something happening to her, that she could be in pain or worse, is unbearable.
Dropping Elythia’s journal, I tear out of the library in search of Ayden. Whatever happened, whatever this is, it’s because of him. Because he sent her out on a godsdamned suicide mission with Darian.
I barely register the guards and staff I pass in the hall as door after door flies open in my attempt to locate the prince. All I see is red. All I feel is terror and fury. I will find her, and those responsible for her pain will suffer.
When I find Ayden, any shred of control deserts me.
I slam him against the wall, the glass in a nearby window rattling from the impact. A pained grunt leaves his lips as I wrap my fingers around his throat.
The queen screams, calling for the guards.
Ignoring her, I snarl, “Where the fuck did you send Breyla?”
