Page 109 of When Sisters Collide
Then the wind screamed through the courtyard—no longer a breeze but a living, howling force. Warm and wet as a storm surge, it crashed into the ramparts with a beast’s roar. Spears clattered, shields toppled, and the wooden staircase groaned under the strain.
Something was coming.
Leukos stood his ground, magic blazing brighter as he eased back from the gate. On the ramparts, archers ducked low, knuckles white on their bows. They looked to Danaos for orders, but the general’s back was to them, his focus locked on the queen.
He shouted—Leukos could see his mouth move—but the wind swallowed everything.
Then the gate exploded.
A deafeningcracksplit the air as splinters and iron bolts burst outwards in a violent storm. Shards of wood flew like knives. Leukos raised his arms, conjuring a shield of ice that deflected the debris.
The howling ceased. An eerie silence fell over the courtyard. Guards slowly turned towards the ruin, searching the swirling haze of dust.
Leukos’ heart stopped.
A figure emerged from the chaos—a woman wreathed in power. Wind coiled at her feet, green eyes blazing with magic, and three wolves prowled at her back.
Alena’s fierce voice—the one that had haunted his dreams for months—rolled through the courtyard.
“Where is my sister?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ALENA
Alena was about ready to murder someone. Quite literally.
She, Phoebe, Kaixo, the horses and wolves had crossed the Grey-Eyed Maiden’s barrier with shocking ease. They’d slipped past the Rasennan legion camped around the city, finding a path along a rocky cliffside stretch, and the barrier had yielded without so much as a flicker of resistance. By the time Rasennan scouts had spotted them, it was far too late to stop them.
From then on, they’d been treated like lepers. Drums beat a constant rhythm through the city while people barricaded themselves indoors, as if a vicious army had breached the walls.
Apparently,shewas the enemy.
“You said Tiryns welcomed all Amazons,” she muttered, casting a dark look at Phoebe.
Phoebe met her glare with infuriating calm, her posture relaxed while Kaixo, trailing behind, gawked openly at the sandstone city. “Had you waited just one day,” she said in that maddeningly even tone, “I could have sent word to the palace. Instead, we’re about to be greeted by a wall of spears.”
Kaixo didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. His wide eyes drank in the marble statues and fountains decorating every street corner.
One more day was one day too many. Katell was imprisoned somewhere in the city, and while anger still lingered, fear had overtaken it. Who knew what the Tirynthians planned for her?
Leukos and Nik might be trying to intervene, but the thought brought little comfort. Thinking of Leukos always brought a fresh ache to her chest.
That pain only deepened when they reached the inner gates.
“The palace gates are locked for the royal wedding,” the captain said, arms folded, face expressionless. “Three days. No exceptions.”
If one day had been too much, three was out of the question.
“I’m here with an Amazon,” Alena pressed. “We’ve been sent by the Grey-Eyed Maiden herself to speak with the queen.”
“Is that so?” Phoebe murmured, clearly amused.
Alena ignored her. “Time is of the essence. We need to get inside.”
The guards exchanged uncertain glances but still blocked her way.
It hadn’t taken much. Just half a dozen men stood at the gate. With Phoebe, Alena, and the wolves, forcing their way through had been almost effortless.
