Page 186 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
A gasp sounded behind her. Shuffling sounded, but Kallie didn’t dare take her eyes off the enemy.
"Stay behind me," Kallie ordered.
"But—" Myra was cut off when a woman shouted at the soldiers, demanding they leave.
One soldier made to speak, but another civilian threw something at him before he could. The object bounced off the soldier’s cheek.
"Was that a fuckingrock?"
Kallie froze, her brows knitting together. The voice was familiar. But before she could place it, the civilians charged, swinging branches and swords wildly. Someone threw dirt at the soldiers. Others quickly picked up the tactic, grabbing handfuls and tossing dirt at the soldiers. Between the debris and the shadows, the fight became a hazy blur in front of Kallie.
Kallie squinted. Was the darkness playing tricks on her? She could have sworn Moris’ wings were webbed.
"Laurince?" Myra croaked.
Kallie was jostled as Myra swayed, suddenly standing beside her. Kallie quickly grabbed hold of Myra, steadying her. But Myra pushed against Kallie, trying to break free. She stumbled, and Kallie reached out.
"It’s Laurince!" Myra said, pushing against Kallie.
"Laurince? Where?" Kallie asked, tightening her hold around Myra’s waist.
Myra pointed, her hand trembling as it hung in the air. "There."
Kallie squinted, searching for the familiar face. Had Sebastian’s men brought hostages to toy with them? To threaten those who were injured?
As her heartbeat thundered in her ear, she nearly missed the captain, her gaze fixed on the feathered wings that sparkled likeopals in the moonlight. Kallie’s mouth fell open. Laurince was one of them. He was?—
"It is him! He’s alive!" Myra cried out as she tugged on Kallie’s shirt. "They’re both alive!"
"Both?" Kallie asked, panicking.
"Laurince and Rian."
Kallie frantically searched the faces of the soldiers. More civilians had joined the attack, and Kallie struggled to identify friend from foe. She looked for Graeson, their connection tugging at her. She did a double take, blinking at a man struggling a few feet from Graeson. She could have sworn she knew that face, yet the man’s hair was different. This man’s hair was as dark as night. His arm was wrapped around another person’s back. He struggled under the man’s weight but refused to release him. As he shifted his weight, he lifted his face, and familiar green eyes connected with Kallie’s.
Rian’s lips parted, as did Kallie’s.
This wasn’t Sebastian’s army. This wastheirs.
But those who were attacking hadn’t realized it yet.
"Take her," Kallie commanded, passing Myra to Phaia.
She rushed forward, shouting. The cries and grunts of those fighting were too loud and masked her voice. A sword clashed against another. Others charged with their sticks, their teeth bared. A rock pelted Rian in the side, and he grimaced. Then a man with a longsword came charging forward, a war cry pouring from his mouth.
Kallie’s head pounded. She spun, her hands digging into her hair.Where was Moris? He could stop the attack.
Her power twisted in her stomach, but there were too many.
There.
Kallie called out to Moris as he raised his weapon and pulled his elbow back, preparing to strike. But he didn’t hear her.Moris' blade hit the man’s armored brace and clanged against the metal.
Kallie skidded to a halt. Sweat soaked her neck as she took in all the people. She had to try. If she didn’t, who knew how many would suffer?
She took in a deep breath, her power rising through her stomach and up her throat. When it reached the tip of her tongue, she unleashed the command. "Stop!"
Her voice reverberated against the trees, causing the leaves to shake. In an instant, those at the front of the charge halted, their heels sinking into the dirt.
