Page 184 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Phaia then told them how the fight broke out after the soldiers began raiding the capital in search of Rian. The capital was quick to fall into mayhem. Brawls broke out, the Frenzian grenades tore through the city, and then the drakonises were let loose.
When she finished, Kallie and Graeson struggled to formulate a response. As Graeson’s lips parted, a scream ripped through the forest, pulling their attention away.
"Traitor!" a man shouted. "We have a traitor in our midst!"
Chapter 74
KALLIE
Shouts erupted from the wounded.One man stood, clutching his side with a hand as he dragged his sword through the dirt with the other. Kallie squinted, looking beyond the stranger as two others dragged a body toward the crowd.
"Shit," Graeson hissed as the moon’s glow spilled onto a pair of wings being dragged through the dirt.
"Oh no," Kallie mumbled.
"Is he…is he with you?" Phaia asked, peering at Kallie and Graeson.
"Unfortunately," Graeson mumbled.
Kallie slapped him on the side. "He’syourfriend."
"Dani’s actually," Graeson corrected, rather unhelpfully.
Kallie glared at him. She had seen how worried Graeson was when he first saw Moris in the clearing. She had also witnessed the playful banter between the two, the faint smile that would appear on Graeson’s face whenever Moris teased him. Although Graeson believed he was alone in this world, he was surrounded by people who cared about him.
"What? He’s more of a companion of mine," Graeson said. "Really an acquaintance."
Kallie groaned.
"Whoever he is to you, if you care about him, you better do something and fast," Phaia urged, as an angry horde gathered around Moris. "He won’t stand a chance against a mob, even an injured one."
Kallie didn’t bother to say that Moris would have no problem handling an angry mob. Instead, she hurried over, vaguely hearing Graeson groan before following her.
When they reached the crowd, Moris was trying to talk sense into the buzzing mob. His control was slipping, though, as more shouts sounded. Kallie could see Moris’ eyes darkening, his veins straining along the trunk of his neck as he became more frustrated. They needed to control the situation before Moris’ emotions got the best of him.
Shoving her way through the bodies, Kallie jumped in front of Moris and tossed out her arms. "He won’t hurt you!"
Piercing shouts bombarded her ears instantly.
"He’s one of them!"
"Did you see what one of those beasts did to my wife?"
"Who areyouto make demands?"
"You would rather defend him than put an end to this fight?"
Kallie tossed her hood back. "Many of you may not know me, but?—"
A gasp rippled through the crowd.
"That’s her! The princess who betrayed us!"
"She’sto blame!"
Kallie retreated a step on instinct as the mob grew angrier. At the cacophony of snarls, her skin prickled. Her power stirred inside her, her core buzzing with untapped energy. Each insult shot at her only pushed her power up higher and higher. Beyond the chaotic fray, a distant rumble shook the leaves of the sequoias, a stark reminder of the battle waging on within the capital.
They were wasting time. She had to do something, and she had to do itnow.
