Page 142 of A Crown Without Mercy

“Why are they blowing the horns?” Calista asked.

“Shit!” Venthana stood up and grabbed Calista’s hand. “They are the horns of war.”

“Where is Sylvana?” Calista asked, feeling frantic.

“We need to go find her,” Lenora replied, doing her best to not let Calista see how frightened she was.

“Let’s go,” Venthana said as calmly as she could manage. Once her back was to Calistashe placed her hand over her stomach and took deep breath.

Guards were running in all directions, and the entire scene erupted into chaos. Calista tucked Rio under her arm and they ran toward the castle, calling out Sylvana’s name. They frantically searched the grand parlor but did not see sight or sound of her.

Calista ran out onto the veranda when the thunderous sounds of hooves echoed into the parlor. She stood and watched the enormous parade of stallions in a full gallop, headed out of the main gates carrying fully armed warriors. Others were running along the parapets and lining the battlements and defensive towers.

“Sylvana, where are you?”Calista asked telepathically.“Sylvana?”She turned to the girls. “She’s not responding.” She then reached out to her brother.“Alaric, I can’t find Sylvana. What is happening?”

“I don’t know. I’m meeting with the Legion now. Find Sylvana dammit. She couldn’t have gone far, and get Mira.”

“Mira?”Calista called out telepathically.

“Why are the horns blowing?”Mira asked sounding frightened.

“Where are you?”Calista replied.

“Senna made me and Lexi go to our chamber and there is a guard outside the door. Calista, I’m afraid.”

“There is nothing to be afraid of. Stay there.”

“Calista, what’s happening?”Mira questioned again.

“I’ll be up momentarily and I’ll explain when I see you. Everything is okay.”

“Lenora, where are you?”Tobias called telepathically.

“I’m on the veranda and we can’t find Sylvana.”

“I need you to lock yourself in our chamber and don’t leave for any reason,”Tobias replied.

“What’s going on?”

“Sylvana is missing,”he admitted.

Lenora placed her hand over her stomach. “Oh, my god,” she said aloud.

“We will find her, my love.”

“Lenora, what’s wrong?” Venthana asked.

Lenora looked at Calista, doing her best to appear calm and gently squeezed her hand. “Sylvana is missing.”

“What? How?” Calista stammered.

“Sweetie, they are going after her,” Lenora replied.

“Milady,” a guard said, interrupting Lenora. “I am here to escort you to your chamber.”

Calista looked around, feeling uncomfortable and out of place.At least if I were back at my fucking manor, I would know what the fuck to do and where to go.

The chaos of the gardens spilled into the main parlor. Warriors were moving about, ladies were being escorted away, all the entrances were secured, and all those still trying to enter were being stopped and questioned; only those with personal guards were allowed through the large crowd. Calista glanced at the four guards surrounding her and the girls and assumed they belonged to Lenora by the way in which they had her protectively surrounded.

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