KennaI hold my breath as I run through the dark, my cloak billowing out behind me like a crimson curtain. The tunnel of gnarled, bent trees is longer and tighter than I anticipated, and I have to crawl on all fours toward the end.But the tunnel doesn’t drop into the inky dark underground as expected. I trip, falling down a shallow ledge and land hard on my knees.The tunnel entrance is a few feet above me, hidden in a tangle of heather and bramble bushes, but I’m still wholly in the forest.But it’s changed. The dense woods I’d just been in with Evander and Sydney give way to sparse trees and a rolling, hilly landscape of soft green grass.I’m past the wards.I can’t feel the strain of my dad’s magic on my shoulders any longer.I look up at the tunnel and can barely see the entrance through the glare of the morning sun.‘Ev
EvanderWater pours down the walls in steady, frigid streams. My head aches, and the smell of blood hangs thick in the air as I try to open my eyes for the fourth time in the last five minutes.I think my skull might be cracked. I reach up to rub my throbbing temples but wince when I flex my hands.My fingers are shattered.“Syd?” I croak into the darkness.“I’m still alive,” he replies groggily.I open my eyes to slits. Faint light fills my vision. It’s enough to cause a searing pain to ripple through my brain. “Where do you think we are?”“One-hundred-percent underground,” he answers shortly somewhere beside me.I reach for him, unsure how far away he is, but the manacles binding each wrist to heavy chains only allow me to stretch my arms so far.We’ve been here for a day at least. No food or drink
SydneyKenna’s anguished screams slows time to a halt the moment my powers finally break through the manacles on my ankles and wrists.It’s too late.I’m too late.Evander falls face first, unable to save himself from hitting the floor.I feel like everyone is moving in slow motion. Kenna sprints forward, her shadows billowing out around her as her face twists with despair. Guards move in, blades drawn in her direction.And Gabriel is grinning like a madman as he turns back to Brie.Fuck, no.My body screams in pain as I lurch forward, shouting in rage, agony, and desperation as I collide with the nearest guard. The man falls to the ground with a crunch. I leap off his body, his ribs cracking beneath my feet as I jump, begging the Goddess to help me gather enough power to shift.We’re all so weak right now. Gabriel knew exactly how to enact t
KennaA heat like no other spreads through our joined hands. I almost pull away from Sydney, surprised by the searing pain. My heart hammers against my ribs, but I stay focused, looking down at my mate and praying so hard the words jumble together.I barely notice how everyone but Amanda has backed away. Even Granger, who looks like he’s ready to flatten Eastonia to kill the rest of the Draven Rebels with his bare hands, is resting on his knees with his hand wrapped around Evander’s ankle.But Dad stays by my side. My dad, who wanted to send Evander away, now rests his hand on Evander’s shoulder and squeezes.“Come on, son.”“Evander,” Granger whispers, squeezing Evander’s ankle. “Don’t do this to your mother. Don’t do this to Kenna.”My heart wrenches. I let my tears flow freely, several of them dripping down onto Evander&rs
A month laterKennaA rush of cool air greets me as I step out on the balcony overlooking the city of Veiled Valley. The valley is a sea of green against the mist rising from the river far below–mist that swallows whole a dozen or so bridges connecting the city on either side of the pristine, near tropical mountains.I take a deep breath, my ribs aching as the corset I’m wearing cuts into my skin. Why do we bother wearing these anymore?I pinch the fabric of my silver-blue gown between my fingers. The fabric billows out around my waist, creating a ball-gown effect that’s honestly very beautiful, if not totally inefficient. I can barely walk in this gown–this gown of silver stars and fresh-water pearls that glimmer in the moonlight–but I guess that doesn’t matter. I won’t be doing much walking until the after-party tonight, after my ascension ceremony.The
Kenna“I’m going back to Crescent Falls at the end of the week,” Sydney says over the rim of his whiskey glass, his blue eyes a stark contrast to his all black suit. “To look for Sasha.”“Ah,” I say, giving him a hard look. “You sure?”“Am I sure I’m looking for her? Yes. It’s my mission.”Ryan crosses his arms, rolling his eyes to the ceiling.Evander leans against one of the enormous black marble columns in the ballroom, his eyes sliding to mine.There’s barely anyone in here at this point. The musicians are being fed copious amounts of champagne in thanks for their near ceaseless playing over the past four or five hours, and the once riotous crowd has dispersed.It’s 2:00 A.M. Everyone is going home. Even our family members have retreated to the numerous guest rooms.So, it’s just me, Evander,
SydneyFour Months LaterDad’s orrery clicks and spins, the internal gears grinding against the soft patter of winter rain on the windows. I watch the strange tangle of metal for another few minutes, tucking my hands in the pockets of my old leather jacket before taking a breath and walking toward the stairs.It’s only 8:00 A.M. The sun barely crests the snow-capped mountains in the distance when I reach the main foyer. Maids and workers rush past me with courteous bobs of their heads.The world keeps spinning and spinning.A flash of memory clouds my vision. I watch Gabriel drag his knife across Evander’s throat. Kenna’s scream sears into my mind
Beginning of Book 9Two Months Later....SarahIt’s warmer down here under the grow lights. Electricity hums through the air as I move from plant to plant, pruning, plucking, and watering. Outside the frosty windows, the Neutral Zone is every shade of silver in the unforgiving cold. Someone passes bundled against the frigid, windy air. Their red hat disappears into a rush of snow being swept by the wind down the street. I shiver despite the slight warmth in the air. I’ve been cold for weeks. Cold, hungry, and stressed beyond belief. The baby swaddled in a sling across my chest wriggles before falling back asleep, his cheek pressed against my breast. I move to the utility sink in the storage room and wrench on the pump, but the water doesn’t start. The pipes are frozen solid. “Shit,” I whisper, closing my eyes and trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. Mr. Foxglove, my landlord, was supposed to be here this morning to fix the heat to the building. My one room apartment up