Rise of the Seven (The Frey Saga, #3)(44)

When the wave crashed onto the floor beneath the balcony, the Camber lines stepped back. They had called the river on us, and it was coming with no sign of restraint. A wall of water rolled toward us with the force of two dozen’s magic. I raised my hands, wondering if I could release enough power to stop it without harm to myself or my guard.

Chevelle called out an order to the lines beside me, but the sound was lost as a violent wind struck the wave with a growling boom that reverberated through the room. The water had not froze, was not still, but had stopped its advance mid-crash and hung before us. It had happened so fast, it took my mind a moment to catch up.

“Push back,” I yelled, releasing only a portion of the strike I had planned to unleash. As soon as the wave fell back into a flood, I searched the line for Camren, but it was too late. Her body lay crumpled on the ground. She’d given her last breath for this retaliation. Two villagers moved to kneel beside her and I looked back just in time to see the water wash back over the temple floor, flushing at least a handful of council members with it as it crossed between the columns and out of the structure.

We surged forward then, taking the last of those council members to leave only thirty remaining above. The leaders of Grand Council.

“Dratva Sprego Drangia Rema.”

The words fell from the balcony, heavy with a vow of devastation, and I looked up to find their source. It was Elden of Longarten, the man who’d set fire to the gates of the castle during the massacre. They’d not wanted anyone to escape. They’d wanted all of us to burn.

Like my mother.

As the spell took hold of the others, fury spread through my veins like that fire so long ago. Hot, burning anger devoured every part of me until it seemed to burst, snapping any connection I had to calm, rational thought. If the ground shook again, I did not feel it. If the spell attempted to harm me, I did not know. The only thing there was, was rage.

I stared into the eyes of my mother’s killers as the stone cracked and split.

I saw Nyle, who had drowned the young sentry in his own blood.

I saw Sandon, who had slowly choked the serving girls with bay vine while chaos reigned around them.

I saw Fawn, who had opened the chests of the watchmen, a smile playing at the corner of her honey-rose lips as their insides spilled onto the castle floor.

I watched as the balcony gave way.

I watched as they fell with the floor beneath them.

A cloud of dust rose as the heart of the temple crumbled onto the floor in front of us. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed, the wind whipped as though a hurricane centered among the columns. Fire and screams tore through the air in a battle so reminiscent of the massacre, my chest hurt. But the knowledge of this final revenge didn’t ease the pain. Even as I watched those who were guilty take their dying breaths, the ache only grew.

Body after body fell. What remained of the fourth line advanced, and we surrounded the last of the council leaders. A flash of light shot out, so intense it brought me from the trance of anger that had destroyed the temple. I was moving but Rider was faster. He threw himself forward to let loose an explosion of power so violent it seemed to burn my skin.

Wincing against the flare, I turned back to see it strike its target and issued an attack of my own. They were few now, but they were strong. I felt twin blows punch my chest but pushed them back before they could tear me apart. Anvil stepped in front of me just in time to catch a third, and I felt a jolt as it collided with his shoulder.

Chevelle moved forward then, as we all advanced on them, and deflected two more before Rhys and Rider moved to the front. Their skill was incredible as they pooled their energy to defend and attack. I shifted to throw another strike, but faltered when Ruby fell beside me.

I had to force myself not to reach for her, but I had seen. Her red curls had slipped loose of their binding and dropped flat, lifeless, onto the temple floor, now muddy with dust and blood, as she’d collapsed. I could not reach for her. I had to keep fighting.

My feet were frozen, afraid to so much as disturb what lay beneath me as my eyes fell again on the enemy. The ache in my chest had intensified, risen to choke me. I could not bear to think of the possibilities, could only attempt to channel the hurt and anger.

I swayed, the power roiling through me, searching for escape, and the others turned, as if sensing the change.

Energy cracked through me and I nearly lost the capacity for control. I felt myself begin to lurch forward, but somehow held fast, just long enough to discharge the shattering force. Eyes narrowed, willing myself to focus, I watched as something inside them seemed to burst.

There were no more. They had all fallen.

The realization found me keeled over, braced against my wavering knees. For one long moment, my eyes were closed. For that moment, I felt as if my world might fragment, as if my being might dissolve.

As if my insides might find their way out.

I managed a shallow breath against my tight chest and let it out without gagging. I opened my eyes to find Ruby staring up at me from the ground at my feet.

“Huh,” she coughed.

I didn’t know if the sound was impressed or stunned, but I choked out something like a laugh as I fell to my knees with relief.





Chapter Twenty-two


Summoning





I watched numbly as Grey carried Ruby away. They’d assured me she wasn’t terribly hurt, but it was obvious she wasn’t terribly okay either. Blood had smeared her face and shallow breaths had seemed to wheeze out of her.