A Dawn of Onyx (The Sacred Stones, #1)(96)

That’s what was shaking the castle—the blasts from the salamanders. We were being trapped and roasted. Burned alive.

“Bleeding Stones,” I whispered. Kane grabbed my hand and pulled me onward.

“Arwen, come on.”

We ran as fast as we could toward the other rooms. We got to Ryder’s first. Kane rapped on the door.

“Open up, it’s us!”

When we didn’t hear anything, alarm flooded my senses.

“Open it. Now!” I urged.

Kane slammed his body into the wooden door with more strength than I had ever seen someone exert. Fae strength. The door popped clean off its hinges and fell flat on the floor with a thud.

Inside, my mother and Ryder were huddled up behind the armoire.

“Thank the Stones,” I said, rushing over. “Why didn’t you answer?” When I got a good look at my mother’s tear-streaked face, panic expanded in my chest. “What’s wrong?”

“Leigh isn’t in her room,” she said.

I turned to Ryder.

“We’ll find her, but she’s not on this floor.” He seemed calm, but I knew my brother. His too-wide eyes gave away his dread.

Kane put his hand on my shoulder and gave a slight squeeze. “We need to get everyone to the throne room. It’s where you will all be safest. We will not leave here without the little one,” He looked at my mother. “I swear it.”

We made our way there at a breakneck speed. I was amazed at how well Mother could move. After all these years, there had been a cure for her.

The throne room was heavily guarded by Peridot soldiers. As soon as we approached, they opened the doors for Kane. Inside we found King Eryx, Princess Amelia, and all the other dignitaries, Peridot and Onyx alike. Commanders, generals, and lieutenants moved around the room in a frenzied dance, barking orders at soldiers and guards. Everyone was shouting over one another. My head was swimming.

Where in the Stones was Leigh?

Mari was sitting in a corner, knees up against her chest, while Griffin talked to a Peridot commander a few feet away.

I ran to her and dropped down to the floor.

“Oh, Holy Stones, you’re all right!” She wrapped me in her arms. I inhaled the cinnamon scent of her and tried not to cry. If I started now, I’d never be able to stop.

Next to Griffin stood a broad shape I recognized instantly—Barney, uniform still a bit tight, a pillar of stillness. I nodded and he returned the gesture back to me, worry shadowing his expression.

I just needed a sword, and I could go track my sister down. A slight longsword glinted off the makeshift table that had clearly been shuffled in here minutes ago, and piled high with maps and lanterns and weaponry.

Before I could stand and make my way over to it, King Eryx’s voice boomed through the room to Kane. “It is as we feared. Garnet and Amber have joined Lazarus. They will take the kingdom before daybreak.”

I had seen the attack with my own eyes mere moments ago. And still, genuine fear—pure and all consuming—clouded my vision.

His wrinkled general was next to speak. “The only way out is the caves below. That’s how we can get to the beach.” He turned to Kane and his Onyx men. “The fortress at Siren’s Cove is built atop an elaborate expanse of caves that border the bay. Our ships are tethered where the stone cliffs meet the sand, and the caves are the fastest way out.”

“Way out? We aren’t going to stay and fight?” Princess Amelia asked.

King Eryx shot her a brutal glare. “We do not have the blade. It is not worth fighting Lazarus without it. We cannot win.”

“We can’t make for the beach, they’re stationed there,” said a lanky Peridot soldier.

“Well, that’s where our ships are. We’ll never get everyone out via horse or on foot. The palms that surround the castle are on fire,” said the general.

“How did they get through the bay?” Amelia raged at them. “Where were our guards?”

“Your highness,” the lanky man tried, “They sunk each of our guard ships. Lit all the watchtowers aflame. It was more firepower than we ever could have anticipated.”

It was Fae lighte—that was how. And Amelia knew it.

Even if Peridot had had months to prepare, rather than minutes, they were no match for Garnet, Amber, and Lazarus.

Amelia glared at Eryx with disdain. “These are our people, father. Our sole purpose on this continent is to keep them safe.”

Eryx only turned to Kane. “Do whatever you need to do, but Amelia and I will be on our ship within the next hour. I won’t stay to see my only remaining family torched alive.”

“Father!”

“Silence, Amelia!” He roared, spittle flying from his reddened face. “It is not up for discussion any longer.”

I couldn’t listen to this a minute more; I needed to find Leigh.

I stood, heart in my throat, ignoring Mari’s objections.

Kane’s incensed silver eyes met mine immediately.

“Griffin,” Kane interjected, before Amelia could protest further. “Go with Eryx, Amelia, and their men. Take everyone you can with you. Get them to the ships. I’ll find Leigh and meet you there.”

“You are my king. I am not leaving you behind.” Griffin’s light green eyes hardened. For the briefest moment, they dipped down to Mari, before shooting back to Kane.