King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde #1)(100)

“What the hell is that?” Killian asked.

“It’s called a crimson mist,” I said. “It’s what killed the villagers of Vaida.”

Killian paled, and more screams came from the other side of the door. We did not have much time. The mist would seep beneath the crack in the door and kill us all.

“I need you to get my father out of here,” I said to Sorin.

“And you, Your Majesty.”

“No. Ravena is here somewhere, and I think I know what she’s after.”

“I cannot let you go alone,” Sorin said.

“I’ll go with you,” Ana said.

“And so will I,” Killian said. I looked at him, shocked, but he shrugged. “You are my princess.”

I looked at Sorin. “Get my father out of here, then come find me.”

He nodded. We split up—Sorin and my father to the west tower, Ana, Killian, and I to the library. We ran, dodging staff and servants and members of the court. I did not know how fast the mist could move or how visible it would be against all the red. Still, I looked for it and for any sign of Ravena in reflections. Now, with access to Yesenia’s memories—my memories—I recalled that Ravena’s magic was portal magic, though she was rarely powerful enough to create one without some kind of reflective surface, so she often walked through mirrors or windows.

“You think she’s going after The Book of Dis,” said Ana.

“I know she’s going after The Book of Dis.”

Lothian thought it was blank, but it was only blank because it was spelled.

And I’d been the one to spell it.

We continued down hall after hall, and just as we reached the familiar ebony doors of the library, Gesalac burst from behind them.

I skidded to a halt, flanked by Killian and Ana.

“Now is not the time for your petty revenge,” I seethed.

“If not now, when? I can skin all three of you alive and claim it was the mist,” Gesalac said.

“You would let your people suffer in favor of my death?”

“Some revenge is just too sweet,” Gesalac said, and as he lifted his blade, I noticed Ana’s mouth moving, whispering hushed words. She was reciting a spell, but Ana had no magic. I could not hear the words she spoke, so I did not know what she summoned until blue lightning sparked at her fingertips, but it was nowhere near the shock she would need to attack Gesalac.

“Speak it again,” I ordered.

She glanced at me and did as I instructed. The more she did, the greater the sparks grew. Each incantation made them stronger and stronger; my only hope was that she would be able to control it. Otherwise, it might hurt her.

“Killian, give me your sword,” I said.

“Isolde—”

“Please, Killian,” I said. He relented, and as he handed me his sword, I whispered, “Protect Ana at all costs.”

Gesalac chuckled as I lifted my blade.

“Are you going to fight me, warrior queen?”

“If you insist,” I said.

Gesalac’s blade came down first. It was a hard move, straight down and directed at my head. I imagine he wanted to split me in two, but I moved quickly. His sword caught the hem of my dress while mine caught his arm, drawing dark blood.

He growled, and I suspected he thought that would be his killing blow.

I had to admit, I was unnerved that he’d cut my dress. It meant I had barely moved fast enough, and if he kept striking like that, I wouldn’t make it.

Gesalac picked up his sword again and swung. This time, I attempted to deflect, but the impact rattled my bones, and I almost lost my grip on my blade. It was a mistake, and Gesalac used the opportunity to swing once more, knocking it from my grip. Just as he moved for what I was certain would be a killing blow, a knife whirled through the air and lodged square in his chest.

Killian, I thought as the noblesse roared, and I bent to scoop up my blade.

“Ana!” I called and flung out my hand. Just as I did, she reached for me, and I felt the surge of the magic she’d summoned work its way through my body into the hilt of the sword. I sunk it into Gesalac’s heart, and he convulsed around the blade. I did not let go of Ana until he no longer moved.

“Is he…?” Ana asked.

“Not dead,” I said. He had no beating heart to stop; the only thing it would do was paralyze him for a few hours. I stared at her. “You never said you were learning spells,” I said, and Ana shrugged.

“You pick up a few things along the way.”

The sound of shattered glass drew my attention.

“No!”

I ran into the library, to the glass cases that contained the High Coven’s relics, and I found each case intact. The Book of Dis was still there, but as I stared, a face looked back at me.

“Ravena.”

She smiled.

“Yesenia,” she said. “Or should I call you Isolde?”

I narrowed my eyes. Did her use of my old name mean she knew my memories had been awakened? Did she know about the bloodletting and the subsequent bond between Adrian and me?

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Taking what was stolen from me,” she said.

“The Book of Dis was never yours,” I said. It was mine—Yesenia’s.

“It’s not about the book. It’s about what it can give me,” she said.