Chapter 186: Pieces on the board
AMARA:
The alarm bells began ringing at the crack of dawn.
Amara opened her eyes and sighed in relief. She had been sitting upright all night with her hands in her lap.
Her entire body felt exhausted.
The tiredness had settled deep into her bones, making every movement feel heavier than it should have.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood. She caught herself against the edge of the table before her knees could give out.
She could not afford to be tired... not today.
She walked toward the mirror and stared at herself. There were dark wrinkles beneath her eyes. Her skin looked pale and her white hair appeared tangled.
Amara lifted one hand and absentmindedly brushed it back.
She looked terrible. She would need to replenish herself soon.
Magic always came at a price and the amount she had used to free Alistair had taken a lot from her but she still had enough to finish what she had started.
She had enough to end Lucius Veyr’s life today.
First, she had to get to Ayla. She was the only one that mattered and she had to protect her by every means necessary.
...
WILLOW:
"Ares." Willow whispered in the dark. "Ares, come on. We have to leave now."
Ares cracked one eye open, his eyes immediately alert.
"What has happened?" he asked, already on his feet.
"How is your wound?" Willow asked.
"It is fine." He touched his side. "It is healed. I do not know how."
"The witch," Willow said. "Amara. She said she imbibed the herb with magic and you will feel better before you know it. I guess she was right."
The alarm bells rang, jolting Willow.
"What is that?" Ares hissed.
Willow grabbed his arm.
"We need to leave. Lucius will send people here soon for you. I will explain everything later."
Ares caught her arm as she turned to go.
"Willow..."
"Just follow me...please."
She turned and made for the open prison door.
...
ARES:
"What the hell?" Ares muttered as he stepped into the corridor.
There were no guards but beyond that, right outside... he could hear chaos and the alarm bells continued to ring.
Ares looked at Willow.
"What happened?"
"We do not have time...this way." She started walking and Ares followed.
"Take me to Ayla." he said. "Where is she?"
Willow stopped and he nearly walked into her.
"She is fine. Amara is going to get her." Willow answered. "We got the word to the borders and now Cassian and Damon are on their way here. Emberfall is going to be under attack within the hour, and you cannot be in a cell when that happens."
Ares understood immediately.
The entire might of the Northern territory army would descend soon on Emberfall and Lucius would want to use him to make a trade.
They were officially at war.
"Let’s go" he ordered, jumping in front of Willow.
He needed to find Ayla.
Just then something caught his attention. There was movement... a shadow shifting around the corner.
Ares froze.
The corridor ahead was narrow and there was nowhere to hide. If whoever that was took the bend, they would be right in front of him.
Ares signaled for Willow to remain where she was and he inched closer to the bend. If he was going to take the person by surprise then he would need to be closer.
The moment the guard turned the corner, Ares moved. His fist slammed straight into the man’s throat.
The guard made a choking sound, his hands flying to his neck.
Ares grabbed him before he could fall and he wrapped one arm around the man’s throat, covered his mouth with his other hand.
The guard struggled as Ares tightened his grip until the man’s movements began to weaken then stopped totally.
Ares lowered him to the ground and reached down, pulling the sword from the man’s belt.
He turned to face Willow whose eyes were wide with shock.
"Well?" He jerked his chin down the corridor. "Are you coming?"
...
CASSIAN:
The massive walls of Emberfall rose above the horizon.
Smoke could already be seen drifting into the sky and he could hear their bells ringing continuously.
People were running through the road and confusion had taken hold of the city.
The army marched behind him... hundreds of soldiers with their weapons ready and their armor shining beneath the morning light.
Damon rode beside him on the right while Alistair rode on his left.
Cassian had almost left Alistair behind. The man was still a Very and still Lucius’ brother. He was far from someone they could completely trust but Alistair had pleaded with him, insisting that he wanted to help. He had told him he had someone in the palace whom he had to find and protect.
Cassian understood that and so he had let him come along against Damon’s better judgement.
The plan was simple.
Get to the palace where the highs and mighty of Emberfall lived and make sure it comes to ruin. None of the innocents would be harmed, he had made sure to tell the soldiers that.
The last thing they would become was the monster they were all trying to put in the ground.
His thoughts returned to Ayla and is chest tightened. He had imagined this moment so many times. Holding her and hearing her voice, knowing she was finally safe.
His fingers tightened around the reins.
Beneath his hope of finding her was his rage.
Lucius had touched her...imprisoned her and he had manipulated her.
Cassian wanted to look that bastard in the eyes. He wanted Lucius to understand exactly who had come for him.
And then he would slit his throat... slowly.
...
MIRANDA:
Miranda rode several paces behind the princes, her eyes never leaving them.
Her expression remained calm on the outside but inside, she was furious.
She had been excluded completely ever since she had revealed the truth about the Alpha Council. Every attempt she had made to reach Cassian or Damon since had met the same wall of courtesy... busy now, later, my lord will send for you ...
Plans were made without her and now this.
She had only found out they were marching when the soldiers had been ordered to prepare.
Miranda knew what that meant.
They did not trust her and they were done with her. She knew that once this war ended, they would have no reason to keep her around and she would be discarded... or worse, executed.
Miranda’s lips curved.
They thought they could simply throw her away after everything she had done?
Her fingers tightened around the reins.
They could try but they had no idea what she was capable of when cornered.
She was Miranda Althea Morrayne and she would not go down so easily.