Death.

32

VALEK

Valek kept tight control of his emotions. He scanned the fifty soldiers surrounding them, assessing skills and searching for a spot where they might be able to break through to make a run for the garrison’s gate and freedom. Motioning to Ari, Janco and Leif to form a wedge, Valek pointed to the weak link—a trio of teenagers standing shoulder to shoulder. Must be friends.

Just as he raised a hand to signal go, torches blazed to life, illuminating the area beyond their circle. More men flooded into the courtyard, cutting off their escape route. Ah, hell.

He met Yelena’s gaze, and his heart lurched to see her so frightened. Something must have tipped Bruns off, and he’d been ready for them. If Valek hadn’t been thrown off balance by losing his immunity and gaining magic, he never would have been ambushed at Mara’s. Plus, it didn’t help that pain still clung to his ribs, chest and back, and the blows to his head clouded his thoughts.

The ring of soldiers parted, and Bruns strode into view. He held a crossbow with a bolt already loaded. Pure fury radiated from every muscle of his body. This wouldn’t be pretty.

“I don’t know how you managed to disobey my orders, but it stops now,” Bruns said to Yelena, aiming his weapon at her.

Valek shifted his weight, preparing to push Yelena out of the bolt’s path. He’d gladly be skewered in her place.

“Loopholes,” Yelena said with a calm voice.

“What?” Bruns asked.

“That’s how. Loopholes in your orders gave me plenty of freedom.”

“And you think by telling me this, I won’t kill you?”

“You need me. You know Owen will double-cross you.”

“No. No more. You’d just find another way to sabotage my efforts.” Bruns wrapped his finger around the trigger and squeezed.

Valek tackled Yelena as a sudden gust of wind blew through the garrison. Bruns’s shot flew wide and slammed into Dax’s chest. The tall man crumpled to the ground with a cry of pain. Yelena struggled to go to her friend, but Valek pinned her down, covering as much of her body as he could with his own.

“Stay put,” Valek said to her. “Bruns is reloading.”

Another whirlwind hit, kicking up a large cloud of dust and extinguishing a number of torches. Lightning flashed, followed by a roar of thunder that shook the ground. A second blinding flash ripped through the air, sizzling. The main barracks caught fire.

“Hold your positions,” Bruns ordered above the noise of the storm and the panicked yells of his men.

They obeyed until the third bolt struck the administration building. The stone wall exploded and sharp pieces bombarded those standing below. Thunder announced the arrival of a deluge. Sheets of cold water rained down, soaking everything and everyone in seconds.

Mass chaos ensued. It was a thing of beauty. One of the best distractions he’d ever seen. With no time to admire the results, Valek helped Yelena to her feet. She ran to Dax, kneeling by his side. Dax stared at the sky with dead eyes.

Another flashing sizzle. A wooden shed burst into flames.

Valek pulled Yelena away from her friend, despite her protests. If they didn’t move, there’d be six more dead. Seven, if he counted the baby.

Leif had his left arm around Mara, holding her close while his right hand clutched a sword. Her confusion was clear, but it appeared her love for Leif overrode Bruns’s brainwashing. Ari and Janco crouched nearby, ready to fight off anyone who came too close. Hale had disappeared, but there was no time to search for him.

“Arrow formation,” Valek ordered. “Head for the gate.”

With Ari, Janco and Leif forming the V shape of an arrowhead, Mara, Valek and Yelena followed in a line. The three teenagers raced up to their group. Janco and Ari raised their swords, but the boys waved their hands, showing they were unarmed.

“This way,” the middle one said. “Follow us.”

Janco glanced at Valek.

“Fisk sent us.”

In that case... “Go, go, go!”

The trio led them to a ribbon of calm. It was a narrow trail where the rain did not pound and the lightning bolts did not penetrate. It snaked through the chaos and Valek wondered if they followed the ribbon or if it matched their movements. Either way, they drew closer to the exit.

Unlike the others in the garrison, the line of guards at the gate held their positions despite the storm. They braced against the now-closed wooden barrier and each one was armed with a crossbow.

Still unnoticed, their group slowed. Yelena pulled out a blowpipe. That would help, but it wouldn’t be enough to incapacitate them all.

One of the teen guides yelled, “These guys don’t have the balls to stop us!”

Janco rounded on the boy, ready to berate him for giving away their position, but a loud wet splat sounded nearby. It took Valek a moment to decipher the scene in front of him. Huge balls of water flew through the air and slammed into the guards at the gate, flattening each one.

It clicked. Zohav! His siblings and Fisk were rescuing them! Zethan controlled the storm, and a Stormdancer must be responsible for the calm.

Soon the gate was cleared of defenders and they sprinted from the garrison. They had to get as far away as possible and find a safe spot to hide. As they ran through the dark woods, Valek searched his memory for possible locations, but the effort needed to stay on his feet drained all his energy.

So used to being in charge, it didn’t dawn on Valek that the teens continued to lead them.