Ruined - Amy Tintera Page 0,96

bandaged wrist. He whirled around, slamming straight into a tree.

He moaned as he hit the ground. “I hate you people.”

Petra reached for her sword, making a beeline for Mariana. Em jumped between them, putting her hand over Mariana’s face before she could use her powers.

“Get off,” Mariana said, jerking her head away.

“Everyone just calm down.” Em turned to Petra. “Put the sword away.”

“Make me.”

“I’d be happy to.” Mariana lunged and Em shoved her.

“We’re on the same side!” Em yelled. “Will everyone just shut up for a minute? Nic, take off Aren’s blindfold.”

“If you take off his blindfold, he’ll kill us all,” Koldo said, shakily getting to his feet.

“Probably not,” Aren said. “I’d say there’s only like a sixty percent chance I kill you all.”

“Aren,” Em said in a warning tone.

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine. Fifty percent.”

Iria stepped aside, giving Nic access to Aren. He tugged off Aren’s blindfold and untied the rope binding his hands. Aren hopped to his feet.

“Are the warriors in position to attack?” Em asked Iria.

“Yes. There are a few Ruined scattered through the woods as well. They’re part of the second wave.” She pointed at Mariana. “Weren’t you given an assignment?”

“Yeah, but then I ran into Em wandering aimlessly around the woods.”

“I wasn’t aimless, I was looking for—” Em cut herself off, taking a deep breath and turning back to Iria. “I need for you to wait. Cas promised to release Olivia.”

Mariana gave her a baffled look.

“Olivia is in there,” Em said before Mariana began asking questions. “She’s still alive, and she should be walking out that door any minute.”

“Wait.” Mariana put her hands out in front of her, like stop. “Cas, as in Prince Casimir?”

“King Casimir, now,” Aren said.

“He told you he would release Olivia.” Mariana’s face twisted into utter disbelief. “Why would he do that?”

“It’s a long story. But—”

“It’s a long story you need to hear,” Aren interrupted. “Em married Cas. She’s the reason we were able to launch a successful attack against the Lera castle. She’s why we’re all here.”

Silence fell over the group, and the three Ruineds looked at Em in confusion.

“Married?” Weldon repeated.

Mariana made a disgusted face. “Ew.”

“Can you hold off on the attack?” Em asked Iria.

“No. It happens after sundown. Everything is already in motion.”

Em looked at the sky. About another hour until sundown. Hopefully that was enough time.

“Fine. Aren, come with me. We’re going to keep watch on the fort and see when she comes out. Mariana, Weldon, Nic, get in your positions.” She pointed at the warriors. “You three. No more taking Ruined as prisoners. We’re on the same team here.”

Koldo and Petra frowned at the Ruined warily, but Iria agreed.

“Got it?” Em asked Mariana.

Mariana blinked, throwing a baffled look at Weldon and Nic. “When did you start giving orders?”

“When I executed this entire plan while you were all hiding and running away.”

Mariana turned to Aren. “She really did all this?” He nodded. Mariana still didn’t look convinced.

“Get in position or get out of the way,” Em said.

Mariana hesitated for a beat, then gestured to Nic and Weldon. “Let’s get in position.”

THIRTY-SIX

CAS FOLLOWED GALO through a tall metal gate, a chilly wind causing goose bumps to rise on his arms. Fort Victorra cast a shadow over the lawn, and Cas raised his head to look at it. He hadn’t been to the fortress in years. It already felt oppressive, and he wasn’t even inside yet.

Lera soldiers and guards swarmed all over the lawn, and every head turned to watch him. A chill raced down his spine. They all took orders from him. They were all expecting him to have the answers.

He forced a smile as a familiar guard’s face lit up at the sight of him. Galo pulled open the thick wooden doors, stepping back to let Cas go first.

The guard to his right straightened as Cas stepped into the building. There were no windows, so it was dark and cool. The entryway was small and cramped. Cas went through a second door and found himself in a large, mostly empty room. Lanterns hung from the walls, casting a soft glow onto the stone floors. The stairway to his left led up to most of the rooms, if he remembered correctly, and also allowed access to the two towers. Several guards stood nearby, one positioned at each wall.

“Where are my mother and Jovita?” he asked.

“Upstairs in the east tower,” a guard said.

“And the prisoners? Is anyone besides Olivia down there?”

“No, Your Majesty. Just Olivia Flores.”

Cas leaned