Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,87

she wasn’t fae.

A glowing circle rising up like a column of white light appeared in front of me.

“Goodbye, my daughter,” she said. “Stay safe.”

I raised my hand to wave goodbye and stepped forward, feeling the pull of magic. A dark shape flew toward me just as the portal closed. A stabbing pain ripped through my chest, and I cried out.

Chapter Twenty-Five

It hurt to breathe. The pain radiated from the black crow that had barreled into my chest at the last second of the spell. Now, I lay sprawled on the ground, my back sore from the impact with the stone walkway.

“Maeve,” I moaned, releasing my sister. “That was reckless. You could have ended up split in two.”

The crow flew to the ground, and I watched her shift, something that I never got tired of seeing. Her body elongated, the beady eyes becoming sparkling pools of mischief, her black feathers becoming long, waist length hair.

“Really? Had I known that I might have rethought my plan,” she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She reached out a hand and pulled me to my feet. “Thanks for leaving the window open. I knew mother would spell the windows and doors.”

“Your plan?” I moaned and swung my arm around, feeling the stiffness in the muscles.

“Yes, I’m here to protect you.”

I winced when I found a sore spot. “And who is going to protect me from your daring exploits?”

“Bah, you know I needed to come.”

“Wrong. You’re just here to stir up trouble.” I turned in a slow circle to gauge our surroundings.

Maeve’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Maybe.”

It was then I realized just where Mother Eville had spelled me. We were on the battlement on the outer wall of the palace. I leaned over, looking down the cliff and saw that the thorns had made progress up the mountain. They’d scaled hundreds of feet, but they had stopped for the moment and were no longer trying to climb the wall. What happened? Did Tatiana give up, or had she already been defeated? No. She was probably weakened from using the traveling spell and had to withdraw until she regained her strength.

Over here. I saw a flash.

We’re under attack.

“Uh oh,” I moaned.

“What?” Maeve frowned.

“We’re about to be arrested,” I answered.

“Not me, you.” Maeve gave me a wink and then shifted back into the larger of her chosen bird forms, the raven. She flew off into the air, leaving me alone.

“So much for protecting me,” I shouted after her and heard a loud kraa in response. “Dumb bird,” I muttered.

Soldiers in golden helms and red cloaks trimmed in fur came from the guard towers, swords and shields drawn. I held my hands up in surrender and turned as the lead guard slowed, his sword lowering.

“Aura?” a familiar voice called.

The guard removed his helm, and I stared into Liam’s disbelieving green eyes.

“Liam? You’re okay?” I gasped excitedly.

The sword quickly raised and pressed near my neck. His green eyes hardened. “Take her to the king.”

“What?” I stepped back, surprised at the sudden change in Liam’s temperament. I didn’t struggle as firm hands grasped my upper arms and pulled me along. I tried to keep pace and spoke loudly to Liam’s back. “I’m sorry for what I did. I thought I could take on the blight by myself. Is everyone okay? What about Devin and Hayes?”

Liam ignored me, and I could only hope that they were safe.

The procession of hope didn’t last long as we passed through the palace gates and they closed behind us. Three epic towers pierced the sky, and the royal flag battered the air, whipping into a frenzy. I stared up at the closest tower and saw a shadow of a figure back away from the window.

The courtyard was round with a fountain in the middle. Like a wheel, each spike headed toward a different area: the largest spike headed toward the palace gates, another went to the gardens, one toward the stables and another toward the barracks, and one toward the outer wall. The courtyard was packed with makeshift tents and shelters as hundreds of figures huddled together and slept by the fire.

I gestured toward the group. For now, most were asleep, but those that weren’t, were awake and scared. “Are they refugees?”

Liam’s eyes glowed with displeasure. “They have nowhere else to go. They’ve come here to escape the blight, but we have little time. The thorns have stopped their attack, but they will resume their climb at first light. Each day they make it further