Page 116 of Lethal Souls

“All I wanted was to see The Regals for myself. My father told stories about them…and my grandfather. They were right about them too. They are magnificent.”

I aim the barrel at his right thigh and shoot, piercing through his leg armor. He hollers this time, and that stupid smile of his disappears.

Footsteps sound behind me, and Hassha storms into the tent. She’s not alone. Alora’s arm is gripped tightly in her hand.

“Caspian?” Alora gasps, looking from me to her cousin lying bloodied on the ground. “What’s happened? Why are you hurting him?”

“Sit,” Hassha commands when she releases Alora’s arm.

Panicked, Alora rushes to one of the cots in the corner, sits, then looks between us. “Please explain what’s going on!”

“Have you searched her mind for answers?” I ask Hassha.

“I’ve searched what she’ll allow me to see, but her mind is strong,” Hassha says. “I can get in deeper, but it will not be pleasant, and it will weaken her.”

“I don’t care,” I growl, staring into Alora’s eyes.

“Caspian, are you insane? Why does she need to dig into my mind? I am on your side.”

“Are you, Alora? Because there was just an attack in Blackwater, and it threatened my entire clan.” I can’t stop my nostrils from flaring at the reminder of the fire in Maeve’s eyes, the way she chased Willow, trying desperately to kill her. “Korah and Hassha say there’s a traitor in Blackwater who has sided with Selah. Whoever it is, they’re close. It’s no one from my clan, and it’s not the Kessel soldiers. It’s someone who knows exactly what I am. The only new person who poses a threat is Valden, and you are the one who sent him.”

“What?” Alora’s face pales. “You think I’ve sided with Selah? Now I know you’ve really lost your fucking mind!” This is the first time I’ve heard Alora use such harsh language. Her face is reddening with anger, but her eyes are desperate. “Caspian, put an end to this right now. You know exactly who I am and what my motives are.”

“I would understand why you’d join her, Alora. You want to protect your people. Your territory. You said it yourself that you’re terrified.”

“I—I am, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for what is right!”

I step back, shifting my attention to Hassha. Hassha moves forward and stands above Alora.

“Hassha, please,” Alora whispers, peering up at her with pleading eyes.

“Remain still.” The tips of Hassha’s fingers sharpen, and she grips Alora’s head to dig them into her skull. Alora wails as blood accumulates around Hassha’s nails.

Blue light transfers from Hassha’s hands to Alora’s head as she stares at the other side of the tent, eyes flickering. This goes on for several minutes, and there isn’t a single second of it that Alora doesn’t cry in agony.

Alora sucks in sharp breaths that make her sound like she’s choking. Blood drips from her eyes and ears, and everything in me wants to look away but I can’t.

If she’s the traitor, I need to watch. I need to know.

Finally, Hassha stops, the light fades, and she removes her fingernails.

Alora collapses on her side, breathing raggedly with thick streams of blood in the corners of her eyes.

“Well?” I ask.

Hassha’s head shakes. “Nothing. I went through her. There is no trace of Selah on her. No hidden memories. Nothing.”

At that, Alora cries harder, and blood drips onto the quilt beneath her.

Fuck. “Alora, I—you have to understand,” I say. “Valden is a stranger. I don’t trust him, and your worries seemed to be clouding your judgement. I assumed?—”

“Yes, you assumed!” Alora barks at me, struggling to balance herself on her hands. Hassha tries reaching for her, but she yanks her arm away, which only results in her falling onto her stomach.

“Your energy is low, Alora. Let me help you,” Hassha insists.

“No,” she growls at her. “I don’t need your help.” With a grunt, she manages to rise to her feet, but her entire body is trembling. She swipes the bloody tears from her eyes, leaving crimson streaks on her cheeks. “Just return me to Vanora. We still have a war to prepare for.” Sniffling, she swipes dirt off her gown then raises her chin. “And bring Valden with us.”

Hassha collects Valden from the ground, and he limps with his head hung low, blood still dripping from his nose and mouth.