Page 24 of A Kiss of Flame

Light burst along the length of Roland’s sword, burning brightly as he plunged it into their depths and the voices only she could hear became a shriek.

The door flew open and Finn was there as well, his face pale with anger as he ploughed into the fray.

It only took moments and all was still again but for their panting breath and the sound of footsteps hurrying towards them outside.

Finn pulled Wren into his arms and held her close. His free hand shook as he smoothed it over her hair, his sword still at the ready. That didn’t waver.

‘Were you hurt? Did they?—?’

She shook her head rapidly and cut off the rest of his question. ‘They’re gone.’

‘They shouldn’t have been able to get in here.’ Roland ran his hand along the length of his sword, the surface still shimmering with the light she had inadvertently imbued it with. By driving back the darkness she had called the light to their aid.

Everyone else would believe she summoned the light but it didn’t work like that.

Wren had understood that, finally, in the stone circle. And perhaps she could use that. It was difficult though and left her drained. Roland turned his attention on them both then and she started at the grim determination in his features. ‘Finn, I want one of the maidens here to check the wards. Now. See to it.’

Finn released Wren reluctantly and gave an obedient bow before he left. He didn’t even say another word. She winced, wondering if he would always put duty first. But how could he do anything else? That was one of the things she loved about him.

‘Wren, sit down,’ said Roland. Still barking out orders, she thought. Did he ever stop? He had sheathed Nightbreaker once more. ‘It takes effort, to do what you just did. You look like you’re about to collapse.’ He was stating the obvious and she was certain she felt even worse.

She sank back into the chair, unable to argue with him anymore. An unwelcome trembling had entered her limbs and if she didn’t sit, she feared she was going to fall.

Had she called them in the first place? She had been angry with Roland. And afraid. And the next thing she knew…

No, she hadn’t summoned them. Not even instinctively. She was sure of that.

‘You did well,’ her father said softly, his large hand cupping her shoulder as he passed. A simple gesture but it left her stunned. ‘Take a moment and breathe.’

‘I’m fine,’ she told him, trying to hide the way her hands shook.

‘Your mother used to say things like that. She was never telling the truth either.’ He slumped back into his own chair as if suddenly carrying the weight of the world.

He should have been safe here, in the Grandmaster’s study, protected by wards.

But wards could be circumvented.

‘Did they… did they follow me in?’ Wren asked, as carefully as she could.

‘You?’ He sounded surprised, which gave her a moment of hope. ‘How could they have followed you in here?’

Because they had followed her every footstep her whole life. Because they were part of her and she was part of?—

Wren shoved herself up. ‘I should go.’

Noise outside interrupted anything Roland might have been about to say in reply and Finn entered again, followed by Sister Maryn.

‘What happened? We felt it in the air and I came as soon as I—’ She stopped as she clapped eyes on Wren.

‘The wards failed,’ Roland said. ‘Shadow kin attacked but Wren repelled them.’

The woman’s left eye twitched a little. ‘Did you now?’

Oh light and shades, she knew. Somehow, she knew. Wren could see it as if it was scrawled on her face in red ink. She glanced at Finn who looked as lost as she was.

‘How could they fail?’ Roland continued oblivious. ‘They were only renewed a month ago, Maryn.’

‘Out,’ said the maiden with an imperious wave of her hand. ‘All of you. I need to concentrate.’ Wren couldn’t get out of that room quickly enough, but even then it was no escape. ‘Not too far, princess,’ Maryn called after her. ‘We need to talk.’