Page 216 of Scourged

Another figure appeared beside Sebastian. A face that looked so much like her own, albeit older, bearded, and notably male. Wex rested a hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, and her Armature quickly stepped aside.

When her father placed his hands on her cheek in the same place Sebastian’s had been, when he looked at her with the same brokenness that dwelled in her soul, she crumpled.

The beast retreated, shuddering back as quickly as it had burst forth. The human, the mortal who hid away inside, curled tight like a child, was reluctantly dragged back to the surface. Silver-gold light swirled and sparked and wove, and though the excruciating pain of the shift burned and broke her body, it was nothing compared to what wracked her soul.

Within moments, the dragon was gone, replaced by the simple girl who once, long ago, had simply wished for an adventure.

The girl, who was trained by her father to defend herself and was molded by the careful guidance of her mother. A mother who’d always known what her daughter was and what she would become. A mother who’d kept hundreds of generations alive in a simple diary, knowing that one day her daughter would right a wrong made five thousand years ago.

A mother who was murdered because of her daughter’s mistakes, sacrificed on the altar of a dark god ready to exact vengeance on a world he long believed to be his.

Wisps of Mariah’s dark hair brushed across her face, human once more. She sagged against her father as a true, gut-wrenching sob tore from her chest and crashed to the sands.

Wex said nothing, only wrapped her in his arms and returned her sobs with his own.

Mariah lifted her head at the approach of a third figure. Ellan’s normally lighthearted face was shadowed and broken as he stepped into their embrace.

And together, the Salis family mourned an unfathomable loss.

The deserts grewcold in the evenings.

Three days had passed since they arrived in the village, which they’d learned was just over the Onitan border into Kreah; from the air, Mariah had missed the border markers, whatever they might be. The healer, by the grace of the gods, had stabilized Feran, but he was in no condition to travel. Word had been sent to Kreah, in hopes that an envoy would come.

Mariah sat beside a crackling fire, wrapped beneath a fleece blanket, eyes blankly watching the flames. Somehow, when she’d shifted, the magic of the transformation had restored her clothing and her weapons, but she couldn’t stay in fighting leathers for long. She now wore clothes borrowed from a woman in town—soft leather breeches and a flowy blouse, both designed to combat the heat of the scorching deserts.

And while she no longer carried her twin short swords, her dagger was still strapped to its familiar place on her thigh.

Her father and brother sat on either side of her, their warmth a welcome comfort. Her Armature was spread around the fire, shooting her concerned stares as they talked quietly amongst themselves. All except Drystan, who refused to leave Feran’s side.

A wall had slipped into place inside her after she’d fallen to pieces in her father and brother’s arms. An aching coldness unrelated to the chill of the desert at night seeped in, a blankness settling over her as she spiraled into places of true darkness.

She’d dwelled on it all for days.

Her mother, gone. Never to come back.

And Andrian. A love who’d betrayed her, then saved her, then reminded her that she was worthy of happiness andworship, regardless of those who might wish her dead or weak. She’d tried, once, to reach for their bond. Her soul frosted over when nothing but dreadful silence answered.

She tried to tell herself it was only the distance. But she always was a terrible liar, even to herself.

A week ago, Mariah was ready to burn the world down to save her family.

Now, with one of them gone and her heart taken captive …

There was no limit to what she might do.

Across the roaring fire, Matheo shot to his feet. He scanned the pitch-black desert and skies, an arrow already notched in his longbow. Sebastian stood, moving to his brother’s side.

“Something’s out there,” Matheo murmured.

A faint glow appeared on the horizon. Her Armature slid smoothly into action, drawing weapons and settling around Mariah and her family.

A figure on horseback emerged from the darkness, carrying a glowing torch. And another. And a third.

Two great prowling cats—one black panther, one golden leopard—followed, gleaming eyes reflecting the firelight.

Mariah rose slowly to her feet, something unfamiliar spreading through her limbs, softening the ice encasing her.

Hope.