Page 65 of Wings of Betrayal

I stand in the clearing, strapped to the nines with weapons, while I prepare myself to pass through the gateway and into Galespo.

You can do this. Not a problem. You’ve been to Galespo before. You are Harlum’s daughter. At least, Zalore thinks you are. And he also likely knows about Amaros’s affections towards you, so he’s unlikely to harm you and sever whatever relationship the two of them share.

What are you up to now?Finlay’s annoyed voice sounds in my mind.

I squeeze my eyes closed. Darn bond. He always knows when I’m up to something. I decide to ignore him. If I tell him what I’m really up to, he’s going to stop me or come with me. And I won’t put him in danger like that.

Zarla? I know you can hear me. It’s kind of how this whole bond works, remember?

I roll my eyes.Yes, I can hear you. I’m fine, okay?

The gateway glows a little, the way it usually does, but if you didn’t know it’s there, you may just miss it.

How do you expect me to protect you, to be there for you, when you never tell me where you are or what you’re doing?

I run my hands down my face. Look, I get it, okay? I’m sorry. There are some things I just have to do alone. I will be in touch, I promise.

Can you at least tell me what you’re planning? I won’t try to stop you, but if something goes wrong, I can find you or help you.

I slowly approach the glowing archway and close my eyes as I picture the Kingdom of Galespo. The only picture of it I have is from our recent council meeting there.

A memory passes through my mind of Kyle walking away from me, and Em placing her hand on him, before they cross through the gateway back into their Kingdom. I cringe as the memory sends a pang through my heart.

I’m going to Galespo to find my father.

What? No, Zarla! You cannot go alone. I’m coming now. Wait for me!

I instinctively press my hand into my chest, somehow thinking I can hold myself together and stop the pain, but it’s no use. My lip quivers, and I let out a whimper as tears fall down my cheeks. I angrily wipe them away, willing my body to cooperate just this once. I can’t go to Galespo crying. Watchers could be guarding the gateway. I have to be prepared for a fight. Clear-headed.

I’m going alone. I’ll be fine.

Sucking in a few deep breaths, I shake my hands out and tell myself to calm down before picturing Galespo and jumping through the gateway. The familiar free fall still startles me, despite experiencing it a few times already. I don’t know that I’llever get used to it. I land on my feet with a thud and immediately draw my daggers as I survey the area.

Finlay is going to be pissed. I can’t feel our bond.

The moon illuminates the clearing ahead. My angel sight is strong, so even without the light of the moon, I would be able to see well. Only now it’s just a little easier.

The leaves on the trees rustle in the cool breeze, and I remain as still as I can. It’s quiet. Which could be both a good and a bad thing. Once I’m sure I’m alone, I slide my daggers back into place. I make my way across the clearing and down the steep, rocky path along the side of the mountain toward the city in the distance.

I slip a few times on my way down, grazing my palms on the sharp gravel in the process. It’s clear this route is the main one the watchers use to get up here. That or fly, I guess. I don’t even want to risk flying. I have to keep a low profile if I want to make it in unseen.

As I get closer to the city, I yank the black hood of my cloak over my head to blend in. Anxiety creeps into my chest because they don’t have many females within their Kingdom. Going in unnoticed could be a tall order, but I don’t have much choice. A twenty-foot stone wall surrounds the city, and I scour the perimeter, looking for a way in.

Bingo. I find a tall metal gate, but it’s locked. Keeping my head down, I blast the lock with my powers. I push the gate open and squeeze through the gap into the dark, paved streets beyond.

There are only a few watchers around. Perhaps the rest are sleeping.

My powers simmer just beneath the surface, and I hold them there in case I need to use them at a moment’s notice. Several watchers stare at me as I walk by, but my hood is covering my face enough so they can’t see who I am. My size, however, maybe an issue. Watchers are huge, and although I’m not small, I’m a heck of a lot smaller than they are.

I round the next corner just as the wind catches my hood and blows it off my face enough to reveal some of my blonde waves. I tug it back down, but it’s too late.

Several watchers notice, and they cross the street, their gazes locked on me. Without further thought, I turn and quickly walk back the way I just came and then round the next corner.

It’s a dead end. Crap.

Footfalls sound behind. They’ve found me, and now I’m trapped.

“Who are you?” one of them demands in a deep, authoritative voice.