Page 72 of Wings of Betrayal
“It’s okay. What matters is that you’re here now. Have there been any more attacks?”
He kisses my hands and gives me a tight-lipped smile. “It’s getting worse on Earth, but we strengthened our wards around the Kingdom, and we have had no further attacks since.”
He releases my hands, and I cross the room to sit on the edge of my bed.
“I went to see this female in the city,” I say. “She was around the last time the lost ones attacked. She told me our wards are weak, but when she tried to warn the King’s guard, they ignored her.”
He sits next to me and gives my thigh a squeeze. “I know. I sensed they were weak when I got here, and if I can sense that, so can the lost ones.”
I run my fingers over my lips as I think that over. It makes no sense. Why would Harlum not want our wards to be strong? It’s our best protection against lost ones, or anything else, getting into the Kingdom.
“Go to Harlum. Tell him what’s been going on, and then meet me in Zarquon. It’s not safe for you here anymore.”
I know he’s right. Harlum is either aware of this and doesn’t care, or something else is going on. Either way, he needs to know that I know. And he needs to allow the wards to be strengthened immediately.
“Yeah, okay.”
He cups my cheek and kisses me softly, and I snake my hand through his hair and pull him closer. Climbing into his lap, I straddle him and deepen our kiss, tasting him, exploring him. I don’t want this to stop, but he eventually pulls back.
“Be safe. I will know if you’re not.” He picks up my hand and runs his thumb over my bond ring.
I nod. “You too.”
He then effortlessly lifts me up and sits me down next to him. After a quick kiss on my cheek, he steps out onto my balcony and disappears, leaving me alone in my room.
I take a few deep breaths as I prepare myself to talk to Harlum. He needs to know how vulnerable we currently are with the state of our wards. I only hope I don’t run into Amaros along the way. He thinks the female in the city is crazy.
I leave my quarters and make my way through the corridors to find Harlum. He’s probably in his quarters, so I try there first. When I arrive, I immediately notice his quarters are not being guarded. That’s strange. Maybe he isn’t here. I enter regardless, and it’s deathly silent in here. Eerily so. I move through the living area and into his room when I spot him lying in a pool of blood.
A boost of adrenaline hits my heart hard, pounding it too fast, making me feel as though I may die. I hurry to him and drop to my knees at his side. Leaning down, I feel for his breath, but there’s nothing. He’s gone.
I stand and back away. Gods above, this is bad.
What’s wrong?Finlay’s concerned voice fills my mind.
Someone enters the room behind me, and I look back to find Amaros, flanked by several guards.
There’s a moment that passes between us where it feels as though he’s telling me he has me exactly where he wants me. His lips twitch, as if this is all part of whatever plan he has.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“Seize her!” Amaros commands.
In the brief moment I have, I sprint for the windows, thankful they’re open, and dive through them. My wings spring free, catching my fall and carrying me high above the castle grounds.
The swooshing of wings from behind alerts me that the guards are coming. Gods above, if they catch me, I’m screwed. I beat my wings harder and faster than I ever have as I make a beeline for the Dark Forest.
Zarla? Answer me, dammit!
It’s bad… They’re after me!
Fuck, where are you? What happened?
There’s only one place I will be safe. If I can get there.
“Zarla Quinn! You must stop immediately!” a male calls out.
The good news is they don’t sound all that close. And I’m faster than they are.