Twisted Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 5) by Kara Jaynes Page B

volcanic rock. It was so large he could walk under it without hitting his head, but at its center was the glowing, pulsing orb of light he’d followed. It filled the expanse of the arch, obscuring the volcanic wall behind it.
    Enter, Aaric. The voice came from the fog, but when Aaric turned to look, nothing was there. Enter the arch. The voice pressed against his mind.
    “Why?” Aaric asked. He removed his cap to mop his face. Just the heat getting to me, he thought.
    The fog billowed around him, balancing the heat of the tunnel with cold. To save Twyarinoth and Omniah , the voice spoke again. To prove yourself. To prove you are worthy.
    “Ah.” Aaric laughed, trying to mask his fear. “I don’t feel the need to ‘prove’ myself, thank you.”
    The voice was silent for a moment before speaking again, but when it did, the words chilled Aaric to his core.
    Then Adaryn will die.

 
    23
    Adaryn
     
    T he yellow-eyed prince leapt at me, his face contorted with a snarl, bringing his sword down in a vicious blow. I reflexively brought my hand up, scrambling for the magic, unable to grab it in my haste.
    I felt a surge of enchantment from Fyrsil and the hall crumbled, destroying the chamber’s opening, sealing the three Twyli inside.
    “Come on,” Fyrsil panted, his face tired. “Our chance of leaving this city lessens with every moment.”
    We ran back the way we’d come, Dahlia slung over Fyrsil’s shoulder like a sack of grain. Where the brigand was drawing his strength from, I had no idea. I felt ready to weep from weariness.
    We staggered out onto the landing where we’d descended with the gliders. How we’d managed to escape the notice of guards, I didn’t know.
    I cast a despairing look at Dahlia. Between magic and sprinting down the halls, I was beyond exhausted; I couldn’t imagine how tired Fyrsil must be. How were we going to carry Dahlia to safety on the gliders?
    Fyrsil noticed my expression and looked down at the small child he was holding. “Pass me your shawl.” His jaw was set in a firm line. “I’ll have her hold onto me, but secure her so she doesn’t fall when she tires.”
    “You’re too tired,” I protested, tugging free the long shawl I’d tied around my shoulders.
    He glared at me, snatching the fabric from my hands. “And you’re not?” In a few moments he'd secured Dahlia so her stomach was flat against his chest. She gripped his shirt, her little knuckles white.
    “Let’s go,” Fyrsil said hoarsely. He gripped the glider and called the enchantment, working it so the wind roared to life, tossing us into the air. The sky was dark with falling snow, the temperature well below freezing. My teeth chattered and my hands gripping the wooden shaft of the glider felt frozen. We floated over the city, the lights below reminding me again of spark flies.
    I started at the sudden pain in my abdomen, surprised to realize I’d nearly drifted off. I gripped the glider more determinedly. Another cramping pain caused me to grit my teeth, but I tried to dismiss it with an uneasy shrug. I’d have to take things a little easier in the future.
    Finally, after what felt like ages, Fyrsil began to descend. I followed, my gaze glued to him. I hoped the shawl would hold. If he lost Dahlia, I’d kill him myself.
    I staggered in the freshly fallen snow as we landed. The brigand king fell to his knees. Slogging through the snow to him, I untied the shawl with stiff fingers, pulling Dahlia to me.
    Fyrsil lay on his side, his body curled in a fetal position, knees drawn to his chest. His face was gray. “Keep watch,” he gasped, and then he was asleep, exhaustion overwhelming him.
    Still holding the child, I looked around, taking in my surroundings. We were less than fifty feet from the edge of the forest. Fyrsil had taken us further back than where we’d started. I glowered at his slumbering figure. If the Twyli started a search, they might possibly come across Aaric first.
    Dahlia stirred, and I