Fireblood (Fireblood 1)

Only, Sebastian ordered my arrest. He thinks I had something to do with killing his father—which I’m not sure I didn’t. I saw the Rebel crest on the dagger, and Sebastian saw it, too. How can I sway him to join the Rebels now?

Xander might be one of our only plants Sebastian will trust. Maybe Larkin, as he’s a member of his Round Table, but I don’t trust him. If I locate Devlan, I can find Xander. They still have communication between themselves. They might even be together out on the field.

My heart and mind conflict with each other, one telling me to shut the gate and chance being caught by the Force, the other demanding I seek Devlan.

Duty first. It’s what Devlan would choose. I have to trust my instincts.

After I shut the gate, I’ll find Devlan, and we’ll regroup with the Rebels. Once Sebastian sees the monsters invading Karm, he’ll have no choice. He’ll have to band with us.

I search the field one last time for any of the Rebel plants, then back away and move silently toward the front of the castle. The sky overhead crackles with thunder. Flashes of lightning spark, spiderwebbing the dense clouds.

The two guards from Hart’s chamber are searching for me, and probably every member of the Force has been given the order to capture me by now. I run for the shelter of the treeline, hoping to make my way to the gatehouse undetected. After I get this one thing accomplished, I can slow down long enough to think.

After I enter the thick brush, I make quick work of slicing off the train of my dress and discarding the excess. Then I take determined steps. My thoughts plague me, and I stumble a couple of times, nearly forgetting my destination.

The barrier is gone. I have clear access to my father. I could ride Sterlyn right out into the open and find Morgana—the compound—but I know how reckless that would be. I need to stop and center myself. We need a convoy to go after them all at once. Because when the cannibals discover we’re taking away their food supply, King Hart’s treaty is through. I can’t face Outside on my own, no matter how badly I want to go after my father.

I’ll do him no good if I do.

As I round the wooded area near the gatehouse, a snap sends my senses into high alert. I freeze.

Something in the bushes rustles, and I whip around.

A knight in crimson and black approaches me. “Larkin?”

THIRTY-THREE

Larkin steps from behind a tree. “Sneaking away?” He takes another, calculated step closer to me. “I always figured you for a coward when it came down to it.”

I shake my head, tightening my grip on my sword. “I haven’t been able to contact anyone. What happened? Where’s Devlan—” I rest my line of questioning as he continues to approach me, his sword outstretched.

He shrugs, his eyes cold and hard. “I’m not concerned about any of them.” He halts when he’s right before me. “If I’d have waited for the Rebel’s plan to take effect, it would’ve been too late.” He sighs dramatically. “I’ve been in this position before. And it never plays out in my favor.”

“You,” I breathe, realization dawning. “You killed King Hart. And you attacked the mainframe and took down the barrier.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “I see you’re not as slow as I suspected. Way to put it together so quickly, princess.” I take a step backward, and he raises the point of his sword toward me. “Stop.”

My chest rises as I take in a sharp breath. “What is your plan now, Larkin?”

His free hand fumbles at his uniform vest, and I glimpse what he’s trying to stuff inside his pocket—vials.

The antidote.

His eyes follow mine, and he quickly shoves the vials into his vest. “Step aside, princess. I don’t have time to deal with you.”

“We would’ve gotten the antidote soon enough,” I say. “You didn’t have to do this. Now everything has been compromised.”

He chokes out a hollow laugh. “No. I watched you. I knew from the start you wouldn’t kill Hart.”

“Larkin.” I say his name calmly, trying to reason with him. “I was getting through to Sebastian. There was another way we—”

“Shut up,” he snaps. “You failed to complete the mission, so I took it over. It’s done. Hart is dead, and now I have the antidote, and I’m going to get my sister back.” He glares at me. “I’m tired of waiting around. Years, princess. I’ve spent years waiting to see this moment realized. I wasn’t about to let you botch it up because your precious heart is torn over the noble Devlan and the sweet but tormented prince.” He scoffs. “Honestly, I’m sick to death of woman leaders. Now, move the fuck aside.” He coughs and places his hand over his mouth, the fit nearly causing him to convulse. When his hand comes away, it’s coated in red. Blood.

“The Virus,” I say. “You’re sick, and you don’t have much time.”

He raises his brows again. “She gets another point for being observant!” He laughs, then steps around me.

I spin toward him and raise my sword. “I’m not letting you leave here with the antidote. We all need it.” I meet his menacing glare. “We can analyze the serum and make enough for you and your sister and everyone, Larkin. You just have to trust me.”