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ChapterTwenty-Four

Blood—a shocking spray of it—coats the ham and dribbles into the wine, staining the drink a deeper shade of crimson. It splashes across Bastian’s stunned face and Agnar’s open mouth, then splatters onto my own cheeks, warm and wet.

The world tilts into a nightmarish slant, and for several long moments, shock roots us all to our chairs.

I can’t…I don’t…how can this be happening? I don’t understand. Leesa would never launch an unprovoked attack against one of our friends.

Except, she’s not my sister anymore. The Leesa I know, with her dark golden blond hair and gentle eyes, wouldn’t wear that cruel smile or have hands drenched in blood. Her eyes, once a warm brown, are pits of inky blackness, voids where my sister’s love used to be.

While my mind scrambles to understand what’s going on and my heart tries to deny everything I’m witnessing, Agnar springs into action.

“Guards!” He rushes around the table to his friend, bellowing loud enough to shake the walls. “Get in here! Get the healer! Now!”

Two guards burst through the door, armor clanking, wings unfurling, responding to the horror only Agnar has been able to vocalize so far with a rush of feathers and steel.

Even the guards are stunned stiff as they take in the tableau of carnage that has erupted at our family dinner.

Bastian and Sterling both leap up from the table. I remain seated, a roarwhooshingin my ears as everything around me unfolds. I feel as if I’m watching a spectator watching a play that I walked into the middle of. I can’t comprehend how the characters got here, or what led to the mess they’re in.

This can’t be real.

Awful gurgling noises come from the floor on the far side of the table.

“Blair, come on, buddy,” Agnar pleads. “Just hold on.”

Leesa’s black eyes roll up into her head in pleasure as she licks the blood clean from the knife in her hand. My stomach roils with nausea.

Fury radiates from Sterling as he fixates on my sister.

He’s going to kill Leesa. The man I love is going to kill my sister.

I open my mouth to scream for him to stop, but only manage to release a hoarse whimper.

Eyes wide with fear, Bastian throws himself in front of Leesa, using his body as a shield.

Agnar drops to his knees beside Blair.

More shouts ring out.

There’s movement all around me.

At some point, I stand.

Using his magic, Sterling shoots a torrent of water at Leesa, sending her knife clattering to the floor. He reaches for his sword at his hip.

“No!” Somehow, I find my voice. “Don’t hurt her. Please!”

With inhuman strength, Leesa lifts a chair and slams it into Bastian. He grunts, dropping to the floor and rolling out of the way.

Panic propels me into action. Calling on my magic, I flick my wrist.

Breathe. Keep it under control.

Fire encircles Leesa, caging her inside.

An otherworldly shriek pierces the air.

More guards pour into the room. Several draw weapons and surround their prince, creating a barrier between him and everyone else.