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Kiran was sobbing beside her mother, unable to catch her breath.“Why did they kill mom!?”

“I’m here.” Ishani engulfed Kiran in a warm hug. She squeezed her tightly and did not let go.

“I’m so sorry.” Magda couldn’t bring herself to look any more.

“They tried to kill us too,” Kiran said in between sobs.

Magda said, “They were wearing masks identical to the assassins that came after my family.”

Ishani held her sister intensely, not releasing Kiran until she pulled away. Then Ishani shook her head before her hands clenched to fists. She looked as if she was about to explode from anger, and Magda couldn’t blame her, for she knew how it felt to lose a parent.

Ishani grabbed one of her axes that was on the floor and said, “I’m going to kill that assassin.”

“What?” Kiran said, reaching out to her sister.

“Don’t stop me,” Ishani pulled away.

“Don’t leave me.” Kiran wept.

Ishani’s face was stoic. “You’re in danger…both of you. It’s clear that all the guardians are being attacked. I received word from one of my contacts that Guardian Sora was also killed, and Celestaire is planning on taking out Ilusauri.”

“What?” gasped Magda. “It can’t be.” Dagmara was in more danger than ever before.

Kiran tried to wipe her eyes, but she could still barely talk through the emotion, “But why would this happen to mom?! Of all people!”

Ishani turned away so the other two wouldn’t see her wiping her eyes.

Magda knew the assassin would run back to her superiors and report that Kiran was still alive. Also, they could report that Magda was in Flaustra, if they recognized her. They had also seen Magda use Soul magic. Letting the assassin go free was a mistake.

Also, if Prince Claude got word Magda was in Flaustra, and found out that he had been deceived this entire time, it would be disastrous. It could mean a possible death sentence for Dagmara. And what would happen once everyone found out that Queen Sanyal had been killed?

“We have to go after the assassin,” Ishani seemed to read Magda’s mind.

“And we have to protect Kiran,” Magda said. “She’s the only remaining guardian from Flaustra.”

“And you from Azurem,” Kiran said softly.

“So, in theory, if what your mother said was true, and we’re tied to the land, there’s only three true guardians left with magic. Me, Kiran, and Claude,” said Magda.

“But your branches of magic have been severed,” Ishani pointed out. “Claude’s was severed when his parents died, Guardian Sora’s must be cut off now, and you…,” she trailed off.

“You don’t have to say it,” Magda said.

“Meaning…,” Kiran perked up.

“You’re more important than ever,” said Magda, reaching down to hug her friend, “and more people might come after you.”

“And you,” Kiran sniffled.

Ishani stared at them both, her anger boiling, until she said to Kiran, “I should’ve never let you take the powers.”

“Then you would be a target and not me,” Kiran said.

“Better me than you,” said Ishani. “Not a single guardian is prepared for this!”

Magda realized that she had a point. Never in her life had she actually been worried about imminent danger. She had always gone out into the poppy fields, racing with her horse and with Odie. Sometimes, Magda would run away for days on end, exploring until the ends of the coasts, and never once had her father or brother shown any fear.

But Dagmara had been doing some sort of undercover work for her father. What had really been going on behind closed doors?