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Adeline eventually grabbed her arm to help her up. “You just need to get out of these dungeons. You’ll feel much better once you see the sun.”

Esther stayed silent. Adeline didn’t let go of her as she took one step. And then another.

“The next challenge will be getting past the guard.”

“Well how did you two sneak in here?” Esther mumbled. “I assume if you got yourselves past them once, you can do it again.”

“With a prisoner? Sure, sounds easy.”

My blood was pounding in my ears. Even in the chill of the tunnels, a bead of sweat ran down my spine.

If this didn’t work, I would be in trouble.

And Malachi would be pissed.

“Let me do the talking,” Adeline said as we approached the entrance. “Stay back.”

Adeline let go of Esther, and I had to grab ahold of Esther’s arm to ensure she could still stand.

To my surprise, Esther didn’t fight it.

We stayed back while Adeline trotted forward to speak with the guard.

I strained to hear what they were saying.

“I’m sorry about your sister,” Esther whispered to me.

I snapped my attention to her. “What?”

“Your sister, Tessa. I’m sorry that she died.”

If my heart hadn’t already been pounding as fast as possible, I was sure it would have started. “How do you know about that?”

“I have many gifts, child,” she spoke. “I sensed it as soon as it happened.”

Stay focused,I thought. I couldn't get distracted. I couldn’t let Tessa infiltrate my thoughts.

“At least those bastards got what they deserved,” she said when I didn’t speak.

“Yes,” I agreed. My teeth were grinding so hard my jaw ached. “They did. And I intend on making anyone who lifts a finger against me pay.”

Esther laughed quietly. “I have no doubt about that, child. You are only just beginning to learn how powerful you truly are.”

I wanted to ask her more, but Adeline was trotting back in our direction. “What happened?” I asked.

Her face lit up. “He left. I told him Malachi would need his help, and that it was his duty to protect his king. Honestly, that was much easier than it should have been. We should restaff.”

“Maybe the Saints are on our side,” I stated. “Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?” Esther muttered. “What’s the big plan?”

CHAPTER32

Malachi

Ifelt them before I heard them. Hundreds of deadlings tumbling over one another, catastrophically plummeting their dead, decaying bodies toward the kingdom.

Towardmykingdom.