Page 10 of Blackheart

I was sick of hearing about the Sapphires' threat, especially because our workload had increased since our kingdoms were on the brink of war. The Sapphires had taken over Lestivia easily enough, but those were peaceful lands. Drakington was far larger, with far more resources.

Trista chuckled. “You know the madman calls himself a king now, too?”

Considering Saffron had taken over Lestivia, hewasa king, though the Sapphires were more cult than kingdom.

“Focus on your work,inkweeds,” a Draker barked through his mask.

The wordinkweedstung no matter how many times we heard it, because that is not what, or ratherwho, we were. They loved to call Blackhearts that, as it was easier than learning our names.

Witchlord Dronis dragged his attention to Trista’s sour face before turning to the Draker who’d ordered her silence. His dark skin glowed against the orb of light as he paused his tossing, cradling in one hand. I almost thought he would challenge the Draker and order his silence as well, just because he could.

Then he resumed tossing the orb from one hand to another, like nothing had happened.

A scream pierced the air. I whipped around, dropping the garment. Everyone in the room stilled as more followed from outside the tailor house.

“Sapphires!”a voice cried, as if Trista had summoned them herself.

I clutched tightly to my needle as a knot twisted in my stomach.

“Hide yourselves,” Lord Dronis ordered before storming out, the Drakers following close behind.

As everyone began rising and running to back rooms and closets, I walked to the window, tiny needle still in hand.

Dark-blue cloaks and red eyes flooded through the gate. Drakers charged towards them on entry, swords held high. My heart skipped as blood smeared the walls like paint. Hundreds of Sapphires pushed forward, blurs of navy and crimson coating the street.

“What in Fate’s name,” I breathed.

Lord Dronis drew out a grand sword, his veins rippling with gold. Transferring his Lyonheart Nature into the blade. It flowed through him with a blazing intensity until the sword was bathed in golden flames. Without mercy, he sliced into the first Sapphire to cross him, severing the man’s head from his body through aureate, fire, and steel. He leaped to his next target.

Even with Witchlord Dronis striking them down one at a time, there were so many Sapphires—too many. Hooded and quick, they descended upon the Drakers.

Evidently not everyone had been warned to hide, because as Dark Natured ventured out of their jobs and homes to examine the commotion, the Sapphire’s targets changed.

They weren’t going for the Drakers anymore.

They were coming for us. Like insects drawn to an oil lamp, they hauled toward the Dark Natured.

I backed away from the window, hands trembling. Did they hate us as well? Had they come all this way to kill us?

It was early. Luna would still be at home sleeping. Vulnerable, with no idea what was coming.

I ran out the door into the bloody streets. Moving away from the gates, I sprinted past dilapidated buildings, ignoring the sounds of slaughter behind me.

The farther I made it, the more unaware people were. We were under attack, and they didn’t even know.

“Get inside!” I shouted, never stopping. “Sapphires are within the gates!”

Some gave confused looks, while others appeared excited, as if they too might try to go through the open gates.

They’d never survive to see the other side of the wall, but that was not my problem.

I ran into my building and up the stairs, barging into the apartment only to find Riven leaning back against the kitchen counter with Luna’s mouth around his —

I gasped as he shifted away from her, his warm face going pale.

“For fuck’s sake, I eat in here!”I scowled, blinking hard as I tried to erase the memory.

Luna shot up, holding in a laugh and wiping her mouth while Riven pulled his pants up. I never knew his arms and chest were covered in tattoos, nor had I wanted to. He quickly reached for his shirt off the counter before running a hand through his hair, taming it back.