Page 64 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)

Sixty-Four

Audra

Raani

D espite the chilled air, sweat had smeared the kohl down Audra’s face. A pulse echoed through her veins like a question, closer, clearer than it had ever been before. With a tug, she answered it, though she knew she didn’t need to. She crouched defensively in front of the throne as Sharine stopped a dozen paces away. The other council members were scattered around the dais. Two still writhed, while the others lay lifeless.

“You did this?” Audra asked. She was more surprised at the brutality inflicted on the other council members than she was at the betrayal. The mages had trusted Sharine implicitly, and she’d let them die.

“I don’t want to kill you,” Sharine said. “You saved my life before. I don’t forget such things. Still, a bargain had to be made.”

“With Selene?”

Sharine’s jaw tightened. “Best you use her title, or she’ll kill you sooner than later.”

“You’re one of hers. Of course, you’re here to kill me,” Audra said.

“I’m not. But you are the easiest way to control the Oji. ”

Audra muttered. “Shit. You people are the worst.”

“Not as bad as your Oji.”

“Lua is better than all of you combined.”

Sharine laughed incredulously. “He’s exactly the villain he was made to be. Look how well he’s convinced you otherwise? He was ruthless during the last invasions. More brutal than his sister by far. I doubt he told you what he did.”

“Shut up.” Audra knew there were things Lua had been too ashamed to confess, but she refused to be swayed by this woman in this moment.

Gray glowed from Sharine’s fingers. “I apologize for what I’m about to do.”

Magic spun forward. Audra ducked. A green shield erupted before her. An emerald shining in a sea of night and storm clouds. A collective hush spread through the hall, followed by quick exclamations. She knew some of them would be thinking that it wasn’t possible. The Western mages should all be dead. And if there was one left, there was a chance that a dragon would answer her call.

Sharine’s blow cracked hard against Audra’s shield, and she stumbled sideways. The next blast struck the floor near her feet. Oak splinters darted through the air, catching Audra’s forearm. Behind her, Lua rustled in his seat, but his eyes remained closed.

Sharine hammered Audra before she could cast any stronger defensive spells. One blast skimmed past Audra’s head, careening into the throne. It knocked Lua sideways in the chair.

Audra spun, screaming. Lua’s sleeve smoldered. At seeing his raw, burning skin, a frenzied anger coursed through her.

Emerald fire erupted from Audra’s hands. Sharine’s shield flickered beneath the assault. Audra snarled and advanced a few feet, leaving a gap in Lua’s protection. Sharine grunted and fell back a step. Audra’s spell wormed into the moon mage’s shield and broke it down one inch at a time.

Audra didn’t notice a lone figure racing up the stairs behind her.

Sharine retreated, screaming as the emerald magic seared her hands. A blade jutted through her chest from behind. It lifted upward, pulling the councilor’s feet from the floor. She choked, blood spewing from her mouth a moment before the blade yanked free. Sharine’s body hit the ground with a thump.

Audra’s magic dissipated in a shimmer as Quin’s reddened face came into view.

“Quin?” Audra asked.

“Protect him!” Quin yelled.

Audra whirled. Xiang stood before Lua with his sword drawn back, its metal glinting in the celestial light. The primal fury still coursing through her surged, darkening the edges of her vision. With a guttural roar, emerald streams propelled her dagger toward him.

Xiang’s sword froze mid-swing. Rippling green threads held it still. The man went rigid, muscles locked tight as the small blade pierced his throat. He opened his mouth, his expression one of disbelief as verdant fire engulfed him.

Blood gushed from his lips. Audra watched in horrified fascination while her magic wriggled between the plates of his armor. Slithering into each opening, searing his flesh before boring deeper, reaching for his bones.

Xiang fell, writhing in agony beneath Audra’s fury. Somewhere in the shadowed room, a man screamed Xiang’s name. The mournful sound drew her attention away from the scene. She turned.

A gold blast crashed into her, hurtling Audra across the dais. The green fire dissipated, leaving Xiang in a charred heap.

A moment before her head hit the floor, her Rajav opened his eyes. Then all went dark.