Page 66 of The Malice of Moons and Mages (The Broken Bonds of Magic #1)
Sixty-Six
Selen e
S elene’s blast barely missed the dragon. The beast vanished into a sea of ring and moonslight, taking the Western mage with it.
A golden thread slowed Lua’s descent, but he landed hard. His breaking bones fractured the stunned silence. He bounced once and didn’t move.
“Who did that?” Selene whirled around. An older Starling mage stood at the top of the stairs. She snarled, drawing magic into her hands.
Jayna rushed before him. “He helped us.”
“He’s a Starling.”
“He saved me. Maybe he can save the Oji too.” Jayna’s voice was desperate, her eyes latched onto Selene’s.
Selene studied the old man with a scowl before turning to Lua. “He’s probably dead already.”
Lua groaned. Selene huffed. “Shit. He’s always been stubborn.” She looked back at Jayna. “Fine. Keep the old man if you want. Maybe he’ll be useful or maybe I’ll change my mind tomorrow.” Magic teased her fingers. “But first, let’s find out how weak my brother’s become.”
“No!” Quin rushed forward and threw himself protectively atop Lua’s body. He grimaced, expecting death. Nothing happened. No magic reached out to claim him. Lua was less than ten stars, if there was any magic left in him at all.
Her vision blurred again. “Bolin?”
He pulled his tearful gaze from the sky, tracking the dragon’s flight while Xiang’s corpse crumbled in his arms.
“Grieve later,” she said. “Remove the guard for me.”
Bolin gently laid Xiang’s head on the ground. Ashes clung to him, dusting the air as he stood. Quin rose without struggle, his face dour with disbelief.
When Selene nudged Lua’s ribs with her boot, his eyes flicked open. She wasn’t disappointed he still lived. Perhaps he’d reveal what the moons said, and she could use that to regain Song’s blessing. “Hello, Brother.” Her prodding turned to violent kicks until the Oji’s groans ceased completely.
“He’ll wish he were dead,” Selene said. She nodded to Quin. “Since you’re so devoted, you can care for him. Secure them together.” She ordered before glancing at Jayna. “The old man too.” The Oja searched the upturned tables and broken bodies, gaze landing on a Western man holding a dark-skinned woman whose gasps were fading. “What about them, pet? Worth keeping?”
Jayna bit her lip, taking caution with her words. “Traq knows Audra. He might be useful in finding her.”
“And the woman?”
Wren’s chest shook with each shallow breath. Traq’s frame shuddered as he stroked her cheeks.
“Her father is a powerful Starling lord of some kind,” Jayna said. “Keeping her would start a war.”
“I suppose we’ll have to deliver her and the other Starlings back to them. We’ll send condolences and thanks. Make sure they know it was the Oji who did this,” Selene said. “And congratulations, Jayna. You’ve just been promoted.”
Jayna’s bow obscured her expression. “Thank you, Oja.”
“Is there anyone you hope to celebrate with?”
She hesitated. “No, Oja. I’ve no one. ”
If it were a lie, Selene would find out soon enough. “Best keep it that way. I’m tired of my people being distracted.”
Traq’s sobs wrung through the room as Wren went limp. Selene sighed at the display. She looked away, but death was everywhere.
“Audra.” Bolin studied the sky. Silence light gave his features a bluish tint. Selene felt the sharp sting of betrayal reflected at her. “My sister’s name.”
She drew her robes around her before turning away. They would address this matter in private. A small moan drew her eye to Anjing. He twitched slightly. He could be useful. “Gather the highest-ranking mages left. We’ll need to form a new council. The house of Silence has fallen.”
“You lied.” Bolin said softly. “All these years, after everything I’ve done for you, you lied to me.”
She paused. Tension crept into her shoulders and jaw. His sorrow and devastation grappled her heart. “So what if I did? It made no difference. Your knowing would not have changed anything.”
“It would have changed everything . You said they died. That you saw their bodies when the Starlings raided Pangol.” He wiped his mouth.
Her tone changed to near sympathy. “Well, we must find them now. Before that dragon gets much bigger.” Her eyes rested on Xiang’s body. “Take time with your grief. And then we will plan a reunion.”
“Selene—”
“We’ll find them. I promise.” Selene walked away, not stopping to wipe the unwanted tears from her cheeks until she was in the hallway. Stunned mages and soldiers idled past, either Song or Silence, it no longer made a difference. Under her reign, they’d be united once more, whether they wished it or not.