Fourteen

Xander

 

“There’s been an attack,” Kaden shouts as he bursts into my room. “There’s no more time to mope about things out of our control.”

“What do you mean there’s been an attack?” I ask in a daze. I’ve been drowning my sorrows for the last week the best way I know how. Alone and in darkness. I try to clear some of the fog from my head as he keeps speaking.

“The truce you signed with the Seven – someone has broken it. There was an attack in the city last night, a legion of demons descended. There’s at least ten dead, and a couple dozen or so more who are injured,” Kaden tells me, pacing in front of me.

“And we have no idea who’s behind it?” I ask, now fully focused.

“Oh, I have an idea, what with Addie’s little stunt at the Council meeting. I’m sure Eolande was burning with rage when she heard how Addie just sauntered up to her mother’s throne and sat down. I don’t know what she was thinking? But as for Eolande, angry as she would have been, I can’t think how she would have enlisted the Demons.”

“It’s not a bad idea, but even with Addie’s actions, Eolande wouldn’t have been my first thought. Like you said, she despises the Demons; always has. The war between the Fae and the Demons has gone on much longer than our time on earth.”

“It’s too perfect. First Eolande flees, distracting us all, Kellan and Addie more than anyone. She knows that we will be pre-occupied in keeping her safe. She works on Emily, to bring about the trial but then her plan fails when Addie is saved because the people rise to support their princess. I don’t know what Eolande’s end game is, but I’d bet my life, she’s the one behind this.”

“You need to tread carefully brother, throwing around accusations like that can get you killed. It’s still treason even though she is charged with worse crimes.”

“Yeah, well, apparently treason isn’t so bad anymore. Not one of those council members who acted against Addie were sentenced to death.”

“As was Addie’s wish,” I remind him.

“Banishment and exile are nothing compared to what they were going to do. I don’t understand why Addie let them get away with it,” he seethes.

“Yes, you do. You know Addie.”

I take everything in. I had heard rumour of Addie’s little council stunt – no doubt the stupid idea of that puppet Prince, Dante, but I hadn’t realised just how challenging a move it had been, or that Eolande still had her spies in the Palace.

Despite my promise that I would keep out of Addie’s affairs, now I have no choice but to step up to the plate.

I stand and start to dress. “They will get what is coming to them, brother. For now, I assume we are needed in the city? Let’s gather our first command and take them to the city, meanwhile, we need to reinforce the security across the city and surrounding towns. Where is Dimitri?”

“He’s already at the Palace. That’s where they have located the city residents who aren’t injured or… dead. The Med Centre on the edge of town wasn’t destroyed in the attack so that’s where they’re taking them."

“Okay good, they need a familiar strong face. Let’s go to the city and see how we can help.”

 

***

 

Addie

 

We arrived at the Med centre as soon after the attack as we could.

“I can’t believe this, Dante. There’s just so much pain,” I say, trying to compose myself.

The explosion was in the middle of the market square and was followed by a legion of demons walking through, killing and maiming anyone within touching distance. When the guard arrived, they simply disappeared.

“There’s never been an attack like this before. Not on innocent people. Not in any of our histories. It’s barbaric. There was no military reason. They’ve done it just because they could.”

I try to calm my breathing, as flashes from that fateful night at the Academy haunt me. We are out of sight, taking a private moment in the linen cupboard. Dante had seen me triggering, and swept me away from the eyes of our people. Now, I’m stood wrapped up in his arms.

“Sometimes things like this can’t be rationalised,” he says. “Pointless acts of terror are just that. What we need to do is get our people through it.That’s our responsibility to them. It’s what we owe to those who died today. We will hunt down the ones responsible, and someone will be held accountable.”

The strength I hear in his voice reminds me he was created for this. For ruling. For dealing with disaster. He was groomed to be a King. Dante has stood up and taken every blow and every new thing thrown at him, handling it with grace. But this act of madness is too much even for him, even though he hides it well, I can see how affected he is by it really. I don’t think the reason we’re hiding out here for five minutes is just about me. 

There are voices in the corridor outside, and I recognise them immediately.

“We should go back out there,” Dante says, rubbing his hands up and down my arms. “We have a job to do.”

I nod and take a deep breath before we step back out into the chaos. There are so many people here. Humans, Fae, Vampyr, and even Wolves.

The market square is the hub of life. It’s meant to be a safe place for everyone. Neutral ground. But I guess that’s exactly why we were hit there. Medics zip around in front of us, and I feel helpless again.

“Is there anything we can do?” I hear Xander behind me, and I turn slowly, bracing myself for the sight of him. I knew there would be times we would see each other, but I had hoped to have more healing time in between.

“Xander,” I say by way of greeting, pushing down the swirling emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. “Kaden, its good of you to be here. We’ve got this covered for the most part, but extra hands are always useful. You should go down to the square. The explosion collapsed several buildings and they were still pulling people out of the rubble when we passed through.” I look them both directly in the eye, but Xander avoids eye contact.

“Dimitri is already there,” Kaden tells me, giving me a small smile. “Are you okay?”

“I’m better than most other people here, but thank you. I think we need to get back to the Palace, I’m not much use here,” I tell them, taking Dante’s hand for support.

I hadn’t realised it until now, but I’m angry at Xander. Angry that he didn’t fight the decision, even if I accepted it. Its irrational, and totally the wrong time to focus on it, so I focus on Kaden and the feel of Dante’s hand in mine.

“You should come by the Palace once things settle down here. I imagine you’re going to be needed.”

“Of course. Stay safe, Princess. Dante,” Kaden says with a nod, turning, and taking Xander with him.

I take a deep breath and centre myself.

Can today get any worse?

The floor shakes with the boom of an explosion. Screams quickly follow and I run outside, Dante on my heels. Flames and thick black smoke rise from the east.

It’s the Palace.

I look at Dante and take off at a run. Thoughts of Kellan, Sophie and Michael push me harder.

Please let them be okay.