Brightshade (Tales of Aether and Soul Book 1) by Miriam R. Dumitra

Author:Miriam R. Dumitra [Dumitra, Miriam R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-14T22:00:00+00:00

Adriane paced the hallway, constantly checking the window, anxious beyond anything she had ever felt before. She feared for Lancaster’s life more than she had for the lives of her parents, for Max, or even for Hannah. Perhaps that was simply due to waiting and being unable to do anything, but the intensity of her emotions still scared her.

Another explosion rocked the structure, and she raced to the window just in time to see a neighbouring storage barn succumb to flames. She itched to run—whether towards the fire and Lancaster, or away from danger she wasn’t sure—but whoever Lancaster sent wouldn’t be able to find her if she moved.

She breathed a prayer to the shades, thanking them for the recent rainfall. The fire might have spread even faster without the lingering dampness. As it was, it had already claimed three buildings, including headquarters. A steady stream of people rushed from the afflicted structures, funneled into Abel Way. Is no one escaping through the back? Did they block the exits?

New cries sprung up, and she craned her neck to see. Dark figures sprang out of the shadows, towards the people fleeing the fire. Firelight glinted off shiny coats, and she realized she was seeing Servicemembers. She growled in frustration, unable to prevent the catastrophe unfolding beneath her. The Abraham Guild had been smoked out like rabbits, then caught in a snare.

Adriane cursed, the sound a little less clumsy on her lips after her time with the Guild. What about Lancaster? She searched the figures below but couldn’t make out enough detail to identify anyone.

Someone skidded to a stop beside her, and Adriane whirled to find herself facing Mia.

“Adriane! Thank the shadows. You okay?”

“I’m fine. Where’s Lancaster?”

Mia’s face and hands were sooty, and her hair looked singed. She seemed unhurt, though she gasped for air. “Haven’t seen him. Curse it’s chaos down there. I was in the practice yard when the headquarters exploded, so I climbed the roof. Managed to get past the Servicemen. Jacob’s out looking for Lancaster. I told him to meet us—” She dissolved into a coughing fit.

Adriane ducked away from the window, noticing a few Servicemen glancing upwards. The fire was getting closer too. Her hands balled into fists as her magic surrounded her, cutting off all sensation for a moment. Wisps of black shadow rolled off her skin, and then the magic was gone as quickly as it had come. She looked up to see that Mia had jumped two steps back.

“What?” Mia rasped at the look Adriane shot her. “It’s creepy when you do that. So, what’s the plan?”

Adriane tried to think, her calm demeanor betrayed by shaking hands. “The flames will reach us soon. We’ve got to get out of here either way, and I’m going to go find Lancaster. You coming?”

“Sure. We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”

Adriane was glad for the reassurance, even though she knew it was unfounded. She grabbed her pack and turned down the hallway to a connecting door, Mia behind her. She opened the door and jumped back as a cloud of thick, choking smoke rolled in.

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