Page 405 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“Save him!” Alvara’s scream ripped through the haze. It struck me like a blade.

I lunged forward, her words anchoring me. Snapping me back into the world.

You were born for this, the shadows whispered.

Alvara’s hands stayed pressed hard over the gaping wound in Aren’s throat. Tears cut paths through the grime caked on her face. I threw my arms over his chest and sent my magic crashing down into him.

Too much blood loss. Not good.

But—his mind was intact.

His heart was still beating. Fast. Much too fast.

Help me. Please—anyone.

He could survive. If I moved quickly—very quickly. But I’d never attempted something like this on my own. Not without my sisters. And my magic was nearly drained.

If I could anchor to another energy source…

If his lungs were intact.

If the brain hadn’t been without oxygen too long.

If the blade hadn’t been demon-forged or cursed.

If hypovolemic shock wasn’t too advanced.

Alvara’s eyes widened as the calculations raced through my head. All the ifs holding Aren’s life by a thread.

Ally raised her trembling hands, desperation etched into every line of her face.

I pressed both palms to the gash in his throat just as she pulled her fingers back. Light burst from my hands—clean, bright white—and I drove the magic down into the torn tissue. Purging infection. Closing vessels. Reweaving what had been undone.

Alvara looked down at me, her eyes glazed with a Seer’s knowing.

Soft as a breath, she said, “In walls of white, we fight faux blight.”

When her gaze cleared, she met mine. Shadows lived behind that gaze—deep shadows. Pain. Regret. Fear.

She exhaled. “Just the one.”

My left hand skimmed above Aren, my magic probing, scanning, while the right stayed firm on his neck.

“Heal him, witchling,” Alvara said—this time a command. The tremor in her voice slight, but unmistakable. Her emerald eyes brimmed, the tears pouring fast now. “Tell Aren…he has to get to Grayshell. Taking Grayshell is the key. Tell him to hold the line.”

“Ally?” I gasped. “What are you⁠—?”

“Calling an audible. Can you do this for me?”

I nodded, barely able to breathe.

She did the same. “Tell him to bring rope. Don’t trust the water. Save the arrows and blades for a beast with many teeth.” Her voice cracked. “Tell him I love him. And thank him…for making me into a weapon.” I stared at her. I didn’t want to hear more. I couldn’t bear it. “He needs to wait at the gate for the signal. Tell August…” A sob shook her. “…Tell him I’m sorry. There’s only one thread left. And I love him.”

Another pause.

“Tell him to fuck the odds. To fight the lightning with lightning.” Her gaze blurred again. Fuzzy. Distant. And through the tremors wracking her, she whispered: “The shadow frees the unkempt flame.”

Alvara lifted her chin, eyes snapping back into focus as she narrowed them on me.