Page 170 of Prince of Darkness and Deceit

Something isn’t right.

Silas thinks the same. “We’re missing something.”

“I agree,” Juniper murmurs.

A groan breaks the silence. We all stiffen.

My gaze whips left. My heart seizes.

“Dian!”

Lev’s cousin sits hunched against the wall, blood pouring from a gash on his temple.

“Elara! Don’t!” Anton shouts.

Too late.

I slip past him and drop to my knees.

“Dian? Can you hear me?” My hand trembles as I push matted hair from his face.

Gods. It’s bad. The wound is deep, blood pooling fast.

“Elara…” His voice is a broken slur, his eyelids fluttering until his unfocused eyes finally meet mine.

“It’s me.” I force a smile through the lump in my throat. “Don’t worry. I’ll fix this.”

Magic stirs in my palm, eager, alive now that the manacles are gone.

First the mysterious powder, and then the cuffs… I don’t know what to make of the fact my neighbors possess such powerful magic-subduing weapons.

Or the fact they thought to use it against me…

Not now, Elara.

I shove away my growing unease and focus on Dian.

Power seeps into his temple, knitting torn flesh. A shuddering sigh of relief leaves him.

“Elara?” Juniper’s voice cuts sharp. “What are you doing?”

Three sets of eyes meet mine with uncertainty and disapproval.

My jaw tightens. “What does it look like? I’m healing him.”

“He’s our enemy.” Silas’s tone drips with disdain.

Anton says nothing, but his silence weighs more than words.

“Not to me,” I snap.

Then I turn back before they see the lie flicker across my face.

Because Dian is my enemy. His choices made him so. But I can’t walk away knowing Velmira waits to greet him if I do not intercede and save his life.

The room goes quiet. My power isn’t hurt, but it’s uneasy. Wary. The explosion from earlier has set both of us on edge. It’s willing to comply with my desires, but I sense its hesitancy to exert full effort.

Magic seeps into Dian’s wound.