Page 35 of Tears of Gold

Rita’s shield rolls over mine, and I withdraw enough power to pin the Davina to the ground and trap him there. A fiery inferno of flame and black smoke fills our qi bubble where the wagon stood a moment ago.

“Can you hold it?” I ask, glancing at Rita as she peeks from behind the wooden crates, the whites of her wide eyes reflecting the sparks in the smoky gloom.

Her voice trembles, but her qi holds steady. “Yes.”

I can see why Erritt chose her to guard Ava. Even though she hasn’t mastered teleporting yet, her shielding ability is on level with any of the royal guards I’ve worked with. My pulse races as I survey the factory which stands tall and proud, unaware of how it nearly became the center of a blast that would’ve taken out the entire city district.

Qi Lords, that was too close!

I kneel on my captive’s back and snap off two mirages to check there are no more deadly surprises around the building. Then I pull out my pager and message one of the lieutenants I worked closely with during my training.

Rita sits down, focusing tightly on her shielding.

“Don’t let it go; there’ll be a vacuum inside now with a severe backlash,” I warn.

She sets her jaw. “I can feel it tugging, but I’m good for a few minutes.”

My pager vibrates with a response. “Help is coming.”

As teleport streams flicker on the street, indicating the unit’s arrival, I hear marching boots further up the road. The patrols are rolling out, which means I need to hurry.

Lieutenant Jonatan hurries forward. “Vanrey, haven’t seen you in a few weeks.” He catches sight of the gold on my forearm and snaps to attention. “Orders, sir?”

I press on the back of my prisoner’s neck and point to the factory. “This one just tried to destroy the district by lighting up the compressed qi. Take him in for questioning and guard the building against further attack.”

The lieutenant blanches as I haul our unwanted guest up. The bomber writhes, lips foaming with spittle as he fights our hold while the guards fit qi-restraining cuffs on him. “You’re all doomed to the underworld, you motherfucking sadist whores! We’ll cut you down piece by piece like you’ve done to this planet! The Five Claws will take revenge for their spilled blood!”

I summon a hand towel and wipe the ash and sweat from my face before stuffing it in his mouth. “Not today,” I murmur.

“Stand back,” I call to the unit as I crouch beside Rita and slip my shield over hers on the wagon vortex. Once it’s firmly in place, I touch her shoulder. “You can let go now.”

She sags with relief, and the vacuum implodes against my barrier as hers disintegrates. The last of the fire inside gasps on the fragments of oxygen the exchange allowed in before finally snuffing out. Carefully, I release the top of the barrier and the vacuum unfolds.

I squeeze her shoulder. “Nicely done. Thank you.”

She smiles, cracking the coating of ash on her face. A trail of blood runs down her arm from a deep scratch on her shoulder, and a mottled red burn mark tracks up her opposite leg. I click my fingers at the royal guards. “Take this woman to the medics and then escort her to the primary gate hub.”

Rita shakes her head stubbornly. “I want to come with you.”

I rise. “You’re tapped out. Get treated and wait for us. I’ll find them.”

She pleads with her red-rimmed green eyes, but I shake my head. “That’s an order.”

The feisty noble swears under her breath but takes the hand the guard offers her to get up.

“I have another task,” I inform the lieutenant. “I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Yes, sir.” He glances at me curiously. “Is it true you were assigned to the younger prince?”

I nod, and he beams. “Congratulations, Vanrey!” Suddenly, he blanches. “Oh, sorry, perhaps you would have preferred Crown Prince Anik.”

I clap him on the shoulder as I walk past. “No, I requested this opportunity. I’m grateful to have been accepted.”

“Good for you. I like the younger one too.”

I raise my brows at his casual address, and he drops his gaze, muttering an apology.

Not wanting to be followed, I teleport into the side street and follow the spots of blood to see which way Harper and Ava went, burning the road clean with my power as I track them.