Wilde's Meadow (Darkness Falls #3) by Krystal Wade Read Free Book Online Page B

end him. My hands shake violently. If I’m going to move, I’m going to need more courage, less fear, more power. I grab the hilt of my sword, squeezing the brass in my palm.
    Brad laughs, shrill and mocking, then bends over, hands pressed to his temples. He’s fighting … and losing.
    “Kate?” he squeaks, revealing his internal struggle.
    “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to help you.” I hold my blade in front of me, ready to strike through him, ready to end this … but … will Dughbal’s death hurt Brad? Will he feel the iron pierce his heart?
    Will Griandor truly restore my friend’s life?
    Rapid sounds of feet pounding the earth fill my ears, but within a matter of seconds, the thumping of my heart drowns them out. Small hands grab me by the biceps, forcing me to my feet and squashing my half-hearted plan of attack. I stumble back, never taking my eyes from Brad. He doesn’t come any closer, doesn’t threaten. He takes a deep breath, straightens, and smiles.
    “Where is she?” Arland shouts, voice firm, booming.
    “There, sir,” Cadman says, “Near the water.”
    Grinding his teeth, Brad turns his gaze on Arland. “My servants may not be able to see beyond this wall, but I will always find you. Your protector cannot spend every moment by your side. One of these times, he will venture too far, and you will be mine.”
    Crack .
    Arland hooks his arm at my waist then spins me around to face him, pressing his warm, strong hand at the small of my back. He forces me close to him; his heart beats rapidly against my shoulder. “Did he touch you?”
    “No.” Part of me wants to cry. I should have killed Brad. I shouldn’t have shown my fear. The children certainly witnessed my hesitation. Will they be scared now? “I fell, Arland,” I whisper, “I was too afraid to kill him. I was afraid I’d hurt Brad.”
    “He was baiting you. Attacking would have been suicide.” Arland pulls me close, soothing away my anxiety, my fear. “Do you think you can handle holding up this concealment spell for another half hour?”
    “What are you planning?” I lean back to get a good look at his face.
    Concern lines his forehead, and his eyes scan our surroundings. “We need to complete assignments, but we cannot stay here much longer. If Dughbal knows our location, he will send daemons to wait us out.”
    “I can help her,” Brit says, marching up to us.
    Arland releases me and faces her. “Do you know what to do?”
    She peers around him. “Love is your power, right Kate?”
    Exhaustion ripples through me. Missing breakfast was not a good idea. “Part of it.”
    “I understand love. I may not have it, but I understand it well, and that god stands between me and everything I want.” She balls her fists at her sides. “I’ve been in your head enough to know how you summon magic, and I know how rage is really what causes your fire to flow.”
    Reaching for her, I take Brit’s hand in mine, then rub the tops of her white knuckles. “You will get what you want.”
    “We should move away to the center of the wall of magic.” Arland presses his palm between my shoulder blades and urges me forward until we approach Kent and Muriel. “How often did you train after we moved to Willow Falls?”
    “Every day, sir.” Kent squares his shoulders and holds his head high, but the muscles around Muriel’s cheeks twitch.
    She laces her fingers with Kent’s. “I spent more time with the Healers.”
    “ We cannot separate them, Arland. ” We’re heading into the thick of the battles, into the most dangerous areas—wherever Dughbal is. I cannot imagine Arland would want to bring Muriel if she hasn’t trained, but splitting up siblings who’ve already lost so much is unfair. I know I wouldn’t want to be without my sister.
    “You two should travel with our group. Our only Healer is Flanna, and she is also our best archer. Do you see the issue?”
    Brit crosses her arms over her chest. Thankfully she