A Court of Light and Darkness

Twenty-Eight: Azriel

He decided to stop moping, get his life back together. The pain was still raw, eating at his heart every time he thought of her. But he had to move on. For the sake of his family and for himself. 

Cassian and Nesta had already went back to the Illyrian camp, leaving only him in the House of Wind. He left his room, heading towards the dining room to grab some food before he trained. He sat at the long table, alone, and food appeared in front of him.

He ate in silence, letting his mind go blank as he scarfed down the eggs and bacon on his plate. He had just finished, about to head out to the training rings, when his shadows whispered into his ear, making him freeze.

Azriel winnowed straight to Rhysand, who was sitting in his office at his and Feyre's estate, panic swarming his thoughts. His shadows flurried around him, just as panicked as him at the news they had picked up from the Illyrian camp Nesta and Cassian were at.

Rhys looked up from his desk, sensing the panic lacing through Azriels body. "What is it?" Rhys stood from his desk, rushing to Az as he tried to calm his thoughts enough to speak. 

"We must act quickly. We need a plan. How to get in and out with them both." Azriel was rambling, his shadows still whispering details into his ears as he talked. Rhys grabbed his shoulders, making him shut his mouth, widened eyes on his High Lord.

"Slow down, Az. Tell me what is wrong." Rhys said, his calm facade breaking as he realized the seriousness of the situation. 

"My shadows cant get a good read. Something is blocking them, someone." Azriel took a deep breath, letting it out before continuing, "They have Cassian and Nesta. I don't know who, but it's bad. They tortured Cassian, and when he didn't talk, threatened Nesta." He was talking fast, trying to explain as quickly as possible. 

Rhysand's control on his power slipped as his rage built. His face was contorted with furry as he took in Azriel's words. "We must go now." Is all he said. Azriel nodded firmly. 

They discussed a plan, saying they would winnow to the camp and find a way into the cellar they were in that held the most advantage point. Azriel's shadows would be able to get a better read once they were there, so they both winnowed, landing outside of the elderly's tent.

Azriel sent two Illyrian females inside to quietly evacuate the elderly inside the tent, telling them to inform the elderly that it was simply a walk to get some sunlight. They scurried into the tent and not long after had the elderly piling out of the tent. 

Azriel and Rhys made their way to the back of the tent, where Az's shadow's had told him there was a trap door that led to the cellar below the tent. Azriel's shadows still could not see who held Cassian and Nesta, but he knew where they were in the room and what state they were in.

Cassian was in bad shape, on the verge of passing out and Nesta was not much better with her wrists and angles confined in barbed wire that was now buried into her skin from the struggle.

They didn't have much time, that much was clear. Azriel silently lifted the trap door, peering into the dark corridor that followed. He looked back to Rhys before dropping down into the dark. He heard his brother drop down behind him, following close behind as they made their way towards the dimmed light peering at the end of the hallway.

Azriel could hear someone talking. A voice we recognized, but couldn't place. His shadows still spoke in his ear, telling him to take caution and be prepared for the worst. He thought the warnings were because of the state of his brother and Nesta, but once Azriel reached the end of the corridor, still in the shadows enough to not be seen but still having a full view of the room, his heart dropped to his feet as pain ricocheted through his body.