A Court of Smoke and Shadows (An ACOTAR sequel fanfic)

Chapter 28 - Seige

Gabriel landed with enough force to send tremors rumbling into the ground. His wings spread wide, casting a menacing shadow in front of his large form. His fists shook with the adrenaline that pumped through his veins as he marched towards the wooden cabin in the peaceful meadow. A cool breeze of night air ruffled his hair and he exhaled a heavy sigh.

A peel of laughter as clear as tinkling bells echoed through the air before the wooden door burst open, golden light cascading into the moon lit night, as his sister spilled out with all the grace of a wood nymph. Her white hair shone silver under the moon, and violet eyes glowed like twin amethysts. The Fae were known to be beautiful, unearthly, and glamorous, but his sister was more than that. Ever since the change she glowed from within, as if her small frame could only just contain that tremendous power she held.

She hurtled towards him, hair streaming like a banner behind her, "Gabe!" She squealed, colliding into him with enough force to wind him. She was small but deadly when she wanted to be.

He banded his arms around his sister and squeezed, lifting her feet clear off the ground. He caught her scent in the hair that brushed under his nose and he startled, dropping her. He stared wide eyed and looked towards the dark silhouette that leaned against the cabin door. Gabriel could feel the tension radiating from where Azriel stood watching the siblings. Brother or no, he was still a male, and newly mated males tended to be very twitchy. Especially when another male touched their mate. A part of him reared its beastly head that his sister was now under the protection of another male, no doubt he wouldn't hesitate to rip into Azriel if he made her upset. Not that the Shadowsinger would, but still.

Gabriel stepped back from his sibling, whatever irritation he held on arrival evaporated, replaced instead by a steady pulse of malice that curled into his muscles and spiked his temper. "Velaris is under attack." His voice rasped from him.

Rhiannon gasped in horror, black flames erupting from her fingertips. "Our family?"

"Safe for now, the Inner Circle are only just managing. We need help." Gabriel jabbed his chin towards Azriel. The Shadowsinger was already striding forward, wings stretched out and ready for flight. "Cassian is leading the Illyrians there now." Gabriel turned to her sister's mate, his stomach churning slightly at the thought, "We leave now."

Azriel nodded, Siphons glowing an ethereal blue as he stepped into their small circle, shadows curling around his form.

"I'm coming too." Rhiannon said sharply and summoned her own wings, their white membranes glowing in the darkness of the night.

"No." Gabriel and Azriel growled at the same time.

She fixed them both with a steely glare, "I'm going whether you like it or not."

Gabriel watched in horror and awe as her feet started to disappear, black flames wrapping around her bare feet. They climbed higher up towards her torso.

"I learnt a new trick." She grinned wickedly, sharp teeth flashing before she disappeared entirely.

Gabriel's heart leaped into his throat knowing she was about to materialise into the chaos he had just come from. In an instant he winnowed, trusting Azriel to follow as closely as a shadow.

They emerged into a blackened sky filled with smoke and the iron tang of blood. Deafening blasts resonated in the air and Gabriel glanced around in panic, wings flapping powerfully as he hovered above the ruined city. When did she learn how to winnow?

"There." Azriel grunted and speared forward towards a white figure that flickered in and out, weaving between the creatures that infested the city killing and murdering innocents.