Song of Flames (Sisters of Song 1)

EXCERPT

“Venya!” Alaiya could barely be heard over the cacophony. “Ven!”

“I’m here.” Relief choked her. “I’m here, baby sister.”

“Get me out! Is there a war?”

“Can’t explain.” She yanked off much of the armor before rifling through her secret pockets to find her lock picks. Then she crouched and worked the lock. It was the fastest break-in of her career.

The door ripped open as she stood and then Alaiya was in her arms. Sobbing, clinging.

“I knew you’d come,” she whispered, her voice thick. “I knew you’d save me.”

Venya squeezed her for a moment before pulling away and grabbing her hand.

“We have to run. Now.”

“What is going on?”

“Dragons!”

Alaiya gasped. She picked up her skirt with her other hand and didn’t ask any more questions. They raced down the corridor, following the other residents. As much as Venya wanted to escape, she knew she had to make amends. Despite knowing the futility of the act, she had to make it right. There were good people in this city, and they didn’t deserve to be dragon food.

But stranger things had happened. Maybe they’d take the goblet and just leave. A fantasy most likely but there was always chance.

Regardless, she had a debt to pay. And if that meant her life… well…..

“Where are we going?”

“Great hall.”

“Why?”

Venya didn’t explain. They shoved open the doors and entered the room. Lord Salazem was gone and so was the goblet.

“Dammit to the nine hells.” Venya kicked his ostentatious chair.

Alaiya panted beside her, still holding her hand, and clutching her chest with the other. “What happened to you? Why are there dragons? Why are you wearing armor?”

“I found the treasure and the dragons. I stole from the dragons. And this is a disguise.”

Alaiya stared.

“We should run while we—”

“The treasury,” Alaiya said. This time she dragged Venya along. “Whatever you took from the dragons should be there. You want to return it, don’t you?”

Venya couldn’t help but grin. Alaiya was as intelligent as she was beautiful. And, truly, even out of breath, sweaty, and with circles under her eyes, Alaiya was stunning. Her dress of deep burgundy highlighted her skin and eyes, and the rich fabric, stylish flair, and low cut of the bosom told Venya that it had been a gift from the bastard lord.

“He took me there as he gloated about his wealth. He thought he could win me over that way.”

“Idiot.”

No man would ever win Alaiya’s heart. But a woman? Most definitely.

It felt like ages but was only a minute or two before they stood in front of the unguarded treasury. Venya once again picked the lock, and Alaiya shoved the door open. Compared to the wealth of the dragons, this was pitiful. At least she spotted the goblet easily, sitting on its own table—a trophy. It struck Venya that the dragons also had the goblet on a pedestal, and yet it hadn’t felt like a trophy. There’d been more reverence in the placement of it. She couldn’t shake the feeling she’d stolen something precious to them, not just another fancy piece of treasure. That deepened her guilt and hardened her resolve to return it.

Venya took vindictive pleasure from snatching the goblet. As an afterthought, she grabbed a few coins and plopped them into the cup.

“What are you—?”

“Interest.”

Alaiya snorted. “Only you, my sister.”

They hurried out of the treasury, down the corridors, and then outside. Venya’s legs were wooden, and she wanted to collapse and sleep for a week. She was hungry, thirsty, but determined to finish what she started.

She looked up. It was easy to spot the giant beasts flying and diving as citizens screamed and jostled and stampeded each other. Except for a few towers of the manor being slightly singed, there had been little damage done to the city. Venya didn’t have time to examine why they were restraining themselves. Their fury must be unrivaled. They must be searching for her.

Terror trembled in her gut but she clenched her jaw and would face her fate with eyes wide open. She would not be a coward.

“Run, Alaiya. Run to the forest. Hide. They won’t come after you.”

Alaiya gaped. “What are you…? I’m not leaving you! Don’t be crazy. We run together.”

“No. Dammit, Allie. I have to face them. They won’t stop hunting me, and I can’t have them destroy this place. Or other cities to pursue me. This must stop now.”

“You risked your life to save mine.” Alaiya grabbed her hand. “You won’t be getting rid of me that easily. I’m with you until the end.”

“This isn’t your fight!”

“Yes, it is! You are my sister. I am no more a coward than you are.”

Venya glared at her.

Alaiya glared back.

In desperation, Venya shoved Alaiya away before running toward the dragons. Alaiya screamed curses and ran after her. Venya was going to collapse at any moment. Her vision tunneled a bit as she stumbled.

“Dragons!” Then she added a short tune infused with her siren voice. Directed right at them.

Both of their heads whipped around.

She held up the goblet, the gold and silver coins clinking inside. “Here is your property. Take it and leave this place. Take me if you must and consider my debt repaid.”

“No!” Alaiya caught up with her and clutched her around the waist.

“Nine hells, Allie!”

“Nine hells yourself, Ven!”

“They’re going to eat me!”

“Then I guess they just have to make room for one more. I bet we cause them indigestion.”

Venya struggled but Alaiya was stronger than she looked. The dragons dove at her words, and she barely had time to tear away from her sister before the Onyx scooped her up in his claws. Alaiya tried to grab her, screaming her name. For a split second, Venya felt relief and sadness so profound she grew dizzy. But then the Gold scooped up her sister, and she shrieked at them.

“Leave her be! She has nothing to do with this! I’m the one you want. Don’t hurt her!”

All the while, she kept the goblet and the few coins safely held against her chest. The Onyx angled his head down so that one silver eye gazed at her. The dragons banked to the south, heading back to their mountains.

“Settle, little thief,” he said, his voice cavernous and little more than a growl. “We have much to discuss.”