Read Wilde's Army for Free Online

cannot believe this hideous beast believes
we
are worthless. They feed on innocent lives for what? For the magic we possess? Is he so stupid he thinks they can actually overthrow gods? Does he believe Dughbal will come through on his promise of new life for them?
    The rumbling feeling always preceding the flames builds in me, more powerful than I’ve ever felt it, but before it can take full control, the connection to Brit begins to fade.
    My vision fills with black spots as the daemon collects his blood on the knife and lifts it to her face.
    “
Please help me, Kate!”
    And in an instant, I’m back in my body.

Chapter Five
    I’m screaming. I have no control. Opening my eyes, I jump to my feet. Flames erupt from my chest and spread to my arms and legs like fire on dry straw. I run to the winding path leading down to the horses, without sparing a second to tell Perth what’s going on.
    He calls to me.
    I’m vaguely aware of shrieks coming from the forest, but I don’t care. That monster was about to kill my sister, and I couldn’t do anything to stop him. I’m not going to cry. I refuse to let anything happen to Brit.
    The gravel on the path crunches and echoes inside my ears as my feet make contact with the ground.
    A hand clasps my shoulder, pulling me to a stop.
    “Where are you going?” Perth asks, breathless.
    “I told you there wasn’t any time, but you didn’t listen. Now they’ve probably already killed Brit, and I couldn’t keep the connection to her. I’m going to stop this. Let me go, or I will kill you, too.” I knock his hand from my shoulder and run again.
    Perth follows.
    Mirain waits by the edge of his perimeter, facing toward the south.
    I turn my head toward the sky. “Thank you, Griandor, for sending her to me.”
    Her body glows a brilliant-white, and she rears. When she returns to all fours, I jump on her back then look at Perth.
    He stares at my horse; his eyes ask questions before he even speaks. “Did you just thank a
god
for your horse?”
    “There’s no time. I heard the daemons in the forest. Your hiding spot didn’t work either.” I kick my heels into Mirain’s sides and take off … alone.
    Lead me to them, Griandor
.
    Mirain moves so smooth and fast, I know the sun god is aiding us. Galloping at considerable speed, she jumps over huge fallen trees, turns just in front of boulders, and bounds though small streams leading to the river. She huffs white clouds of steam from her nose, but nothing slows her down.
    Branches crack, and water splashes behind me; I glance over my shoulder. Bowen is following with Perth on the stallion.
    Breaking through a line of trees, Mirain slows then stops about forty feet before we arrive at a large rock formation. Small cracks in the stones allow light to escape.
    This is it
.
    I slide from her back then draw my sword. Body on fire and heart full of rage, I march toward the cave.
    A hand clasps my shoulder again.
    “Wait,” Perth says with a hard edge to his tone.
    “Why?” I try to knock his hand free of me, but he digs his fingers into my skin.
    He glances toward the rocks. “We have about three seconds before we are spotted. Turn off your flames.”
    I think about everyone in that cave before I answer. “No.”
    “I have a plan. Now, turn off your flames.” He growls.
    “Your plans don’t work.” I want to hit Perth, use my magic against him.
    Trust him
, Griandor’s voice booms in my head.
    As if listening to its creator, the magic flickers and retracts from my extremities, folding itself into my heart. The anger inside me dissolves.
    “Please, trust me,” Perth says.
    My shoulders sag, and I stare at the ground. I sigh. “What’s your plan?”
    “A distraction. I will ride a horse in front of the cave, get their attention, then ride off as fast as possible. When the daemons follow me, you can move in for the soldiers. Once they are free, I will understand if you do not try to rescue me—I doubt I will live long enough