House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City, #3)

by Sarah J. Maas

“Guessed?” Declan demanded. “Or someone sold us out?” “Don’t flatter yourself,” the Hind said, crossing her arms. “You’re extremely predictable.”

Flynn demanded, “Why are you here?” His voice broke. “To arrest us? To rub our failure in our faces?” The Hind pivoted to the Fae lord, and—yes, that was pain shining in her eyes. “I’m here to help you rescue Ruhn.”

“I need to get him out. If you don’t help me, then his death is on you. And I will destroy you, Tristan Flynn.”

“I’m sorry about your brother’s suffering.” The words steadied Bryce, focused her. “I’ll make sure my sire pays for it one day.” “Good” was all Nesta said. “Good.”

“You’re dead to me,” Ruhn hissed, and vanished.

This just pissed me off

“When we stop again … can you show me how that contraption works?” “The phone?” The word couldn’t be translated into their language, and it sounded outright silly in their accent. But Nesta nodded, her eyes fixed on the tunnel ahead. “Trying to figure out what it does has been driving us all crazy.”

The Asteri had infected the water we consumed with a parasite. They’d poisoned the lakes and streams and oceans. The parasites burrowed their way into our bodies, warping our magic.

Our brightest minds found ways to bend the fabric of worlds. To travel between them. Wayfarers, we called them. World-walkers.”

Vesperus’s red mouth opened in joy and triumph, but no sound came out. Only black blood.

“You’re as much of a monster as they are,” Nesta accused.

Girl please shut the fuck up

“Where have you been?” “There was a sample sale at the mall,” Bryce said flatly. “Are Ruhn and Hunt still alive?”

Locking him inside the House of Flame and Shadow.

The sorceress nodded back shallowly as she took a seat and patted the stool beside her, ordering Ithan, “Sit.” Ithan threw the sorceress a glare at the blatant reference to his canine nature, but he obeyed.

And Hunt knew he’d treasure this moment forever: the moment when Lidia Cervos pulled out her gun and fired it right between the Hawk’s eyes.

A voice crackled over the radio—Declan Emmet’s voice. “Daybright, you read?” Hot tears began to streak down Ruhn’s face.

Then Dec said, “Camera’s showing twelve guards at the gate. Do not stop, Daybright. Go. I repeat, go, go, go.”

Then a soft female voice said, “This is Irithys. Set to ignite at the Eternal City.”

Ruhn couldn’t help but admire the symbolism of it, for the only race of Vanir who’d universally stood with Athalar during the Fallen rebellion to have lit this match. He caught a glimpse of Athalar’s face—the awe and grief and pride shining there.

She’d once told Ruhn that Ophion had been trying and failing to blow up the Spine for years now. Yet she’d done it. Somehow, she’d done it … for all of them.

Baxian was clinging for dear life to the back of the jeep, a manic grin on his face.

Ruhn silently handed the radio to Lidia, careful not to touch her. Not to look at her.

SHUT UP

For the Fallen, for the sprites who had become Lowers for standing with them—the smallest among the Vanir, the outcasts—this blow had been for them.

Irithys was not only free in the world. She was on the attack.

The strike had been for the rebellion, Hunt knew, but the escape—the escape had been entirely for Ruhn.

“I was looking for you.” Bryce lifted the plate and the ham-and-butter sandwich atop it. “And I’m looking to eat. Bye.”

“I got the sense from her call that she isn’t … entirely pleased you’re here.” Sendes grimaced. “Something to do with the Viper Queen and the River Queen threatening war for harboring you?”

The Autumn King growled as he backed into the closet, “I will kill you and your bitch mother for this.” She motioned him further inside. “I’ll pencil you in for tomorrow.”

“They’re not my brothers,” Lidia whispered. Her fingers curled on the glass. “They’re my sons.”

Bryce Quinlan swept through the doorway and winked at the Ocean Queen. “Tharion serves me.”

Hunt had left his body. Maybe he’d died. That was Bryce in the doorway, smirking at the Ocean Queen.

“You’re my home, Hunt. Our love spans across stars and worlds, remember?” She smiled slightly. “I’ll always find you.”

“From dear old Dad’s house. Where he thought he was keeping me hostage.” “He thought?” Ruhn demanded. Bryce shrugged.

“Yeah?” The love in his voice threatened to shatter her heart. “I knew these smoldering good looks would come in handy one day.”

The thoughtful, quiet stone to Brann’s wildfire.

Hunt nudged her with a gray wing. “I’m assuming you have some plan up your sleeve that you’re going to spring on us at the worst possible moment.” “I think you mean the coolest possible moment,” Bryce said, and Tharion, despite himself, smiled again.

Then Sasa met Bryce’s stare. And said without an ounce of fear, “We will find Irithys.” The sprites burned to a deep, true blue. “And fight with her against the Asteri when the time comes.”

“I thought it was the cats who had a problem with curiosity.”

“Why do you guys have a morgue down here?” Jesiba sat on a medical-looking stool, back straight. “Where else are we supposed to raise dead bodies?” “I don’t know why I asked.”

“Oh boy,” Bryce said, sighing at the ceiling. She whirled to their group. “Okay, let’s do a head count. If you’re disowned, disgraced, or both, raise your hand.” Tharion, Baxian, Lidia, Hunt, and Ruhn raised their hands. Bryce surveyed Flynn and Dec, both still in their usual black jeans and T-shirts, and sighed again. She gestured expansively, giving them the floor.

It’s pretty stupid, if you ask me. Dear Diary, today I made a list of all my enemies and how I plan to kill them. It’s so hard being king—I wish I had a friend!”

“It’s super hard,” Bryce commiserated, “to try to play both sides, isn’t it?” “I am not playing either side,” Morven said. “I am loyal to the Asteri.” “Then open the mists—invite them here. Let’s have them over for brunch.”

Bryce opened her mouth, rallying power to her star, but Tharion spoke from behind them. “I’ll marry Sathia.”

“We really have to work?” Flynn groused, rubbing his head. “Can’t we relax for a bit? This place gives me the creeps—I need to decompress.”

“I know my female presence will probably cause the caves to collapse from sheer outrage,” Bryce said, voice echoing off the massive dome above them, “but yes.”

Athalar rubbed his neck and said, “At the risk of being ridiculed … what am I looking at?”

“She said that the land … shriveled. That when she started to house those monsters to hide the Harp’s presence, the island of the Prison became barren. And the Ocean Queen said islands literally withered into the sea in despair when the Asteri arrived.”

Is pelias' sarcophagus not in the caves where the sword was?

“I know we should go wash up for bed and use the chamber pot or whatever excuse they have for a toilet in this museum, but …”

“But Ruhn warned me that most of what’s in here is old, and wicked, and likes to drink blood. And eat souls. I’m not sure of the order, though.” “Sounds like your run-of-the-mill Fae nobility, then,” Bryce said, hefting her heavy pack higher. She winked at Sathia. “You’ll be right at home.”

“Because you are true Fae, not some half-breed—” “I’d mind how you speak about my sister.”

“You’re a prince,” Lidia said coolly. “Start acting like one.”