Lilette headed toward the clearing, and only then did she notice the singing. She slowed to listen to the unfamiliar song of growing and tearing. Her eyes widened when she realized what the witches were doing. Guardians had replaced the elite in the protective circle around the witches. Those in front of Lilette slid into a fighting stance as she came closer.
Thankfully, Han knew better than to reciprocate the action. “He’s with me,” Lilette said quickly.
The guardian directly in front of her narrowed his gaze. “And who are you?”
“Lilette!” Jolin cried. She darted between guardians and enveloped her in an embrace that made her side throb with pain. Lilette hugged her friend back, not caring how much it hurt.
Jolin turned to the guards. “This is Lilette, Sash’s sister. She’s the reason we escaped.” Her gaze took in Han, and her smile faltered.
“He helped me escape,” Lilette explained. Immediately the guardians stood down, and Han left Galon in their care.
Jolin motioned for Lilette to follow her past the perimeter. “Come on, there’s someone you need to meet.”
Trotting to keep up with Jolin, Lilette didn’t let Han out of her sight. Jolin led them to the center of the singing witches and paused in front of a woman with white-blond hair that matched Lilette’s.
“Sash!” Jolin said. “I found Lilette.”
Sash whirled around and her gaze locked with Lilette’s. It was like a lodestone between them, so strong they both moved to each other’s arms, both of them crying.
Sash pulled back first, and Lilette couldn’t help but notice the blood on her hands. “There’s so much between us that needs to be said.” Sash took a deep breath as if steeling herself. “When we’re safe.”
“But what are you doing?” Lilette pointed to the ramparts.
“Making our escape.” Sash backed away. “Sing with us. We need all the help we can get.”
Listening hard to the song, Lilette began to sing. Sash nodded encouragingly. Suddenly, Lilette realized she’d abandoned Han to go to her sister. She panicked—someone might hurt him simply because he was Harshen.
To her relief he stood nearby watching her sing, his gaze unreadable. She approached him as she would a wounded animal, her movements slow and even. She took hold of his hand. He winced but didn’t let go.
The crowd parted for Geth as he strode toward them. He nodded to Sash. “They’re rallying at the palace, gathering elite back from the city to come against us in force. The gates are already closed against our escape.”
“I expected as much.” Sash pursed her lips and studied the green half-circle eating away chunks of the north ramparts. Crushed bits of brick rained down. “We’re almost there.”
Geth jerked his thumb over his shoulder at Han. “What about him. Isn’t he Chen’s brother?”
Lilette stepped between Han and Geth. “He saved my life—helped me when no one else would.”
Sash looked at Lilette and then Han. “Leave him be. For now.” She glanced around. “Where’s Leader Gyn?”
The guardian shook his head.
Sash frowned. “Very well. You are first leader now, Geth.”
The man gave a curt nod. “They’re coming!” someone shouted.
The witches turned as one. Taller than most of them, Lilette could see over heads and past shoulders. Elite soldiers rushed at them from the east. A few of the front runners reached the guardians, who shifted their defenses to block them.
“Stick to the ramparts,” Sash ordered. “Let the guardians take care of it.”
Han’s hand went for his sword, but he hesitated. Lilette wondered how many of them were his friends—men under his command.
“Will you fight?” Geth asked.
Han swallowed hard. “I’ll defend myself, Lilette, but I won’t kill them. I can’t.”
“Stay by her then—protect her,” Geth said as he ran toward the fight.
“We need the safety of the barrier,” one of the witches called out.
Sash studied the advance. “Form up! Wait for my mark.”
Another witch grabbed Sash’s arm. “We can’t wait! It has to go up now!”
She shoved her toward the circling witches. “Do as I say.”
Lilette glanced around, wondering what to do. Jolin pushed her into the circle with the others. “Sing—we need you!”
Following the others’ lead, Lilette straightened to her full height and sang with all her strength. After a moment of faltering, her voice moved seamlessly with theirs.
The elite broke through the guardians, and the fighting grew intense. More guardians around the perimeter ran to help.