Chapter 1: Preview
FPOV

I couldn't find Tamlin. I was scanning the twenty-four Fae in a circle. Each on a pedestal. But none looked like him.
There was a massive cornucopia in the middle that caught my attention. It looked like it was full of weapons and supplies.
A count down of sixty seconds projected above the center of it. fifty-five, fifty-four, fifty-three...

I saw Lucian calculating half hidden by the massive structure in the middle. His stance shifted on his platform as the clock read thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight...
I saw Tarquin to my left. He glanced at me and gave me a respectful half nod, dipping his chin ever so slightly.
I nodded back. I looked to my right, the beautiful lethal Morrigan already forming a plan as she shifted into a runners stance.
I heard myself suck in a breath as the clock hit zero and a loud, almost deafening bell rang.
I watched bewildered as all the different faeries from numerous Courts sprinted towards the cornucopia, and my feet stayed firmly planted.
As they narrowed in, three faeries had already been killed, loud cannon like sounds signaling their death.
I saw Kallias of the Winter Court reach the center and pick up a cube of ice. It seemed to be charmed.
Hybern took everyone's magic as soon as he invaded. Even though this was known- Kallias blasted another with a barrage of icicles protruding from the cube.
They pierced the other faerie. Through his body, his hands, his eye. It was a matter of seconds before he fell to the ground.
So magic would play a role in these games after all. I could feel my mouth go dry.

My ears pricked as I reflexively jumped to the side, just in time to dodge a dagger that had been thrown.
It whizzed by landing a few meters in front of where I'd leaped from. I scanned the arena but didn't see anyone specifically targeting me.
Why couldn't I move faster? It felt like my brain was going a million miles a second but my body couldn't catch up.
I needed a weapon and I needed to get out of here.

I crawled towards the dagger. It had landed near a small leather bound sack. Grabbing both of them I stood back up.
Looking around for the best escape route. A few fae were running for the woods as well. Others still fighting near the cornucopia.
At that moment my gaze caught Rhysand from across the field. His violet eyes were big, staring straight at me.
He was yelling but I couldn't hear what he was saying. His lips looked like they were mouthing something in slow motion.
I squinted harder, confused. He raised his hand in a frantic motion. He was still yelling.

It looked like.
"RUN FEYRE"

Without hesitation I ran. I ran away from all the terror, all the carnage, all the screaming and fighting.
I ran into the woods not looking back. I shook my head as images flooded my brain.
Why would Rhysand be looking at me. I frowned as my eyes caught the tattoo clearly visible on my hand.
I guess our deal hasn't dissipated.

I shook my head again, trying to get those violet eyes out of my head.
Whatever his motives. He'd given me a push to get away. I'd make a plan to find Tamlin and Lucian.

But first I needed to survive myself.