Do I really need to answer that? My brother is down in a Dread Chasm, and I’m stuck up here with you.
—Our brother?—
Pedantic, Pet.
Mag had tried to follow, instantly regretting his agreement to stay behind, but it was no use without the witchling’s shield. The shadows had snapped up, vicious, and only his speed had saved him from the foul fucking grot.
The moons slipped further towards the horizon, drawing steep shadows on the landscape until the chasm seemed to fade away. Everything stilled in that odd time between, when the night and day creatures switched places. The entire realm inhaled, ready to release its sleep with a sigh when the sunstar finally rose, wholly unaware of whatever was coming for it. Until?—
There.A shimmering light within the gloom.
—The witchling’s magic is that color?—
Magnus reared back as abirdshot up from the chasm a hair’s breadth away from him, straight into the sky. Massive wings flung out and slowed its momentum—the biggest owl he’d ever laid eyes on. It swooped around and down to land in the grass, and he raced to meet it.
If she was casting her spells, then they were still alive a few moments ago.
Ghostly, starlight tendrils lifted from its head and feathers, and it turned round, silvery eyes his way. Absolutely stunning.
Then the braw, bloody thingtalked.
“Get away from the edge and be ready,” it said with Lunara’s wheezing voice. “Dreadbeast, a breath behind us. My shield is useless against it. Make of that what you will.”
Another savage scream pierced the air and visions bombarded him—images of Thad staring lifelessly into the sky, his blood spattered across the earth, limbs tangled with the villagers of Glynmor in their mass grave. Lost, like his mother.
Magnus shoved down his blooming panic. “Thaddeus!” His cousin’s head popped up, instantly alert. “To me!”
Thad was there in an instant, his eyes bulging when he noticed the bird. “What isthat?”
“A message from the witchling. They’ll be here any moment, with a friend in tow.”
He snarled the last, the flames of his fury stoking higher. There was no doubt in his mind it had been responsible for the razing of his village, the precious lives lost, and vengeance was a seething song in his blood.
“Should we shift?” Thad asked, hands reaching for the ties of his robe.
The enthusiasm in his tone scraped over Magnus like knives on porcelain dishes, and he had to smother the urge to throttle his cousin.
Thad was bouncing, too excited for what was coming. He was so young—so fucking untried—and it showed. He had no idea how foolish it was to be delighted by the prospect of battle, but getting upset with his innocence wouldn’t teach him a damned thing.
“Nay, lad. Calm yourself.” He laid a hand on Thad’s shoulder to still him. “We’ve no idea what we’re up against yet. The shifttakes no time at all, and having the patience to wait and use your brain before your beast can sometimes make all the difference.”
Magnus gave him a reassuring squeeze and stepped away. “Place yourself behind me—” He threw his hand up to halt Thad’s protest. “It’s not an insult. It makes us a smaller target and will allow us to move together if needed. You’ll be able to do as I do and see my commands without needing to hear them.”
Thad took a deep breath and nodded, backing a few yards away and trying to look serious.
Mag loosed his own sigh. He wasn’t cut out for this teaching shite. Not when bestowing his knowledge meant throwing those he loved in harm’s way.
A clacking sound started up, faint at first but growing until it was echoing through the field. The harsh accompaniment of layered screams joined the staccato sound—closer, and closer, and closer.
Any second now, Pet.
Magnus dropped into a ready stance, slowing his breaths and freeing Pet just enough to sense the things he normally wouldn’t, to feel the shifts and scents on the air.
Pounding footsteps. Harsh breaths. The smell of?—
Brand flew from the chasm, heading for them at a dead sprint with Lunara in his arms.
—Brother!—
