But it was this, or risk a culling of Silver Wolf thatwould leave the mountain with little to no protection. Anyone could take the mountain, and would, just to control their mines.
Niabi drew her bowstring. “I’m in.”
Otekah shrugged. “Why not? Let’s do it.”
Tiponi and Pamuy exchanged a look, then nodded once, together.
Only Poloma remained silent, scanning the training hall. Females cleared the arena of fallen bodies, dragging stunned warriors to higher ground, calling softly to those still conscious.
Kai gripped Poloma’s arm. “They deserve a chance.”
Poloma sighed, long and low. “Then let’s give it to them.”
Each step to the arena floor brought every doubt to the forefront. What if the fire caught too soon? What if they misjudged? What if she burned them all alive?
What if the entire mountain fell?
Kai thought of Fala. Brave. Brilliant. Her heart, her home.
She had to try. For Fala, she had to survive.
Her hands trembled. Just once. Then stilled.
The Stormguard formed a semicircle before the vent, arrows notched and ready. The Broken Axe sisters each held a torch between them, flames flickering with the weight of everything unsaid.
Above, from the viewing gallery, survivors watched with damp clothes pressed to their mouths. Fifty. Maybe less. Too many had already fallen ill.
“Yesterday, we were but strong fingers,” Otekah said, drawing back her string. “Today, we are the fist.”
The one Usti would never see coming.
Kai met all their eyes. “I chose you for a reason. I don’t make mistakes.”
Five sets of eyes gleamed back in response.
Then all six warriors raised their bows.
One spark.
One shot.
And the mountain would decide who survived.
Kai pulled her bowstring taut across her cheek. “Steady?—”
The knife held steady at Augustus’s throat.
Trust Thorne to pick the most dramatic way to kill him. Back against a splintered plank, throat bared to the wind, blade ready to open him up while the surf cheered them on.
Augustus’s mind wasn’t on prayers or regrets, but on the count of weapons within reach. The distance to his father. And the precise moment to move before the cut came. BecausefuckThorne, andfuckhis hurt feelings.
Augustus wasn’t dying over this.
The earth trembled.
A subtle vibration at first, a tickle through the bottom of his boots and up his legs.
Every gaze lowered to the shivering sand.
