And so, it did. From a narrow slip of hidden shoreline. From the cliffs. Feet pounded on sand. Voices raised in fury. Blades and axes lifted toward the sky.
Survivors.
Crew.
Family.
Mettius shouted in victory, fist raised.
Perched on the weathered board beside Mettius, Little Gus flapped and bounced.
Thorne’s pirate charged Mettius, blade ready?—
Augustus’s worst nightmare flared to life. Another parent slain right in front of him, and he was too far away.
Again.
But Little Gus turned, neck bowed, mouth glowing. A streak of flame exploded from his jaws, catching the man’s pant leg on fire.
The beach was in full-blown chaos. Thorne shouted orders to hisremaining men. The elk stampede had sent most off the beach. They could return, but it wouldn’t be fast enough.
Charging down the elk-ravaged slope, the Rangers weren’t quite the same threat as the rest, but just as furious and ready for battle. Blaze at the front, Roslyn to his side, and Luc and Xavier just behind, grinning like devils.
They’d come.
They’dallcome.
Even Roman, though Augustus wouldn’t waste gratitude on him. So long as his sword cut through Thorne’s men and not his, he didn’t give a damn.
Next to him, Selene flipped her knives.
Gods, she was perfect.
“Selene.”
She turned, breathing hard. “Yes?”
“Remember that fool who told you that you weren’t ready or skilled enough for war?”
Selene snorted a soft laugh. “How could I forget? He was an incredible idiot.”
Augustus yanked her against him, arm around her narrow waist, and kissed her hard. “You didn’t really have to go to this extent to prove me wrong,i psychi mou.”
Her laugh broke through the chaos like bells. “I missed you.”
He kissed her again, softly.
Around them, his people hit like a wrecking wave.
“Let’s get this over with,” Augustus said.
“After you, my love.”
He surged into the fray, blade flashing, a roar ripping from his throat.
The sands were alive with the clash of steel. Thorne’s boundary of men was broken, their blood spilling in rivulets.
Augustus ducked under a swinging sword. Selene spun beside him, catching the blade mid-swing. Together, they moved in perfect understanding. As if they’d practiced this same choreography their entire lives.
