Hollow Summit’s groundborne forces rode into battle on horseback, mountain lions, or wolves—like Fallon and Arrow. River darted through enemy lines with feral precision as Fallon carved a path through bodies, channeling her elements with ruthless efficiency. Not far behind, Arrow Fitzroy rode his silver wolf, slipping through the chaos with a grace and power that felt almost otherworldly.
Nash fought valiantly beside Fallon, guarding her back as she guarded his. He wielded both sword and water with practicedprecision as they carved their way through the chaos toward the western wall of the castle.
As Arrow and Fallon’s wolves dropped them at the base of the wall, the beasts didn’t hesitate—they lunged back into the fray, fangs bared. Nash leapt from his mount and joined them, striking with the same brutal force.
Lakota, Noemi, and Drithan circled once, then dove, driving us to dismount in the courtyard just as Arrow and Fallon made it safely inside Mageia’s walls.
I approached my sister as Arrow conferred with War Chief Kalluri. Fallon’s hazel eyes were wide with adrenaline as she took in the inside of Mageia’s walls. Blood streaked her skin and armor, and she wiped a smear from her face with the back of her hand.
The purple gems woven into her hair caught the light, and I asked, “Do you still have it?”
Fallon nodded, wiping her blade clean in the grass before sheathing it behind her back, alongside her bow. “Yes. Ready?”
“Now you are,” said the brooding voice I loved.
I turned to see Rhodes approaching—and just behind him, his brother.
“No.Nowyou are,” Shayde added.
The brothers exchanged a look, then each fisted a hand and pressed the backs of their forearms together in a silent, solid pact.
“Who is this?” Kalluri’s furious shout shattered the moment. He stormed toward us, jabbing a finger at Fallon.
Arrow immediately stepped between them like a wall. “None of your concern.”
Kalluri spat into the grass. “They look just like her, Fitzroy. It is my concern!”
In a blur, Lakota swept low across the courtyard, talons grazing dangerously close to Kalluri before he alighted on the castle wall. His trill echoed sharp and wild, every note steeped in fury.
Kalluri froze, staring up at my bonded dragon. I saw the realization strike him like a blow—the tremor in his hands gave him away. His gaze darted from Arrow, to me, to Fallon.
“Go.” Arrow’s command was meant for us, promising he would handle the fallout of Kalluri’s discovery—that we were his granddaughters.
The four of us sprinted into the castle, longswords in hand, heading straight for the Eternal Tomb. Tyria hadn’t breached Mageia’s walls yet—but they could, at any moment. We tore through crowded halls filled with soldiers, medics, and leadership. In the heat of battle, no one questioned us.
An explosion rocked the stone as we climbed a turret. We ducked as debris rained down, but one of the Wylder brothers raised a barrier of air above us, channeling the blast’s force away. Dust and rubble scattered harmlessly.
“They’ve breached the northern entry!” Lakota roared.
Another explosion thundered through the castle.
“Now, the main entrance!”
I locked eyes with the Wylder brothers—frantic, unspoken understanding passing between us. Their dragons must have relayed the update too.
“They’re going to corner us,” Shayde said, voice grim.
“Not if we split up,” I replied. “You two—take the turret path. Rhodes and I will detour and circle around. Stay linked through themarekem. We’ll meet at the Tomb.”
Before I could turn, Fallon’s arms wrapped around my neck. She pulled back, hands gripping my shoulders, hazel eyes locking onto mine. There was a tremor in her hold.
“Don’t stand us up,” she said, barely above the chaos.
I wrapped my hands around her wrists and dipped my chin, steadying my expression. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Then she was off, taking the steps two at a time. Shayde gave Rhodes a quick nod before following her. Rhodes and I spun the other way, racing down to the next level as the castle shook around us.
We leapt onto the lower level. The halls here were quieter—less crowded—which gave us the advantage we needed. As we rounded a corner, Rhodes reached for the tapestry-covered entry we’d learned about from Davis. He shoved it open and stepped aside, letting me pass through first. Once it was sealed behind us, we pressed forward into the narrow, hidden tunnels within Mageia.
