But now? My mask was off, and I practically skipped into the room, ready for Elias Wylder to say just one wrong thing so I could pop the fuck off.
The war room was nothing like the Hollow’s. It was a large, spacious hall dominated by a long table stretched down the center. Hovering above it was a magically projected, hand-drawn map of Mageia. Scarlet’s shock rippled through themarekem—this had to be the first map she’d ever seen of the War College, especially since Kalluri burned every copy decades ago.
Elias Wylder stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, as soldiers filed in. Rhodes kept his distance, finding a spot at the opposite end near Scarlet. Nash stood beside Elias.
Since this was my first time in the Glade without hiding who I was, part of me expected at least a flicker of recognition in Elias Wylder’s gray eyes. But his dead stare cut right through me, cold and unreadable as ever.
“Our guard will accompany you as far as possible without being seen by Mageia’s sentries. Once you’re on the property, the four of you are on your own.” Elias’s commanding voice echoed through the room. “You have access to our weaponry, but only take what is necessary. If you are caught, Kalluri will most likelyexile you to the Barrens. You are not to mention that you were here. Is that understood?”
After we agreed, the room buzzed with discussion about how to enter the castle undetected. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I couldn’t stop wondering how the Glade and the Hollow had operated right under Kalluri’s nose all these years. With the unrest on our side of the Barrens, how had Tyria not wiped us all out already? Our future felt like it was hanging by the thinnest thread.
Nash spoke up, glancing briefly at my sister. “We’ll stake out near the northern exit of the castle, at what they call the Sanctuary.” He outlined the entry plan we’d discussed yesterday. “We’ll have one hour to get in, complete the mission, and get out.”
“You do not return here afterward,” Elias added. “Restock your rations for the journey back to Hollow Summit. The dragons must take extra precautions in the valley—if they’re encountered or sensed by the wrong bonded...” He cracked his knuckles, then looked down the table. His gaze landed on Rhodes. “Wylder, see me before you head out.”
Rhodes nodded. “Yes, sir.”
I opened my mouth again, but no words formed. The discussion carried on. No one seemed to notice Elias Wylder slip from the room.
Someone tapped my arm. I turned—it was Scarlet.
“Hey, you okay?” she whispered.
My eyes narrowed, anger simmering to a boil. “And why the fuck wouldn’t I be okay?” I practically hissed.
She recoiled as if I’d struck her. “I felt… you know what? Never mind.” Rolling her eyes, she returned to her seat.
My gaze snapped back to the door Elias had disappeared through.
Chapter 25
I faked right, spun on my heels, and lunged at Fallon with a dagger. Before I could land the strike, she drove her elbow into my stomach, knocking the breath from my lungs. A second later, her boot sent me sprawling.
“Looks like you still enjoy being knocked down,” she smirked.
She’d been relentless all evening. For a moment earlier today, I thought I’d glimpsed a different side of Fallon Fitzroy. But then the war room happened—anger, disappointment, and a haunting sense of worthlessness rolled off her like a storm.
Now, she was back to being my evil twin.
“Looks like you still aren’t interested in helping me stay on my feet,” I muttered, pushing myself up.
She walked away, only to circle back, flipping a dagger into the air as she surveyed the training arena. The Glade’s sparring field stretched wide and flat, bordered by forest in every direction. Clusters of warriors fought around us, combining weapons and elemental attacks in choreographed chaos.
Lakota and Noemi soared above the Dragon Keep, consulting with the Glade’s dragons on how best to slip into the Valley unnoticed. I hadn’t seen Rhodes or Nash since the war room—Fallon had dragged me here the moment it ended. But my thoughts kept circling back to one thing: Elias.
I recognized him the moment we entered. He’d been the quiet bystander in Kalluri’s office when Captain Thorne dragged me in. The similarities were impossible to ignore—Elias had Shayde’s wavy brown hair, Rhodes’s gray eyes, the same sharp jaw they both shared.
He hadn’t even seemed to notice me or Fallon. And as a General, I doubted that was carelessness. Rhodes had defied orders to return to the Glade—he’d stayed with me, choosing me over his General’s command. My heart tugged when Rhodes remained behind after the meeting. Why had Elias wanted to speak with him alone?
There was so much I wanted to uncover. And yet… part of me feared the truth.
He’d known about Rhodes’s fate since the day he was born. And what had he done about it? Nothing. No desperate plan to save him. Just… acceptance. As if he’d already laid his son on the altar.
That same altar flashed in my mind—cold stone beneath me, the Grim staring down—
A sting split my chin.
I gasped as warm blood trickled down my neck.
