In the distance, a deep-throated roar rang out. Flames flashed on the horizon. The dragons battled. While I ached to see how Thorne was faring, I couldn’t go to him. Not yet.
“We need to head toward the castle,” I said. “I spotted your king and queen from the sky. They’re in trouble.”
“Fiery hell,” Drazen spat, ebony horns gleaming. “I should have known Victor couldn’t be trusted to get my sister to safety. This way,” he urged, and we both set off at a jog.
Winding cobblestone streets took us past deserted shops. Signs noted they were closed to attend the games. I was willing to bet they all wished they’d stayed home.
We rounded a corner and stopped cold. Dozens of ambling bodies blocked our way. Ragged clothes clung to rotting flesh. Their vacant eyes turned in unison, fixing on us.
“Ghouls,” I whispered.
Golden flashes illuminated the crossroads. The metallic clang of a blade rang out, along with colorful cursing.
“And they have Victor and Runa pinnedoutsideof the gate,” Drazen growled.
An image took shape in my mind. One of the king and queen falling, overtaken by the swarm of ghouls. Soon after, the wendigos would appear to infiltrate the castle. Next, the sacred arbor. Carcerem would fall, same as Pyrrhus.
I firmed my jaw, Thorne’s flame blazing in my chest. Not if I could help it.
I gripped Drazen’s shoulder and turned him to face me. “Save your sister.”
“What?”
“Save your sister and the king.” Magic sparked in my palms. To my knowledge, there was one thing The Dark One desired almost as much as the tree.
“Serafina. Wait,” Drazen barked, but it was already too late.
I stepped into the street and launched a ball of energy at the ghoul closest to me.
The creature let out a growling scream and turned, along with his brethren. In a cascading effect, dozens of snarling faces spun, baring blackened teeth. Their gaping maws oozed noxious drool at the temptation of fresh meat.
“Hey! Remember me?”
“You,” groaned one of the decaying monsters.
“You.” “You.” “You.”The chorus built until the entire mob was chanting it.
“That’s right. You want me? Come and get me.” I backed into a run.
The horde screeched and launched into a sprint—my racing heart with them.
I spun and rocketed down the street. Lumbering feet slapped the cobblestones behind me. Half the swarm peeled off, their slavering jaws now aimed at me instead. Good for the royals. Bad for me. I didn’t expect to claim so many of them.
“What’s happening? Where are they going?” a feminine voice rang out. The queen, I assumed.
“There’s a woman leading them away,” the king responded.
“Does she have a death wish?” Her fading question rang in my ears.
No. No, she didn’t have a death wish. She very much wanted to live.
Fire burned in my thighs, my calves aching. The streets here were a maze of dangers for those like me who didn’t know their way. One dead end, one obstacle, and I was a goner. I needed to get higher. An advantage like Thorne and I had during the attack at the market.
The stench of decaying bodies grew stronger, theclick, click, clickof gnashing teeth louder. They were almost on top of me.
Finally, I spied a building with a pile of wooden crates beside it. Climb. Climb. Had to climb. I scrambled up the nearest crate, wobbled a moment, then leapt to the taller one. The edge of the roof was still out of reach. I was too short.
I glanced over my shoulder. At the end of the street, a mob of monsters raced my way. Their voices rose to terrorize me. “You!”
