The city would also mourn for Danai.
The mountains loomed above, cutting out half the sky above me. It was a threatening animal, looming above, poised to strike.
The Cave of the Breaking lay just ahead of me.
I dismounted, hoping to bring the horse into the cave with me. She’d be safer there, and I could have company while I waited for…
Well.
I didn’t know what I was waiting for.
Just like most of my life.
I stood in front of the mouth of the cave and looked up.
And up.
Andup.
“I am here!” I yelled toward the massive mountain. “I am Lady Kimber Raven, the Breaker of the Spine! What do you need of me?”
The mountain shook.
It was not a meager tremble or a warning.
The ground rolled beneath me, and the rocks screamed above me.
I stood my ground at the mouth of the cave, waiting for the mountain’s tantrum to pass.
A single rock tore loose and hurtled through the air at me. My hand stretched out to catch it.
Lined with the crystals from the cave, the rock lit from within, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. Dozens of colors danced there, and I could hear the cacophony of sound again in my mind.
It was trying to speak to me.
I didn’t understand it yet.
My magic wasn’t ready.
Twisting back, looking at S’Kir laid out before me, I realized terrible truths.
Dorian was right.
“I have no idea what’s coming for us all.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE
~ GWYNNORE ~
The ceremonial chamber was huge and filled with thousands of people.
My people.
I hadn’t realized that there were enough vampires in the stronghold to fill it.
After I asked, Lord Pippin told me there actually weren’t.
Half had come from other enclaves around the world to be there to see this.
