This evil tyrant, who’s proposed marriage and joining our rules, can’t possibly believe that I would agree to that. The irony is that Nerian’s offer is an echo of my own strategy with the foreign princes over the last century. Maybe Nerian does believe I would bend to his wishes to save my kingdom from an invasion. But he doesn’t know me well, and he’s going to find out the hard way that I don’t break for evil. I don’t give up. And nothing will stop me from protecting the Night Kingdom from him.
With all that I am, I will thwart this king.
Second’s blade slices across my wrist, and I hiss, gaze flicking to my wound as it begins to stitch itself back together.
“Damnit.”
“Where’s the focus, Veya?”
Not on this training session.
I lower my weapon. “I’m wasting our time today.”
Second narrows his eyes at me. “You’re never wasting my time.”
“I’m eager to get on the road,” I tell him, hoping to placate the curiosity spiking across his features.
“It’s more than that.”
I shrug. “Didn’t sleep well, either.”
Second cocks an eyebrow. “We should be practicing how to lie better, because you’re failingmiserablyright now.”
My lips pinch a smile into submission.
Second secures our weapons on the wall and loops an arm over my shoulder. “You’re not going to tell me. That’s fine. Let’s get the fuck out of here, then.”
I sigh under the weight of his arm before he pushes me through the door.
We’re packed within the hour and on our way to the northern border.
To Goreon.
CHAPTER 4
KADE
Two Hundred Years Ago — Goreon Kingdom
GRACE THREADS HER FINGERS through mine as we stare at the stars while lying on the roof outside our bedroom window. It’s a rare, clear winter night, and we never miss an opportunity to spend time up here. Our version of peace. A little slice of privacy under the blanket of the gods.
My magic simmers beneath my skin as Grace trails her fingertips along my forearm. I twirl a lock of her hair between my fingers and drink in the curves of her in the wash of moonlight.
With no warning, the magic in my blood swarms, and my entire body tenses with awareness. All sense of calm vanishes, and I bolt upright and crawl to peer over the edge of the roof for whatever has my magic in a spiral.
Grace scoots to the roofline and lies next to me on her belly in silence, waiting while I assess this warning.
Vision sharpening, my eyes track movement in the shadows. Darting forms bounce between snow-covered pine trees, closing in around us.
“Vampires are approaching the house,” I whisper hoarsely in the dark.
We scramble through the window, and I toss Grace my crossbow, her long, dark hair fluttering around her as she spins and catches it with ease. Yanking my blades from the wall, I palm the hilts as my veins rush with adrenaline.
The Hunter within prepares for war and death, my magic bursting to life and giving me the edge that every Hunter who accepts their magic carries—the physical capacity to take on a vampire. Everything inside me readies. Muscles become like stone, tendons like unbreakable cabled cords; my hands tighten as they prepare to wield indefinitely, my breathing steadies, my eyes become focused and responsive, and my heart sings. A call to protect transforms my body and mind.
And my magic dances.
“Not a single one left,” I tell Grace.
