“Mother?”
“Turned.”
I try the next key. Nothing.
“What’s your name?” I ask her while I choose the next key.
“Rosy.”
“Go to Southend, Rosy. There’s a tavern near the old church. Do you know where I’m talking about?
She nods at me as I try the third key. Nothing.
“Tell them Kade sent you. They’ll look after you.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I insert the fourth key, and the lock clicks and turns.
Rosy smiles up at me, and I grin back, quickly unlocking the last two bolts and hauling the heavy iron door open.
I lead a sea of humans across the bridge, the bay glistening around us under the bright moon. And echoing off the water, the telltale sign of such a night—screaming rings in our ears.
Dreamwalking has begun.
At the edge of the tree line beyond, Hunters emerge into the moonlight, hundreds prepared for war.
Riot’s and Grace’s expressions grow wide and angry as they take in the innocents behind me. Grace steps forward, ushering people past her into the cover of the trees beyond.
Rhett sidles up next to Riot, expression on fire.
“What the fuck,” Riot growls.
“Cages were full this time,” I tell them.
“Aye,” he spits.
Rage from the entire legion races in my veins, and I won’t complain about the natural fuel feeding my warriors in the moments before battle.
I wade into the edge of the bay, dunking myself underneath and erupting from the icy water, shit-free and heart on fire. After shaking myself out on the bank, Riot offloads my weapons one at a time to me, and I strap my swords across my back, garrote at my waist, bolt belt over my chest, and crossbow in my grip.
“There’s hundreds of them,” Rhett says, gazing back at the edge of the woods as Hunters offer clothing from their backs to the rescued humans.
Tonight’s attack on this castle is already worth it. So many lives have been saved, and without Sam’s capture, they’d all have been dead in the morning.
Grace’s brow pinches. “We would’ve noticed that many disappearances from Southend and Goreon City today.”
Rhett looks at his Heir. “Or they brought them in from throughout Goreon.”
Riot nods. “That’s more likely.”
“Aye,” Grace agrees. She drags her gaze from the humans to peer up at me, her small frame over a foot below Riot beside her. “I love you, Kade,” she whispers, and I pull her into me, kissing her deeply.
“I love you more, my darling,” I promise and release her.
She smiles, the moonlight bright across her face. “Swords at our backs.”
I cup her jaw, my wet, frozen skin warming against her. “Hearts at our fronts.”
