Thunder muttered overhead, a low promise.
I tipped my face toward the shrouded sky, waiting for brilliance, for the sharp crack of light through the dark.
Nothing.
There were only the six godstars, glittering faintly amongst sapphire clouds. I’d never believed they were as distant as they pretended.
Unease crept through me when a tremor shook throughout the forest. Hooves, closer now.
My eyes pinched shut as I loosened the grip, calling the Viper free. The curse slithered forward from its confines in a dark rush, coiling over my skin, rising behind my eyes.
Claiming the space I gave it.
A breath left my mouth, pebbling flesh as my eyes opened again, hesitant, gifting it my sight. Only for a moment...
Any longer, and it would not give it back.
Colors blurred as the thing inside me stretched. For now, the leash still held, the curse still mine to command.
My fingers skimmed the fabric stretched against my shoulder and chest, where the stain of the cursed lay permanent, a chill blooming into something vicious.
The bitter wind cut across my exposed skin, tugging strands loose from my braid until chestnut curls lashed across my face.
Despite Csolenia’s cruel winter closing in, the stale taste of summer’s end is not what brought me through the forest tonight.
The moon leaked pale through the clouds, just enough to reveal the shapes ahead. Not wolves or shadows, or any beast that stalked the trees.
Tonight, I hunted for something far worse.
Tonight, I hunted for men.
The pull snapped hard, yanking sharp and sudden, only to meet my resistance. With a shove I forced the curse back into its cage, leaving the door cracked.
Always better to be prepared.
I dropped into a crouch, dagger tight between pulse and palm. My heart thudded, syncing with the storm building overhead as I reached for the hum of my team.
Their magic was muted but braced, each of them holding steady in the dark.
A column of Brightwalkers marched past, none bearing the kingdom’s bright shade, but all black, the color of the power they were bred from.
Each was oblivious to the monster at their feet. Blind, too, to the greater danger they served.
The one seated on Luamis’ stolen throne.
Three slow breaths and the shake in my hand dulled, anticipation easing into control.
A birdcall split the night and my heart slowed, fingers curling tighter around the dagger’s hilt. The strike inside me held its breath until it inhaled the one voice that could cut through everything.
Callum’s. One word, low and commanding.
Unleash.
“On your left, Verena!”
Callum’s shout ripped through the carnage as his sword twisted, driving clean through a Brightwalker’s chest.
The soldier fell instantly.
