“She’s with my squad now. Sleeping in our barracks. She’s kind and quiet, but she’s been badly abused, Solei.”
Solei placed her hands on my shoulders. “Then we protect her. Just like we protect Ferrula. Like I’ll always protect you.”
I smiled, but my heart felt heavy with what came next.
Because we were going to need all the protection we could get.
The horn blared through the morning air, sharp and jarring, echoing off stone walls and castle towers as I reached the barracks.
I glanced at Riven, who was already on her feet beside me, eyes narrowing. “Ascension Grounds,” she said simply, and we ran.
All across the keep, riders emerged from their barracks, armor only half-done, hair tangled, faces drawn in sleep or worry. But we moved with purpose, instincts honed. Something was wrong. Again.
The full squads assembled just as Major Ledor took his place behind the podium. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw betrayed more than he probably meant to show. I caught Zander slipping in near the front, arms crossed tight over his chest.
Major Ledor’s voice rang across the grounds. “I am here to inform you a ledger was recovered from last night’s assassin.”
Silence fell over the riders like a shroud.
“It is a ledger that exposes the details behind the attempted attack,” he continued. “The assassin was paid by Varnari agents. His orders were clear, kill any member of Thrall Squad except for Ashlyn Rebec.”
All eyes turned to me.
My spine straightened. I didn’t flinch. Didn’t move. But inside, my thoughts spiraled. Why spare me? What did the Varnari want? My blood, my power—Kaelith?
Beside me, I felt Tae shift, his posture as tight as wire. Riven stepped a little closer, just enough to show solidarity.
Major Ledor’s voice cut through the weight pressing down on us. “In light of this information, Cadet Ferrula Bern has been cleared of all suspicion and released.”
As if summoned by the declaration, the heavy castle doors swung open, and she walked out.
Ferrula strode across the stone, head held high, fresh bruises still coloring the edge of her jaw but her green eyes bright and unbroken. The squad moved as one, parting to let her pass, and Jax broke from the line, meeting her halfway with a hand outstretched.
She ignored it, only to throw her arms around him a second later.
We let her walk to our side. Thrall Squad, tighter now than ever.
My gaze drifted toward Iron Fang. Cade stood beside Perin, far too relaxed for someone who’d almost gotten a squadmate executed. His head dipped slightly as he whispered something in Perin’s ear.
Perin’s jaw clenched. His eyes flicked toward Ferrula, then slowly…to me.
He smiled.
A cold, calculating smile that made my stomach twist. They were planning something. This wasn’t over.
Ferrula stepped back from Jax, her fingers lingering for just a second before she let him go. “Next time,” she said quietly, “don’t be so ready to bleed for me.”
Jax’s grin was crooked and unrepentant. “Too late.”
Ferrula rolled her eyes, but the relief in her expression cracked her usual calm.
Tae leaned closer to me. “Cade and Perin looked like they’re about to start their own little war.”
Let them try, I thought as Kaelith stirred in the back of my mind.They’ll regret it.
Chapter
Thirty-Three
