Quinn glanced toward the castle, lowering his voice. “They were poisoned. No one suspected a thing until it was too late.” He reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out a small object wrapped in cloth. “This was found on the body of the one here.”
I took the bundle from him and peeled the cloth back. A small, metal crest glinted in the morning light.
A red sickle slashed across a stark white field.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “The Crimson Sigil.”
Quinn gave a solemn nod. “It appears so.”
Zander let out a slow breath, his gaze locked on the emblem. “They’re moving faster than we anticipated.”
Before I could respond, a horn blared across the Ascension Grounds—low and long, a sound that shattered the stillness.
Every head turned toward the castle.
“Quinn you should go. Let us know if there are any further changes with the pool.” He rushed off as my attention remained on the castle.
Kaelith’s voice whispered in my mind, as sharp as a warning.This is about more than dead warders.
The castle doors banged open with a force that made several riders flinch. Major Ledor stormed out, Major Kaler only a step behind him, both of them mid-argument and too angry to care who heard.
“We should send out patrols,” Ledor snapped, his voice raw with frustration. “He’s gone mad.”
Major Kaler’s expression was carved from stone. “Emlem would’ve had us reinforce the outposts. This isn’t a war, it’s a slaughter.”
Zander stepped forward, his voice a taut thread of control. “What is going on?”
Both majors halted, and for a moment, neither spoke. Then, surprisingly, it was Major Kaler who addressed us.
“If there’s any way to get Dorian back here now,” he said, voice low and grave, “I suggest you do it.”
“Why?” Zander asked, frowning.
Kaler’s eyes were grim. “Because the outposts are going dark. One after another. They’re being systematically dismantled. Entire detachments are vanishing or found dead.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
“And Theron?” Zander pressed.
“He refuses to send aid,” Ledor cut in, voice bitter. “He says they were warned. That they should’ve prepared better. He’s ordered that they be left to defend themselves.”
Zander stepped closer, his tone turning sharp. “They’ll be slaughtered. Why not send the dragons? Let them scout from the air, confirm whether this is the work of the Blood Fae or the Crimson Sigil?”
“That,” Kaler said slowly, “is the question we’re both asking ourselves.”
I saw it in their faces, resentment, helplessness, fury. The line between loyalty and mutiny was fraying fast. And somewhere in the distance, a war was already being lost.
We will ride with Hein and the original members of Thrall Squad.
Kaelith’s voice was a steady command in my mind, and for once, I didn’t question it.
Major Ledor’s gaze snapped to Major Kaler, who arched a brow in silent understanding.
“It seems,” Ledor said tightly, “you have your orders.”
“They come from a higher power than Theron,” Kaler added. “The prince regent cannot override a dragon’s command.”
Damn right he couldn’t.
