As we reached the massive wooden doors, carved with fearsome gods, fallen stars, and fierce battles, for the briefest moment, I was struck by the fear that they wouldn’t open.
Could the warriors themselves refuse access if Ryker wasn’t here to enforce it? The thought wormed its way into my chest, tightening the air out of me.
There were still so many rules I had to learn.
I can do this.
I can do this.
I can–
A screech ruptured the unease.
Weeks ago, I would have flinched at the sound.
Now I welcomed it.
Sylvester, Ryker’s very opinionated raven, soared above the stairs in three precise loops, making sure nobody missed his arrival. Then his great wings sliced the air and he landed on my shoulder, like that’s exactly where the gods had deemed he belonged right now.
Those blue ancient eyes of his locked on me, sharp and knowing.
The warriors around us murmured, surprised.
With Sylvester’s wings offering even more legitimacy to our arrival, the doors to the fortress opened with a great big gust of warm wind and a wave of startled whispers.
Now everyone knew another outsider had entered Solkar’s Reach.
Chapter 6
Allie
Sylvester’s shriek shattered the stunned stillness in the huge atrium.
He flew from my shoulder, announcing our entry like a true herald, before perching himself on a ledge in the back, so that he’d have a perfect view.
Then silence.
Heavy, distrustful silence, brimming with expectations and accusations.
They were wary of Dax, yes, but I was to blame for bringing him here.
Luckily, he’d walked into his fair share of animosity-laden rooms and he carried himself with the ease of a man who wasn’t looking for any problems, but more than able to solve them if they came his way.
As for me, skin crawling and heart shrinking, I squared my shoulders more and tilted that Vegheara chin up.
I’d fought for this crater.
That was something no whispers could take away from me.
“Still a natural,” Dax whispered.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, swallowing my true feelings.
What good was looking the part of a leader in a new world when I didn’t feel like I could lead my own Clan?
Together, we entered the atrium, steps echoing against the ancient stones and rippling through the crowd.
The warriors’ gazes narrowed on Dax with the kind of precise assessment only years of training could instill. They lingered on his feet and hands, measuring how fast he could move. How big of a risk he truly was.
