Page 120 of Shadowborne: Reckoning

Shit. “Hanson’s plan to get Bren to take him to the dragons tomorrow.”

Voski’s eyes widened. “She’s going with him? Alone?”

“That’s what he’s insisted on. He’ll take her and Benji to them. Between them, he claims, they can take control of the herd, and then he’ll remove Ruin and…”

“It’s a ruse. It has to be.” Voski’s tone was hard and angry. “Get her separated and over there, too far from the castle to reach quickly. Kgosi wouldn’t be able to reach Akhane in the link, but he’d sense her fear when she’s under attack and you’d both fly. They kill the girls while you’re on your way, weakening you. Then set on you when you arrive.”

Shit.

Shit.

“It makes sense.”

I looked at the messages again. For a moment that familiar frustration flared—we still didn’t understand all that was being said here, I was sure of it.

But I was also sure we’d found the germ of truth. And in the end, it didn’t matter if we understood their entire code. Everything we’d parsed out made sense.

Kill the girls to weaken us.

Kill us to remove the leadership of the dragons in Vosgaarde.

Ruin returns to fill the void left by my absence. And his dragons—the ones who’d killed their Primarch—would take control of the herd.

The orders for this were written in the king’s hand… with instruction that no one is to speak of this plan to the queen.

A shadow moved at my side and I flinched. I hadn’t heard the man move. But when I turned, Voski stood at my side, his dark eyes wide, and he began to whisper.

“I am the silent breath, the unseen flame. My loyalty is to Shadowfang—above blood, above name, above love.

“I forsake comfort, favor, and the weight of my past. I bind my will to the mission, my heart to the cause, and my soul to the Creator’s flame that forged us.

“I will serve where others cannot, and walk with those I do not trust, if it leads to the truth that must be claimed. I will protect my brothers to the death, and carry what they learn to the good of the kingdom.

“I am weapon and whisper, watcher and wraith. No duty shall hold me tighter, no oath but this shall try me.

“Sworn in the darkness, witnessed by the Divine. Bound to my soul… Until I am ash, under the eyes of God, I am Shadowfang.”

I frowned, but Voski didn’t stop.

“Sir, I always thought it was strange that the Shadowfang vow superseded all others, that our actions were hidden, even from our allies—even from our brothers! And the vow… it never mentioned the king. But now… Now, I see. This is our true purpose, is it not? The Shadowfang was established to keep the Crown honest? To do right even when no one else will?”

I nodded slowly. It was a mark of his intelligence that he’d seen that and kept it to himself. But then he shocked me again, by snapping to attention and saluting, though keeping his voice at a whisper so quiet I could barely hear him standing right next to me. “You lead us, General. That makes you, sir, the mission. Your purpose is for the good of all—the kingdom. I only honor my vow if I follow you, protect you, for the good of all the people. Including my brothers in arms.”

I gaped at him, not because he’d submitted his will to my instruction—that was only right for officers in the field. But what he proposed…

“Voski—”

“Am I wrong, sir? Am I misunderstanding?”

The answer was no, but I couldn’t find the words, because I knew what this meant. I was humbled by his loyalty and honor, but… I knew where this led. And the thought sickened me.

“Sir?”

I cleared my throat. “At ease.”

Voski relaxed, but his gaze was intent and he didn’t move away. “Sir, please. You must see—”

“You’re right and… true,” I said reluctantly. “I’m humbled. And… yes. I think… I think you’re right. I think our focus must shift.”