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More fire arrows soar from the castle, coating the sky in intense streaks of red to illuminate the tower’s lightning.

Clouds unfurl that weren’t there before, and all the monsters and men who had been in hiding appear.

They stand as still as statues, their dark forms terrifying silhouettes against the backdrop of a broken land lit up by terror.

And just across one of the cliffs, I spot mine.

Ze’ev.

Arwan.

And Godric.

Their eyes are empty.

Their fists are curled.

Arwan says something as darkness bleeds over his left side and overtakes his skin.

Then his eyes go cold as Ze’ev’s final warning whispers through my mind.

Run, little arrow.

Before we catch you and claim you. If that happens before you reach the tower…

You won’t survive us.

And I can’t stop it.

CHAPTER 42

Tower.

Not castle.

My mental connection with Ze’ev cuts off, and a chill runs up my spine while I try to decipher his words.

My gaze catches the little red orbs floating around, which I assume to be magical cameras watching our every move. Monsters explode from portals, and the candidates ahead of us draw the majority of their attention.

King Njord had used mechanical cameras on the clan grounds, but I’ve seen mage lights and the ability to remotely control cameras that don’t require a worker.

I can only assume the purpose was to give shifters a job, make them feel useful, when in reality King Njord doesn’t actually need any of them.

It’s all a game.

My sponsors have their eyes on me. But based on the dark streaks running over their skin, they’re not in full control of their faculties at the moment.

“Sofia,” I warn her as I push her away and wobble on my own two feet. “I need you to run.”

Ignoring me, she stands her ground. “No way. You said we were doing this together. A little lightning isn’t going to change that.”

Damn the one loyal friend I have. Now she’s going to die with me.

There’s a cluster of monsters to our right. They aren’t interested in us yet, but a crazy idea sparks in the back of my mind.

I grab Sofia’s hand and run straight for them.

“What are you doing?” she shrieks as I trip over rocks, but I manage to keep my balance.