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Ora’s eyes widened as they stared at the dagger. Without thinking, I threw my knife. A sickening, wet thunk sounded as it pierced through the attacker’s ear into their skull. His shrieks died on his lips as he fell forward.

A walloping blow to the back of my legs toppled me, gravel biting into my knees. I had thrown away my only weapon and given them my back.

Breathe. Think.

Bile rose in my throat as I stared at their glinting scythes. The dropped dagger was only a few paces behind me, crimson blood pooling beneath it. If I could get to it, I’d have a fighting chance. But as the Rook’s fist came crashing down, all thoughts left my head. I twisted on instinct as the scythe smashed into the gravel beside my ear. I glanced over to see a few locks of my hair sliced off.

Too close.

A boot stomped on my sternum, knocking the air out of me, and I grabbed a handful of gravel, whipping it up into my attacker’s eyes. The pressure on my chest lessened, and I twisted the boot, hoping to snap the Rook’s ankle. I didn’t feel the pop, but he hopped backward, nonetheless. I scrambled back to my feet, turning toward the dagger on the ground.

Don’t turn your back.

In my desperation I’d forgot the most important rule: defenses up, always. I felt the whoosh of a nearly missed kick behind me and then a scream. I didn’t look back, racing to the dagger and snatching it.

Yes.

Another scream rang out as a feral growl rent the air and I clenched my jaw. I knew that sound. I whirled around and the sight of the carnage blasted through me.

Seven mutilated bodies lay scattered across the road, and standing in the middle of them was Grae.

Seventeen

He looked like a God in obsidian leathers, his hair tied in a knot atop his head, and blood splattering his face. The sight of him made my whole body pulse like a war drum. His chest heaved as he stared down at the bodies with brutal wrath... and I knew it was because of me. The Rooks had attacked his mate and he’d shredded them apart for it, Wolf taking over.

More than all that?

He’d found me.

Grae sheathed his sword, and the look in his midnight eyes broke me. Both our expressions warred between anger and relief. So many unspoken words floated in the dusty air between us. So much pain, but even when it was directed at him, I knew the only person I wanted to comfort that torrent inside of me. Grae. Always Grae.

In two strides, he was before me, pulling me into a tight hug. That bonfire scent wrapped around me as he pulled me tighter into his hard leather. The action cracked me open, the sorrow bleeding from me worse than any wound.

His lips dropped into my hair and he murmured, “Are you okay?”

I nodded into his warm chest, my arms snaking around his back despite myself. I’d lost my sister, I’d lost him as my friend,and now that his arms were around me, I indulged in that brief moment of comfort, of relief, before the reality coursed through me again. “I could’ve taken them.”

“I know.” His voice was thick as he gave me a final squeeze and released me. Examining my face, he scowled. He held my chin between his thumb and forefinger, his eyes skating over my older wounds—my bruised eye and split lip, both clearly not from this fight.

His growl was a feral promise. “Who did this to you?”

I stepped out of his touch and his hand lingered in the air before dropping to his side. I remembered that moment in the forest again.It hurts not to touch you.

“I handled it,” I said, taking another step back as if the distance might settle the burning urge to reach for him again.

His lips twisted up. “I’m sure you did.”

“Who are these people, Calla?” Ora’s voice was a shaken whisper.

I looked between Ora and Grae, realizing Sadie and Hector stood amongst the bodies as well. They didn’t wear their royal uniforms, no crest carved into their weapons. Instead, they wore simple black fighting leathers, though they were still armed to the teeth. Their clothing told me enough: they weren’t here at King Nero’s behest.

“This is, um.” I glanced at Ora. “This is Gr—”

“Graham,” Grae said, extending his hand out to Ora. “Calla’s husband.”

My eyes flared for a split second before I schooled my expression. Of all the lies he could come up with, of course he picked that one.

“And them?” Ora nodded to the others.