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We came so close to kissing that night, but we both resisted the pull.

In the end, our fight proved futile. The attraction between us was so strong that I don’t think any power in this world could have kept us apart.

Except maybe the corruption.

Despair floods me, sinking into my heart and choking my lungs until I’m gasping for air. I double over, bracing my hands on my knees as I struggle to breathe.

A soothing, familiar hand rubs my back. “It’s going to be okay, Lark. Just count your breaths in and out and focus on what you can feel and hear.”

I nod and attempt to follow my sister’s instructions. I feel the pressure of her hand. The solid ground beneath my boots. The temperate breeze caressing my cheek and rustling the tendril of hair that escaped my braid.

I hear Agnar and Bastian’s hushed conversation. Leesa’s soft voice as she counts breaths. A bird cawing somewhere in the distance.

With one last quiver, I rise and shake out my arms. “Just a teensy little panic attack. Nothing to worry about. I’m good now. I can do this.”

Agnar squeezes my upper arm. “We know you can.”

Bastian and Leesa both nod, and their quiet belief in me helps straighten my spine.

I’ll get my prince back. One way or the other.

With whispers of “good luck” and variations of “don’t you dare get yourself fucking killed or I’ll hunt you down and kill you again myself,” we split up. Leesa and Bastian head for the building that houses the eyril, and Agnar follows me.

I keep my voice low. “What happened to you looking for Sterling?”

“Iamlooking for Sterling. It just so happens I’m walking with you while doing it.”

I almost snort before remembering we have to be quiet. “I doubt you’re going to find him in plain sight in the middle of campus.”

“Crazier things have happened.” He shrugs. “But I need to check every inch of Flighthaven before searching elsewhere. So I might as well walk with you for a bit.”

“You sure you’re not just being overprotective?”

Agnar’s lips curve into a grin. “After some of the situations you’ve found yourself in, someone needs to be overprotective of you.”

I incline my head. “Fair point.”

We slink along one of the two massive rings of formidable stone buildings that form the outskirts of Flighthaven as early morning light illuminates the campus.

A twig snaps somewhere behind us. In the blink of an eye, Agnar yanks me behind a building.

My heart thunders as heavy footsteps approach.

Several pairs, by the sounds of things.

No. More than several. Many, many pairs.

Meeting Agnar’s gaze, I mouth a silentThank you. He nods. Moving like a cat stalking its prey, he inches toward the edge of the building.

When he glances around the corner, his body goes rigid. Peering over his shoulder with one finger to his lips, he motions for me to join him.

Agnar adjusts his position so I can look at the same time.

Hands against the rough stone wall, I ease around the edge and peek at whatever’s causing the commotion.

My heart freezes mid-beat.

Hundreds of people march in a single-file line, armed to the teeth with various weapons. Black, void-like eyes stare out from empty faces.