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Tryggar didn’t respond, but he met my gaze with an almost knowing look. The bony protrusions on his head flicked, and he gave a small snort, like he could sense my unease. His nostrils flared, and then he stomped his hoof. He let out a long, drawn-out neigh before nudging my boot.

I sighed, giving him one last pat on the head before making my way over to the two Umbra. They seemed to be in some kind of hushed argument.

“It’s only a matter of time before she’ll be taking to the skies?—”

“That’s exactly why we need to speed things up.” Vexa’s voice cut through the air as she spun around at the sound of my boots crunching against the grass.

“Fia, I was just about to come back over there. How’s it going?” She nearly sang in a tone uncommon for her.

“What is it like out there? Beyond the walls?” I asked, crossing my arms.

Vexa opened her mouth, and then closed it, pursing her lips. She looked to Aether, some silent conversation shooting between them, exchanging narrowed looks before Aether simply nodded. And just as Vexa turned her attention back to me, Aether pushed past us, his arm brushing against mine. I ignored the flare of irritation that sparked within me.

He glanced back in our direction, his eyes deliberately avoiding mine, before speaking with an edge I couldn’t quite place.

“Perhaps it’s time we showed you.”

The black stonewall that circled the fortress loomed closer as we made our way towards one of the outer gates that led to the city. I glanced over my shoulder taking in the monstrous castle that was situated behind the towers we came from.

The farther we moved away, the more it grew. What had seemed like a small city of its own was actually just a tiny courtyard in comparison. It was as breathtaking as it was intimidating.

Who ruled over this land? Who sat on the throne inside this monstrosity?

“You’ll trip if you don’t start looking where you’re going,” Aether spoke, breaking my concentration. I had been so distracted I hadn’t noticed he’d moved to my right, only a pace behind. Vexa was ahead already waving down the Umbra stationed at the gates.

I blinked up at him, surprised he’d decided to speak to me at all.

“Careful, that sounds like something a gentleman might say.”

“In that case, carry on.” He didn’t smile, but there was a flicker of light in his eyes. Probably glowing at the thought of me falling and busting my ass.

We caught up to Vexa just as the gates were opening. My heart rate increased as I moved into the unknown. I was sure this trip would be of no help in an escape plan, otherwise they wouldn’t be bringing me along. That didn’t mean I shouldn’t take in every detail.

As if a sound barrier had been broken, the chaotic noise of a city flooded the lawn.

“Welcome to Ravenfell.” Vexa’s tone was somber.

What I saw before me was a mixture of beauty and tragedy. The cramped stone buildings of the city were just as intricate as that of the fortress, but the residents congested every street and alleyway. The conditions had me sucking in a long breath. Stalls were scattered down the street, devoid of the color of fresh fruits and instead offering grains and minimal jars of preserved items I couldn’t quite make out. I watched as someone tried to deftly swipe a bag of rice from one of the merchants, which quickly resulted in a brawl that had the grain scattering across the uneven stone walkway. I had to swallow the bile in my throat when I watched as people immediately dropped to their knees scooping what they could of it into their palms, pebbles and all.

As I moved through the cracked streets, feeling the weight of eyes turning to me, I noticed that everyone in this vicinity had dark hair, cascading down their backs or tied in loose knots at the nape of their necks, black as the night sky—every single body. It was the same for the members of the Umbra I had encountered.My gaze fell to the white curls that framed my face, and a lump tightened in my throat. I stood out like a sore thumb, the contrast stark and jarring. Vexa and Aether had made it seem like I belonged here, but I certainly didn’t share this trait with the Kalfar. Despite the common characteristic, their skin tones ranged in muted shades of flesh from pale to onyx. All desaturated. All dull.

A group of children, looking to range in age between seven and ten stood near a well, their faces dirty. They were so thin—so uncharacteristically small that my stomach nearly lurched when I imagined what they went home to every day, if they had a home at all. They kicked a leather ball between them, one that seemed deflated and worn, the stitches fraying at the seams. I watched on as one of the boys smiled, and let out a laugh as he kicked the ball past the other two, celebrating his small victory. A part of me felt a spark of something warm at the exchange, but that sank into my gut once I realized how winded they were—how winded everyone seemed.

The air was thick with the smell of something burning in the distance, smoke lingering in the streets. It was a strange, sharp scent that stung the back of my nostrils. I hadn’t prepared to see this. I placed a hand over my stomach, trying to quell the ache of seeing so many—so fucking many, with such dull pain in their eyes, still trying to live, to survive in this cramped place. How could they ever allow the city to become this overrun?

Before I could take a step away from the commotion, my path was blocked by a woman in a state of panic, her eyes already pleading with me. "Miss, my husband needs to see a medic, but the Queen only sends them every two weeks. Please, it's urgent. I beg of you."

I looked quickly at Vexa, whose face had softened with genuine pain. "When did they last come through?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"Ten days ago," the woman whispered, wringing her hands. "He's gotten so much worse since then."

Vexa shared a look with Aether, something unspoken passing between them. "They need time to recover enough essence to heal again. I wish—" She stopped herself, jaw clenching. "I'm sorry. We're sending them as often as they can manage without burning out completely."

The woman's shoulders slumped, but she nodded in understanding. This wasn't the first time she'd heard this explanation, I realized. Not the first time she'd had to accept that help wasn't coming soon enough.

"Which district?" Aether asked quietly.

"Eastern quarter, near the old well," she replied.