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“It doesn’t matter,” Variant scoffs. “In the end, you’re nothing more than an obstacle that stands between me and my quest. Which means you must be removed.” The false king spreads his wings, unsheathing his enchanted sword.

Variant hastens a step forward, and the orcs form a circle around me. The first hit strikes so hard it sends vibrations up my arm as I deflect with the dagger. I roll my shoulders and match him blow for blow until we’re both panting.

“Give up, Baron,” he warns. “Or I’ll kill you for the second time.”

That burns me like no fire ever could. I have to remind myself this isn’t the real Variant—the real Variant is trapped within himself just like Theren was. “I know the real you is in there, Variant. You have to fight Morrigan’s control.”

“Morrigan doesn’t control me.”

“Bullshit. She’s controlling you now, but you can break free just like Theren did.” The next swing knocks my dagger to the ground. I roll, evading another strike. “Open your eyes and see what’s going on, you dumb fuck.”

“Your words have no effect on me,” he responds. “You and I aren’t friends so stop acting as though we are.”

I shake my head. “You might be my enemy now, but we were once friends... brothers, bound by our oath. An oath you swore to uphold!”

Something flashes on the other man’s features and for a moment, I think I see the real Variant before he panics, blocking me. I shove him against the tree and the orcs screech, ready to defend their leader. Variant kicks me back. I stumble, but regain my footing. There’s a pull between us, a string tethering our minds... possibly remnants of our vows or even the real Variant trying to communicate. Either way, I’m outnumbered and quickly running out of energy. Feeding from Pyre helps, but it doesn’t last forever.

Flipping back, I grab my dagger while reaching for a second blade. Variant eyes my hands and advances. I manage to hit his arm, sending his sword clattering to the ground. But as I turn, a knife sinks into my belly and twists.

“Die, you wretched maggot!”

The laughter that bellows out from someplace deep inside me dislodges the smile from Variant’s face. “I’m already dead, asshole.”

Something about the blade acts as a sort of conductor. I grab Variant’s arm and the tension grows, boiling the air in my lungs until I feel like I’m choking on it. A blur moves from Variant’s body into mine—his soul. I feel the life writhing inside me. Pyre told me this could happen, that I could act as a vessel.

Baron!Variant’s voice booms inside my head. The body I hold captive begins to fight the bond, wriggling as though in fear.

I can buy you some time, but it will only last for a moment,Variant says. When I give the signal, go as fast as you can and find the others!

The soul snaps out of my body and flies back into Variant’s. My old ally’s face contorts. He doubles over and shouts, “Run!”

A flare of magic freezes the orcs. They make no move to attack as I run as quickly as I can. Eilish was right. Variant and Theren aren’t the enemies we thought. I would do well not to let my guard down around them, but I find comfort in knowing all hope isn’t lost. Whether in the deserts of the mortal realm or in the frigid mountains of the fae world, we will stop Morrigan—once and for all.

My hand brushes the already healing wound in my abdomen and I wince. This is twice now that Variant has stabbed me under the influence of the Midnight Queen. If I can learn to master my new abilities, there may be a way of getting through to him.

***

DRAGAN

Fae Realm

I hear a twig snap. We should be far enough away from the fight that the orcs couldn’t have followed us, but then again, it’s not in the nature of orcs to be stealthy. I summon my shadow blade, causing Theren and Pyre to regard me with caution. Sneaking through the underbrush, I lift my sword to the throat of the newcomer.

When Baron collapses against me, I dissolve the blade and help him back to camp. “You should have said something. I could have stabbed you.”

“Too late,” he says with a smile and glances down. I see the huge red blood stain on the front of his shirt and I take a deep breath. “Jesus.”

“Good thing I’m already dead.”

I toss his arm over my shoulder and we limp toward the circle of bedrolls arranged around the fire. The light illuminates Pyre’s face as he continues to heal Theren.

“Baron?” Pyre says as he stops tending to Theren and stands up, concern on his face.

“I’m fine,” Baron says and glances down at his stomach. “Just a flesh wound.”

“You’ve been gone a long time,” I tell the vampire. “We intend to get moving again at dawn. If you need to—”

“We can head out whenever you want, I’m starting to heal already.” He takes a deep breath, still leaning against me, as Pyre turns to face us.