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The raven, flying above with something Tarley couldn’t identify in its beak, started to speak, chanting words she didn’t recognize. The bird flew into the monster, the opening closing behind it, swallowing the bird whole. And then everything was still.

The two remaining ravens fluttered above the darkling now floating silently in the meadow.

“See. A good faith effort,” the voice said. “I have broken the imprint. I have saved your daughter, Tomas. Am I not merciful?”

“There is never mercy where you are concerned,” Tomas answered.

The voice made a disgruntled noise. “So be it. Here is my vow: I will unleash the darkling and everything else I have to hurt what you love, until Azleah gives me back what’s mine. I will take everything from her, just as she did to me.”

“Master,” the darkling hissed. “The gods–”

The darkling and the ravens effervesced into nothing, leaving behind only a single sound carried across the meadow: “Everything.”

Nixus reappeared where the darkling and ravens had been. “So? What did I miss?” He was facing Tarley. “Oh good. You’re still alive.” He made a relieved sound. “Auri would have been very angry.” He turned in a tight circle assessing the meadow. “Wait? Where is it?”

The flutter of giant wings and a massive shadow overhead made everyone in the meadow duck down, yelling in terror. Tarley had a horrible fear that thousands of ravens had returned as a strong wind pressed against her skin made it difficult to remain upright, while an updraft of dirt and dust flew, biting at her exposed skin. When Tarley peeked out from behind her arm shielding her eyes, she watched a red dragon land its hulking form in the meadow.

A fucking dragon!

And it was fearsome. Scaled with sleek, shiny red scales that shone in the sun, some rimmed with gold so light reflected, glinting in the sunlight.

The creature blinked at Nix, yellow eyes narrowed with black slits. “Nixus? Where’s the darkling?”

“Sorry, sister. It’s…” Nixus looked perplexed and looked at Tarley.

“Sister?” Tarley yelled.

“How is it not here and you still are?”

“A dragon!” Tarley pointed.

“You dragged me here for nothing,” the dragon snapped. The fearsome creature swiveled her head around, looking at the meadow. “But at least there’s snacks.”

“Nope. Nope.” Nix walked to her and placed a hand on her long neck. “No snacks. Just the darkling, Lex.” He glanced over his shoulder at Tarley, his brows drawing together with concern. “Where is it?”

Tarley looked around. Her father’s and Mattias’s faces were both cut and bleeding. She knew hers was as well, the cool mountain air biting against the slick heat of blood dribbling down her skin. Jessamine was thankfully unharmed. “I don’t know. It just was here and then… not.”

“Darklings don’t just disappear.” The dragon shrank down, morphing into a beautiful woman with sleek dark hair, tanned skin shimmering with gold dust in the light. She wore a red suit. “Not if they’ve imprinted on a victim.”

“Tarley.” Lachlan rushed past the dragon-woman until Tarley was in his arms. His hands were all over her face. “You’re hurt.”

Johesha rushed, flipping around between Lachlan and the dragon-woman

“You’re here,” she said.

“Of course I’m here.” He ran his hands through her hair and pulled her back to look into her eyes. “I told you I would follow you anywhere.” He cataloged every wound.

“Disgusting,” the dragon-woman groused. “Where’s Aurielle?”

“Mr. Uraiahs?” Tomas asked.

“I guess the dragon’s out of the bag now,” Nixus said. “Where’s the darkling?”

“A conspiracy of ravens showed up after you disappeared and left me to die,” Tarley snapped, stepping toward Nix, angry that he’d left them.

“Tarley,” Lachlan said. “Maybe best not to upset a man with a dragon.”

“A conspiracy of ravens?” Nixus clarified. “I sense a conspiracy.” He looked at the dragon-woman, then back at Tarley. “And?”