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“I…don’t have words,” Sorin said.

I frowned and thought only of the crimson mist, though that would hardly shock him. I exchanged a look with Daroc.

“Stay,” I said.

“My king—”

“Watch Gesalac,” I said, each word slipping between my teeth. It was as much a show of trust as it was a command. I trusted Daroc with my fugitive.

It took Daroc a moment, but he soon relaxed, nodding once.

As I mounted Shadow, Sorin shifted and flew north. I followed, watching as the falcon cut across the sky. It did not take me long to recognize this path—memories were attached to it, and they smelled like burning flesh and tasted of ash. Suddenly, I had no strength. A cold weakness consumed my entire body.

I knew where Sorin was leading me.

When he dove out of sight, I slowed and entered a clearing, bringing Shadow to a stop. I slid off my horse and took a few steps toward an ancient tree. It had a wide trunk and many branches and twisted roots that jutted in and out of the ground like serpents.

At the base of the tree was a large stone wrapped in dead vines, and at the base of that stone was an empty hole.

This was the gravesite of High Coven, and it was empty.

We will not leave ash and bone behind, the old man had said, and I wondered what had the people of Volkair done.

Five

Isolde

In the aftermath of the battle, I walked through the streets of Cel Ceredi as survivors emerged from their homes and a new kind of horror took place as they ran to their dead, wailing over still and bleeding corpses. The deceased were only part of the destruction—pyres had collapsed, and embers were scattered across the snow. The aufhockers had torn into homes with their lethal claws. They had not only killed people, but animals, and their remains were among the dead.

“You are injured,” Killian said.

I turned to look at him, his expression severe. He had a cut on his cheek and a gash on his shoulder but was otherwise okay.

“We should help the wounded,” I said.

“Youare wounded,” he said.

“I will be okay,” I said because I had Adrian, but even as I spoke, my wrist began to throb. It was swelling and the bite marks were growing red and angry.

I hoped he would arrive soon.

Miha and Isac approached, Gavriel following. They said nothing about my presence, nor did they comment on my injuries, though I knew they were concerned. I could tell by the glances they exchanged, but I could not help wondering if their worry was more for Adrian’s reaction than my health.

“My queen,” they said, bowing.

“Has this ever happened before?” I asked.

Miha shook her head. “Aufhockers never come out during the day.”

“Even beneath this sky?” Killian asked.

“They are nocturnal,” said Isac. “They wake at sundown.”

We were all quiet as I scanned the town once more, pausing to stare at each large mound of black fur. A part of me did not trust that any of them were dead.

“We have to burn them,” I said.

Everyone, even the animals. Like many of Asha’s monsters, an aufhocker bite just created more of their kind. I ground my teeth hard, ignoring the dizzying pain in my own arm.