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The force formed from power and loyalty, born to be wild and hungry. This being was a divinity. Like the Shadow Throne of my home, or Teyr, a god of ageless vitality. Divine power ran deep in this being.

The being rushed behind my order, backing me. They surged my power. “I command you to turn to ash,” I said it again.

The Gray General disintegrated.

Only, we were too late. Ayla’s Brand remained.

Ayla

My Firewolf prowled the deck.

Even translucent, spectral in form, she was far more intimidating than the vague visions I’d seen before. She snarled, biting and thrashing. Her fiery attacks turned the remaining Shades to ash. Zayne, Vanessa, and I stilled, stunned, as we watched her work.

Once their gray leader had vanished, the Shades had become mindless. They wandered without purpose. I stood, watching, trembling and stunned, while she destroyed.

She was magnificent. Fire fanned from her chest, shoulders, and hackles, flaming hot and angry. Her fur was a wolfish gray but streaked with burnt orange.

To think she’d risen…from my ring.

I didn’t understand how. I’d heard Zayne shout, and I’d heard him scream. There was a ruby light. When it faded, the Gray General was gone. Andshewas there.

Awe consumed me. The sight of my Firewolf left me stunned. Or maybe that was the cold Brand taking hold.

If only she’d arrived earlier.

My hand went to my chest. I couldn’t see the Brand, not without removing my leathered armor, but I knew it was there. The Brand was a pressure, binding my chest tight. Already, it called me, beckoned me. It whispered dark threats that it would win my soul. It always won.

With a final snarl, the Firewolf turned the last Shade to ash. Her work done, she looked around, glancing at Zayne and Vanessa before settling her stare on me.

Her eyes were as green as my own, and they peered into me. After a lifetime apart, we finally saw each other. With anybody else, the sensation would have been terribly vulnerable.

I trusted her. Despite what happened at Mariana’s coronation ball. Even if she had arrived too late, she meant me no harm.

She shook her gigantic frame, tail whipping. Sparks flew as her hackles settled. Her flames shrank, becoming welcoming and warm. She seemed smaller, less threatening. She padded toward me.

“Ayla,” she said slowly, her deep voice reassuring. It was the first I had ever heard her speak.

“You’re… you’re here.” Hesitantly, I lifted my trembling hand, allowing her to sniff at my palm.

She flickered, a spectral figure passing through my hand. The ruby glowed as my fingers tingled.

“You can’t stay, can you?” I asked.

“I’ll send a turtle.”

“Aturtle?” I asked, but she was already gone.

8 | A Heart Turned to Coal

Zayne

With the Firewolf gone and the Shades destroyed, the deck of theUmbral Starseemed larger. Especially now that the divine being had faded.

“Who are you?” I asked Ayla yet again. She looked up at me, eyes wide, like she had forgotten anyone else was there.

When the Firewolf had spoken with her, she had softened, becoming warm and welcoming. She had so many faces—from the timid girl she’d introduced herself as to the warrior I had seen in action. Nowthis.Someone vulnerable.

She scowled, all gentleness gone. She thumped her fist over her heart, her voice breaking as she cried, “I’m branded?”