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Our hands bound, Zayne shadow-stepped me to the top of the cliff. In the fugue, I barely acknowledged the awkward lurch of my body. The disorienting transition somehow less disconcerting than the thick Gloom.

He led me into a formation of boulders clustered at the top of a hill. Behind us, I could still hear the crash of the sea against the cliffs.

Ninti had shifted into a small fox, dampening her flames until she appeared as an unassuming animal. Only a flicker heated her tailtip. She stood on the face of a boulder, claiming a vantage point over the valley below.

I followed her gaze, peeking over the rocks. Light shone through the darkness—someone had brought life to this lonely valley. I squinted, making out the details. There was a large central structure, a stronghold. Surrounding the building…

Shades.

The army gathered below. The listless dead encircled the central structure, a silent guard. Only three Gray Generals moved amongst the troops. Between Zayne’s shadows and my contained Brand, they showed no interest in us.

The Shades were calm, a contrast to their thoughtless attack before. The imitation of life had fled their bodies. Their ranks formed concentric circles around the stronghold.

The main building was long and rectangular, its walls reinforced with a dark stone. It was large enough that several chimneys broke through the shingled wood roof, puffing with smoke and heat. The building was evidence of warmth within Gloom.

There were several outbuildings: barns, granaries, and sheds. A particular barn drew my attention more than the rest, making my Brand pulse. Nothing else seemed remarkable about it.

Goats, sheep, and chickens grazed listlessly in gray pens. A few Shades moved through the settlement, tending to the animals and unloading bags of feed from a wagon.

A few pathways meandered through the settlement, all illuminated with fae light. They merged to form a wider road that wiggled past the rings of watchful Shades, soon becoming invisible in the distant Gloom. It meandered toward the sea.

“A supply route,” I breathed. “There must be a dock nearby.” This stronghold was stocked and organized. Despite Gloom, someone lived here.

“Before the Collapse, several families would have shared the stronghold,” Zayne explained. “Communities like this are built throughout Point Bethia. Gloom has changed the weather, but before, it was snowy most of the year.”

“You think he’s here?” I asked. “Inarus?”

“Yes. When Eleanor and I visited Issa Neu, the Shades didn’t act like this. A Gray General controlled them, but they weren’t this organized. They didn’t manage a stronghold. This level of necromantic control can only be possible if Inarus is near.”

Looking within my Brand, I found the web of Shades. “Eleanor is here too. But this level of organization worries me. Who is supplying this? This operation isn’t cheap.”

“Agreed, but it’s not my biggest concern.”

Ninti flicked her tail. “Seconded.It’shere.”

“What?” I asked.

“The Shadow Throne. Inarus has it.”

29 | Pretense and Camouflage

Ayla

After an hour of watching, our certainty grew: sneaking into the stronghold would not be simple.

The Shades continued their work. The army guarding the stronghold maintained their silent watch. Meanwhile, the servants finished unloading the animal feed. A second cart appeared, pulled by a single horse. This one was loaded with boxes, and the servants moved them just outside the central structure—the Shades did not enter the building.

There was no sign of Inarus. The animals remained the only sign of life.

Only the three Gray Generals shifted, suggesting that the necromancer took direct control of his generals.

“I can’t find a weak spot,” Zayne whispered. He had been probing Inarus’s invisible protections. “I don’t think we can shadow-step closer without detection.”

“So we’ll have to sneak in,” I replied.

“Exactly. The servants will be more dangerous. Inarus needs to control them directly, so they’re more likely to see us. The soldiers are different. They are under the command of the Gray Generals, so they might be easier to evade. My necromancy and your Brand should be enough camouflage.”

“But there are too many of them. We can’t avoid all of them, at least not while they’re alert.”