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Garrik stiffened as if an iron rod had shoved down his spine, His hand gripped the hilt of his sword until the leather groaned and metal threatened to burst. “Tell him?—”

The beast screeched again as it rushed forward, piercing a crimson talon into Garrik’s armor at his shoulder.

Alora watched as hundreds of Dragons drew their swords but stood down with one swift, raised hand from their High Prince.Surprised, she felt leather in her palm and realized she’d drawn, too.

“I won’t be telling him. You will return with me. Now,” Nevilier threatened as it spun around, spreading its wings enough that he pushed soldiers back, creating a wide clearing.

“Now,dog!” it screeched.

Garrik growled low and terrible and pierced his abyss for eyes at Nevilier with the promise of tortured afterlife. “Thalon!” his voice roared. “Should I not return before morning, continue without me. I will find you.”

In one effortless movement, Garrik swung his leg over the saddle and slammed into the dirt below, shaking the ground. A whinny and snort of protest from Ghost followed.

“Easy, girl. Not this time.” With a quick wave of his hand, Smokeshadows whorled and enclosed around Ghost’s bridal and saddle until they misted away, leaving her bare. Garrik scratched her nose before turning to Thalon and spoke quiet enough that Alora could barely hear him. “If I do not return. Seek out Lirazkendra.”

Thalon’s eyes widened, mouth slowly gaping as Garrik simply nodded.

Garrik twisted a silver ring from his finger and offered it to Thalon who reluctantly took it in his palm, gripping it tight as if the act of uncurling his fist would have it crippling to dust.

“You don’t think?—”

“Take care of them, Thalon.”

With an unsettling glance back at Alora, Garrik’s eyes marveled at her like he had in the inn. Captivated, raking over her armor until he captured her sapphires and, for a moment, eyes as black as the raven’s feathers specked with silver.

She felt her heart hammering then. Felt the surge of confusing emotions constricting her body. The wrath building from deep within as she surveyed Nevilier. How breathrefused to enter her lungs, looking at Garrik with worry and uncomfortable anticipation.

You are safe, darling.Alora almost shattered at the devastation in his voice. But then he smiled. And she heard that smile in his next words.Wherever there are shadows, I will always be.

Garrik didn’t turn his gaze from her. The enchanting planes of his face rippled into something sharp when he snarled to the beast, “Get on with it, then.”

Nevilier swung its wretched body into a whirlwind, causing a spine-chilling storm of crimson lightning and magic to surge and create an ominous portal inches from the ground.

“After you,” it screeched.

With one final look at her, the world seemed to freeze. And before she could say a word, Garrik stepped forward into the storm of tendrils, engulfing his body until he was no more.

The sky returned to the cloudless horizon as the storm vanished. Blaring sunlight, like a beacon, displaying an empty space where Garrik had stood seconds before.

And along with it … a shadow of fear took possession of thousands of Dragon’s eyes.

“The bastard!”Thalon raged as he threw his rune-covered sword into the dirt at their new firesite. Pacing the grass with hands resting on his hips, his chest heaved from the anger bursting from him.

Alora only got as far as the first tent of the Shadow Order before she leapt off Storm, demanding in a shaken voice, “Who was that?”

The taste of pure, all-consuming, fury clouded the air.

Jade’s dark chestnut mare stormed into camp, sliding to a stop before she too swung from her saddle with a hand ruthlessly gripping her sword so hard her knuckles blanched. “The fucking prick himself, Magnelis’s messenger.” Her voice cracked. “He spawns unannounced and forces Garrik to the castle to submit to the High King’s sadistic will.” If at all possible, Jade’s face turned ashen, almost choking on the words.

“What’s going to happen to him?” Alora panicked, noticing Thalon and Jade’s harrowing stares.

“It’s always different.” Tattooed hands ran down Thalon’s face and Earned swayed on his braids as he looked to the skies as if to say a prayer. “Magnelis doesn’t have family. He doesn’t have friends. Only those who do his bidding, and his favorite slave is Garrik. He could send him to Brennus to follow whatever heinous orders he chooses; he could hold him there for weeks until he’s satisfied with Garrik’s reports on our progress?—”

“Magnelis could fucking imprison and torture him if he’s discovered our treason.” Jade’s usual stone-cold expression shattered into uncontrollable terror.

Eldacar stood in the shadow of Garrik’s tent. His lips quivered as he was trying—and failing—to form words. “We … we mustn’t worry. He always returns,” he breathed, nudging his glasses up with his nose.

Alora didn’t appear so convinced. Eldacar’s words weren’t enough. “What do we do?” She rushed toward Thalon, hand falling to the sword sheathed on her side.