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“And did you find Tess and Puck?” I asked.

She nodded. “We did. We caught up with them, then returned to the cabin to let Zion and Annelise know what had happened. Then we sent patrols out immediately. Tess wanted to go after you herself, but we didn’t know where to begin searching. We thought to use a locator spell, but all your things remain back at the underground in Siraleth. You hadn’t left anything behind in the cabin that we could use to track you. The grimoire itself wouldn’t work for such a spell, not truly belonging to anyone.”

I nodded in understanding.

“I wouldn’t have wanted you to come after me without reinforcements, anyway. They took the three of us down as if we werenothing. As if we were merely toy soldiers. Knocked Puck out, and Tess too, before taking me.”

“Where did they bring you?” she asked.

I thought for a moment. “I’m not exactly sure. It was a remote location in the northwest corner of Akra, in a home taken over by the Noctani. I’m not sure what happened to the previous owners, but it was outfitted with a dungeon in the basement. There were cells.” A chill crept over my skin at the thought of the cold, damp concrete I had slept on those first few nights. “It appeared they had been there for some time.”

“Would you be able to lead us back there? To the house?” Kenna asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. I left in a… hurry. I wasn’t thinking those first few miles. I’m not sure I’d be able to find it again even if I tried.”

I never wanted to return there, not even to find Nik. After everything that had happened, it felt as if leaving him was a betrayal in and of itself. The guilt of that and everything that we had done while I was captive sat heavy in my gut.

“And… you’re ok?” Kenna asked, her eyes on the marks at my neck. My wrist.

I pulled the tunic up around me, covering the bite marks that were surely bruising by now.

“I am,” I assured her, my smile tight.

“You have nothing to be ashamed about. Nothing to hide from us. You are a fighter, Diana. A survivor. Whatever you had to do to survive, it doesn’t matter now. You’re here. You’re safe. And you still have your magic.”

I nodded tightly in agreement, though I wasn’t ready to believe the words quite yet. I hoped I felt that way someday… but guilt and shame stirred heavily in my core.

“Saanvi is ok?” I asked, my gaze meeting hers once more, changing the subject.

“She is. She’s a fighter, that one. Just like you,” Kenna replied with a wistful smile.

“I’m happy for you two. I didn’t know—” but Kenna cut my words off as she raised her hand.

“Nobody knew,” she said. “We didn’t want to tell anyone. But seeing her there, the throwing knife so close to taking her life, I didn’t care in that moment who knew about us. Only that I needed her to be ok.”

“I’m happy for you. The both of you.” I smiled, relieved I could find something genuine to be happy about among this mess of a situation we had found ourselves in.

“Thank you.” She smiled, a dimple popping on her left cheek.

We had reached the river crossing and while I was filthy beyond belief, we didn’t stop to bathe. I was anxious to get back to Tess and Puck. I was still weak, and Kenna helped me across the water, the tide pulling against me and threatening to sweep me downstream.

My pants were soaked through, my boots squeaking with each step I took. The second river crossing couldn’t come soon enough. The sun was high above us now, the birds chirping as we delved deeper and deeper into the forest. Kenna’s eyes watched the sky, and I knew she wanted to take her raven form, craved taking to the skies to glare down from above. But she remained beside me to guide me back.

“Did you… ” I started—not sure I wanted the answer to the question I was about to ask. “Did you return to Alastir after you found Puck and Tess? Did you finish the antidote?”

The ghost of a smile crossed Kenna’s expression. “We did.” Her words were tight.

I cocked my head to the side in confusion as a swell of emotion burst in my chest. “That’s great news, so why does it sound as if you aren’t too happy about that?”

“You’ll see. I’ll let Tess explain.” She averted her gaze and my stomach dropped.

“What is it?” I asked, grabbing her arm to stop her.

I couldn’t wait until we got back to the cabin. I had never been a patient person, and news like this would eat me alive inside. If something was wrong, I needed to know.

Now.

She scooted out of my reach. “I don’t know all the details.” She motioned for us to continue. “We are almost there—I promise Tess will explain.”