Page 107 of A Court of Thralls and Thorns

Solei’s face darkened. “Cyran won’t like your sudden rebellion.”

“He doesn’t have a choice,” I shot back, meeting her gaze.

Her expression flickered, a rare hint of concern, before her face turned cold again. “Don’t push him too far,” she warned.

“I won’t betray my squad. That’s final.”

Solei’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before her shoulders relaxed. “Loyalty’s important,” she said ominously. “But don’t forget that it can get you killed just as fast.”

For a moment, we just stood there in silence. The distant clang of metal from the training grounds echoed in the cold air.

“I have to go,” Solei said finally.

I grabbed her arm before she could turn away and pulled her into a quick hug. “I love you,” I whispered.

She sighed against my shoulder. “You know what I say about that.”

I smiled faintly. “Never tell someone you love them unless you plan to kill them.” I shook my head. “I would never fight you.”

She kissed my cheek, then disappeared into the night like a shadow.

I stood there for a moment longer, the cold biting deeper than before.

I remembered slipping into bed, my mind still tangled with thoughts of Solei’s visit and her ominous warning. I heard Eilvin move quietly to the washroom, but exhaustion pulled me under before he returned to his bunk.

The sound of the bells ripped me from sleep.

I bolted upright, my heart hammering. Metal clanged in the courtyard below, shouts echoing through the halls.

“Get up!” Tae barked, his voice as sharp as a whip. “That’s an all-guild alert!”

I scrambled to my feet, grabbing my clothes. Around me, my squad was doing the same—boots thudding against the floor, belts snapping into place, weapons being checked.

“What does it mean?” I asked, yanking my flight armor over my head.

“It means move your ass,” Tae said, fastening his chest plate. “And we’re heading into battle.”

“Were we attacked?” Jax asked, sliding his daggers into his belt.

I swallowed hard and reached out mentally.Kaelith? Are you alright?

I’m not impressed,she snapped, irritation crackling through her voice like distant thunder.The horns are loud enough to wake the dead.

There’s an alert…I paused.I was worried.

You should be worried about putting your boots on faster.

I dragged my boots on before grabbing my daggers from the table.

“Let’s go,” Tae ordered, and we rushed out into the corridor.

By the time we reached the Ascension Grounds, most of the guilds were already assembled, standing in precise rows behind their banners. Crownwatch, Iron Fang, Stormforge… even the healers and infantry had been summoned.

We moved quickly to our place. Rain spattered against my face as we formed up, the cold seeping through my armor. Jax shifted restlessly beside me, his hand never straying far from his blade.

The podium creaked as Major Ledor stepped forward, his face grim.

“Early this morning,” he announced, “one of the warders was assassinated.”