Page 18

Chapter

Eighteen

Something’s off. Wrong. I snap fully awake, hand already gripping my sword. Its etchings light up, confirming the fear that woke me. A warning flare ignites along my palm, the glow starting faint but quickly brightening.

Einar, expression cold and focused, strides past me without looking my way.

“What’s going on?” I leap to my feet, still not fully awake.

He finally turns in my direction. “People have entered the city.”

My stomach drops. “People?”

“Wearing matching uniforms. Looked like they were on a mission. They didn’t even notice us or the dragons. I sent Harek and Vash into the sky to get a better idea of what’s going on.”

“And nobody woke me?”

“You’re awake now.”

My mind races. “Did you recognize the uniforms?”

Now my father paces. “No. Neither of us did, though Harek thought they looked familiar.”

“What did they look like?” I join him in pacing.

“White, formal, pressed. They moved in formation, like they’re military or some other organization.”

“And they’re here ?”

“That’s what’s strange.” Einar stops pacing and turns toward the city walls. “It’s possible a government once allied with Courtsview came to offer assistance, except I thought everyone had given up on the place… and blamed me.”

“You can’t be held responsible for an entire city.”

He gives me an exasperated look. “I’m the hunter, Eira. One day you’ll understand the burden the title bears.”

“Well, now there’s two of us, and we’re going to find a loophole or break the whole curse. The fact that I’m a huntress is already setting the world on fire, according to those scholars. We should talk to them about the new arrivals.”

The sky overhead darkens for a moment as Vash’s shadow covers us. He lands outside the ruins, then Harek hurries in. “There aren’t any more of them that I can see, though the forest is too thick in parts and could be hiding others.”

Einar nods. “Good work. Eira and I were just talking about checking on the scholars. They likely know more than we do about the visitors.”

Harek’s expression sours. He’s probably thinking Lys will be among the group again. “You think they will?”

“They’ve been here since Courtsview was a thriving metropolis.”

“You were here before, too.”

“Only as a visitor.”

I move closer to my father but speak to Harek. “You can stay here and keep watch while we talk to the scholars if you’d prefer.”

His nostrils flare. “No, I’ll go with you. The dragons can keep watch.”

“I’m sure they’ll have plenty to tell us when we return.” I hold back an eye roll.

“Vash and I communicate, I’ll have you know.” Harek folds his arms.

I flash back to their silent conversation back at Einar’s place.

My father steps between us. “When a dragon picks their person, they start building telepathy. It appears Vash is on the precipice of choosing Harek. We can discuss this later, when we don’t have to get inside a crumbling city with potential enemies inside.”

I should be happy for Harek connecting with Vash, but a stabbing twinge of jealousy pokes at me. I’m Einar’s daughter. Shouldn’t the boyfriend of his dragon pick me? But then again, I’ve been so busy training, and Harek has been caring for the beasts a lot.

“Does Sapphire communicate with you?” I ask my father.

“Yes. We don’t even have to be in the same room.”

Harek tilts his head. “I have to touch Vash to hear anything.”

“You’re at the beginning of your communication. Sapphire and I have been a unit for many decades.”

My palm flares. “Someone is nearby.”

Einar glances at his glowing hand. “We need to see the scholars. Now.”

We hurry to the same room as before, which is now a bustling enclave of activity. One of the hooded women fills us in, explaining the uniformed group is on our side. They’re a small faction from a neighboring city who want to help restore good to the world.

What she doesn’t say hangs in the air like ice—they’re here to do what the hunters have failed to. Our job is to rid the world of evil, and right now, it’s flourishing.

After a quick briefing from the scholars, we leave and find ourselves in an alley. They introduce us to the white uniforms who call themselves the rebels.

My heart hammers as we follow close behind several uniforms, staying in the shadows, weapons drawn, tension sharp as a wire ready to snap. When we reach the eastern corridor, someone breaches a ward barrier.

For a moment, I expect an ambush like we had in the air on the way over.

But a man staggers forward through a newly opened door, half-collapsing to one knee. His cloak is torn, streaked with dried blood. His left arm hangs at an odd angle, bound hastily in a makeshift sling.

There’s something familiar about him, though I can’t figure out what.

The woman with silver tattoos curses under his breath. “Kelder.”

The man lifts his head, breathing ragged. His gaze lands on her with a mixture of relief and panic. “I made it.”

Lys is already at his side, catching him before he slumps fully. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

“I lost them two nights ago by circling and using wards I found.”

Einar gestures for the rebels to lower their weapons, but no one fully relaxes.

Kelder’s gaze swings toward me next. “You need to hear this, huntress. It’s not just your blood they’re after anymore.”

“Excuse me?”

My father tenses next to me. “Who?”

“The elders.”

For some unknown reason, that sends a shudder through me.

Harek’s voice is tight. “My parents?”

“Alive for now. They fought off the defenders.” Kelder coughs roughly. “But they weren’t alone. They’re inside Mirendel.” He turns to me. “Looking for you.”

The words are a punch to the gut. Despite how much I’ve learned and grown over the past few months, I’m not ready for any of this.

Kelder struggles to catch his breath, voice dropping lower. “They’re coming for your siblings next.”

I stumble back, momentarily unable to find any words. My siblings. The weight of that single word slams through me harder than any blade. I fight to keep my voice steady. “Are they safe now?”

Kelder shakes his head, still catching his breath. “Only for the moment. The golden coven has hidden them with spells, but… they won’t stay hidden long. The infiltrators know who to look for. They know your family’s bloodline runs strong.”

Lys shifts beside me, his grip on Kelder tightening briefly before releasing.

“How did they get in?” I ask, my voice dropping lower.

“They’re using humans,” Kelder says bitterly. “Merchants, travelers. Disguised, glamoured. Once inside, they blend, recruit, spread rumors—fear of halflings, fear of you.”

“Unfortunately, that isn’t surprising.”

He nods. “Skoro’s on edge, and any spark could light it.”

The room behind us is still, the rebels watching, absorbing every word. Whispers move too quickly between those gathered.

“They’re accelerating,” Einar mutters. “They’re not waiting for you to stumble anymore. They’re forcing your hand.”

“Mine too,” Harek adds darkly. “My parents are barely holding ground. If the golden coven hadn’t intervened, it could’ve been so much worse.” His jaw clenches tight.

The weight of it presses against my chest—heavier than even the curse. Our families are now being hunted because of me. Because I exist and dared to survive.

I lift my chin, forcing my voice steady even as my pulse pounds. “We’re going to face them head on.”

Einar shifts slightly, watching me.

“If they want to drag Mirendel into this,” I continue, “then we stand before they can light that match. We fight them before it becomes another Courtsview.”

Silence follows, sharp and immediate.

But I don’t back down. I feel the strange pulse of my sword at my side again, warm and steady, as if answering me.

Harek studies me carefully. There’s pain in his eyes, but something else, too. Pride.

Fear.

The gathered rebels whisper among themselves, exchanging nervous glances. Even the most battle-worn among them hesitate.

One voice finally rises—a slender fae man with a scholar’s insignia etched into his shoulder guard. “Fighting them now would risk open war. Mirendel could fall before the Courts intervene. We aren’t ready.”

I step forward. “They’re inside our walls. The war’s already started. I’m not going to let them get the upper hand.”

More murmurs ripple through the group.

“If we wait any longer, we’re handing them my siblings and Harek’s parents. We’re handing them the city.”

Another scholar shakes her head. “But you’re still hunted. You’re the symbol they fear most.”

“Exactly,” I agree. “Which means I’ll draw them. I’ll pull them where we want them.”

The group quiets.

Einar gaze burns into me. He’s weighing my words but saying nothing, letting me stand on my own.

Lys steps forward. “And what would you have us do?”

He watches me with that same infuriating calm, but there’s curiosity beneath it now.

I meet his gaze. “We take the fight to them before they can poison people further. We hunt their infiltrators. Make it clear we aren’t prey waiting to be slaughtered. Draw them into the open.”

Several of the rebels stiffen at that.

“Risky,” someone mutters.

“Necessary.” I square my shoulders.

“You’d gamble your siblings’ lives on baiting them?” another rebel challenges.

I shake my head. “No. I’ll gamble mine .”

The room falls completely silent. Harek’s face drains of color.

Einar nods slowly. “It’s bold.” He turns to the others. “And it’s the only move left to us.”

Harek shakes his head, color returning to his cheeks. “You’d risk her? Some father you are!”

Einar’s eyes narrow and his brows furrow, but then his expression relaxes. “I’m going to risk my life for hers, son.”

Harek jolts at the last word. Einar has never called him that before.

My father turns his attention to the rest of the group. “The two hunters band together while we still can. Our combined strength will beat either of us going in alone. This is a rare opportunity.”

His words steal my breath. Is he planning on sacrificing himself?

He’d better not. I won’t stand for it.

A few hesitant voices murmur agreement, growing in number and volume as the weight shifts in our favor.

Lys smiles faintly. “Spoken like ones ready to unmake the old rules.”

The air stirs with energy, a fragile unity starting to form. Beneath it all, the pulse of dread knots in my gut. This fight will come at a price, and I don’t know yet who will pay it.

I’m willing for it to be me. I can’t lose anyone else.