Page 48 of The Midnight Death Match

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

“And they’rehere?”

“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.