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“I suppose now isn’t a proper time to address that I warned you,” Maeva yells over the wind. Shadow horses are quicker than typical horses, even with a rider on their backs. Somehow, the bloodthirsty Minotaurs match our pace.

“Now isn’t the time, Rosey,” I reply. I turn Danté sharply to the right, hoping to lose the trailing monsters.

The best thing we can do at this point is to remain together as a group.

If they were to single us out, I’m not sure we’d stand a chance, even with our shadows, due to their preternatural strength and speed.

I should’ve listened to her the first time she said to run, but I didn’t sense the creatures lurking—nor did I feel them.

How’d she know the Minotaurs were coming?

Another ax whirls past my head, lightly grazing my ear.

Not the time, Emyr, I scold .

A nefarious grin is plastered on the leader’s face as he runs closely behind—no doubt he’s the one who threw the weapon. The creature is taller than Danté, with the face and legs of a bull, but the torso of a muscular man, and a gold ring through its black snout.

Though my anger boils within me, calling to my shadows, I don’t unleash it while holding on to Maeva. However, once I can figure out a plan to give us the advantage, I’ll be driving Scrisis through the brute’s heart.

“Emyr!” Laisren shouts.

From the outer borders, more of the clan surround us. While they’re still several paces away, the group is rapidly gaining. Within moments, they will be close enough to drive their axes into our hearts before devouring our flesh.

Riordan ducks as another flying ax soars past his head. “What are your orders?” he interjects.

“Agreed,” Laisren yells. “We need a plan, Emyr. Unless you relish the thought of becoming Minotaur bait.”

“Thank you for those words of encouragement, Laisy,” I shout.

My mind races with hundreds of possibilities to get out of this mess, but every calculation ends in death for us.

Think, Emyr, think.

Then, as if an answer from Siorai himself, a large grove of brambles, with thorns the size of a small child, comes into view ahead of us.

If I can time it right, they won’t be able to stop their momentum before running into the sharp spikes.

It’s a long shot, but it’s our only chance now to gain the upper hand.

I encourage Danté to hasten. “Go left on my signal,” I command.

As the grove draws near, Maeva’s body tenses beneath my touch. “Emyr,” Maeva yells cautiously.

We’re only yards away.

“Any time now, High General,” Virgil shouts.

We’re feet away, and then I yell, “Now! ”

I jerk Danté’s reins hard as we feign to the left.

Maeva’s body slides off the saddle in the sharp turn.

I quickly reach for her before she can fully dismount.

She flails and curses at me for such a foolish feat.

However, I can’t hide my satisfaction when I hear the shouts from the bludgeoned Minotaurs.

Their horrified wails fill the sky as their lives fade.

“Brilliant, mate,” Riordan hollers.

I want to rejoice with him. However, the relief is short-lived as the Minotaurs that weren’t skewered pursue us.

Dante’s shadowy mane flickers, as the chase takes a toll on him.

The other horses are in the same shape. They can’t continue on like this, or we risk the horses flickering out completely.

This leaves only one option…

We’re going to have to wield both our swords and abilities to even have a fighting chance.

“Ready your weapons and abilities, mates. We’re going to have to fight our way out of this one,” I yell.

“Bloody Celestae,” Laisren growls, his voice morphing into the sound of the beast.

Thick shadows swirl around Virgil as Riordan whistles for his Nattravnen—sightless raven-like birds with holes in their wings that bring death to anyone touched by them.

Maeva’s jaw slackens as she ogles the odd birds. “What in all of Celestae are those?” Maeva asks.

Riordan chuckles, watching his creatures in wonder. “Nattravnen, Mae-Mae,” he replies.

“Keep them far away from us,” I command. “We can’t risk one of them touching us.”

“I scare you ONE TIME—” Riordan begins.

“Now’s not the time,” Virgil interrupts.

I drop my head close to Maeva’s ear. “Whatever you do, don’t summon your starlight,” I whisper. “Promise me.”

“You know I can’t promise that,” she replies.

I sigh, knowing that this stubborn woman will do as she bloody well pleases, but I just hope she listens to me .

Reaching for Scrisis, I dismount Danté.

Maeva also attempts to dismount, but I stop her before she succeeds. “This is suicide,” Maeva says. “Let me help you.”

I secure her place on the saddle once more. “No,” I say with finality. “If something happens to us, find a way to run. Danté will carry you until he vanishes.”

She reaches for my hand, squeezing it once. “Then don’t let them take you,” she pleads. “Make them suffer for what they’ve done to those people.”

I gently squeeze her hand as I release it. “I will, Rosey,” I say.

Then, I stand with my brothers, awaiting the approach of the remnants of the Minotaur clan. Their axes held fast in their hands, roaring into the sky as they draw near.

“Laisy, if you’re going to shift,” Riordan interjects, “now would be a good time.”

My second commander chews on the side of his check, rocking from side to side before meeting my gaze. “Is the demon needed?” Laisren asks, pained.

I nod once in confirmation.

The beast is only called forth in bleak times, and right now, we’re desperate.

Laisren sighs, focusing on the clan before us.

Immediately, his feet morph into enormous paws, as claws rip through the soles of his steel boots.

The clothes covering his body rip in two as he doubles in size.

Fur covers him completely and two large canines bulge from his upper jaw.

His hands transform as jagged claws protrude, at the same time that six horns emerge from the crown of his head.

His liquid eyes gleam brighter as he releases a toe-curling roar at the approaching company.

The clan stops just a few yards away.

“Looks like we’re feasting well tonight, boys,” the leader grunts.

The clan howls in animalistic sounds of approval.

I smirk as my shadows twirl down my arm toward Scrisis. “I’m sorry, mate,” I say coolly, “but we respectfully decline your invitation. ”

The leader snorts in derision. “Well, unlucky for you, boy, tonight is a full course meal—starting with that beauty behind you,” the Minotaur replies, gesturing to Maeva.

Over my dead body.

Scrisis hums with my power as it becomes a mixture of shadow and lightning—a harbinger of death. This is our one shot to intimidate them.

Time to make it count.

My shadows travel past my body, just as the other members of the Cadre allow their own abilities to show in all of their glory.

Worried expressions cross the Minotaurs’ features, as if realizing who we are.

Too late.

They sealed their fate the moment they pursued us—definitely after threatening to eat our Rosey.

The demon. The beast. The summoner. The wraith.

The four deadliest soldiers in all of Celestae, bringing judgment to all those who deserve it.

Today’s judgment we’ll relish in— as long as we survive.

“Today, you’ve been judged and found guilty of threatening to murder King Tiernan’s High General, Cadre, and his most honored guest,” I shout.

The clan shuffles their feet but continues to hold their ground.

They’re all fools.

“My cadre, what’s the punishment for such an offense?” I ask.

“Death,” they say in unison.

I smile sardonically as a few of the creatures stumble back, possibly looking for an escape route.

They should’ve considered that before they attacked us.

I twirl Scrisis rhythmically, testing its weighted balance in my hand. “Very well,” I growl. “The Cadre has spoken. May Siorai have mercy on your souls.”

Then, we charge.