Page 27 of Winds of Darkness

“Depends on the day,” Rayner answered truthfully.

Cyrus snickered, toasting him with his glass. “I hear that.”

And hours later, when the thief was passed out on one of the overstuffed sofas and Rayner was still seated next to Sorin at the table, sipping on a final glass of liquor, he asked, “What do you think?”

Sorin knocked back the last of his drink, mulling over his thoughts. “He has his own darkness to overcome.”

“We all do.”

“Do you think he can do it?” Sorin asked, setting his glass down with a faint thud.

“I think he’ll make an excellent Second if he can face his nightmares,” Rayner answered. “They won’t end until he does.”

They sat in silence for a long moment before Sorin said, “He will fit in well. Balance us all out, especially once Eliza is ready to be part of this Inner Court.”

“You think she will accept?”

Sorin snickered. “A chance to take the position from a male and prove herself? She is as bloodthirsty as they come. You know that.”

“And her nightmares?” Rayner pressed.

Sorin’s grin fell, his features turning grave. “Together. If we can all learn to trust each other, to depend on each other, we can face those nightmares. If we can do that, we will be a force on this continent.”

“It’ll take time,” Rayner supplied.

“We’ve got time,” Sorin answered. “The war is settling. Our people are safe. We take the time to do this right to ensure they remain so.”

“Whatever it takes then,” Rayner said.

Sorin nodded. “Whatever it takes.”

Leaving Cyrus to sleep off his alcohol in the den, they wentup to the floor where their private rooms were located. But when Sorin went to his chambers, Rayner continued up to the top floor. It had been a long night, and the sun would be rising soon.

Fire Court Third.

Another name he now went by.

And as he watched the sun break over the horizon, he couldn’t help but wonder what other names the Oracle had glimpsed in his future.

The Reaper

Bonus Epilogue

Sometime Later

“That’s who’s been stealing from the fruit vendors?” Eliza said skeptically. “He’s, what? Maybe twelve years?”

“I was swiping coin at five years, Eliza dear,” Cyrus said, trying and failing to hide his amusement.

Rayner suspected he was actually a little impressed with the young male as they watched him swipe another apple while simultaneously slipping coin from a customer’s coat pocket.

“What are we going to do?” Eliza asked, crossing her bare arms.

Cyrus gestured to the male. “Go talk to him.”

Somehow, the newly appointed Fire General managed to look down her nose at Cyrus while being several inches shorter than him. “Why am I the one going to talk to him?”

“Because you’re …”