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I look to her curiously.
“Dragas is a warghost, the most lethal warrior who has ever fought on any battlefield. Vindawolf is a great master of beasts. It’s said she is the only being alive that can command any creature. Even ones that are alphas like your—”
“RottWeilen,” I breathe.
Asena kneels before me. “DaiSzek is a descendant of the last living dragon that fought alongside our Fae king and Elven queen.”
“DaiSzek and Knightingale,” I say absently.
“Yes.” She nods, touching my hand to get my attention. “It’s said that the last living RottWeilen can breathe fire like his ancestor. But only if he has a strong enough bond with his pack. The fae king, DaiSzek, used to merely close his eyes and imagine his enemies burning for his dragon to know when to strike. Do you think you have a bond like that?”
My jaw drops open. I feel rude for laughing, but I do. It comes out like a cough.
“DaiSzek can’t breathe fire,” I snort. “We’d know it by now.”
“Have you ever asked him to?” Runa lowers herself to eye level with me.
“Well, no…”
“If he is the true alpha of his species, the last of his kind, then it should run hot in his blood—dormant until his pack rides into battle, believing he can torch a path through the blood and clashing swords.” Asena grabs my hands. “When you get out there, dashna, you’ll know when it’s time.”
I can tell how passionate she is about this, so I don’t argue it any further.
“These were DaiSzek and Knightingale’s swords, saved for the next warrior angels who took their places.” Runa pulls two gleaming swords out of a silk sleeve. Their handles are wrapped in shimmering leather and onyx stones. Matching. Huge. Sharper than DaiSzek’s teeth.
“How am I supposed to fight with this? Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. But it’s heavy, and I don’t know if I’m that…”
“You won’t be holding it alone,” Asena says with that motherly tone. “Knightingale will fight with you. She’ll appear when you need her most.”
Goose bumps rise across my whole body, prickling my skin like tiny needles.
“Okay,” I say quietly.
After sheathing both swords in my belt, we exit the tent into the early morning sunrise. I blink in surprise at the forces dressed in full body armor, some shiny and new, others in vintage, as if they’ve traveled from the past to be here. They stand with their hands on their weapons, watching me quietly as they wait. Aurick steps forward to speak, only to appear confused and agitated as he comes to understand that they aren’t looking to him.
They’re looking to me.
I let my alert eyes wander over the warriors of different races and magical heritages, forming a stadium around me as they wait for my parting words.
A storm of adrenaline and tingles race through my body. My mind blossoms with emotion, sentiments I need to announce while I have their attention. It’s now or never.
“I know this war is what your prophecy has always predicted. But this is more than just words on a piece of paper to me. This is my family trapped behind those bars, taking lashings, being drugged, and abused.” I walk the perimeter of the circle they’ve fashioned, only DaiSzek and Knightingale pacing at my sides. “When you fight with me on this day…don’t do it for the faceless, nameless ancestors that wrote those words and predicted our actions. Do it for Niles, who has walked through fire to save his people. Do it for Ruth, who lost her legs because her loyalty is unwavering to those she loves. Do it for Dessin, who has lost the only good memories he has ever known in a fucking experiment!”
My heart hammers in my throat as I stare into the many eyes that follow me.
“And do it for me. Because my rage, my heartbreak knows no bounds. I may not know how deep my power runs, but I can promise you this. Those who stand in my way will see my true face. Judge, jury, and executioner. Those who raise their swords against us, will watch as I bring heaven and hell with me!”
The crowd of ancient colonials roars, throwing their fists and weapons in the air.
“And who will be my sword?” I scream over the sounds of crashing waves and stomping hooves. “Who will run with the will of God and free our brothers and sisters?!”
The army erupts into a whirlwind of emotions, screaming and grunting and bellowing to the sky in the greatest war cry I may ever hear in my existence.
And we’re ready.
Because off in the distance, we see something that Runa can identify before anyone else. It takes me a moment to remember what that darkness in the skies means.
We waste no time. I climb onto DaiSzek’s back and lead our army.
