The sun broke the horizon as I lifted the unconscious child into my arms.Her wet hair clung to my armour the moment it made contact.
When I reached the bank, I removed my gloves and attempted to rub her long limbs back to life.The young girl was limp and cold, like a wrung-out rag.
‘C’mon, Little Worm.’I knew it was her.Who else would have the power to call for me?It had been eleven years, but her mother’s Curse still bound me to her protection.
I pushed her hair back from her face to see her in the dawn light.My hand encountered a lump on her head.‘What happened to you?’I whispered, looking for other injuries.
Both of her hands were cut deep and wrapped in a torn-up shirt.Her smoky grey eyes opened.She stared at me vacantly, then blinked, and her brows furrowed.
‘Where are your parents, Little Worm?’
Her bottom lip trembled, and then her face crumpled.
‘Dead,’ she sobbed.
Fate was cruel.
‘I’ve got you, Little Worm.’I stood with the tearful child in my arms.‘Let’s go home.’
CHAPTER 1
CARIS
Ten winters later
The jagged stone walls of Murus rose before me cold and unyielding, and I wondered if he was behind them.The man whose hands had stained my life with blood and grief – the one who had torn the light from my mother’s eyes.
The sun reflected off a helmet, drawing my attention to the gaps placed at even intervals along the wall, where several sets of eyes watched the flow of people passing through the gate.
So, the rumors were true.An army of red-caped soldiers had taken up residence inside Murus.I had been right to come.
Nightmare’s hooves sounded over the stone bridge, taking us over the dry moat that encircled the city and its fortress.Even though I was careful to steer her through the crowds, people were startled by her presence.
She was a frightful beast.Nightmare was larger and blacker than any mare had the right to be.She was perfect.
‘Halt!’
Two soldiers stepped out of the shadows, blocking the only entrance into Murus.A murmur of frustration rippled through the crowd behind me.
‘Name?’A soldier with black bushy brows and a bored expression came to stand at Nightmare’s shoulder.She turned her head and showed him her impressive teeth.
He took a step back.
‘Caris Ironside,’ I said.
‘And what is your reason for coming to Murus?’
‘Why are you asking me, and not those who went before me?’
His gaze went to the swords strapped to my back.‘Just answer the question.’
‘Hurry up, will you?’came a gruff voice behind me.
The soldier and I both turned to look at the man who spoke.He carried several sacks, and under a curly black beard, his face was red with the strain.He was glaring pointedly at me, not the soldiers blocking the entrance.
‘I’m here to work.’And to kill a man.
‘Doing what?’the soldier asked.
