But the red-headed witch standing behind Draven doesn’t move a muscle. Her eyes stay locked on us. Calculating. Cold.
Draven’s still motionless. Still hollow.
Sin doesn’t wait.
His long neck arches, jaws open wide — and black flame erupts from his throat like a scream of the void. It slams into the ruins of the gazebo, devouring it whole. The witch disappears into Draven’s shadow just before the blast hits. Amira dives to the side, barely escaping the inferno.
I leap from Sin’s back, land hard — knees jarred, muscles burning — and immediately draw the sword.
The warriors charge. Sin slams his wings wide.
One swing, and a dozen shifters are sent flying like leaves in a storm. He’s holding back. I know it. They’re not the enemy. Not truly. But they’ll keep coming unless something breaks the Command.
Amira comes for me next.
I grip the sword tighter. My whole body wants to shake but I force it still. I’d hoped to land closer to Draven. I can’t afford to waste time on her.
“We fight dirty,”Neris growls in my head.“Throw a rock. Kick her in the tits. Blind her with dirt. Anything.”
I don't get the chance.
A blur of gray fur barrels in from the side and slams into Amira mid-run. She flies through the air, crashing into a pillar with a sharp crack. Levi.
He’s already after her again, not missing a beat. Oh, perfect. He can handle her.
I run.
Draven. That’s all I see. All I care about. Kill him. Mark him. Save him.
I sprint through the garden, weaving between fallen stone and bursts of smoke, sword raised. I’m only a few feet away when the witch reappears from behind him, leash still in hand. Her eyes lock onto mine, and she smiles — a sick twist of mouth and teeth.
She yanks the leash. Draven’s head jerks violently, and he moves.
Fast. Too fast.
He catches the blade with his bare hand. Blood drips down the steel, but he doesn’t flinch. Just wrenches the sword from my grip and throws it like it’s nothing. It clatters uselessly across the stone.
Panic rises in my throat.
The witch bares her teeth. “You’re done, little girl,” she hisses.
I’m frozen. So close. Too far. Draven’s right there. But I can’t even touch him.
The world narrows — just me, him, her. The chaos fades. My pulse is thunder in my ears.
“Release him, witch,” I growl, teeth clenched.
She tilts her head, mocking. “Or what? What will you do, you weak little wolf? You’re powerless.” She tightens her grip on the leash even more, squeezing every ounce of hope out of me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Sinalyn — creeping up behind her mother. Silent. Lethal. She meets my eyes and flicks her fingers once.
Keep her talking.
Got it.
I force my voice steady. “So powerless you’re too scared to fight me yourself, huh? Thought you'd at least sic the hellhound on me. Guess I overestimated you.”
“Ah, ah,” the witch singsongs. “You clearly have a plan. You want to get close. But I’m not stupid.” She lifts her hand, magic glowing between her fingers. “I don’t need the hellhound to kill you. Just a spark. A flick. You’ll be ash before your wolf can flick her tail.”
