The proof surrounds us.
The casualties on the rebels’ side far outweigh those on the king’s. My gut wrenches as I try to count the bodies, but I soon give up.
And then time resumes as shimmering orange flames sweep in an arc down the mountainside.
I clutch Gabriel’s fingers, drawing strength from his presence as the fire sails through the air, landing on a cluster of the king’s soldiers. It shoves them back, pushing them away from the mountain and giving their people a chance to fight.
Magic.
There is magic here, and it looks like mine. It calls to me, begs me to join in and release my power. The tingling beneath my skin becomes more insistent, and my fingers twitch. Power rushes beneath my skin. It has nowhere to go, and it swirls deep inside me.
More colorful flames follow the first. Green, bright sunshine yellow, and turquoise. Each burst of magic is quick as it hits its target, followed by cries of pain.
“Last chance to turn around.” Skyler draws her sword. “You sure you want to do this, Wren?”
“Absolutely.” I have to shout to be heard over the chaos of the battle. I glance at Gabriel. “Are you?”
The Hunter’s jaw is firm, and his eyes are steely as he surveys the scene before us. “These are the king’s men, and they will stop at nothing to reach their goal. The rebels will need all the help they can get to survive.”
“Is that a yes?” I ask.
“If you want to, I’ll fight with you.” He squeezes my hand. “I will not leave your side, Wren.”
My chest warms knowing he gave me this choice. For too long, I’ve lived by other people’s rules. Done what other people wanted me to do. I inhale deeply and straighten my shoulders. No matter what comes next, I’m making this choice for me.
Stepping closer to Gabriel, I brush my lips over his. “Thank you.”
For allowing me to make this decision, for standing by my side, and for nurturing the trust slowly blooming between us.
Our eyes lock, and I make sure he sees how much this means to me. How much I appreciate him remaining by me, even now.
I turn to my new friend. “We’re going to fight. Take us to Alaric.”
It turns out we don’t need to look far for the captain. He is fighting near the base of the mountain, but when he looks up and sees us, his jaw tenses.
He storms up the mountainside, fury flashing through his eyes. Blood is splattered on his skin and clothes, but it doesn’t appear to belong to him.
“What are they doing here?” he shouts.
“They asked to be here,” Skyler says.
Alaric whips his head towards us, eyes narrowing. “Why?”
Skyler looks at me, and I suppose that since this was my idea, I get to be the one to explain why we’re here. The captain looks fierce, a warrior through and through, and I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t scary to look at.
But frightening man or not, I’m here for a reason, and I won’t back down. The old Wren had no place in a battlefield like this. She wouldn’t have volunteered to fight—the thought wouldn’t have crossed her mind. But I’m not that woman any longer, and I haven’t been for a long time.
I need to find a new place, a new purpose, and this feels like the first step in the right direction.
“We’re here to fight.” Swallowing my fear, I step towards Alaric and lift my arms. My sleeves slip back, displaying the shadestone cuffs. “If you take these off, I can help. We both can.”
I can finally fight back. No more staring over a thin ledge or standing by helplessly as my friends lose their lives. No more waiting around, wondering when the king is going to come for me.
“You wish to assist us? Fight on our side?” he clarifies.
I don’t trust myself to speak without my voice shaking, so I incline my head.
Another moment of silence. Another scream. The air pulses with urgency in time with my heart.
