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I bit my lip. Perhaps the mixture sat for too long. Or perhaps Rodriguez prepared the wrong ratio for Inferni.

Whatever the reason, Nyxaris barked, we change tactics. Now. I wound him with flame.Then you fire the emberfern bolts. If that does not work …

Then, what?

It’s us or him. Tell me you understand that.

I swallowed, then reached for an emberfern bolt. Nyxaris beat hard, black wings shuddering against the scorching wind. Below us, the once-magnificent city sprawled like spilled coals in a dying hearth. We flew over a oncegrand square, white marble facades now smoking heaps. I glimpsed the tops of crescentedged walls: the Avari compound. The palacelike structure was a jagged ring of rubble. Had Kage’s family still been inside? There was no time to wonder. The Inferni soared towards us, flames licking from his jaws.

Hold fast, Nyxaris warned.

We dropped into a dive that left me screaming. The harbor water rushed up. Then Nyxaris ascended suddenly, climbing high, then rolling beneath the Inferni. I felt the Duskdrake’s chest expand and the next thing I knew …

Whoosh. A column of flame spread out. Vorago shrieked in pain, banking wildly.

There. Now! Nyxaris cried.

It was easier said than done when we were flying at such a slant, but I braced my crossbow across his ridge, the world tilting around us. I fired, then moaned: The shaft vanished into the air.

Another, Nyxaris roared.

I fumbled, dropping a bolt into the sea below. I stared down at it in horror.

We cannot go backwards, rider. Only forwards. Try again.

I nodded, reaching for another, quickly fitting it into the bow. I fired. The shaft vanished towards Vorago’s smoking wound—and this time, the dragon staggered.

His head swiveled towards us, red eyes flaring with hatred.

We flee to the east. We’ll lure him away from the city. Nyxaris banked towards the countryside. In his wake, Vorago followed, roaring with a vengeance.

The wind tore at my face. Neville pressed against me tighter. I clenched the next bolt, the black feathers trembling between my fingers. “Blake,” I whispered as the Inferni flew behind us. “If there’s anything left of you in there, please find it now. Come back to us. Please. Medra needs you.” I suddenly imagined a conclusion in which the Inferni’s body plummeted to the ground, covered in Nyxaris’s flames. I glanced back. The Inferni’s jaws were opening for another bout of flames.

Nyxaris wheeled, spinning us back through the air. Now, he commanded.

I aimed, praying to the Bloodmaiden with all I had. I squeezed. The emberslick bolt flew through the air, striking just beneath the red dragon’s left eye ridge. Vorago shrieked in rage, the earsplit-ting sound scraping my nerves raw. Before I could equip another bolt, Neville scrambled over my hip and up Nyxaris’s spine. He planted his tiny paws between two plates, claws digging in effort-lessly, and lifted his head high to the night. What left his throat was not a bark or a yelp—but a song. A melody, soft as a lullaby, drifted out onto the wind.

Vorago faltered. His wings beat more slowly. His head swung towards us, but the blazing red eyes seemed dimmed. A moment ago, they’d been coals of hatred. Now I sensed bewilderment there. Even pain.

Hold, I whispered, putting my hand against Nyxaris’s neck as I felt him begin to swell for another strategic blast. Wait. Let’s see what happens.

Neville sang on, his tail streaming behind him like a banner.The lullaby slipped through the air. I could almost imagine it, wrapping the Inferni in threads of delicate sound.Vorago shuddered. Then the Inferni turned, banking away from the city and heading out towards the sea.

“He’s retreating.” My voice cracked. Neville had stopped singing. Now I reached for the fluffin, squeezing him until he squeaked. “Neville, you ridiculous, amazing little creature. How did you do that?”

The fluffin gave a soft yip, then flopped back against my chest, panting hard.

Healing magic. Nyxaris’s voice quivered with stunned relief. I had forgotten— His words cut off. I felt him freeze beneath me. Then he turned, banking back towards the city, spinning to face the three islands that bordered the city. Far above the Black Keep, a shape tore free of the clouds. A second Inferni, red as blood, but with wings marbled with black veins.

Nyxaris growled. Viktor.

Dread slid down my spine as the dragon angled straight towards us. I looked down at the few bolts I had left. It was time for round two.

CHAPTER 36

REGAN

Kage’s wolf burst through Bloodwing’s gates like a winter storm made flesh.