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I couldn’t begin to imagine the desperation Phantom must have felt to stoop so low to help his father. Or the responsibility he bore on his shoulders for his mistake. But I knew all too well the effect of getting involved with the wrong types. In hindsight, I’d been young and naïve when my father had married my stepmother. Poor Phantom’s guilelessness had gotten him into trouble, too.
He smashed the bottom of his curled fist into the wall. “This is my fault. I have to get him out of there.”
I touched his arm, and he glanced down at my hand.
“Attention, please, everyone.” Grimm’s voice echoed down the tunnel, silencing any further words I wished to utter.
Phantom gave me an embarrassed smile and hurried back to listen to the announcement.
Damn Grimm.I’d missed my chance to let Phantom know how I felt. After his admission, it probably wasn’t the right time anyway.
“I want to thank everyone for volunteering for this mission,” Grimm said as I picked my way back across the cave. “Your courage can only be repaid with the freedom of the few hundred we will rescue tonight. And by the thousands we rescue in the future.”
A few people cheered, but for the most part, the atmosphere suffocated from the glumness of our small party. Everyone appeared fatigue and stressed from the apple attack. If they were anything like me I bet they feared what the next day might hold.
“This mission is fraught with danger,” Grimm warned, clearly trying his best to remain strong for everyone despite the hopeless odds. “We may not make it back alive. But we cannot let these crimes continue. We must do this to save the people of Haven.”
Even more people cheered this time, the panthers included, and a small smile crept up my face. Maybe, just maybe, we stood a chance in hell of winning.
“May whatever god or goddess you worship protect you, today and always,” Grimm said, taking his first step into the unknown. “I look forward to a cider to toast the success of our mission.”
The small group, including Phantom, moved in behind Grimm, boots thumping on the rock, faces solemn due to the task ahead.
My stomach shriveled a little, knowing the time had arrived.
“Coming?” Shadow asked, coming back to stand beside me.
I gave him a limp smile and fell in line with him.
Outside the cave, I pulled a leaf from its branch. Holding it to my nose, I inhaled its crisp, oaky smell. Sea God, it was good to be back in nature again. Childhood memories flooded me—my many rides with Poseidon, hunting trips, harvesting the apples, planting new trees, camping trips, playing in the woods. But I didn’t dwell on them too long, holding the leaf in my hand, holding it to my chest.
My other hand found the dagger tucked into my belt for safekeeping. Sea God help the fool who tried to harm me or any other member of the group. I wasn’t afraid to use my weapon.
“Snow,” Shadow said, lightly touching the top of my back and sending a small, quick thrill through me. “Are you sure about this?”
I knew he cared for me as deeply as I cared for him. But I wasn’t about to turn around now. “Yes,” I said, my gaze fixed on the plantation below.
Come what may, I was ready for whatever lay ahead.
***
We wereabout a league from the resistance’s cave when a crow squawked, and I shuffled in circles, scanning the trees and the sky above. I spotted the big black bird perched on a branch ahead. It twisted its head at us, revealing red eyes. That was far from normal. No bird I’d ever seen had eyeballs like that. The crow ignored us as we crossed underneath its branch, sharpening its beak on the wood.
My stomach crunched with foreboding. Inside my cape pocket, my mirror jiggled, signaling something was about to happen. Alert and on edge, I continued, Shadow holding my hand tight.
A cold wind swept through the trees, raking along my skin as if made of pure ice, and I shivered, pulling my cape tighter to my body. My mirror shook against my hip, rattling the dagger’s sheath.
Shadows crawled across the forest as if the sky was blanketed by clouds. A massive flock of crows circled overhead, cawing. Reminded of this exact same formation outside the dragons’ palace, I tugged at Shadow’s arm and pointed upward. His mouth fell open.
“Grimm,” I said, trying to warn him.
A bird flapped in the tree to my left, and I bumped into Shadow. This crow, too, had red eyes. The creepy bird hopped along the branch, squawking at us. My shaky hand instinctively flew to my dagger’s hilt.
Hundreds of bird wings flapped in unison, making a deafening noise that filled the forest.
My heart beat in time to the frenzy.
“What is that?” Hunter’s gaze panned the sky.
