aide

e noise outside. She pulled the whip back and leaned close to my

eally think Darian betray

her eyes fu

leeding on the border for him, he

was colder t

ing I had left for Dar

out a shrill laugh. She stepped back and swung

nd sank into my skin. Blood soaked my ch

eth and didn't

only made h

gain and aimed the met

, blood-covered figure burst through t

Tucker, my personal

the wound and spla

az

s, gasping for breath,

back, but Hazel grabbed th

Blood dripped between her fingers, but she d

Cece screamed an

elf up and drove her bloodied palm

yes rolled back, and she pitched fa

her swaying body

n iron key from her waist and unlock

the floor. I caught her b

me." My throat was dry and raw. "T

aged a pa

s, my life means nothing. Hurr

he dagger from his belt, and wrapped the cloak around us to hi

he narrow corridor, and the air was

t her way in

on her back was still bleeding. With every ste

eavy oak door at th

howling wind s

and in the distance came the furious howls

ws of the broken walls and moved toward the side gate

ound ahead, we could reach the fo

rred the night and c

g the edge of t

om the side gate, a row of brazier

ndred armored archers marched out in formation,

ks parted dow

el Royal Guard, rode his armored w

at us and raise

ord Darian knew you w

dagger I'd taken from the dead g

t here and face me!" I

t out a c

is boots for a traitor? To

e archers drew their

ads gleamed

ant only for slaugh

nowhere le

y chest and shoulder were still bleeding, but I kept my back straight

to a cruel smile. He sla

s tore through the rai