Rhiannon looked over her shoulder. A brown-skinned warrior woman stood behind Rhiannon and the others. And standing next to the woman was a giant wolf. A few feet to the left was another woman warrior. This one an Eastlander.

All of that was strange enough, but on the opposite side of the circle stood a man with violet eyes and black hair so long it pooled at his feet.

Rhiannon motioned to Xinyi and the Empress frowned and mouthed, What?

Rhiannon jerked her head again and Xinyi finally looked over her shoulder. When she turned back around, her eyes were wide.

With a nod, the two rulers moved at the same time. Rhiannon opened her left claw and Xinyi opened her right paw. Then, they both yanked those they still held in the opposite direction, pulling the other witches out of the way and breaking the circle.

But before Chramnesind could flee, the giant wolf crashed into the stunned god, taking him down to the ground. The two females pulled out their weapons and began stabbing and hacking at the god, chopping him into pieces as he screamed and cursed and attempted to fight them off.

“You should have listened to us, old friend,” the male said, watching the assault impassively. “You should have backed off long ago. But you didn’t.”

“You can’t do this to me! You can’t do this to me!”

“You did this to yourself. And because of you,” the male went on, “a doorway from hell has been opened that should never have been. For that affront alone, you must pay. And pay you will.”

The male never raised his voice. Never showed any anger. He simply waited until the females finished hacking Chramnesind into pieces. Then he crouched beside the still-breathing remains and softly said, “Your time here is done, old friend.”

Chramnesind cursed them all and, as he did, the male backed away. Far away. Then he shifted and Rhiannon, lying on the ground with the other witches, knew this was Rhydderch Hael, the father of all dragons.

When the god pulled in a large breath, Rhiannon grabbed her granddaughter, pulling her close and protecting her with her body while Morfyd sent Nina Chechneva out of the sacred space completely.

The god unleashed his flame, and it filled every corner, leaving nothing untouched.

When the flames stopped, the gods were gone . . . including Chramnesind.

* * *

Weapons were drawn and Ghleanna, Bradana, Addolgar, and Rhys moved up until they stood beside their brother.

“Come for us all, Cadwaladrs!” Salebiri yelled out. “Come!”

Bercelak took a step . . . but then he froze. He looked down at the ground, then around.

“Uh-oh,” Gwenvael muttered next to Fearghus. “Dad’s gone ’round the bend.”

“No,” Éibhear said, also staring down at his feet. “Something’s coming.”

“Something big,” Briec added.

“Shit,” Fearghus sighed. “Now what?”