The second dragon—her brother—roared in grief. He thrashed madly, wings beating, tail flicking, unable to free himself from the demons pinning him down. Raem approached the creature, his dripping spear raised.

"Be thankful," he told the beast. "I'm showing you a mercy. I'm killing you before the demons feed." He smirked. "My own children will not be as fortunate."

He thrust his spear.

The green dragon died upon it, returning to human form—a small butchered boy.

Raem pulled the spear out and smiled. He raised his hand to the sky. "Well, my friends? Enjoy!"

The demons plunged down with the urgency of starving dogs upon a piece of meat. Blood and gobbets of flesh flew. Within instants, the children were gone, leaving only a single heart upon the marble tiles; it lay where the little girl had died. A demon raced toward the morsel, but Raem waved it aside. He knelt, lifted the heart in his hand, and stared at the little organ—soft, pure, hot. He kissed the heart and licked his lips, savoring the blood. He stepped toward the column, slapped the heart against it, and drew a picture in blood—the sigil of Taal.

He spoke softly. "A message for any of you who return."

Demons gathered around him, panting, begging for the treat. Raem tossed the heart toward them.

Before the dripping organ would reach the demons, an arrow sailed through the air, pierced the heart, and pinned it against a birch.

The demons squealed. Raem stiffened, raised his spear, and stared into the forest whence the arrow had flown. A figure emerged from between the trees, holding a bow.

"Hello, mighty King Raem! The whole north is speaking of you and your demon horde. I see you've arrived at fabled Requiem a little too late."

It was a woman, young by the sound of her voice. Raem could not see her face; a bronze mask hid it, shaped as a blank face with only small holes for the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. She wore a leather tunic, long gloves that rose to her elbows, and a fur cloak. A copper dagger and a quiver of arrows hung across her hips.

"We will find the creatures," Raem said. "Our scouts scour the land for them. Who are you?"

She stepped closer. "A huntress. A warrior. One who will slay dragons. I wounded their king once with many arrows; now I seek to finish the job."

He narrowed his eyes, not lowering his spear. "Who are you?" he asked again.