I turn my eyes downward, my lips parting in shock as I take in Cyprien’s smiling face, utterly joyful despite the bloody, headless body he’s standing over. “Cyprien?”

“That was so fucking badass,” he says, his grin threatening to split his face. “I’ve never been more aroused than I am right now.”

“You absolute cretin.” Lir appears at his side, smacking him upside the head with his signature scowl. “Can you think of nothing else but the status of your cock?” He turns his head to the sky, his gaze softening as he realizes I’m unharmed. “Dagny… I’m so happy you’re okay. When we felt your fear down the bond, we came right away, but it seems we were too late.”

I lower to the ground as Roark, Fenryr, Kaebl, and Malice step into view, their faces twisted in worry as they race toward me.

“Dagny!” Malice sweeps me up in his arms, coating himself in the blood staining my skin as he presses me flush against his chest. “Gods, I thought… I thought…” He pulls back, his breath trembling as he looks deep into my eyes. “I’ve never been so thankful for your power. You’re magnificent, my wildfire.”

Fenryr circles my back, his arms folding around Malice and me as Roark, Lir, and Cyprien join the embrace, their hands running over my body and touching me in any way they can. I get lost in the moment, the pleasure of being reunited with my mates after such a frightening ordeal—but it’s only for a moment.

“Guys… I have something to tell you,” I whisper, my eyes shuttering as I recall my encounter with the soldier. “That demon… just before I killed him, he⁠—”

“It’s okay,” Malice murmurs, brushing his hand gently over my forehead. “We know.”

We heard his call, Kaebl explains, his expression hardening into one of anger. Rotten bastard. If we knew they were scouting this far north, we would have never let you go out alone.

“It’s a good thing bunny can take care of herself,” Cyprien says, his eyes swimming with pride. “We’ll have no problem taking out Slaine.”

I shake my head, that hollow pit of dread settling into the pit of my stomach. “You don’t understand… I saw into that demon’s head… I saw the army, and Slaine, and all the bloodshed.” I close my eyes, my throat like sandpaper as I swallow. “None of us makes it out of this alive. Not unless you use me to bring Abaddon back.”

Malice’s arms tense around me, and when I’m finally brave enough to open my eyes, I find he’s been staring, unblinking, a myriad of thoughts swirling behind his eyes. “I will never allow that to happen.”

This is exactly what I was fearful of, Kaebl says, his eyes creasing in despair. You cannot sacrifice yourself, Dagny. None of us could live with that option.