My vision tunnels, spiraling out of control as a blast of energy shakes the four surrounding walls, threatening to send the castle tumbling to the ground. I clutch onto something warm and familiar as my head drops back and an otherworldly screech echoes from my open mouth, piercing through the clamor of falling stone and screaming voices. And through it all, there’s a voice—soothing and stoking the flame all at once, pushing me toward the edge.

That’s it, wildfire. Burn for me. Break for me.

I follow the voice over the ledge and into the sky. And as I fall, I swear I can see a pair of beautiful onyx feathered wings spreading out from my shoulders, slowing my descent.

But then the madness takes hold, and I crash all the same.

12. Kaebl

12

Kaebl

My claws slice past my fingertips, digging into the cool stone of the dungeon floor, still trembling in the aftermath of the great blast that shook the castle. I stare past the shadows into the corner of the room where Fenryr is sitting, checking for any sign of movement. His bright green eyes stare aimlessly at the far wall unblinking, his chest rising and falling imperceptibly with each shallow breath. He looks more like a corpse than a living creature, but I know it’s due to the arachnyx venom Malice injected into him earlier. The only concern is how long it’s taking him to return to normal.

Just as I consider going to him, another explosion emanates from down the hall, causing spiderweb cracks to spread along the ceiling. The stone shudders, attempting to withstand the blows to the foundation, to keep the castle standing. The blast cones on so strong, so sudden that I nearly prick my skin with the arachnyx tooth pinched between my fingers. I readjust my grip, breathing past the spike of adrenaline as pieces of rubble rain onto my shoulders and head.

What sort of creature could have caused an explosion so powerful?

I only need to think about it for a moment before the answer comes to me. Dagny. It could only be my mate.

I push to my feet on quaking legs, using the wall for support. The room fades in and out of focus. Agony flares in every part of my body as my wounds pop open, sending a river of dark blue blood coursing to the floor. I take a step toward Fenryr, my chains clanking heavily and drowning out the rhythmic drip, drip, drip as the last of my life runs from my veins. But I have to keep going. I have to wake Fenryr up before⁠—

“What do you think you’re doing, you little rat?”