A rare smile tugs at my mouth as I watch Zairn’s face drop, his gaze shining with fright as his muscles are frozen in place. Shivers wrack his body as he slumps to the ground, foam frothing at his mouth as he fights against the poison coursing through his veins. He blinks once, twice more, and no longer—lost to the powerful paralytic.

Tearing my gaze from the sight, I reach into the wound on my side, wincing as the flesh bubbles and protests against the intrusion. My fingers curl around the small key lying deep within my flesh, and I draw it out slowly, my nose curling in disgust at the squelching sound that accompanies the movement.

I insert a blood-coated key into the lock on my wrists, sighing in relief when the cuffs spring loose and clatter to the floor. I unhook my ankles and neck next, setting the heavy metal collar lightly on the ground so as not to arise any more suspicion.

My vision tunnels as I straighten, but I fight against the agony spreading to my fingers and toes, focused on one singular task—freeing Fenryr.

He stays utterly still as I unlock his chains, leaving the muzzle for last. Just as I insert the key into the side, heavy footsteps sound down the hall, heading in the direction of this cell. Before I get the chance to remove his muzzle, a dozen of Slaine’s soldiers pour into the room, their claws bared and gazes full of bloodlust.

The entire horde jumps on top of me, attempting to pin me to the floor and put me in chains. I kick against them, slashing wildly in an attempt to take out as many as I can before they kill me, before I get to see Dagny one last time. I fight and fight, getting lost to the sounds of screeches and screams, choking on the scent of blood filling the air, drenching the tattered remains of my armor. Before long, my muscles weaken, the last of my energy sapped from my veins and joining the pool of blood growing beneath me. And I know soon, their attacks will overwhelm me.

Suddenly, the soldier to my left freezes, muscles locking and expression settling into stone as his body slumps to the floor. One by one, seven soldiers follow, dropping to the ground like giant white flies. But as soon as they fall, the last five take their place, pinning my arms and ankles while the fifth crouches by my head, pulling out a long curved blade meant to separate my neck from my shoulders.