“The walls,” Dog said, halting abruptly and turning to face them. “They have fallen.”

“That means . . . you can’t return to them,” Twelve said slowly, understanding dawning.

“Yes,” Dog said. “Hoarfrost will rebuild them eventually. But for now I am free. I know dark times are ahead, but I feel . . .” He paused, searching for the right word. “I feel excited.”

“Now there’s something I absolutely never thought I’d hear,” said Five.

“Hoarfrost has had word from the mountain tribe,” said Dog. “They are offering us sanctuary. We begin the journey there tomorrow. For the past millennia, I have only left the lodge to fight. When I traveled, it was to or from battle. Always the oblivion of the walls waited for me. Now perhaps . . .” He broke off, looking confused.

“Now you can live,” Seven said gently. “Y-you’ve already proven you can do more than fight.”

Dog nodded, his tail wagging slowly. “Maybe it is time to expand my role,” he agreed. There was a light in his eyes that made Twelve’s heart sing. “I feel different,” he said. “Perhaps what Oakhammer did to me changed something. I feel everything more. The wind. The coolness of the snow beneath my paws. I felt the heat of the walls burning. And food.” He sniffed the air. “I almost think I can taste it.”

Five was the only one who frowned. “And pain,” he added. “Morgren’s spells shouldn’t have hurt you, but they obviously did.”

“That is true.” Dog nodded slowly.

“We still beat him,” Six said, his eyes falling on Twelve. A question hovered on his lips.

“Are you really, actually a witch?” Five burst out.

Six, Five, and Dog stared at her, their eyes wide.

Twelve’s tongue suddenly felt heavy in her mouth as she struggled to think of how to answer. In the end, Seven saved her.

“She’s an elemental witch,” she explained, her eyes warm on Twelve. “Her power is clearly over fire. I think Sharpspark helped her understand that.”

Five and Six stared at her with slack-jawed awe.

The mention of Sharpspark made Twelve sit up straighter and glance around. “Where is he?” she asked. Widge growled in her ear, his displeasure obvious, but for once she ignored him. She felt an affinity with the sprite that both excited and terrified her. He had shown her how to use her powers and helped to save them all at great personal cost. But she knew without a doubt that he would have delighted in the destruction of the lodge where she felt only guilt and horror.

“Hoarfrost sent him away,” Five said darkly. “He enjoyed watching the lodge burn far too much. Might have helped it along a bit too.”

“Of course,” Twelve said quietly, pushing down a wave of sadness.

“H-h-he’ll be back,” Seven said with confidence, nudging Twelve.