A midnight bolt of magic shot from the tip of his staff, as fast as—

Cara stumbled forwards, unable to jump. The hatchet dropped from her grip. She tried to find the strength to move. To leap. To breathe.

She felt neither tired nor hurt. She felt nothing at…at…

In silence, she toppled from the roof. The [Necromancer] turned away. He did not stare at the fallen body. He saw undead moving towards it—gestured.

“Leave her. Now.”

They stopped. Moved away. The [Necromancer]’s fingers twitched.

“[Animate D—]”

He caught himself. Looked down once at the tumble of hair. The…he closed his eyes. Then looked up.

His expression firmed and grew wrathful.

The [Necromancer] blinked away the spots in his vision and saw the carriage of Calanfer, the golden escort. They were finally moving as the crowd streamed out of the gates.

Too slowly. Too slowly. The [Necromancer] appreciated the irony of it. House Afiele’s rulers ended up behind their people. And they were his target.

He raised his staff and pointed. The undead were being pushed back by the desperate Humans fighting for their lives, but more of his minions had taken the town and were coming upon the keep and gates, defended by the last of Afiele’s rearguard. He saw the damned [Lord], fighting in the streets towards the gates. But it was the carriage that had the potential to escape him.

“Pursue them. Ghouls—that one. [Undead: Boundless Speed]!”

A bounding group of Ghouls accelerated. They caught the horses, moving as fast as the steeds and their riders for a moment. The Thronebearers cried out. They drew their blades and fought as the Ghouls pursued their one target.

The carriage. One of them reached the door. Perhaps it was ill luck. Perhaps the door had not been latched. It tore the door open.

——

The Ghoul appeared in the open doorway. Seraphel cried out, and her [Handmaidens] screamed, throwing whatever came to hand at the creature. It crabbed at them, slashing.

“Stay back!”

Seraphel shouted. Her tiara would protect her. She dared to kick at the thing as one of her [Knights]

hacked at the monster from behind. But it was grabbing, grabbing—trying to grab—

Too late, she realized it wasn’t her. It tore someone away and fell backwards. Seraphel heard a scream.

“Culin!”

His mother grabbed for him, holding his arm. The Ghoul’s burning eyes turned lifeless as the Thronebearer, Ser Dalimont, speared it through the back. But it was entangled with the boy. And more were grabbing at him. They wanted him.

“Mother! Culin!”

Sasi grabbed at her mother. Risel was fighting to pull her son back into the carriage. Her grip—she grabbed for something.

“Pull her back in!”

Seraphel ordered her terrified [Handmaidens], but they were pressed against her. She lunged, grabbing for Risel’s arm. The [Princess] hauled with all of her strength. She saw Risel look back at her. Seraphel felt an impact—