They hurriedly split the rest of the fighters into search parties, each with someone who could use a firearm.

Serina joined a group with Maris, Helena, and Tremor, whose arm Serina had once stitched up after a boar attack.

“But I don’t know how to fight,” Maris told Val when he handed her a firearm.

“Maybe not. But you know how to shoot,” Val explained. “You’ve done well in training.”

Helena put her arm around Maris’s shoulder. “I know how to fight. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

Maris took a deep breath, glanced at Helena for reassurance, and nodded.

Val teamed up with two of Blaze’s lieutenants and a Jungle Camp girl, Shard, who knew the quickest, quietest way to the stream that ran through the heart of Mount Ruin.

Anika joined a group with Mirror and three of Hotel Misery’s girls.

Once firearms and unlit torches had been distributed, Val addressed the small parties, giving them each an area to search. “When you get close to your target area, douse your torches. Stay as silent as you can. If you see the guards, fire a warning shot so the rest of us can come to your aid. Or shoot to kill—these men can’t be allowed to wander free.”

“Be careful,” Serina added. “Be methodical.”

She shared a last look with Val. His hair had fallen into his eyes, and she fought the urge to brush it back. She wanted to feel the skin of his cheek beneath her hand, remind herself that he was here, that he was real, that he wouldn’t be swallowed by the darkness of Mount Ruin.

“See you soon,” she said softly, and prayed that it was true.

Three men without weapons or food shouldn’t feel as looming a threat, but they did. Maybe it was the heavy, humid night pressing close, or the red glow of the volcano pulsing in the distance.

Serina set out with her team along the western cliff path. Their destination was the guard tower northwest of Cave crew’s former home. The same tower Bruno had been overseeing when he’d propositioned Serina, where Petrel had told her to always fight back.

Serina could see the faint flicker of the other groups’ torches through the trees. Val was heading for the stream, Anika the guard tower closest to Hotel Misery. Cliff’s team had the longest hike ahead of them, to the northeast guard tower.

Serina led the way, a lit torch in her hand. She peered out beyond its wobbly glow into the night, and wished she could shake the feeling that the night stared back.