Serina’s skin crawled. They’d lost two women the day before in the same area.

“Nero and Diego are testing our defenses along the southern gate to the prison. Probably trying to get to the other guards. No one goes off alone, even for a moment,” she ordered. “I want more women down there tonight. I’ll find Val, see if we can spare one of our markswomen.”

The firearm training was going well, but their supplies of ammunition were dwindling.

Fox slammed the end of her spear into the dirt. “The women are spread thin,” she growled. “Too many search parties, too many places to guard. And our food is almost gone.”

Behind her, the three women carrying the body set it gently on the ground. They’d started taking their dead to the volcano first thing in the morning; it was too dangerous at night with Nero and Diego out there, ready to pick them off.

Twig, leader of Beach crew and by far the tallest person on the island, even taller than Val, approached them. “Have you cut off the guards in the prison yet? Why should they be fed when we’ve barely enough for ourselves?”

“We’ve reduced their rations, but we’re still feeding them. For now,” Serina replied. “The boat will be here in three more days at most. We have enough.”

Serina held herself tall and smiled at the woman, yanking up her Grace training from the depths. She’d never felt the weight of anything but her parents’ expectations on her shoulders before. She’d never been responsible for anyone’s life. The fact that most of the people who looked to her for answers also seemed to hate her didn’t help. She was exhausted.

You’re determined. She gave herself a little mental push. You can handle this.

Twig shook her head in disgust and walked off.

“Take a break,” Serina said to Fox and the rest of the search party. “Your share of the midday meal is in the infirmary.”

The women headed into the shadowy ballroom. Serina crouched by the murdered woman. Black hair, cut to her shoulders, just like Serina’s. She wasn’t someone Serina recognized, but the purple ligature marks around her neck were familiar. Just like Doll and Scorpion. Just like all the victims.

Anger boiled in Serina’s chest, as violent as it was useless.

Val and Anika came looking for her while she was still holding vigil over the body.

Serina told them what had happened. “She was killed down by the southern gate, near where the women were found yesterday. I think they’re trying to get the rest of the guards out.”