“Fine.” Cobie nodded at Aleksei. “You have to convince Alfödr that Anya’s in her room, that she took a walk because she was upset, and now she’s embarrassed to come downstairs.”

Aleksei nodded, dark eyes bitter and confident. “Leave the tricks to me.”

I hiked back up from the banks of the Bilröst in silence with the others, angry and afraid and already lonely for everything I was about to leave behind.

I hated Lang. I feared Alfödr. I loved these boys, with their broad shoulders and their stupid mouths and their loyal hearts.

We split apart, each to our stations. One by one, I hugged the Asgard brothers, their jaws working silently, their eyes sad.

Bragi.

Hermódr.

Even Aleksei. Even after everything. He stiffened in my arms but returned my embrace, then set off away from the fjord.

Gone.

“Don’t worry.” Cobie squeezed my hand. “I’m going to handle everything.” And then she was gone, too, hurrying after Hermódr into the dark.

“I’ll get them out,” Lang promised.

“You had better.” My warning was sharp-edged and angry.

I watched them all disappear in the direction of the fortress, then followed Fredrik and Torden.

The three of us reached the harbor in due course. Fog rolled between the cliffs, and Alfödr’s warships and Asgard’s fishing boats bobbed at the dark edge of the water. I automatically sought out the Beholder and her open arms, but she was nowhere to be found.

Fredrik, Torden, and I made Skídbladnir ready to sail, and Lang, Cobie, J.J., and Perrault appeared on the horizon far too soon. J.J.’s skinny arms were wrapped around himself, his hollow eyes darting around the unfamiliar ship, and Perrault looked as confused as I felt. The Asgard boys were strangely quiet—the very quiet strange on them. I didn’t know what to make of them, wordless and sad.

They made me ache for Anya. I hadn’t even given her a proper goodbye.

“It’s time to go,” Lang said briefly. I shot him a furious look.

“And the Beholder will meet you?” Torden asked, urgent. “You’re sure?”

Cobie nodded, certain. “Yes. We’ll reach them. They were supposed to be here by midnight.”

Only a few hours away. They’d truly believed I’d never know what they’d done.

And if Lang hadn’t sent everything to hell two days early, I might not have.

What fortune was mine.

I pounded toward the gangplank after Cobie and Lang, but stopped short at a tug on my arm.

“Selah.” Torden’s voice was soft. He didn’t move.

“You’re not coming?” I blurted. “Not even to meet the ship?”

Torden shook his head.