I hugged Fox one last time, did the same to Inessa, and accepted Kalen’s help climbing up the azi. Once we were all settled, the daeva made a soft keening noise and flapped its magnificent wings. It leaped into the air, and I watched as my friends grew smaller as the azi ascended. The creature sang out. Rahim swore again.

Smiling, I glanced down for one last look at Ankyo—and startled, mouth agape.

The city was on fire. Balls of flame fanned against the gates, and I watched in horror as buildings and houses collapsed, thick clouds of dark smoke rising to obscure my view. Everything burned—

“Tea?”

I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder.

Kalen looked at me quizzically. “Is something the matter?”

“I…” The city of Ankyo gleamed back at me from below, pristine and unchanged. Soon, even that view disappeared, as the azi barreled through the sky, the Swiftsea soon replacing the land below us.

“It’s nothing,” I said shakily, but I kept glancing behind us, struggling to see any telltale trace of smoke and finding none.

A young woman met us as we boarded the ship that would take us to Kion. She was dressed in brilliant gold, her hua a symphony of vines and roses. Jewels glittered in her black hair. Several other asha stood beside her, their expressions strange combinations of worry and grimness.

“Took you long enough,” the woman in gold groused. “You were supposed to be here a day ago.”

“We rode as fast as we could, Zoya,” Lord Fox told the woman shortly. “What are you doing here?”

“Empress Alyx sent me, of course. We heard word of what happened.” The woman took a long breath, a catch in her voice. “I am so sorry. I should have been there. Maybe I could have—”

“You had your own duties,” Princess Inessa interrupted her firmly. “I took charge of this expedition. If there is anyone to blame, then I bear that burden.”

“Your Highness—”

“How are the others?”

The asha exhaled again. “Awaiting orders in Kion. It would ease Zahid to know if the rest of the Deathseekers will be returning quickly. It’s not easy defending Kion with only a handful of us present. The asha are spread thin as it is.”

“And Aadil?”

“Sighted in the south.”

The princess swore.

“A cadre of our soldiers were ambushed. No missing limbs or insanity—they were simply put to sleep. Druj must be getting soft. Kance tells us Druj’s army is making for the Hollows next, that they’ve seen Drychta camped there. That’s about all the information he sent. Frankly, I’m surprised Kance’s even given us that much. They’re to leave next week, and he asks if we could spare some soldiers. We’ll talk more about this on the ship.”

“What’s that for?” Lord Khalad asked, gesturing toward the mast.

I saw nothing where he pointed.