“Can everyone move?” I clutched Res tight to my chest. They nodded, and we bolted for the exit, Kiva casting one last backward glance as we fled.

I led the way down the corridor to the front of the castle, avoiding the two monks holding off a trio of Vykryn. We sped out onto the grounds and around to the stables. Rain fell in sheets, the chill in the air sharp as a sword. I held Res tighter.

Three massive Illucian warhorses waited for us, but as we grew closer, Kiva stumbled. Caylus caught her before she struck the ground and heaved her to her feet. “You’re losing too much blood.”

“Comforting.”

“I’m just saying that—”

“I’m fine,” she hissed, trying to push off him and move on her own. But she swayed, and he quickly ducked under her arm to support her. Shifting Res to one arm, I doubled back to slide under her other side, and together, we helped her onto the nearest horse.

“Ride with her,” I told Caylus. “Make sure she doesn’t fall.”

He swung onto the horse behind her, and I handed him Res, who gave a weak caw, then undid Caylus’s horse’s reins and those of the one beside it. Once I’d mounted, he handed Res back, and I clutched him to my body with one arm. Then I drove my heels into my horse’s sides.

The amount of power that exploded out of the beast felt like a crow taking off. It sped down the road in a whirl of hooves and wind. I glanced back only once to make sure Caylus and Kiva were with me. As we curved around the bend to the front of the castle, I caught a glimpse of blue and snapped my head to the side.

Ericen stood in the castle doorway, his chest heaving, blood smearing his neck. For half a second, I panicked it might be his, then guilt swallowed me. He’d made his choice, but I still didn’t want to leave him.

We locked eyes, that brief second stretching into eternity, and then we’d passed him, and he was out of sight.

Rain barreled into my face, blurring my vision and testing my hold on Res. I could feel the cord between us strengthening as the drug wore off. Gripping the horse harder with my knees, I pressed my legs into its sides, urging it faster. It complied, producing new bursts of speed each time I thought we couldn’t possibly go any quicker.

The road shot through the city and down toward the river. We crossed through the Colorfalls, over the bridge and through the colored lights reflecting off the fog like moonlight on water. We raced to the countryside, past quiet houses illuminated by the bright glow of a full moon.