Jasce inhaled through his nose and gripped the reins of his horse as the village spread out before him. The Hunter’s mask felt like a death shroud suffocating him. He couldn’t believe he was searching for Spectrals in Dunstead—again. Drexus had ordered Jasce and Caston to find Healers, since it was taking longer for him to recover between experiments. It was another test to prove Jasce’s loyalty.
Jasce rubbed the burns on his knuckles. For the past two weeks, when he wasn’t being poked and prodded, he worked in the forge repairing the training weapons. It was in Nigel’s sanctuary that Jasce formed his plan; he wouldn’t let the old man die in vain. Recreating the bombs Flynt had used at the Desert Garrison was trickier than he thought, but he was making progress. He just needed a little more time.
“Azrael, you awake?” Caston stared at him, his eyes visible above the skull mask. Watch Guard soldiers waited patiently behind the two Hunters while townspeople scurried from the marketplace to their homes.
“It’s Jasce,” he said, getting off his horse.
Caston strode next to him, holding his crossbow. “Vale said he found a Healer hiding out in the Salty Merchant Tavern.”
Jasce’s stomach twisted into a knot. “Isn’t Vale supposed to be in Wilholm?” Vale and a few soldiers had traveled to the town in search of Kord, and Jasce hadn’t heard of their return.
“He’s waiting for us near the town square.” Caston grabbed Jasce’s arm. “Look, I have orders to kill you if you try anything.” Caston’s eyes flicked to the collar around Jasce’s neck. “It’s amazing something so small can defeat the mighty Angel of Death.”
Jasce scowled at the hand holding his arm and flicked his eyes to Caston’s. The Hunter released Jasce and stepped back. “Your mistake,” Jasce said, “is thinking that I’m defeated without magic.”
Jasce strode down the street, his hands twitching for his swords. He didn’t even have a dagger, but he wasn’t defenseless. He just hoped he wouldn’t have to kill Caston. They hadn’t been close when Jasce was a Hunter, but he always thought Caston was different. Maybe he could become an ally, if Jasce could convince him.
Vale leaned against the wall across from the Salty Merchant, an oily smile on his face. Jasce frowned and the hairs on his neck stood straight. He scanned the marketplace. Something was wrong.
The town guards disappeared into the tavern and Caston readied his crossbow, his eyes trained on the door.
Vale sauntered up to Jasce. “Let’s see if Bronn was right about you,” he whispered.
Jasce jerked his head toward the tavern, his heart dropping as a soldier pulled Kord through the door, his tunic hanging off his shoulder, torn and filthy. Blood dripped from a gash on his cheek that was already healing. When he recognized Jasce behind the mask, Kord went rigid.
No. Blast it, what was he doing here?
Jasce quickly analyzed the scene. He could feign indifference and try to free Kord on the ride to the garrison, but Vale already suspected him. Plus, Vale’s guards were somewhere near, and without his magic or weapons, he would never defeat both groups of soldiers and a Hunter.
All of Jasce’s plans crumbled into a useless heap.
Vale crossed his arms, smirking at Kord as the soldiers dragged him across the square. Caston lowered his crossbow.
There was no way Jasce could allow Drexus to capture Kord. Drexus thought Jasce’s blood and magic were key, but he only had half the equation. Kord’s magic would give Drexus the power he so desperately wanted. Jasce had to act now.
He spun, elbowing Vale in the face and ripping his sword from its sheath. Vale swore as blood spurted from his nose. Jasce pivoted, his sword aiming for Caston’s neck. The Hunter turned, eyes wide, and in half a heartbeat Jasce adjusted his grip and brought the hilt down on Caston’s head. The Hunter crumpled to the ground.
Jasce sprinted for Kord, who fought off the soldiers.
An arrow slammed into Jasce’s shoulder, twisting him around. Bronn emerged from an alley, loading another bolt into his crossbow. Watch Guard soldiers appeared from behind the stalls.
Kord yanked free of the soldier holding him and ran. Bronn leveled the crossbow and let the arrow fly.
“Kord!” Jasce yelled.
Kord stumbled, hitting the dirt hard as an arrow lodged between his shoulder blades. Soldiers ran toward him, jerking him to his feet.
Jasce yanked Vale off the ground and used him as a shield, pressing the tip of his sword into his back. “Bronn, drop it or he dies.”
Bronn laughed as Vale strained against Jasce’s grip, sweat and blood dripping down his face.
“You take mine. I’ll take yours.” Bronn waved a soldier forward, dragging someone behind him.
Jasce felt the blood drain from his face as the soldier shoved Kenz into Bronn’s arms. He grabbed his dagger and pressed it to her throat, the tip piercing pale skin above a silver collar. Her eyes filled with hatred.
“I told Drexus not to trust you, and now I have proof.” Bronn pulled Kenz against him. “Drop your weapon.”
Jasce released Vale, who skittered away, and the sword hit the ground, clamoring with inevitability. His hands shook as he ripped off his mask, his eyes darting from Kenz to her brother.
Guards wrenched Kord’s arms behind his back, causing him to cry out, the arrow still lodged into his body. Kenz struggled against Bronn, who grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. Jasce fisted his hands, stopping himself from charging Bronn and ripping out his heart.
Caston groaned and slowly got to his feet.
“You’re lucky you still have your head,” Bronn said, shoving Kenz in Caston’s direction. Caston glared at Bronn and secured Kenz’s hands behind her. He glanced once at Jasce, his eyes narrowing.
Blood ran down Jasce’s shoulder, but he didn’t notice the pain as he stared at Kenz, his hands hanging by his sides.
Jasce closed his eyes. “Why are you here?” he whispered.
“Take one guess,” Kenz said, her voice full of disgust. “How could you do this, after everything?” Kenz tried to lunge forward, but Caston held her back. “I trusted you!”
Jasce flinched. Kord’s eyes hardened to stone, the muscle in his jaw pulsing. Kenz’s chest heaved as she struggled against Caston.
Bronn laughed as he drew closer. “Looks like whatever you were planning failed.” Bronn gripped the shaft of the arrow and twisted. Jasce bit down against the pain and glared into Bronn’s dark eyes.
“I will kill you,” Jasce growled.
Bronn yanked the arrow out, ripping open Jasce’s flesh. He couldn’t keep from yelling as blood gushed from the wound. “I’ve heard that one before. And yet, here I am.” He motioned to his soldiers, who hauled Kord and Kenz down the street.
Vale hobbled to where Jasce and Bronn stood. Bronn frowned at Vale’s bloody face and shook his head.
“That’s twice now,” Vale said, launching rocks at Jasce’s head. Jasce raised his arms, wincing at the pain in the shoulder as the projectiles pelted him.
“Knock it off,” Bronn said. He shoved Jasce toward the waiting soldiers. Vale mumbled curses but obediently followed.
They arrived at the Arcane Garrison after sundown, the waves crashing on the shore a distant sound. Jasce tried to block out the throbbing in his shoulder and the fear that writhed in his gut. He remembered Drexus’s warning: If you betray me, know that I will burn everything and everyone you hold dear. This couldn’t be happening. Kord should be safe in Carhurst with his family, and Kenz should have been with Amycus.
Jasce swallowed the bile burning his throat, and as he tried to figure out how to fix this, the sound of clashing swords around him silenced. Soldiers stared as Jasce, Kenz, and Kord stumbled into the courtyard. The young recruits Jasce had seen earlier stood with their mouths open, their eyes darting between Drexus and Jasce. Emile’s brother lingered near the wall away from the others, his mouth set in a thin line.
Drexus waited with his arms crossed, face as hard as the surrounding stone walls. Sabine stood at his side, expressionless. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.
“I didn’t want to believe Bronn,” Drexus said, “but it seems he was right about you.”
Bronn forced Jasce to his knees while the other guards shoved Kord and Kenz forward. Drexus raised a brow. “Who’s the girl?”
“A Shield. We caught her trying to sneak into the tavern.” Bronn grabbed the collar around Kenz’s throat. She twisted and kicked at Bronn, letting out a string of profanity.
Bronn laughed. “Quite the spitfire. Beautiful too.”
The blood rushed in Jasce’s ears but he forced his face to remain indifferent. He imagined all the ways he would make Bronn suffer, starting with cutting out his tongue.
“Keep your hands off her,” Kord growled.
“She’s Kord’s sister,” Vale said, pushing past Caston. He licked his lips, staring at Drexus.
Kord swore, lunging forward, and Vale scurried back, his eyes wide.
“Is she now?”
Jasce hadn’t realized he’d been staring at Kenz, but he glanced away as Drexus walked past. He stopped and frowned at Jasce, then looked back at Kenz. A hideous smile formed on his face.
“She seems to be more than just the Healer’s sister.” Drexus turned toward Kord. “Ever since I saw you heal Vale—thank you for that, by the way—I’ve wanted you. You’re the most powerful Healer I’ve ever seen. And as Jasce knows, I always get what I want.”
Without warning, Drexus’s fist flew and the entire side of Jasce’s face exploded in pain, Drexus’s ring gouging his cheek. He grabbed Jasce by the throat, pulling him to his feet. Jasce sputtered, clinging to Drexus’s wrists.
Drexus’s face twisted in rage. “You will pay for your betrayal.” Spit peppered Jasce’s face. Black spots floated in his vision. His heart pounded.
“Stop it!”
Drexus loosened his grip at the sound of Kenz’s voice. Jasce landed on his knees, gulping air. Drexus frowned at Kenz. “You care what happens to this man?”
Kenz swallowed, staring at Jasce; a war of anger and fear battled in her eyes.
Drexus’s lip curled as he dug his finger into Jasce’s wound. Jasce tried not to yell, crushing his teeth together so hard he felt his jaw crack. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth and his cheek and eye throbbed.
“Take the Healer and Jasce to Maera. The Shield too—she may prove useful,” Drexus ordered.
Rough hands yanked Jasce off the ground and ushered him through the garrison and down the corridor. Kenz swore the entire way, struggling against the guards, but Kord walked silently, his chin lifted.
Maera jumped when they entered, her eyes wide. “What’s going on?” She lurched out of the way as Bronn shoved Jasce onto the table, attaching the chains on his legs. Jasce groaned as Bronn secured his hands above his head, tearing the wound in his shoulder. Maera’s mouth pursed as she stared at the blood dripping on the floor.
“Chain the Shield over there,” Drexus said when he entered the room. A soldier forced Kenz to the wall, lifting her off the ground as she struggled. Bronn shook his head and strode over to her, a heavy thud sounding as he punched her in the stomach. She tried to suck in air as she fell to her knees.
Kord roared and pulled free from the soldier holding him, stealing his dagger and slicing it across the guard’s chest.
“I’d rethink your next move,” Drexus said. Bronn pointed his sword at Kenz.
Kord froze. His shoulders sagged, dropping the dagger. Jasce’s body shook—never had he felt so useless.
Maera dabbed at Jasce’s wound, mopping up the blood. She was his only hope of rescuing his friends.
“Help me,” he whispered.
Maera’s eyes darted to Drexus, then focused on Jasce. She leaned down, as if inspecting his shoulder. “My son,” she whispered. “Drexus has him. He’s a recruit. Promise you’ll save him.”
Jasce nodded.
Maera straightened and cleared her throat. “He’s useless if he bleeds to death.”
Drexus stepped away from Kenz and grabbed Kord, yanking him to the table. “Heal him.”
Kord looked from Jasce to his sister, his face like granite, solid and immovable.
Drexus tilted his head. “Do I need to remove one of your sister’s fingers?”
Kord paled and Bronn laughed, replacing his sword and tugging his dagger from its sheath. Chains rattled as he pressed his knife against Kenz’s index finger.
Jasce lifted his head and stared at Kord. “One doesn’t learn if one doesn’t suffer through the pain.” Recognition flashed through Kord’s eyes.
Drexus looked from Bronn to Maera. “What is he talking about?”
“Well, he has lost a lot of blood. No thanks to your lapdog,” Maera said, still dabbing at the wound.
“Quit calling me that.” Bronn strode over to Maera, his knuckles whitening on his dagger.
Drexus sighed. “You two, play nice.” Bronn continued to glare at Maera, who rolled her eyes and busied herself with the equipment. Drexus turned to Kord. “Heal him or your sister loses her hand.”
The muscle in Kord’s jaw thumped. “You need to remove the collar.”
Drexus inserted the key, and with a click the collar unlocked. He handed it to Maera, who placed it on the counter. Drexus drew his dagger and rested it on Jasce’s neck. “Bronn, if he vaults, kill the woman.” He smiled at Jasce. “Her life is in your hands.”
Jasce swallowed, the sharp edge of the blade stinging his neck. Bronn marched to Kenz, his knife pointing at her chest, an evil sneer lining his face. Kenz’s eyes darted from Jasce to Kord.
Kord looked away and rested his hands on Jasce’s wound.
Drexus gasped. “Look at that.”
Warmth tingled through Jasce’s body. The pain melted away, his shoulder knitting together while the swelling in his face diminished. Jasce’s magic purred as his powers slowly returned.
“Maera, hook Jasce up and begin the process.” Drexus pointed to the guard by the door. “Bring me the Earth girl from the village.”
Jasce jerked his head, hissing when Drexus’s knife slid across his skin. “Careful, Jasce, can’t have you die yet. The experiment should work this time. The girl is young, and with the Brymagus extract along with your magic, I should be able to replicate what your mother did, so to speak.”
A scream echoed through the corridor.
No, don’t let it be her.
A soldier shoved the girl into the room and Jasce recognized her immediately. Her blonde hair lay matted in greasy chunks, and tears carved through the dirt and grime covering her face. Her eyes widened when she saw Jasce strapped to the table, staring at her in horror.
“You,” she whispered.
“Drexus, no. She’s just a child.” Jasce struggled against the chains, the knife cutting deeper.
The soldier led her to the table next to Jasce. Maera covered her mouth and shook her head. Kenz swore and Kord went pale.
Drexus looked from the girl to Jasce. “How do you know her?”
“That’s the one he let escape,” Bronn said.
Drexus’s mouth curved into a smile. “Is that so? It seems all your conniving plans and sacrifice have amounted to nothing.”
The girl thrashed as the soldier forced her onto the table and secured the chains. She looked so small and helpless.
“You can’t do this. Please, I will do anything,” Jasce said.
“What have I told you about compassion?” Drexus stared at Maera. “Drain him. I want all of his magic.”
“That will kill him.”
“The Healer can tell when he’s close to dying.” Drexus looked at Kord, who nodded. Maera hesitated, looking from Jasce to the girl. Drexus grabbed her by the arm. “Would you like your son strapped to the table instead? I’m sure I can have Rowan brought in from training.”
Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head. She inserted the needles into Jasce’s body. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Wait!” Jasce yelled. The only way to save the girl was to tell Drexus the truth. Kord would survive the procedure, but Emile wouldn’t if Jasce didn’t tell him.
“I’m done waiting. Maera, begin.”
Jasce glanced at Kord, who gave a shallow nod and closed his eyes.
Jasce twisted to stare at Drexus. “The only way to combine magic is to use Kord’s healing power alongside mine. That’s why the other experiments haven’t worked. You need both.”
A grin slowly spread across Drexus’s face. “Of course. Why didn’t I think of it before? And you sacrificed all those Spectrals to keep your secret? I underestimated you, Azrael. You are the Angel of Death.”
Jasce squeezed his eyes shut—more blood staining his hands. But he couldn’t let Emile die, not when he knew how to save her.
His eyes found Maera’s. “Save her, please.”
“Maera, you may begin,” Drexus said, his knife still pressed to Jasce’s throat. Kord stood nearby, staring at the tubes sticking out of Jasce’s arms.
Maera’s shoulders sagged. She went to her equipment, the whirring sound filling the air. Jasce’s breath hitched as his magic left his body.
“Emile, be strong.” Jasce tried to move his head to see her face but could only make out her tiny frame, trembling. Her soft cries cut through Jasce like a dull blade.
“That’s so endearing,” Drexus said, snarling. “Increase the flow,” he said to Maera.
Jasce groaned against the pull, his magic emptying at an alarming speed. His heartbeat slowed, his body going limp. He struggled to keep from vomiting, the room spinning violently. He heard Kord’s voice from a distance.
“That’s enough, you’re killing him.”
The whirring stopped.
Jasce’s head sagged to the side. He was unable to move or speak. He felt like he was floating helplessly above the table.
Kenz cried out his name.
Metal scraped against stone, and then something bumped Jasce near his head. They had wheeled in another table.
“Your turn, Healer,” Drexus said. The table squeaked and chains rattled. Kord’s hands brushed against Jasce’s.
“You’re out of your mind!” Kenz shouted, pulling against her restraints.
“Sacrifice is needed for discovery. Now shut up, or I’ll let Bronn have his way with you,” Drexus said.
The whirring of the machines started again.
“Kenz, it’ll be fine,” Kord said.
Jasce’s mind screamed, telling himself to get up, to move, to do something.
Emile cried out and Kord grunted.
Drexus’s boots thudded as he walked away from Jasce. “Very slow, Maera. And keep adding the healing magic.”
Emile whimpered.
Jasce felt a finger touch his knuckle and a familiar warmth rippled through him. He forced his body still and kept his eyes closed as Kord’s healing power slowly awakened his magic.
Emile cried out.
They needed to hurry. He visualized his magic swirling through his body, filling every part of him. He embraced it, welcomed it as he grew stronger.
Emile screamed louder.
“Stop it!” Kenz yelled, then she grunted at the sound of a fist striking flesh.
Anger burned through Jasce, and this time his magic didn’t fight it. He welcomed the rage and the two intensified, feeding off each other until Jasce felt the initial tug, a comforting darkness enveloping him.
Metal shattered as Jasce broke his chains and disappeared, reappearing behind Bronn and slamming his head into the wall. He grabbed Bronn’s sword and slashed it down on Kenz’s shackles before wrenching the collar off her neck. With both their collars removed, he immediately felt her magic swirl around his, filling a hole he hadn’t realized was empty.
Drexus swore and ignited his fire, forming a whip that sizzled through the air. Jasce blocked the attack, wincing as the flames singed his hand. He tried to vault, but his magic wasn’t strong enough—Kord’s power had only healed him enough to get free.
“Kenz, get them out of here!” Jasce lunged forward, swinging his sword, slicing Drexus’s cloak. Drexus snarled and launched a fireball at Jasce, who jumped out of the way.
Kenz ignited her shield, ramming the two soldiers into the wall, knocking them unconscious. Maera dashed to Kord, who groaned as the tubes ripped free, his restraints clanking onto the table. He rushed to Emile’s side, sweeping her unconscious body into his arms.
“Go!” Jasce yelled. “I’ll hold him off.”
Drexus laughed. “Look at you, trying to play the hero.” A spear of black fire shot across the room, glancing off Jasce’s shoulder. He hissed, almost dropping his sword.
Bronn groaned, rubbing his head and trying to stand. Maera stood in the corner, her eyes wide with terror. Kenz sprinted to the unconscious soldiers and grabbed a sword. “Jasce, come on!” She pushed Kord, who held Emile, out of the room.
Drexus cackled, shooting firebombs at Jasce, who upended the exam table to use as cover. Black fire separated Jasce and Maera from the door. Kenz stood in the corridor, using her shield to push back the flames.
“Bronn, go after them!” Drexus ordered, maneuvering the fire to clear a path. Bronn struggled to get up, stumbling as he headed for the doorway. Maera took a step toward the exit.
“I don’t think so,” Drexus said, flinging his dagger into her chest.
Maera cried out in pain, sliding to the floor, shock in her eyes as she stared at the knife.
“No!” Jasce yelled. He tried to get to her but Drexus raised his arms and the wall of flames surged.
Bronn lumbered toward the door, grabbing the other guard’s sword.
“Kenz, go!” Jasce yelled. She looked down the corridor and then back at him, her eyes filling with tears. Her shield faded as she disappeared with Bronn on her heels, both of them swallowed by the black smoke.
Jasce swore. He needed to kill Drexus—that’s why he was here, why he’d surrendered himself. But now his friends were in danger.
An explosion erupted from the corner of the room. The metal table glowed, air rippling from the heat. Black fire coiled along the floor, inches from where Jasce knelt. He wiped away the sweat dripping into his eyes and dug deep for his magic; he just needed enough to get him to the corridor. Jasce focused on the tug, picturing the hallway he had walked down these past two weeks. Hatred filled his heart as he took one last look at Drexus and vaulted.
Jasce barely reached the door. Drexus roared, sending a stream of fire straight for him. He rolled out of the way and sprinted down the corridor after Bronn. Rage burned through him, unable to stomach the fact that he had let Drexus go again. If Kord and Kenz had just stayed away, then Jasce would have destroyed Drexus once and for all.
Light glowed from the end of the hallway and Jasce burst through the doorway into the courtyard.
“Jasce, watch out!”
A board swung out of nowhere, hitting Jasce in the temple and knocking him on his back. The air rushed out of his lungs as stars swirled in his vision.
Drexus’s oily laugh sounded behind him, accompanied by the clomp of boots from the corridor. “Excellent. I knew I could count on my Right Hand,” Drexus said, yanking Jasce to his feet as he snarled in his ear. “She’s even better than you.”
Jasce lifted his head, blinking. A young woman with golden hair lowered her arms, the board dropping to the ground. She wore a silver dress that made her gray eyes glimmer. Eyes Jasce hadn’t seen in thirteen years.
Jasce’s knees weakened as an image rushed into his mind of a girl running through the forest laughing, her tangled blonde hair flowing behind her, hands holding wildflowers, her cheeks smudged with dirt.
Drexus smiled at the woman and then turned toward Jasce. “Say hello to your sister.”