*Ember* The days continued to pass, and the tension in Moon Haven remained palpable. It seemed that every day another messenger was coming back to deliver news of the front lines, but there were no updates about Alec or Bryan. Lukas’ army was halted for now, and the forces of Whitelark were recovering, but it wouldn’t be long before the stalemate ended. Tonight, Mary, Lauryn, and I sat outside as the sun began to set. Mary hadn’t eaten much or seemed to realize that she was falling apart every time the messenger came with no news. I wasn’t much better, but I had my training to focus on instead of the pain usually. Today, though, Chastine had kept me from training with the maidens because of some secret rite that they were going through that might hurt me if I was there. I had practiced what I could alone. I hadn’t even managed to rustle any leaves. All of my energy was being consumed by my worry about Alec. I sank onto the steps of the Palace of the Moon, looking out on Moon H

*Alec*I still wasn’t sure about what to think about Grey or where he was leading us. As we followed Grey through the dense forest, the shadows of the towering trees cast an eerie, otherworldly glow. My stomach was turning into knots as we walked. Everything in me was telling me that I shouldn’t be here, but I pushed that feeling away. Grey and wherever he was taking us was a safe haven, at least for us to heal up, and if not that, then to get more reinforcements against Lukas. How many were there? Grey had been vague. I didn’t know if that was to protect them or because he didn’t feel it was important for us to know.We moved swiftly, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of fallen leaves beneath our feet. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and my heart raced with a mix of hope and anxiety. A deep unsettling feeling started to grow further into the forest we went to, but I couldn’t place why. It wasn’t a feeling I had ever experienced before. A part of me knew something

*Ember*The words echoed through my mind like a far-off whisper carried by the wind of my hopes and deepest fears. Alec was alive. He was still fighting, but what of the shadow walkers? Would they betray him? Were they aligned with Lukas?I could hear his voice in the back of my mind. I felt the cold of the night air on my skin and stiffened my jaw as my heart started to race. The cool breeze of the evening ruffled my hair as I tried to think. Whitelark Castle was so far away from where my mind was. “How is the fight going?” Lauryn asked. He winced. “They're pushing back Lukas' forces, but the battle is fierce. There are reinforcements coming from the West, we think."My gut turned. I bit my lip, trying to suppress the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “How many? How quickly will they get there?” I asked. His eyes widened as he stared at me, seemingly speechless. Was he surprised that I was asking, or was it my tone? “Tell me!”He jolted and shook

*Ember*Love you…At that moment, the battlefield faded into the background, the clash of steel and cries of battle drowned out by the echo of Alec's words. The world around me seemed to blur into a chaotic whirlwind, leaving nothing but the sight of Alec on his knees between the two men. All I could hear was his voice. I didn’t even realize I was screaming, reaching for power within me, reaching for him as I ran, wishing I could just go a bit faster. One of Lukas' warriors pulled out his sword and took a stance right behind Alec, sword gleaming with deadly intent.Time seemed to slow as our eyes locked. The glint of malice in his gaze sent a spear of cold terror through me that turned into burning hot fury. I felt it surging through me. My power sparked and skidded. Despair sank in as I realized I couldn’t call the shadows up to stop him. I watched in agonizing slowness as the warrior drove his sword right through Alec’s back until the blade came out of his chest, red an

*Alec*I woke up to darkness, my body aching, and a heavy weight on my chest. As my eyes adjusted to the fading light of day, I realized I was in the woods. Trees towered over me, their branches dancing in the breeze. I groaned and tried to move. I went rigid, panting through the pain that shot through me. As it ebbed, I pushed a little harder against the heavy weight on top of me. What was on top of me? I smelled blood, mostly mine, but there was also the dirt of dug-up earth and fallen leaves. Had someone tried to bury me? I almost snorted. It was just like Lukas’ men to do a half-ass job on even the simplest task. My stomach lurched as I rolled down the small burial mound to the forest floor. The world spun around me. I could feel that my injuries had started to close. I needed food and rest. I needed shelter if the darkened sky meant oncoming rain. I tried to stand, but my body screamed in protest. I choked on the pain, curling up as the sound of the evening and the fore