Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 187(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
"That's new." Adriel fixes his single black eye on me. "Exactly how much does she know?"
"Not sure," I admit. "The Forsaken killed her parents when they took her."
"We need to know what she knows." Adriel scowls, his natural state.
"I'm aware." I narrow my eyes on him. "But I just spent hours consoling her after pushing further than I should have. I won't do it again. They've been holding her captive for six weeks. She needs time."
"Faen," Damrion breathes, rocking back on his heels. "Six weeks?"
"Ja." I exhale a breath, meeting our leader's gaze. "Her parents knew about the Valkyrie. The night she was taken, they told her to find us here and warn us that the Forsaken were coming."
"Helvete." Reaper gapes at me, shell-shocked.
"Were they Blooded?" Damrion's sharp, assessing gaze rolls over me, probing for answers I don't have.
"Unlikely. Her mother knew the names of the Valkyrie." I hold his gaze, unblinking. "Including the name of the one we haven't yet found. Kara."
My brothers are completely silent as they absorb this news. It's unsettling, both because it's unexpected and because not even Abigail has been able to See the names of the Valkyrie. She's the strongest Seer we've ever met. If there was one stronger than her out there, one whose Sight surpassed even a Valkyrie's…the fact that she's now dead and beyond our reach is a grim thought. Gods only know what knowledge passed with her. Knowledge that might have helped us protect the Valkyrie and win this war.
"Helvete," Adriel growls, the scar across his face puckering. "If she knew so much, perhaps it's a good thing the Forsaken didn't take her too."
"Ja," I whisper, guilt flickering through me. The thought feels like a betrayal to Marion. We're speaking about her mother. Had they taken her, she might still be alive right now. My Valkyrie might not carry so much guilt. But Adriel is right. That kind of power in the hands of the Forsaken is deadly. Gods only know what they might have done with it.
"Does Marion remember much from her time in their tender mercies?" Dax asks, his head cocked to the side.
"Nei. They kept her drugged for most of it."
He nods as if he expected that answer, something flickering in his gaze. But before I can ask where his thoughts lie, he glances at Damrion. "We need to check the wall."
"Ja." Damrion scrubs a hand down his face, his gaze flickering toward the stairs. "We should hurry before Abigail wakes."
"Or our mates decide to try opening a portal," Reaper mutters, earning a grunt from Dax.
"I almost forgot how exhausting looking after a group of stubborn Valkyrie could be," Adriel mutters, earning chuckles from my brothers.
"I didn't forget," Reaper mutters. "I intentionally blocked it out."
We reluctantly file out into the biting cold, cursing as the fierce wind slap us in the face. At this elevation, winter comes early and clings late. Not even the weak rays of the sun do much to beat back the encroaching ice and snow.
The portal spit out us where we were sure to remain hidden. Even after this part of the world became crowded, not many humans ventured to this elevation. It's too high, too cold, too rugged. There's nothing here but snow, ice, and the looming threat of the volcano eclipsing our little stronghold.
Our little town has changed in the last several days. While I've been keeping watch over my Valkyrie, the Fae have been rebuilding and preparing for war.
The walls have been fortified from the inside, with massive trenches dug around them. Giant pits have been carved into the ground, making it hazardous for the Forsaken to open their portals directly in town. If they try, they may very well break their foolish necks as soon as they step out. Pikes are driven into the ground in a maze, ensuring that any varulv who leap from a portal end on the pointy side of a long stick.
Eitr is no longer a haven. It's a fortress, ready for war. And it's not nearly enough. The Forsaken have an army. We sent half of our warriors away weeks ago. There's no chance they'll make it back in time.
"The Valkyrie need to open the portal," I mutter as we pass beyond the gates to examine the wall the Forsaken brought down during their first attack.
Dax, Reaper, and Adriel all turn on me, glowering.
"Nei," Reaper growls, his massive arm slicing through the air. "Absolutely not."
"Helvete," Dax snaps at the same time, scowling daggers at me. "What are you talking about, Malachi?"
"Have you lost your Gods-damned mind?" Adriel snarls.
My brows furrow as I look at him. "You were on board with this plan last it was broached," I remind the fierce, one-eyed warrior.
"Ja. That was before we knew the risks," he snaps. "Abigail says if she falls, they all fall. It stands to reason the same is true if any of them fall to Darkness. We cannot allow it."