Chapter 180

Liam

The horns began before dawn, low, guttural, echoing through the valley like the growl of something ancient awakening.

By the time the last one faded, the forest outside our stronghold was alive with movement. Torches like stars. The rhythmic thunder of thousands of boots. The metallic hiss of drawn steel.

War had come.

I stood on the ridge overlooking the field, the snow beneath my boots melting under the heat of preparation. Kai approached from behind, his breath misting in the cold.

“They’ve surrounded the east and the south,” he said. “Scouts say Darius is leading the front line himself. And that bitch is dead. You don't need to worry about her. Her head was hung for those who will see and try to betray again.”

“Of course he is,” I muttered, not bothering about Selene. “He wouldn’t send someone else to do what he believes only he can finish. He knows what he wants to deal with and he's not going to stop until he dies. Beca