Chapter 41. Wolves at the Gate

The junkyard gate slammed open.

Riven burst through, lungs burning, bandaged palms clutched against her sides. Gravel skidded behind her boots as she nearly stumbled into the yard. The Crownless turned in an instant—hands on chains, knives, helmets snapping up.

“They found us.” It scraped its way out, barely a voice at all. “Ravens. Vultures. Down the road.”

The yard exploded into motion. Riders sprang to their feet. Someone cursed sharp, someone else gunned their throttle before another snapped it off again. Kenzie’s chain clattered against a fender as she rolled her shoulders, grin cutting wide.

“Finally,” she said. “I was getting bored.”

Axel pushed through the crowd, his face pale, jacket stiff with dried blood. He swayed once on the gravel before steadying himself, his good hand pressed to the bandage at his side. He didn’t ask questions. He looked at Riven and read the answer in her eyes.

“How many?”

“Scouts. But more behind. I saw the