Lyra left the forest full of hope and promises. She chatted with Tinesi and the others, learning about them and her future expectations. Kindroth made it clear not to reveal who they were to anyone. If the Rangers agreed to use Nasir as bait to lure out his master, they would go after the dark mage. That much she could share.

  Scratching her face revealed dried animal blood under her nails. Tinesi offered to help her wash it off, but she refused. Lyra wanted a reminder about her new oaths. A minor discomfort would be a small price to pay.

  The guards in front of the Ranger compound had switched since she left. She hadn’t recognized them, but they knew her. One of them rushed over and said, “You're back! Hold on. Is that blood? Are you hurt?”

  Patting the elf on the shoulder, she shook her head and said, “No, I’m fine. I was having fun with friends. Don’t worry about it.” She smiled at the discomfort the elf clearly felt, trying to imagine what kind of fun she had.

  Stepping to the side to move around the guard, she halted when he said, “We have orders for you to report to Haera immediately.”

  A sigh escaped before Lyra could compose herself. She pondered if it was too late to turn around and pretend that she never came back. The slight shake of his head gave her the impression that the Ranger knew what she was thinking and had the grace to save her the trouble.

  “Orders received. You may return to your post.” The relief on his face voiced his worry over having to explain to Haera that Lyra ignored her orders. “Fear not. You won’t get an earful from Haera because of me tonight.”

  The Ranger still at the gate laughed at her last comment and said, “Thank you. We appreciate it.”

  She started regretting not accepting Tinesi’s offer to help clean her up. Haera gave Lyra the, are you serious, look. Instead of inquiring, Haera said, “Shaerwyn hasn’t returned yet. The only reason they wouldn’t make it back is if something happened.”

  Pressing her aura against Lyra enough to make her feel uncomfortable, she said, “You told me to let Nasir remain. That something was off about him. That he had changed somehow.”

  Lyra could see where this was going and felt conflicted about how to respond since her allegiance between the Rangers and the Shadow Breakers conflicted. “Yes. I did say that. Why do you ask?”

  “Why?” Haera laughed as if that was the worst joke ever told. “I feel one of the strongest auras usually reserved for the magical beasts we kill inside my own base, and all I find is Nasir walking away after Siranya accosted him, no less. I have no proof it was him, so I let it pass. Should I be regretting my decisions?”

  While massaging her brow, Lyra inquired, "Do you know how magical beasts are made?"

  Surprised, Haera nodded and said, “Of course. There are mages who learn a form of corrupt magic and use that to mutate the wildlife. I have killed my fair share of traitors.”

  Lyra said, “Yes, good enough for my purposes. Next, can you recall what those elves felt like? Their magical presence, I mean.”

  Shock on her face, Haera stumbled back till she sat on the lip of her desk. “No, it can’t be. Are you suggesting he is one of them?”

  She knew there was no going back after this. There were some words that changed lives irrevocably. “That is what my friend wanted me to find out. I wanted to prove her wrong. How could I believe he would align himself to a power that thrives on the suffering of others?”

  Taking a deep breath, Lyra said, “Like you, I had no actual proof. Until I heard the rumors about your reaction to Nasir’s aura. My new friends are more familiar with hunting the traitors, and all but confirmed what we wish wasn’t.”

  Pressed back to the wall from the oppressive aura, Lyra gritted her teeth and said, “Whatever happens tomorrow, please don’t confront him right away. This may be our only chance to lure out his master. The one responsible for most of the magical beasts you keep fighting.”

  Restraining her aura, Haera let out a breath and asked, “What do you have in mind?”

  Lyra grimaced, shook her head trying to gather her courage, and said, “If Nasir is the reason something happened, it will probably involve Siranya. Nasir made it clear he wants me and from what I have heard, she attacked him because of me.”

  Narrowing her eyes, Haera spoke softly. “Are you telling me he would kill one of my Rangers?”

  Not willing to speak anymore, Lyra started to shrug, froze, and then nodded.

  “If he doesn’t give me a reason to kill him on the spot, I will bring this up with Kindroth to decide how we proceed. There are a few Rangers who excel at hiding that I can use to monitor Nasir in the meantime. For now, go get that blood washed off and get some rest. This ends tomorrow.”

  Shaerwyn's return late morning the following day with Nasir and Elemalu, carrying a single bag of what little could be salvaged from Siranya’s body, crumbled the fragile peace over Timberland. Since a full-out magical battle didn’t take place, Lyra had to assume Haera held to her word not to confront Nasir. From the whispers going around, they convinced him to spend time with the healers for observation.

  As for Lyra, she sat inside Rolim’s, looking up at Shaerwyn and Elemalu. Focused on their aura, Lyra noticed small fluctuations and deducted it was from unstable emotions, lack of quality sleep, the death of a friend, and the unease from being around Nasir. Discovering she could detect fluctuations at all, or interpret them, didn’t even surprise her.

  I need to take the time to figure out what the artifact is doing to me.

  “Why did Haera send us here to meet you? What do you know?”

  “Hello to you too. Have a seat and keep your voice down. We have much to discuss.”

  Lyra turned to the Ranger sitting at the table next to them and said, “Go ahead.” A bubble of air cocooned the table that Lyra sat at, giving them privacy while dampening the noise coming from the rest of the patrons.

  A soft touch from Elemalu calmed Shaerwyn enough to convince her to comply. Elbows resting on the table, the Ranger leader leaned in and said, “Start talking.”

  Meeting the Rangers' gaze, Lyra said, “Siranya didn’t die because of a magical beast, and you already know who was responsible.”

  Shaerwyn snarled and said, “Nasir.”

  “But how? Why?”

  Lyra glanced at Elemalu and replied, “What did it feel like healing Nasir during my mission against the crows?”

  He looked at her with a puzzled expression. “I felt resistance.”

  “Not just resistant, but an antithesis to your magic. When he visited me after our mission, I felt it too. How could I know he had betrayed us? If it weren’t for my past interactions and the knowledge my new friends provided, I never would have believed it myself.”

  Losing patience, Shaerwyn slammed her fist down on the table, knocking over drinks, growled, and said, “Stop beating around the bush and spill it.”

  “A mage corrupted him with their magic. His new master, according to what my friends have determined, is responsible for the majority of magical beast attacks. Directly or indirectly through his recruits.”

  Caught between telling them the truth and protecting the order frustrated Lyra. Hand reaching where the blood had been, she felt her resolve begin to solidify.

  Seething with rage hidden behind her eyes, Shaerwyn asked, “So, what are we going to do about it?”

  Lyra reached out and held Shaerwyn's hand and said, “We are going to use him as bait to bring out his master and kill them both. Nasir has been told about the wake we are holding this evening with everyone present. If he can communicate with his master, there is a chance he shows up with a force to attack.”

  “And if nothing happens?”

  Lyra saw the determination in Shaerwyn's gaze and together they looked at Elemalu and said, “We kill him.”

  Haera appeared next to the wind mage, who cut off the barrier, bringing back the chatter from the other patrons, cutting off their conversation, and said, “I expect the two of you to act as if nothing is wrong. Both of you will be in the greatest danger at the start. Head back and prepare for the wake.”

  Elemalu rose with Shaerwyn, saluted, then left.

  “Is it time?”

  “Yes. I will warn you now, be respectful toward Teriani. The leader of Timberwood can be very, passionate, fulfilling their duty.”

  The guard stationed by the door nodded to Haera and opened the door. Multiple voices, once silenced behind the spell, sprung up mid-conversation.

  “I am tired of your excuses. You’re supposed to protect Timberland, not put it in more danger. We never agreed to this.”

  Lyra walked behind Haera, stopping when she had cleared the door, and the guard closed it. An unfamiliar elf who that sat across the table from Kellam pointed and said, “How long do I have to wait before someone explains what’s going on?”

  “Why can’t we wait for more support? You can’t expect me to defend against magical beasts with my defenders alone while the rest of you are off in the forest.” Raptor leaned forward. Hand clenched.

  “You don’t have to tell me how dangerous it can be out there. We are the ones risking our lives to protect Timberland. Do you expect us to ignore this threat?” Glaring at Raptor at the end of the table, with a relaxed Elora separating them, was Gorre.

  The Ranger representatives sat on one side with Timberland on the other with their respective leaders sitting in the middle. Haera pointed next to Kellam and Lyra sat down. Haera sat to Lyra’s left, which left an empty seat separating her from Teriani.

  Noticing her for the first time, Teriani pointed at Lyra and said, “Who is she? Get her out of here! She doesn’t belong.”

  Patting her arm, Kellam smiled, clearly ignoring the other elf, and said, “Thank you for coming.”

  “With all due respect, sir. Lyra has every right to be here, “said Elora, speaking up for the first time since Lyra walked in. She tapped Raptor’s clenched fist and said, “Don’t be rude.”

  The captain of the guard unclenched his fist, nodded to his wife, and said, “I apologize. It is nice to see you both,” looking at Haera and Lyra.

  “Teriani has a point. Why is Lyra here? This is unconventional.” Unlike Teriani, Gorre remained calm. His no-nonsense attitude tackling the situation.

  Grinning at Gorre, Haera said, “Lyra knows the traitor and has proven her worth. Her input will be relevant to our discussion.”

  Lyra flinched back at the sudden noise when Teriani slammed his hands on the table and said, “What do you mean she knows them? What if she is a spy? Raptor, I demand you remove her at once!”

  When Raptor rose, Ruvan burst from Lyra’s necklace, appearing on the table, flame tail burning brighter than usual, and growled at Teriani. The elf shoved his seat back in his attempt to distance himself from the elemental.

  Ruvan protect momma.

  Raptor placed a hand on his sword, which prompted Haera to rise, a dagger in her hand. Eyes focused on Teriani, Lyra said, “Why would I help him? He could be the reason my husband and child are dead. Help? The only help I will provide is to kill him.”

  Ruvan took another step towards Teriani, prompting Raptor to draw his own blade.

  Breaking the tension, Kellam said, “Lyra, please ask Ruvan to return.” He glanced at Haera and said, “There will be no need for violence here. Sit.”

  Sharpening his tone, he addressed Timberland’s representatives and said, “Threaten my Rangers again and I will put all support from Timberland during our mission today.”

  Return to momma. It will be alright.

  The elemental returned to Lyra's necklace, leaving four scorch marks where it had stood. Haera returned to her seat, leaving an upset Teriani and an uncertain Raptor.

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  Elora snapped her fingers and said, “Please sit down.” Lyra could barely sense the energy from Elora’s spell. They sat back down without saying another word, which confused Lyra.

  Clapping his hands with his relaxed smile back in place, Kellam said, “Haera, report.”

  “We plan on holding a wake for Siranya, inviting everyone. There will be a detachment on the outer perimeter acting as security and an early warning against an attack. If nothing happens, we subdue, question, and kill the traitor on the spot.”

  Gorre said, “I have organized the best Rangers for security and guard protection for me and Kellam. I am also coordinating with Raptor in case the enemy attacks the town in our absence and have asked Elora to help me with the merchants.”

  Everyone shifted their focus to the elf, who nodded and said, “Yes. I have talked with the merchants, and they will close their shops early today. We have also sent Rangers out to tell those scheduled to arrive today that the town will be on lockdown this evening. The plan is to let the residents know there is a magical beast in the area.”

  Leaning back in his chair, Kellam grinned and said, “My Rangers have the situation under control. You have little to fear.”

  Teriani growled in frustration, huffed, and said, “Fine, but I still see no reason for her to be here.”

  “Fair point. Lyra, tell them about your friends.”

  All eyes focused on her, but she looked at Teriani, and said, “My friends have been hunting the elf who turned Nasir into a traitor. They have offered to assist the Rangers if their target shows up. I can vouch for their capabilities. Tinesi already proved herself when she helped the Rangers kill a magical beast on her way toward Timberland not that long ago.”

  “Why haven’t they revealed themselves? Why not join the Rangers properly?”

  Lyra leaned forward so she could see Gorre and said, “They have their own allegiance. Our interests happen to align this time.” He shook his head and said, “Kellam, why are you agreeing to this?”

  At the same time, Raptor faced his wife and asked, “Why didn’t you ask me for help with the merchants? It’s my job.”

  A tap on her left shoulder drew her attention away from the conversations. Haera said, “Teriani can be aggravating. Thank you for not letting your fox attack him.”

  That same magical signature pulsed behind her from Elora, who said, “You have enough to deal with. It wasn’t an issue. Trust me.”

  Kellam laughed. “Stop being so uptight. We need all the help, and if Lyra trusts them, then so do I.”

  “You trust too easily.”

  Focused on Haera, Lyra said, “I can tell he cares about the town. He could benefit from working on that temper of his, though.”

  The door opened behind her, and the guard said, “Raptor, you're needed.”

  Kellam stood up and said, “This is a perfect time to end our meeting. Lyra, Haera, and Gorre follow me.”

  Ignoring Teriani’s attempt to keep the Rangers, Kellam walked out. Lyra followed behind Gorre, with Haera bringing up the rear. Kellam led the way, unlocking his room, and waited for everyone to enter before joining and locking it.

  “Someone tell me how we are protecting ourselves from Nasir?”

  Haera spoke up and said, “We don’t know what abilities he is hiding now that he has become a traitor.”

  “Elemalu, Haera, and I are familiar with how his magic feels. Between Haera and I, we can react quickly if he taps into his new powers.”

  “I still want to know more about your friends. What are their capabilities?”

  Lyra stood there; lips pursed.

  Kellam filled the void, slapping Gorre on the back, and said, “Teriani may have a tree up his butt, but he cares. Make sure we offer enough patrols to keep Timberland safe. Have plans in place if we need to retreat to protect the town.”

  Gorre’s shoulders slumped in defeat and turned toward the door, which unlocked, opened, and then closed behind him.

  Dropping his joyful demeanor, Kellam turned to Lyra and said, “What is your relationship with Tinesi and her friends?”

  Questions as to why he would ask flooded her mind. Does he know who they are? Who was she? Could this be a test? How much can I say?”

  Ignoring them all, she said, “I met Tinesi on my travels and she asked me to help since I was capable. She is the one who suggested I become a Ranger.”

  Solum expression, Kellam said, “I don’t doubt your loyalty, but if you had spoken up sooner, Siranya might still be alive.”

  “And accusing without proof would have damaged my credibility at best, and at worst, Nasir could have gone on a rampage and killed many. We wouldn’t be able to lure his master after that."

  “She’s right, Kellam. I am as responsible as she is. I let him leave after I felt that release of magic that resembled magical beasts. Caution because of the lack of solid proof held my hand.”

  He smiled once more, yet none of it reached his eyes. “I know loss and regret better than anyone here. Take the lesson for what it is and end this threat.”

  Lyra joined Haera in a salute and said, “Yes, sir.”

  She felt his presence long before she reached the gate. Lyra paused when Haera gripped her shoulder. Shaking her head, she smiled. “I've got this. If I call out, you can take him out.” Haera looked up at the wall and vanished.

  Momma need help?

  Not yet.

  Shaking off her nerves, Lyra relaxed and walked out of Timberland alone. When she was out of the guard's view Nasir grabbed Lyra's arm, dragged her to the wall, and shoved her. His aura felt like he was being dropped into a bucket of fish.

  “What is wrong with you? I come back from a mission deadly enough to kill a Ranger and you don’t have the decency to visit me."

  If he could pretend as if he still held a shred of the elf he used to be and act offended for something as petty as not visiting when they both knew he was never hurt, she could play along. A part of her knew she could tap into his aura and gleam more information, but that could break her. She couldn’t afford to fall apart. Not now.

  “Back off. There’s no reason to be so angry. I had a reason. The higher-ups requested my presence. We are Rangers. Our oath means following orders.” She was also ordered to stay away from him, but Nasir didn’t need to know that.

  Nasir blurred, hand gripping her throat, he slammed her against the wall. Dizzy, she stared at him as he said, “Back off?”

  No!

  Ruvan appeared between them in a burst of light. Claws extended; the elemental fox dug into Nasir's arm forcing him to let go. Stumbling back, Nasir held his bleeding arm. One angry fire elemental now stood between them.

  Emboldened by her companion’s support, Lyra closed the distance, clenched her fist, and punched him in the jaw. Lyra poured all her rage and disappointment into that one act of defiance.

  His head whipped to the side. The sound of the impact resonated within herself.

  Ruvan.

  The fox sent a puff of flame toward Nasir's feet and returned to Lyra's necklace. Massaging her throat, Lyra walked around him. She poured all her anger into the glare she directed his way. “You should reflect on your actions and get cleaned up before Siranya’s wake today.”

  When the hand gripped her arm from behind, Lyra encased her hand in ice, swung around, and nailed Nasir in the nose. He hit the ground and had the decency to stay down that time. Lyra glanced at the blood dripping from her ice-covered fist and couldn’t help but smile.

  Back inside the Ranger compound, Haera appeared at her side, worry mixed with a rage colder than the ice Lyra used to break Nasir’s nose. “I will enjoy killing him.”

  Touching the bruises appearing around her neck, Lyra said, “If I don't get to him first.”

  Candlelight spread across the clearing reminded Lyra of the night sky and its distant lights sparkling. Each ranger in attendance held one. A promise to the dead that the living still burned with a desire to fight back. The pyre burning brightest pushed back into the darkness. Its flames reminded Lyra of the night Ryo and Airdan died. The home she set ablaze and walked away from. A life she could never have again.

  Kellam stood before the pyre. Gorre and Haera are on either side. Off to the side stood Shaerwyn, Elemalu, and Nasir. Overwhelmed by everyone's emotions leaking into her awareness, Lyra focused on ignoring those she didn't want to know about. She hadn’t realized up till now how much her newest ability lets her gleam from her surroundings.

  It was no surprise to Lyra that Kellam and Gorre were hard to read. The Ranger leader appeared relaxed, but his eyes promised mischief. Was it possible that he anticipated the enemy attacking them? Gorre’s ridged demeanor fits his personality. The elf took his responsibilities seriously, and that left little time for anything else. Haera, on the other hand, was a fiery ball of emotions. Her passion for keeping those under her alive was second to none in Timberland.

  Controlled fury blended with sadness emanated from Shaerwyn. After her last conversation, it’s no surprise the elf would feel that way, knowing a traitor under her command had murdered her friend. Elemalu was easy to read, even without her ability. Tears flowed freely from the healer. As the one responsible for keeping his charges healthy and alive, losing one must have hit him hard.

  Unwilling at first, Lyra glanced at Nasir. He had suppressed most of his dark aura, but not to the extent he had before he fully accepted the darkness. When their eyes met, he grinned, forcing her to look away in disgust.

  “Rangers to attention!” Gorre said. His eyes roamed the crowd.

  Using their free hand not holding a candle, everyone saluted. He nodded and said, “We are here today to honor the dead and give our respects to a fallen Ranger.”

  “Thank you, Gorre,” Kellam said after stepping forward. The mischievousness from before was replaced with a serene expression. “I have known Siranya for a very long time. Her ambition to become the best she could be. Siranya was quick as the lightning she possessed. Never hesitating to put herself between danger and those she called friends.”

  He glanced at Shaerwyn and said, “Your calm, rational decision-making made you the perfect choice for Siranya. Together, I knew the two of you would go far. All you needed was a wonderful healer to patch you up and another sword around to round out the group.”

  Kellam stepped back and placed a hand on Haera’s shoulder. She stepped forward and said, “May this all be a reminder to you all. No one is invincible. This is why I train you so hard. Remember this the next time you decide to fight on your own without proper support from someone you trust.”

  What could only be an obvious dig at Nasir caused the crowd of Rangers, who knew about the circumstances of her death, to whisper.

  A blast of dark energy silenced the whispers. Nasir glared and said, “Don’t you dare judge me. I proved myself time and again and what did I get in return? Tossed down a hole. Forced to live in darkness. I’m done pretending you are all worthy of being comparable to me.”

  The cries of pain echoed all around them from beyond the perimeter, followed by the howls of beasts. Lyra expanded her senses, which let her know instantly the danger they were all in.

  Nasir reached for his sword, prompting Haera to teleport, dagger in hand. He stumbled under her oppressive aura but did not fall. Writhing shadows emerged, blossoming around his feet. Another blast of darkness knocked her back mid-swing.

  Standing tall, he sneered at Haera when she shifted locations once more. "I won't let you play your games anymore." Said Nasir.

  Stumbling forward, Haera looked around, confused.

  Witnessing Nasir vanish and reappear from within Haera’s shadow, Lyra said, “Behind you!”

  Haera taped into her magic and shifted locations before black lightning slammed down where she had been and again, avoiding an earthen spike from impaling her.

  Leaving Keya and Paeral behind, Lyra hurled a ball of water into Nasir and froze him in place. He broke free immediately, but long enough for Haera to appear and go for the killing blow. He raised his sword to block without success. Haera adjusted her aim and took his hand off at the wrist. Nasir’s sword fell to the ground with the hand.

  He covered himself in shadows and vanished along with the dropped sword, leaving behind his severed hand.

  “Haera, I need you!”

  Hearing Kellam’s plea, she vanished herself.

  Left on her own, Lyra surveyed the battlefield. Wolves, bears, large cats, deer, and a multitude of small creatures. The dark mage mutated anything that lived in the forest within his grasp and could cause damage. No strangers to combat, her fellow Rangers fought back. What the magical beasts lacked in strength; they made up in pure numbers.

  Knowing the true threat still lingered, Lyra focused on Nasir’s aura and located him. When that wasn’t enough, she searched for his thoughts and shivered. Barely visible in the shadows, the traitor held his sword with a newly created shadow hand. She raced towards her target, her signature weapon forming in her hand. The long-curved blade sticking out on both ends.

  Wind-enhanced speed propelled her forward past teeth and claws. Swinging with all her might, Lyra aimed at Nasir’s neck. Cutting through the tree he stood beside. She frowned.

  “Did you try killing me? Your own family?”

  Turning around, Lyra glared at Nasir with open contempt. “All I see is a traitor and a dark mage who gave up his honor and self-respect because he was too weak.”

  Roaring with rage, Nasir’s shadow tendrils lashed out, forcing Lyra back. “I am not weak.” He raised his arms and looked around at the chaos with a smile. “Do you not see the power my master wields? It will soon all be mine.”

  Momma need help?

  No. Stay for now.

  With all the conviction she could muster, Lyra said, “I won’t let you.”

  He began to teleport into every shadow around her, blasts of black lightning hitting the ground close enough to raise the hair on her arms. She had the reach with her weapon, but the constant teleporting made it impossible to land a blow. Lyra was sure she had a magic spell that could do something, but the constant barrage of black lightning took all her focus to avoid.

  She had to admit it. Nasir had the upper hand in this fight.

  “Give up and join me.”

  “Join you? You’re delusional. I thought I had made myself clear already. I joined the Rangers to hunt magical beasts, not to support the dark mages who created them. Have you forgotten the atrocities they committed?”

  Teleporting behind her, Nasir grabbed Lyra by the neck and threw her to the ground. She gasped for breath from the impact.

  “So be it. I'm going to kill everyone you know until you're left with no choice but to come to me.”

  She turned around, trying to find Nasir. Back on her feet, Lyra ran, even though she knew it wouldn’t help. Just like before. Powerless.

  Nasir stabbed Elemalu from behind with his sword. He grabbed the healer by the head and sent black lightning coursing through the Ranger. Shaerwyn reacted with an attack that passed through space when Nasir vanished, letting Elemalu collapse lifelessly on the ground.

  He sent an earthen spike jutting from underneath her. Slamming a water spell into the jutting earth, Shaerwyn grunted as she dodged the worst of it. Holding her side where the tip ripped through her armor, Shaerwyn winced.

  When Lyra reengaged Nasir, she went for the killing blow. Laughing, he vanished. Behind her, she heard, “Leave her with us. Kill the traitor.”

  Recognizing Luthais, she nodded. Nasir noticed the intervention and growled. He sent another bolt of black lightning toward Shaerwyn, but a force shield controlled by a Ranger working with Luthais deflected it. They healed Shaerwyn and guided her toward safety. Another carrying Elemalu over their shoulder.

  “Fine. If I can’t have her, I will have to cut the head off at the root instead.”

  Lyra yelled out, “Haera, watch out!”

  Nasir impaled two Rangers guarding Kellam before Haera could teleport herself and confront him. On her way to support them, Lyra watched Kellam use his wind magic to destroy the earth spikes or deflect Nasir’s sword strikes aimed at Haera.

  Gorre focused on directing the remaining Rangers nearby, still locked in battle with the magical beasts. If he saw someone struggling, he would reach out and clench his fist. Unsure what his magic was, Lyra struggled to figure out why the creatures collapsed as if they couldn’t hold up their weight.

  Noticing a pattern, Lyra guessed where Nasir would appear and altered her weapon back into a dagger, and thrust it toward the distortion she felt. The rare semi-sentient artifact thrust into Nasir’s lower back to the hilt.

  She heard him gasp, head turning to see who it was. Fear creeping into his expression, he asked, "Why?"

  Lyra twisted the dagger and yanked it to the side in response.

  She never got the chance to see how much damage it had caused. Knocked back by a wall of shadow, Lyra witnessed a cocoon of shadows envelop Nasir. The dark force struck those nearby as well, allowing the shadow beasts to turn the tide of battle. Quick to react, the Rangers recovered, but at a significant cost.

  When the shadow cocoon dissolved, Nasir was gone.

  “No…I failed.”

  The injured gathered near Gorre were being protected by Haera and Kellam, who monitored the perimeter Gorre had set up. Lyra searched for Keya and Paeral and found them fighting a giant, mutated bear. Paeral fought it with his twin blades set ablaze, thanks to his sister. Keya danced around the beast firing arrows in its flank.

  “Just because you escaped this time, doesn’t mean I won’t find you. You will face the consequences of your actions. This I swear.”

  Lyra smiled at the common sight she had become accustomed to and rushed over to join the fight. Leaping into the air, her dagger transformed into the weapon she had personally designed and used its long-curved blade to slice into the bear’s neck, cutting it off with one blow.

  “Lyra, you’re here! Did you get him? Is Nasir dead? Are you unhurt? Why did you leave us behind?”

  Keya slapped her brother’s back and grinned. “Take a breather, brother. Lyra doesn’t need all the questions. Let us focus on killing the rest of these beasts first.”

  “Yes! Of course. You’re right. So, where to?”

  It still surprised her how quickly they agreed to let her take charge. If Keya wasn’t around to keep her brother in check, Lyra wasn’t sure she would have enjoyed being alone with Paeral.

  “Search for the injured and guide them toward Kellam as we finish off any beasts we come across.”

  They saluted and fell in line, Lyra leading the way.

  Run while you can. The darkness can’t hide you when daylight drags you from the shadows.