The northern watchtower horn sounded before sunrise. Mira woke to the echo of it reverberating through stone corridors, and dread settled heavily in her chest before her mind fully caught up. The memory of Stonevale banners riding beside Nightshade still lingered from the night before, and now the sound confirmed what fear had already whispered.
Ryker was gone from his chamber. She felt him through the bond, not distant this time, but blazing. He was not withdrawn, he was furious.
Mira dressed quickly and moved toward the battlements. Warriors flooded the stairwells in controlled urgency, and steel rang against steel as weapons were retrieved from racks.
By the time she reached the northern wall, Ryker already stood at its edge.
Rowan stood at his right side, his expression hard and fo
