Chapter 18 #2
A second scoffed. “A fucking soiree? You’re sure there’s no other way?”
It sounded like one shoved the other into the wall.
“Don’t you think if we had the option, we’d take it, Sanzo?” the first snapped. “I’m tired of being stuck on the wrong side of this war. This is the only way Tyria will accept us.”
Traitors.
They weren’t just deserters—they were turning cloak.
Most elementals sent to the Watch are there because they’ve committed an unforgivable crime.
The rest? The soulless ones. The ones too broken to survive anywhere else.
Once you’re in the Watch, there’s no release.
No furlough. No retirement. Just cold obedience until your body gives out.
Unless, of course, you sell your soul—and your people—to Tyria.
A fresh voice spoke, quieter, tense. “And what if it’s a trap? Who’s to say they won’t have dragons ready to incinerate us the second we cross the line?”
“Yeah… those gray ones are fucking terrifying. Have you seen one up close?”
“No, I—”
“Focus,” the first snapped. “We’ve been at this too long. There’s no going back. We either make the drop or let time run out. Would you rather risk prison, or take a shot at freedom?”
Freedom—in Tyria. They were trading their sentence in the Watch for a chance to defect and start over. If this masquerade really is at Tyria’s stronghold, it could be the opening we’ve been waiting for—a chance to slip behind enemy lines and finally uncover answers we’ve chased for years.
“When is it?”
“Year’s End. Midnight sharp. No earlier, no later. Tie up loose ends the night before. We’ll use the northeastern tunnel—”
Clang.
Shit. My hand slipped. Metal scraped down the side of the dumpster, rattling enough to echo.
“What was that?”
Footsteps.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
River’s panic surged. I could sense she was already sprinting through the forest toward the market. My heart slammed in my chest. My gaze flicked between the alley entrance and the shadowed figures deeper in the dark.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”
One of them stepped around the dumpster—tall, broad, and far too close. I stayed crouched, spine pressed to the wall as if I could melt into it. Don’t speak. Don’t move. Don’t give yourself away too soon.
Another shape emerged from the shadows. Before I could react, his hand fisted the collar of my jacket and yanked me to my feet, dragging me eye-level to his breath and stubble and reek of old ale.
“Looks like we caught ourselves a little eavesdropper.”
“Such pretty hazel eyes. Would you look at that?” His free hand crept toward my balaclava. “I bet she’s even more beautiful under this mask.”
I jerked back as far as I could.
“Honey! I’m so sorry. I don’t want to argue. I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Nash’s voice rang down the alley, louder than necessary, slurred like he’d had one too many ales.
They blinked, thrown off just long enough.
I struck.
In one motion, I unsheathed my dagger and slammed the blunt edge into my captor’s temple. His grip loosened as his body dropped like a sack of grain.
“Grab her!” the other shouted.
But Nash and I were already gone.
We tore through the market, zigzagging between stalls, knocking over crates and cursing our way into a full-blown scene. So much for staying low.
I reached for the marekem, locking onto Scarlet. We crashed through the crowd, drawing shouted protests and a cascade of spilled goods behind us.
A wild laugh escaped me as I vaulted a table and, for good measure, yanked the hideous hat off Scarlet’s head mid-air. Her wide eyes met mine, but she didn’t miss a beat—she turned and ran. Rhodes followed instantly.
The four of us bolted through the market to a chorus of angry shouts. At the edge of the square, River burst from the trees like a force of nature. We mounted fast. Villagers flung words and whatever they had in hand, but it was too late—we were already gone.
The four of us finally put enough forest between us and the village to breathe. Once we broke through the thick press of trees and found an opening wide enough to camp, we yanked our mounts to a halt.
Adrenaline still buzzed under my skin. I doubled over with laughter—the kind that bubbles out when you’ve outrun death by a hair. Nash hopped down and slapped my hand with a grin, breathless and wild-eyed.
“What in the holy elements was that, Fitzroy?” Rhodes stormed toward me, fury radiating off him.
I turned, still breathless. My laughter vanished.
“You could’ve gotten us killed!”
Scarlet stepped between us, pale as bone, but I pushed past her. “I can fight my own battles,” I snapped.
Rhodes got close, his face a thundercloud. “Then stop dragging us into yours.”
I lifted my chin. “I’ll have you know—”
“Stop!” Scarlet’s voice cracked like a whip.
We all jerked toward her.
We stood in a tight circle, breathing hard, still reeking of heat and chaos.
“Pointing fingers won’t help,” she said, glaring at Rhodes, then me. “Fallon—explain.”
I did, laying out what I’d overheard in the alley and what Nash couldn’t catch. Every detail, down to the northeastern tunnel and the midnight drop.
“Foolish,” Rhodes muttered.
I jabbed a finger into his chest before the word finished leaving his lips. “Genius,” I snarled. “We finally have a way in.”
He scoffed so hard it made my blood sing. “And how exactly do you plan on getting in, Fitzroy? Or did you conveniently forget about the Barrens?”
I turned on my heel. “Come on, Wylder. Don’t tell me you believe the Barren Watch is actually secure. You’re on the cleanup crew, aren’t you?”
The silence behind me was loud. No one knew exactly what Rhodes did for General Wylder. But I’d struck a nerve.
I checked in with River at the clearing’s edge, ears flicking in alert. From her saddle straps, I pulled free my shortswords. When I turned, Scarlet wore her questions like a second skin. Rhodes radiated malice. And Nash? Pure mischief sparkled in his grin.
I smirked. “New lesson.” I flipped one of the blades and tossed it, hilt-first.
Scarlet caught it with ease.
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”