Kaja’s sister, shield to the high mage of spirit, pulled her sword.

“I don’t care about the accord!” Kian bellowed. “I want her dead!”

Wow.

Probably not the best time to tell him, but I wished he was dead too.

I glanced at the Midnight princes, debating my next step, when I felt a presence in my mind.

‘Run,’ the silver-cloaked mage said. ‘Go to the mortal realm, and hide until I get word to you.’

I gulped and noticed Rage, Justice, and Noble all stood erect as if they’d been given orders too.

‘Mate. Run. Protect,’ Rage said, nuzzling my leg.

Kaja ran into the space, screaming, “I’m on fire! My blood is boiling. No! Aggghhh! Get out of here!”

I frowned because she looked fine…

“Flee!” Kaja bellowed, dropping to the ground. Her gaze hit mine, and she screamed, “Now! My blood!”

The students all screamed, creating a massive distraction.

The mage must’ve told her something too. Why was he helping me? I didn’t have time to figure it out.

With one last glance at my bestie, I took in the hellacious ending of the midyear games and then raced off into the forest, my clothes falling in tatters as my wolf rose to the surface. Three black Midnight wolves kept pace next to me. I knew now why my wolf always retreated in danger. She knew my magic was there this whole time, that I was more powerful in human form. Not human … high mage.

My mind reeled as we ran. I was the high crime. I was … interbred between two races.

And Honor was gone.

The ache in my chest deepened, and I knew all of us grieved as our paws pounded the forest floor. I wasn’t sure which of the boys howled first, but eventually, one by one, we tipped our heads back and yowled when the grief became too much. But as Justice, Rage, and Noble each pressed against me, I knew no matter what, we were in this together.

Rage moved our little pack to where we could catch a boat back to the shore and the portal into the mortal world. But I diverted to the right where the boats went to Dark Row.

‘No. Mate. This way,’ Rage growled.

I shook my head, weaving in and out of the bushes, only one thing on my mind.

The boys sidled up next to me, and I looked at each one of them. ‘No. This way. We’re going to bring Honor back from the dead.’

I knew a certain dark mage who’d bragged about knowing the keeper of souls. I didn’t even want to know what the cost was for bringing someone back from the realm of the dead. I’d have to negotiate better this time. Either way, I’d pay the price. No matter the cost.

Honor would not be taken from us.

Not tonight.

And definitely not like this.