Shay laughed, flipping the blades in the air and catching them effortlessly. I didn’t know if it was indeed the shininess, but something about the two swords was perfect, complete.

It was the first time I’d seen Eydis, having been taken out of the fight in Mexico ahead of schedule. Of all the pieces of the cross, I thought it might be the most beautiful. The hilt of Shay’s second sword was the same size and shape as Haldis, but where the earth hilt gleamed with the rust of clay and depth of fertile soil, the water hilt boasted shimmering azure and sea green. The colors shifted constantly on its surface, giving it the appearance of containing moving waters within.

The blade rising out of Eydis made me shudder. Its surface leapt with flames that seemed alive, like the burning flesh of the Lyulf. Shay swore that he couldn’t feel the heat of the flames, but whenever any of the rest of us came near Pyralis, its intense fire prevented close inspection.

While we rested, taking in the enormity of what happened, Shay practiced using the blades in concert. Though I’d already watched him fight with the Elemental Cross against the Lyulf, its power still mesmerized me. When Shay moved, the swords became extensions of his body. He flowed with the sweep of blades. And the sound. The sound was unlike anything I’d heard before. With each strike, each movement, came the rush of wind, the crash of waves, the roar of fire—all balanced by the stillness of the earth. The power running up and down the blades, grounding in the strength of each hilt, was palpable, making my skin tingle. But it wasn’t just the swords, it was Shay himself. Grace, strength, and unwavering focus came from him, working in concert with the Elemental Cross. Wielding the swords, he was beautiful . . . and terrible.

I shivered as I watched him, a part of me wondering if he could be this thing—this force that was the Scion—and still be the boy I loved.

I glanced at Ren, who sat between Mason and me. His eyes followed Shay’s every movement, narrowed in concentration. He looked pensive as he tracked the Scion. He gaze struck me as odd. I could have sworn his dark eyes were sad, almost regretful.

“We should get back,” Adne said. “Anika needs us.”

“You’re right,” Connor said. He was stretched lazily across the ground with Adne leaning against him. His pose was deceptively casual, but I’d been watching the way he had one arm curved around her, holding her close to his body as though he never intended to let her go, while his other hand stroked her hair. “We took our victory lap. Time to return to battle.”

Adne kissed the underside of Connor’s jaw before hopping to her feet.

A bittersweet sensation climbed up my spine as she wove the door that would return us to the Academy. We’d accomplished our goal, but this brief celebration meant the stakes had just been raised. In a matter of hours we’d be making a full assault on the Keepers. Everything about my world had been turned inside out. The masters I’d once served had become my enemies, and I was about to go into battle in the hopes of destroying them.

“You ready for this?” Ren asked. When I met his eyes, I knew his thoughts were similar to mine.

I flexed my fingers and stood up. “I have to be. We all do.”

“History awaits you,” Connor said to Shay as he gestured to the shimmering portal.

“Just because you’re trying to keep notes for Silas doesn’t mean you have to sound like him,” Adne said.

Connor grimaced. “Point taken.”

On the other side of the portal we were greeted by a roar from the assembled Searchers. Haldis Tactical had never been intended to hold all the Searchers at once. They’d crowded into the room, pushing up against the walls and spilling out the doorway into the hall.

When Shay appeared, the crowded hushed, waiting. When he lifted the Elemental Cross, the room erupted into cheers. Anika strode up to Shay and bowed. When she raised her face, her cheeks glistened with tears.

She lifted her arms and the noise settled into a low buzz.

“We only have a few hours. You know your assignments. Be prepared to move at six a.m.”

The room emptied in a few minutes. A handful of Searchers lingered, gazing at the swords and murmuring their thanks to Shay, but soon only our group plus Anika remained.

“You’re all well?” the Arrow asked. “No need of the Elixirs?”

Connor slid his arm around Adne. “A close call, but we have ready-made healers in our wolf friends.”

Anika glanced at Connor’s tight grip on Adne. A smile flickered across her mouth and then vanished.

“Yes,” she said, turning her gaze on the wolves. “We’re grateful for that gift.”

“What time is it anyway?” Mason yawned.

“Four o’clock,” Anika said.

“Two hours,” Ren said.

“I’m afraid I need to make it only one,” Anika said. “The teams are fully debriefed, but I need to get you up to speed. Take a bit of rest and meet me back here.”

“Any word from Vail?” I asked. Our mission had been vital, but it wasn’t the only one in play. The stakes were high on all fronts.

“Nothing,” she said. “Though we’ll see if that’s changed when we alert them that we’ve retrieved the Cross.”

I bit my lip, wondering if Sabine had been able to find my father. What had Nev and Ethan been doing? Was Nev risking himself by trying to find other wolves on patrol? Could he bring them over to our side?

So much depended on each piece falling into its place. With only one missing, we’d fail.

Connor had leaned over to whisper to Adne. She nodded and he cleared his throat, speaking to the rest of us.

“If you’ll excuse us, we’ll be taking that rest. See you in an hour.”

As they left, I heard a quiet growl and turned to see Ren starting after them.

I grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare.”

“He’s taking advantage.” Ren was bristling, ready to attack.

“No, he isn’t.” I tugged Ren backward. “Trust me.”

He shot me a suspicious look but stopped trying to pull away from me.

“What are you going to do?” he asked. “Rest?”

“There’s no way,” I said, feeling the rush of my own heartbeat. “But I am going to change. I’ve been in these clothes for two days. Maybe a shower—”

He grinned and my cheeks flamed.