The artwork above is not mine.

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    Seren woke before dawn. Her new Illyrian leathers were draped over a chair. Mor had made a last minute shopping trip and found some for her and Elain after Azriel told her about their assignment. Seren slid out of bed and changed into them quickly.

    The leather was thick but pliable. It hugged her body, accentuating her curves, as well as the muscles in her arms and legs. The inside of the suit was lined with warm insulating materials. Several silver buckles held different parts of the suit in place. Seren sheathed Metanoia and pulled her boots on. She braided her hair quickly.

    Just as she was finishing, there was a knock at the door. She unlocked it and Azriel came into view. He looked her up and down slowly, then nodded. "If you had wings and round ears, you'd be the epitome of an Illyrian warrior," he said.

    "Except that I'm female."

    "Females are just as capable of being warriors as males. I hope the Illyrians will realize that soon." Azriel held the door open for her. "Let's go. Cassian and Elain are already waiting."

    Seren ducked past him and ran down the stairs. She found Cassian and Elain just outside the front doors. Azriel joined them. Seren wrapped her arms around his neck and they took off.

    The sun rose as they flew across the lands of the Night Court. Mountains appeared below them. They flew over two familiar clearings. One was still covered in soot. The scent of smoke hung thick over it. The second was calm and serene. Seren looked for the hidden valley Azriel had taken her to, but she couldn't see it.

    "While we're in Ironcrest," Azriel said, catching her attention, "Cassian and I might become people you haven't seen before. Illyrian males only respect power and strength. Because of Erebus and Kallon's behavior, Cassian and I have to make sure their warriors stay in line. Cassian will become the General and Commander of the Night Court's armies. I will be the Spymaster and Shadowsinger. I just want you to know ahead of time. I don't want our behavior to scare you."

    "It won't scare me. I know the males beneath the masks," Seren replied. She pressed her face against the crook of his neck. Seren breathed deeply, his scent comforting and familiar. "What roles will Elain and I play? I imagine you can't just tell Erebus and Kallon that we decided to tag along. They'll want to know why Rhys sent us."

    "They'll know why Elain is there. Everyone will recognize her as Feyre's sister. As for you, choose a role you know you can play well."

    "All right."

    They reached the war-camp soon. Cassian and Azriel landed. Seren pulled herself away and stuck close to Elain. The camp was nestled in the mountains, surrounded by red and gray rock walls. The camp itself was comprised of several huts and tents. Beyond the camp sat many training rings. They were filled only with males.

    Seren looked around, noticing the crowd that had gathered. The females were in poor condition. Terrible scars lined the central tendons of their wings. Some had parts of their wings cut off entirely. They all had downtrodden demeanors and vacant expressions on their faces. What she hated most, was how they looked down. She used to do that too.

    Seren gritted her teeth and approached one young female. She hooked a finger beneath her chin and lifted it. The female had beautiful brown eyes. "Don't look down," Seren said. "You'll miss the sights of the world."

    She drew back and rejoined Azriel. He gave her a small smile and they continued walking towards a hut. The door flew open and two males strode out to meet them. They were both tall, with glittering black eyes and dark hair. One was older than the other.

    "Erebus. Kallon," Cassian acknowledged them.

    "Why are you here?" Kallon sneered.

    "You know why."

    "Rhysand didn't have enough work to keep his pets occupied?"

    "Kallon, behave yourself. There are females present." Seren stiffened as Erebus looked at her. He brushed past Cassian and ignored the warning growl from Azriel. Seren crossed her arms, meeting Erebus' gaze. "Gifts from Rhysand or toys to keep you company?" He called over his shoulder.

    Azriel took a step towards them. Cassian grabbed him by the shoulder. Kallon pushed them aside and began inspecting Elain. Elain held her head up, but Seren could see a glimmer of fear in her eyes. "An Archeron sister, I'm guessing?" Kallon said. "Elain."

    Seren forced herself to stand still as Erebus tucked a finger beneath her chin. He tilted her head from side to side, clicking his tongue. "You have a strong profile. Proud nose, smart eyes, sharp jawline..."

    Erebus bent, his nose brushing against her neck. "Wide hips. Those are good for childbirth." He straightened and laughed at the dark look on Azriel's face. "She'll breed well, provided it's not with one of our kind. A pity really. Illyrian wings would shred you apart during labor."

    Seren recalled the story of Nyx's birth. Her face paled and Erebus continued to circle her. "But you carry yourself with new confidence, so I have to wonder, who are you now and who were you before?"

    "Enough. We have business to discuss," Azriel snapped. Shadows coiled around his shoulders, ready to strike. Seren glanced at her arm. The shadow around it also seemed to be on edge.

    "Of course. Kallon, take these two over to..."

    "They stay with us," Cassian interrupted.

    Erebus narrowed his eyes. "Don't you trust me? Your females will be safe."

    "They stay with us," Azriel echoed Cassian's words.

    "Very well." Erebus retreated to the hut, motioning for them to follow. Kallon's cold eyes roamed over her and Elain. Seren coaxed fire into her own amber gaze. Kallon only smiled, before Azriel stuck a wing in between them.

    The hut was sparsely furnished, much to Seren's surprise. It had only one main room. There were two small beds near the back of it. The kitchen only contained a table, two chairs, and a fireplace. There was another fireplace near the front of the room. Four chairs were arranged around it. Erebus and Kallon claimed two of them.

    Azriel jerked his head to the remaining chairs. Seren and Elain sat down. Cassian stood behind Elain and Azriel took up his place behind Seren. Erebus arched an eyebrow. "To business, then. Why have you come?"

    "We've received a number of concerning reports. You haven't been training the females, as Rhys ordered. There are whispers of betrayal, encouraged by your son. You have done nothing to quell the outbursts of your warriors," Cassian listed.

    "Trivial things. The females refuse to train and my warriors refuse to train them. All Illyrians speak of betrayal at one point or another. My son is just looking to gain the respect of his men by appearing sympathetic to their plight. As to their outbursts, things have been very tense in Prythian, as you well know."

    "Those are shit excuses," Cassian hissed. "And Rhys is tired of hearing them. The females will train and all talks of betrayal will stop."

    "What if they don't?" Erebus narrowed his eyes, glaring at Cassian.

    "It will be you who bears the consequences," Azriel replied. His voice was low and Seren heard the whisper of steel in the air. He was holding Truth-Teller, stroking its blade in a silent promise. Erebus didn't flinch, but his eyes betrayed his fear.

    "If you harm me, my warriors will kill you."

    "Will they? Or will they be too busy listening to your screams?"

    Seren swallowed, keeping her breaths steady. She had never heard Azriel speak like this before. Not even when they'd first met. He'd spoken in a flat voice then. Now, his voice was utterly cold and dark. It wasn't Azriel speaking. It was the Spymaster.

    "Touch my father, and I'll make sure you hear your whore's screams," Kallon growled. He flashed a pointed look at Seren.

    The shadows struck. Kallon didn't have time to react. Shadows wrapped around his wings and neck, squeezing tightly. Seren grimaced, hearing something pop. Cassian gave Azriel a warning look. He didn't call off the shadows, but he didn't move either. Kallon clawed at his throat, gasping for air.

    Seren twisted in her chair and touched Azriel's hand. She pushed a flaming hand towards his shields. Let him go. His words can't hurt me. Some of the shadows drifted down to her. They wound through her hair and brushed across her cheek.

    Azriel's shoulders relaxed. The shadows withdrew from Kallon and returned to his shoulders. "Don't speak about her like that again. She is not my whore."

    "Then what is she?" Kallon rasped. "Why are they here?"

    Seren summoned all the bravado she could muster. She crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair. She didn't pull her hand away from Azriel's. "We're here to inspire and intimidate."

    "Intimidate who?" Erebus chuckled. His eyes flickered to Elain.

    "Whomever we need to." Seren fixed her gaze on him. Flames crackled along her arms. Azriel's shadows leaped excitedly and began to dance with the flames.

    "You will not intimidate me."

    "I suppose we'll find out." The flames faded and Erebus regarded her coldly.

    "The females will begin training again in the morning," Cassian ordered. "And you will speak to the males about their recent behavior." Erebus waved a hand disinterestedly. He continued to watch Seren.

    Cassian turned on his heel and stormed away. Elain slipped out of her seat and trailed after him. Seren waited until Azriel stepped in front of her. He flared his wings out slightly, shielding her from the war lord's vision. They left the hut and Azriel slammed the door behind them.

    Males and females alike watched the four of them as they walked across the camp. "We'll stay in the same hut," Azriel explained. "It's too risky to have you and Elain stay somewhere by yourselves."

    "I see what you mean now." The males watched her and Elain with hungry expressions.

    "Don't leave my side."

    "Not for a moment."

    Azriel didn't touch her, but she felt him all the same. He was close enough that the shadows could leap in between the two of them. She got the feeling that the shadows were guarding her just as closely as Azriel was. Seren smiled, brushing a finger across one of them. It curled around her gently. They reached their hut at last. Seren was grateful for the door that hid her from the Illyrian's prying eyes.