Naidini was putting her foot down. Literally.

Sebastian watched as the woman slammed her foot against the ground as she glared at Jorgen. They, along with the rest of their group, stood in the central pavilion of the Animagi temple.

Everyone watched her silently as she fumed at Jorgen.

"We are not retreating," she told the general. "I am not leaving my people to be conquered by that man."

Jorgen pinched the bridge of his wide nose. "We don't have a choice. If we stay, we'll be killed."

Sebastian nodded. "He's right. We have to leave."

Naidini ignored him and continued glaring at Jorgen. "I never took you for a coward."

Sebastian immediately turned to the man, as did everyone else. He had a feeling the general wouldn't take kindly to the insult.

With a deadpan expression, Jorgen walked up to the chieftain. He towered over her by more than a foot. She stood her ground, though, and craned her neck so they could look each other in the eye. Neither showed any signs of backing down.

Next to Sebastian, Imogen hid a grin with her hand. He arched an eyebrow at her.

"What're you smiling about?"

"You don't see that sexual tension between them?"

Sebastian frowned and directed his attention to the adults staring angrily at each other. Now that Imogen had mentioned it, he did see it. In fact, he had seen it multiple times. There was definitely some history between them.

That wasn't important at the moment, though. They didn't have any time to waste over petty arguments. The Order of the Black Lotus was probably hunting them down that very minute. The sooner they all got out of Vashara, the better.

They just needed Naidini to stop being so stubborn.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Remy stepped toward Jorgen and Naidini. They both paid him no mind until he waved at them.

"What?" Jorgen snapped.

"Er, sorry, but I really don't think standing around staring at each other is the best plan of action right now."

Naidini scoffed at him. "Ah, yes. Remy, right? Of House Lumai?"

Remy nodded.

"Please, tell me what you know about ruling over an entire house of magicians at the brink of civil war?"

Sebastian glowered at the woman. While Remy could be a little annoying and childish at times, he didn't deserve to be spoken to like that. Out of all of them, he had lost the most—his family, his housemates, and his cousin.

As he stepped forward to speak up for the boy, Remy gestured for him to fall back.

"I got this," he said with a wink. He turned his attention back to Naidini. "I may not be a leader or a fighter like you all, but I do know staying here is the wrong decision. We're outnumbered, and we don't even know how many people are on Thorian's side. Your own people are beginning to revolt against you." He took a step forward. Sebastian held his breath as she watched Remy approach the woman. "Please, put your pride aside and do the right thing. If we don't leave, we all will die. I promise you that."

Jorgen dropped a heavy hand onto the boy's shoulder. "That's enough, Remy." Despite his words, the man wore a proud grin on his face.

Naidini squinted at Remy as she stroked her chin. She began circling around him like a shark. The look in her eyes sent a shiver down Sebastian's spine, and she wasn't even looking at him.

"What?" Imogen asked. "Never seen a strong, powerful woman before?"

"Oh, shut up."

"Fine," Naidini finally said. "Fine. We'll do it your—"

She was interrupted by someone bursting into the room. Everyone turned toward the newcomer with their weapons raised and their casting hands alight with magic. Had they not recognized the person, they would've been reduced to a pile of ashes on the spot.

Sebastian lowered his hand, but he didn't drop his guard.

"Chieftain." Emmanuel, Naidini's head advisor, panted as he walked up to her. "Chieftain, there's madness in the city. The duel has sent the people into a frenzy. We must return immediately."

Return? He has to know that's a stupid idea.

Sebastian studied the man's face. It was slick with sweat and a nervous look resided in his eyes. He kept looking around nervously, his foot tapping against the temple's cracked tiles.

Wait a minute...

The man knew it was a stupid idea. That's why he had suggested it.

"We were just discussing a retreat," Naidini told him. "Why would I return to the city, especially if it's in such a torrid state like you say?"

"Because riots...and bloodshed...and..."

He's lying. He has to be.

"We must return," the advisor continued frantically. "Right now, preferably."

Naidini tilted her chin upward as she peered at him. He squirmed under her gaze. "What aren't you telling me?"

Sebastian exchanged a glance with Ajax and Siren across the room. They both seemed to be reciprocating his own thoughts.

Emmanuel was no friend of theirs.

"He's lying," Sebastian said. "I can't prove it, but he's working for my father. And I have a feeling he has been for some time now."

"What?! That's...that's ludicrous!" the man protested.

"Is it?" The black-haired magician advanced on the man. "Because I've been watching you ever since I've been here. For an advisor, you sure do give bad advice."

Emmanuel stuttered as sweat trickled down the sides of his face.

Naidini huffed before facing her chief advisor. "Is...is this true?"

He shook his head vigorously. "No, chieftain. I am loyal to you, forever and always. These...these newcomers are tainting your mind. They haven't been here with you in the city while our people have been revolting. They haven't been here while we've received threats from Nuri and his insurgents They haven't been here while I've tried reversing the damage you've done to this house—"

He cut himself short. His hands trembled.

Sebastian shook his head. I knew it.

"I...I didn't mean that," Emmanuel said.

"Damage?" Naidini pursed her lips. "Are you insinuating what's been happening to our house is my fault?" She stalked forward, causing her loyal subject to back away from her.

"N-No, chieftain. You've been doing a terrific job—"

She swiftly reached out toward him. Sebastian sucked in a breath, as he thought she was about to choke him. Instead, she had rested her hand on his collarbone. A faint smile painted her lips.

"I am extremely disappointed in you, Emmanuel."

Emmanuel stiffened beneath her grip. His nervousness broke away, revealing his anger and contempt for his leader.

"I've kept silent for far too long," he spat. "You've been dragging us down for years. Sympathizing with Ordinaires, refusing to handle the hunters lurking around our city. Failing to negotiate with the Order of the Black Lotus was the final straw. With you as our chieftain, you would have dragged us down into the depths of Nordor. For House Oseda's sake, I couldn't let that happen."

"What did you do?"

Emmanuel held his head high. "They'll be here soon. You won't escape them. Not this time."

Sebastian scowled. Anger and fear filled him to the brim. He felt it bubbling beneath his skin, threatening to explode from his mouth—and his hands. As he looked around, he noticed everyone else seemed to be struggling to contain their rage as well.

Naidini was the only one who didn't look angry. The look on her face reminded Sebastian of his mother whenever he disappointed her. He used to hate that look; it used to make him feel like a horrible person.

He could only imagine what it was making Emmanuel feel like.

The chieftain, with her hand still gripping her advisor, glanced at Jorgen over her shoulder. "Head to the portal gate on the other side of the forest. I'll catch up."

He furrowed his thick brow. "What're you going to do?"

She turned her attention back to Emmanuel. "I'll deal with him."

Jorgen nodded. Flipping his furry coat, he made his way toward the exit of the temple. The remaining Eldai followed behind him wordlessly. Ajax, Remy, and Siren went after them.

As Sebastian walked behind Imogen, he noticed Naidini whispering in Emmanuel's ear. Whatever she was saying to him was enough to drain the color from his skin.

He was going to die. And he deserved it. They had no space, nor time, for traitors. If they were to defeat Thorian and the Order, they needed to get rid of any obstacle.

Sebastian spat at Emmanuel's feet as he passed him. The traitor looked up, anger flashing in his eyes. He lunged at the boy, but Naidini held him in a place by dropping a strong hand onto his shoulder.

With a shake of his head, Sebastian continued exiting the temple of Animagi with his band of magicians in front of him.

Everyone was on edge during the walk to Vashara's central portal gate. The Eldai kept their vayrirs poised and ready in case they were attacked. If what Emmanuel said was true, the Order of the Black Lotus would be on their tails.

"Why are these portals never in a more convenient spot?" Imogen grumbled while rubbing her injured shoulder. Her sword hung from her hip, the white blade catching the last dying embers of the evening sun.

Night was steadily approaching. Sebastian didn't want to be anywhere near the forest when it finally came.

No one answered Imogen's inquiry, which was extremely valid in Sebastian's opinion. Even in Thania, both of the city's portal gates were in the most random places. It must have been a reason for it. They just didn't know it.

"Complaining about it won't get us there any faster," Jorgen replied as he marched through the woods.

His soldiers led the line in front of him, their heads on a constant swivel. Ajax was among them with his battle-axe in hand. Remy, Siren, and Naidini filled out the middle while Sebastian and Imogen walked near the general himself.

As they made their trek, the sun above approached its resting place. Vibrant oranges, yellows, and purples painted the sky. The dim rays broke through the forest's canopies, illuminating the shadows cast by the leafy terraces. Sebastian shivered as he felt the chill of night settling it. Goosebumps rose against his pale skin. Gritting his teeth, he rubbed his arms.

While trying to distract himself from the cold, he felt a hand grab his shoulder. Arching an eyebrow, he glanced at the owner of the hand.

It was Jorgen.

"Yeah?"

"Look," the man began. "I should have heeded your warning before."

Sebastian slowed up. "Are you...apologizing?"

Jorgen snorted. "Don't make me regret this, boy."

"Alright, alright." He held his hands up innocently. "It's just...very off-brand for you."

"You don't have to tell me. But I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong. And I was wrong. We should've left when you told me to."

"Yeah, we should've." After coming under fire from the warrior magician's glare, he quickly added, "But it's good that we're leaving now."

The two of them steadily fell behind the group until they could no longer hear the chatter coming from their companions. Sebastian walked silently alongside Jorgen, whose brown eyes were trained on the floor.

Sebastian cocked his head at him. "What's on your mind, Jorgen?"

"General," he corrected. "And it's nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

The man chuckled and stroked his black beard. "Nothing ever gets past you Tenebrians."

Sebastian scowled. He rarely even thought of himself as one anymore. It had been weeks since he betrayed his house, his family. In fact, his father had disowned him following his treachery. House Tenebris was no longer his home.

Not that he wanted it to be.

The place was a breeding ground for psychopaths. It was a miracle he made it out relatively normal.

However, the scars given to him by his people—mainly his father—still lingered beneath the surface of his flesh. They made themselves known at night when he was alone. His fingers absentmindedly brushed his wrist. While his dark tattoos covered it, he could still feel the faint scar marring his skin.

There were more like it.

He didn't regret leaving. The only thing he regretted was not being able to save his sister. She was still under their father's charm, convinced he was doing what was best for them. For all magicians.

Growing up, he never got along with Amora. He could always sense her jealous and disdain for him. It had always been there, especially when they were around their mother. When she left, it only got worse.

Everything got worse after she left.

He scowled. His father had been behind that. He knew that. One day he would prove it. One day he would find out the truth about what really happened to her.

But before he could do that, he had to defeat the man who took her away from him.

He turned back to Jorgen. "I know you think I'm like my father, but I'm not. I'm nothing like him."

Jorgen lifted his eyebrows. "You know, I grew up with Thorian. He wasn't always a psychotic, murderous asshole. He was intelligent, driven, and noble when we were younger." He laughed to himself. "You could never go anywhere without seeing him without his nose in a book."

Sebastian blinked. His father? A bookworm? The thought sounded absurd in his head. He had been under the impression the man had been born a heathen.

"You two are alike, whether you like it or not," Jorgen continued. "You're both fighters. You both will do anything it takes to succeed." He faced the black-haired magician beside him. A steely look covered on his face like a shadow. "You're both leaders."

Leaders?

His father was no leader. He was a tyrant. A dictator. Not a leader.

"What're you trying to say?"

"The Eldenarian Council will need a new leader once Thorian is brought to justice," Jorgen said. "I say 'will' because I know you'll beat him."

"You could lead," Sebastian replied. "Or maybe Olivier."

Jorgen smiled and shook his head. "Modesty. Another admirable trait."

Sebastian scowled.

"We'll need a king." Jorgen nodded at Sebastian as if he'd come to a decision about something. "And I think that king is you."

"Me?" Sebastian swiped a hand through the air, banishing the notion from his head. "Absolutely not. Besides, who the hell would want me as a leader? I'm Thorian Thauvin's son. And that's if I'd even want to lead...which I don't."

Jorgen shrugged. "You'd be surprised."

Sebastian scoffed. "You're crazy."

"Perhaps. But I see the real you, Sebastian. And you're just what we need."

It was the first time the general had referred to him by his name. Sebastian felt pride swelling in his chest. But that flame died as quickly as it started.

Jorgen was wrong. He wasn't a leader, and no one would accept him as such.

"There it is!" Remy shouted from ahead of him.

Sebastian, thankful for the distraction, turned his attention to the glistening portal shrine at the end of the path they walked along. He smiled. They were actually going to make it out of Vashara alive and thwarted his father's plan of obtaining another artifact.

Things were finally looking up for once.

As they approached the gate, a series of howls sounded off around them. Everyone froze.

Sebastian looked around the trees surrounding him. Red eyes, sparkling like rubies, pierced through the darkness. He could see the faint outline of wolves through the shadows.

Uh oh.

He tensed and raised his palm.

His group was backed into a circle as the wolves emerged from the trees. A red rune circle was burned into their fur no matter the color. Sebastian's breath hitched. He knew that symbol. Death and despair and agony followed it wherever it went.

"Redfangs." He sneered at the pack of werewolves.

The Redfangs had been close allies of the Order of the Black Lotus for years. It was no surprise to see them in Vashara working on their behalf.

The wolves inched closer to the group of magicians, their fangs bared and their eyes gleaming. Low growls rose from their canine throats. Some snapped at the Eldai, who tried jabbing at them with their weapons.

If a fight were to occur, it would be a slaughter. The werewolves outnumbered them two to one. There was a chance they could come out victorious, but Sebastian was willing to test those odds.

Another wolf, much larger than the others emerged from the underbrush. As it strutted forward, it shifted until a tall, pale-skinned man with a scruffy beard and long hair took it place. A wicked grin rested on their lips.

Sebastian's scowl deepened. "Oliĉ."

"Ah, little Sebby. Nice to see you again." He studied the rest of the group. His grin grew larger, revealing his crooked and yellowed teeth. "Traveling light, I see."

The other Redfangs began to shift back to their human forms. They were a diverse group of people, ranging from sun-kissed to paler than snow. One particular werewolf caught Sebastian's eye.

He was tall, almost his height, and had skin the color of onyx. He wore a malicious sneer. His crimson irises bored into Sebastian's.

He hadn't seen this wolf before.

"Alright, boys," Oliĉ said while bringing his hands together. "Let's bring these lovely folks back to our benefactor."