Kalian spent the next day trying to think of ways he could warn the Witches about the coming attack without revealing himself in the process. None of his ideas had a high chance of success. Kalian sat outside his tent, sharpening his blade while his thoughts wandered.

    If Lir wasn't keeping such a close eye on me, I could fly to the Witches' camp and warn them in person, Kalian thought. He glared at the man who was hovering close by. Lir's steel blue gaze remained impassive.

    Kalian didn't know if Commander Lev had ordered Lir to watch him or if he'd chosen to do it himself. Either way, it was a thorn in his side and one he was eager to be rid of. Kalian gritted his teeth and kept working.

    If I can't warn the Witches, I should at least play this to my advantage, he thought. Commander Lev admires intelligence, so I have to prove to her that I know what I'm talking about.

    "Hey." Bellamy plopped down beside him. "Nervous about tonight?"

    "No," Kalian replied. No, he wasn't nervous. He was afraid. Afraid that he would be forced to kill innocent women just so he could work his way into Commander Lev's inner circle. The guilt would eat him alive, even if he was doing it for the greater good of his people.

    "I was nervous my first time. We raided a group of Day Faeries. Slaughtered them all like hogs on butcher day." Bellamy pursed his lips, his throat bobbing. "Afterwards, I wondered if I was really doing the right thing. There were...mothers and children. Commander Lev let the children go, but several of our men went after them when she turned away."

    "What did you decide?" Kalian asked.

    "Sometimes doing the right thing seems wrong. After all, they were the ones who kidnapped Humans and turned them into Soleones. They kidnapped my sister."

    "I heard it was their King and Queen who were responsible for the kidnappings and transformations," Kalian said carefully. Bellamy's gaze flickered to his, then back to the ground. "If that's true, do all Faeries and those of their blood still deserve to die?"

    "They've done worse things than kidnapping," Bellamy murmured. "Ask anyone in this camp. We all have stories to share, and you have your own, I'm sure." He managed a halfhearted smile and squared his shoulders. "Good job catching the Commander's attention yesterday, although I'm not sure it had the effect you wanted. She doesn't like people questioning her orders."

    "All leaders should be questioned. It makes them think more than they would otherwise." Kalian sheathed his sword and stood. Bellamy rose with him and Kalian quickly turned so his wings wouldn't knock against the Human. "And besides, it could work to my advantage. If we're attacked by something other than Witches, Commander Lev will see that I know what I'm talking about."

    Bellamy arched a brow. "Do you know what you're talking about?"

    Kalian nodded. "I spent many years studying the Vetiti and the creatures within it. I know even more about that forest than some Faeries."

    "If that's true, you might be right."

    "You two!" Malachi barked. "We'll be moving out within the hour. Help load the spare weapons."

    Kalian's mouth ran dry as he followed Bellamy towards the armory tent. Several Ironblades were already grabbing swords, knives, and pistols to arm themselves with. Kalian glanced at his bare hands, then at the weapons waiting to be loaded onto packhorses.

    He could touch the swords and knives that were sheathed and had leather wrapped around the hilts. Pistols were fairly safe as well, but he couldn't risk touching anything else. The proximity of the iron was already pressing against his magic.

    Bellamy grabbed a bundle of swords and fastened it onto a horse's back. Kalian took several pistols and pouches containing iron shots. He arranged them in a saddlebag and made sure the cinches around the horse were secure. They kept working and were joined by a few others who'd also had the misfortune of catching Malachi's eye. Thankfully, the work was soon finished and someone came to lead the horses away.

    Kalian tensed as Commander Lev rode by astride a large black stallion. She didn't spare him a second glance, but Kalian didn't miss the angry glow in her eyes. Once again, she was wearing very little armor, just vambraces and pauldrons over her leathers. She didn't even wear a helmet. Her dark curls were tucked into a rolled bun at the base of her hairline.

    "Why doesn't she wear armor?" Kalian asked, leaning towards Bellamy.

    "She doesn't need it," he answered simply. "You must've heard the stories. No one walks away from her unless she allows it."

    Kalian tilted his head, watching the Commander until she was out of sight. He found himself wondering how such a young Human woman had learned to kill Faeries so efficiently. What had driven her to this point? What fueled the smoldering embers in her eyes? Perhaps he would try to find out.

☽◦༻◦☽◦༺◦☽

    The sun was setting as they made their way into the Vetiti. Kalian hung towards the back of the group, reinforcing his glamour and the shield he'd placed around himself. He was still trying to think of ways to help the Witches, but time was running short. They'd reach the camp soon.

    The Ironblades won't leave the Witches alone unless there's a reason to. Something else would have to distract them. That would give the Witches a chance to escape, Kalian thought.

    He knit his brows, lifting one hand. He quickly glanced at his companions, but no one paid him any mind. Kalian slipped his obsidian dagger out of its sheath and slit his palm open. He bit back a hiss of pain and clenched his fist, allowing drops of blood to fall onto the ground.

    If his plan worked, something would pick up his blood trail and follow it, hoping for an easy meal. The Ironblades would be distracted when the creature attacked and the Witches would have a chance to get away. He could help defend the Ironblades from whatever creature found them and maybe, just maybe, that would strengthen the Commander's interest in him.

    They walked on and twilight gave way to nightfall. No one lit torches. They picked their way blindly through the forest. Gradually, Kalian could make out the faint outline of tents. His skin prickled as he recognized the presence of powerful magic. The Witches had cast spells to protect their camp. Kalian didn't let himself relax. The Witches were still far from safe. Something told him that Commander Lev knew exactly how to get into the camp.

    The group halted just outside the camp and Kalian peered through the darkness, watching the Commander. She swung off her horse and took a small pouch out of her pocket. Commander Lev knelt, her fingers skimming over the ground. She soon found whatever she was looking for. She turned her pouch upside down and spread the metallic powder in a thin line.

    Dread pooled in Kalian's stomach. He knew what that powder was. It had been used on his own home. It was a combination of gunpowder and iron shavings. It was capable of shattering magical shields when placed at the base of them and set alight. Not even the most powerful shields could withstand it.

    Commander Lev pulled a flint and steel set out of the satchel on the back of her belt. She struck them together and sparks fell to the powder. The Commander stepped back just as flames roared to life. Kalian shielded his eyes, knowing what would follow. Blinding light seared through the air and a loud crack resonated. The shields were gone. The Witches were vulnerable.

    Ironblades surged into the camp, leaping over the spreading flames. Witches were already rushing out of their tents, hands radiating green magic as they strove to defend themselves. Kalian drew his own sword, but didn't attack.

He pushed back the wave of panic that threatened to spill through him and ran towards the nearest Witch. Ice blue magic swirled around his palm as he cast a shield over her. An iron sword glanced off the shield followed by a pistol shot, and Kalian stumbled, the blow driving sharp pain through his limbs. His shield held strong, giving the Witch a chance to retaliate.

    Her lips moved as she uttered a spell. The Ironblade before her screamed, clutching at his face. His veins glowed green and bulged beneath his flesh. Kalian didn't bother to watch what happened. The Witch rounded on him and he let his shield fall.

    Her golden eyes, with pupils ringed by silver: eyes that were shared by all of her kind, shone with recognition. Faerie, a voice echoed through his mind. She could see through his glamour. Have you betrayed us?

    No, Kalian answered. I have a purpose here.

    Her gaze fell to his injured hand. Is your purpose worth our lives?

    Kalian swallowed hard. Yes. His palm tingled as his skin knit itself back together.

    The Witch placed a fist over her heart, the green hue of her magic fading. Then fulfill it. Kalian barely nodded.

    She raised her hands and magic blasted into him, knocking him backwards. Kalian picked himself up, already looking for Commander Lev. The Witch he'd spoken to was fighting another Ironblade. Malachi, judging by his tall frame and blond hair. Kalian squeezed his eyes shut as her agonized scream reached his ears. When he next opened them, Malachi was charging towards another Witch, blood dripping from the edge of his iron sword.

    Kalian forced himself to move on, keeping his eyes peeled for the Commander. His surroundings were growing hazy as smoke continued to billow from the burning tents. The acrid scent flooded his nostrils. Kalian's breath quickened as the panic he'd been fighting set in. He was surrounded by flames.

    His hands began to shake and his limbs froze. Kalian stared at the carnage around him. He couldn't see anything but fire and bodies. Smell anything but blood and smoke. He was trapped again. This time, he wouldn't escape. The flames would consume him. He was going to...

    A figure appeared amidst the smoke. Commander Lev raised her sword and drove it through a Witch's chest. The Witch crumpled, her blood staining the ground. At once, the panic seizing his mind loosened its hold. Kalian ran towards the Commander, then skidded to a halt.

    Smoke parted beyond the flames, revealing a pair of eyes that glowed with unearthly light. Jaws parted and ivory teeth gleamed. Kalian's heart hammered against his ribs as the creature lifted its head and howled. Taloned paws tore up chunks of dirt as the creature prowled into the ravaged camp. It was larger than he remembered. Even taller than the tallest horse he could think of. Four others followed the first.

    The creature pressed its nose to the ground, drinking in the scent of mingled blood. Kalian braced himself as the creature's gaze locked with his. Shadow of Death, its coarse voice growled in his head.

    "Tenebris," Kalian whispered.

    The Tenebris rose to its full height and its companions followed suit. You lured us here. Why?

    I need you to help me.

    All five Tenebris howled again and bounded into the fray. Ironblades broke away from the Witches and lunged at the wolf-like creatures. Kalian stiffened as Commander Lev joined them. The Tenebris would rip her to shreds. All of them. He needed her alive. This was his chance. The Tenebris were offering him a chance.

    Kalian sprinted after the Commander and let a shield fall over Bellamy as he passed by. No Human would survive an attack from a creature of the Vetiti unless they were under a Faerie's protection. Bellamy and Commander Lev were under his, for now. He ran faster as Commander Lev reached a Tenebris and raised her sword with a fearsome cry.