“Do not worry,” he swore, but it was obvious from that rumbling tone that even he was searching.
Searching for a way out.
For a Godsdamned reason this had happened.
Because as I looked beyond the nemaxese, it was evident we were losing.
All across the square, warriors fell.
“I’m getting you out of here,” Lancaster said. “I promise?—”
But his words drowned to a chorus of howls, and then, a second beast was flying at the ones before us.
Not just any beast.
A wolf. A mountainous wolf.
Furry limbs tangled with sinewy ones as it sank its teeth into a shadow creature’s throat. Dozens of them jumped from roofs and alleys, warriors in thick furs atop their backs, launchingjagged daggers at the shadowed nemaxese. Taking on the cerberus with a vengeance.
A sob cracked through my chest as I clutched Lancaster.
“Mindshapers,” I gasped out, my hand tightening on the fae’s arm. The last of the Gallantian Warrior clans to accept our alliance—the legions that hadn’t made it here in time. They parted the crowds of dueling warriors in the square, rallying our forces amid snarls and howls.
And from the skies, breaking the horizon over the tallest minarets of the capital, wings of fire ignited the night.
Phoenixes.
A flock of them swooped around the city, leaving burning trails of flame in their wake. Their glorious wings were spread wide, feathered infernos dropping sparks among the crowds.
To the north, a cluster of something else soared. Some with bodies like lions but front legs and heads of eagles, and a small few with the heads of female women.Gryphons and sphinxes.
“Ophelia,” I breathed, gripping tighter to Lancaster as chills danced along my skin. “That blast of power we felt when Echnid breeched the city. It was her mythos magic.”
“She woke them,” Lancaster breathed.
The myths had all come to life in that consuming burst of magic she’d sent across the world, stretching far and wide enough to touch legends long buried.
And Gods, wherever Ophelia was in this mess, I hoped she saw them. Saw that the risk she’d taken in going to Mindshaper Territory had been worth it. That her words combined with Lancaster’s influence had been enough to get this final ally to join her cause. That her power was so mighty, it returned a horde of sleeping myths to Gallantia, and no God could compare.
I hope she knew that she’d done it. She’d given us a fighting chance.
“Those aren’t just Mindshapers,” Lancaster added, placing me on my feet in front of him, his hands still glued to my waist.
And I felt it then, too. A sense I hadn’t had before—not until I’d taken his blood and our powers merged. An earthy scent clung to the air, and I gasped.
I barely dared to say it, my eyes watering. “Bounties?”
Lancaster’s canines flashed. “And the entire league of human forces.”
They were atop the backs of the wolves with the Mindshapers, ducking between the legs of the furry beasts and grabbing opponents from behind so the stronger, faster warriors could detain them. Engaging in their own fights with swords and spears and not a drop of fear.
Humans.
Not only had the warriors and the Bounties made it to our side, but my magicless people had rallied with them. They may have been humans—the weakest among Ambrisk—but they became the heart of the battle.
“I can’t believe it,” I whispered.
“How, though?” Celissia asked.
