Page 187 of Blood Feast

“Peace!” Lio shouted.

The Charger stepped in front of the knight, warding magic emanating from her hands. “You dare speak of peace with weapons in your hands? You know nothing of peace or war. Of sacrifice.”

Blood and ash streaked the Charger’s golden hair, but finally Cassia recognized her and the black braid she wore. This gauntbeing bore no resemblance to the bold, happy woman who had danced all night with Azad in the gardens of House Komnena. Her heart labored on, but she had already died in Union with her Grace.

“Neana.” Cassia met her fellow immortal’s hollow eyes as if looking into a mirror. This would be her own future, if she ever lost Lio.

Neana slashed her hand with her fangs and took a step toward Cassia and Lio, her magic rising.

Cassia dropped her dagger. Lio’s protest flashed in their Union, but she held out her empty hands. “I found your braid.”

Neana went still. If Cassia lived forever, she would never be able to describe the anguish that flowed out of Neana, a flood devastating the Blood Union.

Cassia managed to speak. “It is my sacred duty and my privilege to return your Grace braid to you, in honor of Azad’s sacrifice.”

Neana drew a rattling breath. “Did anyone survive?”

Cassia took a step forward. “His death was not in vain. Lady Eugenia and the children are alive because of him.”

The knight pulled his helmet off. Ben looked at Cassia with a pleading gaze. “Genie is safe?”

“Mak and Lyros are with her,” Cassia replied. “We came to find you and take you back to her.”

He sagged where he stood. “Everyone else at Castra Augusta?”

“I’m afraid there were no other survivors.”

Ben’s mouth moved, although he made no sound. Cassia read the words of an ancient prayer on his lips.

Lio’s gaze swept the defeated mercenaries. “These men were only a scouting party. The rest of the army could find us at any moment. We need to get back to Castra Augusta.”

“Where are the villagers you were taking to the camp?” Cassia asked.

“The army found them first.” Neana sounded so angry.

“We tried—” Ben began. “When Azad warned Neana of what was happening at Castra Augusta—we tried to get back—but the mages ambushed us mid-step.”

Cassia reached out and put a hand on Ben’s arm. “You did the best you could. Come back and reassure Genie you’re alive.”

Neana closed her fists, red dripping between her fingers. She took another step toward Lio and Cassia. “Back to Castra Augusta is not where our prince ordered me to take you.”

Lio faced her, his staff ready. But all he said was, “Your grief runs in my veins.”

She lowered her hands. The blood she shared with Azad, with Lio and Cassia, began to dry on her skin. “So it does, son of Apollon.”

Slowly, Cassia reached into the collar of her robes. Neana made no move to stop her. She retrieved Azad’s braid and offered it to Neana.

She gathered her promise to Azad in her hands. “You have my gratitude.”

Cassia closed Neana’s fingers around the braid. “If there is anything we can do for you, ask. Anything.”

“I am beyond help. Now there is nothing our prince can do to reprimand me if I don’t arrest you. I would rather see you out here, bringing Othros’s justice upon those who took my Grace from me.”

Cassia squeezed her hands. “Thank you.”

“All that matters to me is finishing what Azad and I started.”

“If you’re willing to warn my sister about the invasion, you will save countless lives.”

---