Page 73 of Blood of Ancients

“With all due respect, my lord, I believe the Lepers are playing you. I know my sister Frida helped you recapture Corym E’tar. But I believe she is stepping out on her own, feeling that influx of hubris that comes after such a victory.”

Sigmund snorted, leaning back, not as interested as he had been. “What makes you think I care what goes on in that foolish girl’s head?”

“Because the Lepers could become a nuisance . . . if they remain unchanged. I believe I can be the one to change them.”

This was my last grasp at getting out of Vikingrune Academy and trying to reason with Frida and Dieter. Now, I had an ulterior motive—to leave the academy so I could try and find Magnus Feldraug, as per Ravinica’s wishes.

Two birds with one stone.

I felt Kelvar’s scrutinizing gaze to my side. He knew something was fishy, even more than the Gothi.

“There is no reason,” Sigmund finally said, waving his hand. “We finally have a solid truce with that ragtag little gang. At leastas solid as it will be until I decide to crush them. The answer is no.”

Fuck. Then that answers it. Frida reallydoeshave more control and influence than I imagined, if she’s put together some kind of “truce” with her mortal enemies—the academy.

I opened my mouth to argue my case—

The door behind us flew open, slamming on its hinges.

Gothi Sigmund was on his feet in an instant, but Thane Canute was even faster, stepping in front of the chieftain and bringing up a tower shield out of nowhere. Kelvar had his hands on his daggers, and I spun around with a start.

Hersir Ingvus Jorthyr hurried in with a limping soldier behind him. The Huscarl in his wake looked half-frozen, eyes wide with fear. His right leg was like dragging a tree trunk behind him. His face was bruised and cut.

“Sir, we have a problem,” Ingvus began, sweeping a hand out and stepping aside for the Huscarl to take center stage.

Kelvar grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the way, and I gladly obliged, shocked at the sudden interruption.

“M-My name is Grayon, s-sir,” the Huscarl rasped. “Been in the service of the academy for near two decades.”

Sigmund stepped down from his chair, pushing past his Thane. “What has happened, soldier?” No thanks for his service. No gratitude shown. Instead, Sigmund swung a finger toward me before Huscarl Grayon could answer. “Leave us, iceshaper.”

I gulped, glanced at Kelvar, and he nodded.

Quickly, I stepped aside, making myself scarce. I slowed my roll before I got to the end of the room and had become invisible to everyone, distracted by the wounded Huscarl.

“I-It was red death, my lord,” Grayon stammered. “Everyone dead. Except me. I only made it out by playing dead, like a dishonorable lout. Even Argyle, o-ohgods. . .”

I slid behind a pillar to listen, knowing how much deep shit I’d be in if I was caught spying on the Gothi’s conversation.

“Dead bywhose hand?” Sigmund boomed.

“By . . . darkness itself.”

A loud crash, hiss, and flurry of voices told me the man had collapsed.

“Fucking hell!” Sigmund roared.

I used the commotion to sneak away, out of the room, leaving the door ajar behind me. My face paled.Everyone else on the scouting trip . . . dead? That means Magnus too?!

My heart squeezed painfully.

Down the hall, four Huscarls were running toward the door, their armor clanking as they came to guard the room and protect their lord.

Kelvar’s voice carried through the crack behind me, and I stood my ground, despite the commands of the approaching Huscarls to move aside.

“Sir, let me lead a contingent to the portal,” Kelvar said loudly. “I will discover what has happened and give you a full report.”

A moment of silence.

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