Page 53 of Darkness and Deceit
The Rogue who steps from the smoke is massive—scarred head to toe, shaved skull gleaming with sweat, eyes black and unblinking. There’s something about the way Kai stiffens—like something inside him just tore loose—that makes something twist deep in my gut.
I don’t know this Rogue. But I don’t have to.
I know Kai.
Recognition. Fear. Rage. All flash across his face like lightning over water. He’s frozen—not by fear, but something worse. Memories.
The Rogue grins and lunges.
“Kai!” I shout—but it’s too late.
The bastard grabs him by the throat and rips him from his own shadows like they were never there. Kai’s katana slips from his hand and hits the ground with a dull thud, swallowed by the grass.
I lunge forward?—
But another Rogue crashes into view. I stagger back, deflecting a clawed swipe with a burst of blue light. My wolfsnarls and charges, fangs flashing, and sinks its teeth into the Rogue’s leg—just enough to buy me a second to get my bearings.
I hurl my magic like a spear. It slams into a Rogue near Kai, sending him flying.
But it’s not enough.
The one holding Kai doesn’t even flinch. He hoists him like a rag doll, Kai’s body slack, his head lolling to the side as he’s carried into the haze. Smoke coils around them. Kai’s shadows sputter and recoil, like they’re searching for orders he’s no longer able to give.
And I can’t get to him. Not fast enough. Not with this many Rogues between us.
But fuck, Ihaveto try.
Before the thought is finished fully forming, a Rogue—bigger than most—tackles me from the side, knocking the breath from my lungs. He plants a knee on my chest and drives his forearm into my throat. I choke, flailing, punching upward, landing a hit across his jaw.
It does nothing.
He’s not stopping. I buck and twist beneath him, magic flaring wild—but it’s not enough. My wolf is snarling, locked in a fight with two Rogues behind me.
I’m pinned.
And gods, this fucking Rogue’s breathreeks. His spit hits my face. His nails dig in and then?—
Crack.
Savina’s panther slams into him from the side, and the Rogue’s body goes flying. He hits the dirt in a tangled heap of limbs and groaning rage. Savina’s red magic slices through the air. Her expression is all sharp angles and fire.
“On your feet!” she barks.
Rey’s already cutting down a Rogue behind us. Cassian hurls a bolt of light into the trees—it hits another Rogue square in the chest, sending him flying.
I scramble up, breath ragged.
And that’s when I see him again.
Kai—still being dragged, his boots cutting lines in the dirt, his body limp, blood streaking the grass behind him. The massive Rogue grips him like a prize, but it’s not just strength—it’s purpose. Intent. Like this fucker was sent for him.
And that scares me more than the fire.
More than the Rogues.
Because if they want Kai alive, it’s for a reason.
“Cassian! Rey!” I shout, pointing through the smoke. “Cover me!”
