Red sunlight blurred Kai’s vision as he neared the cave mouth. He squinted, hand raised to dim the light’s attack. Space twisted as he exited the cave. Rusk stood near the entrance, stretching his arms. Shadow was absent.

  Rusk grinned. “You’re back!” He noticed Levi. “Who’s this dapper gentleman?”

  “Where’s Shadow?” Kai said, voice tight with worry.

  Rusk kept stretching. “Oh, he’ll be back soon.”

  Kai scanned the area, finding nothing amiss. Alira and Levi fell in beside him.

  Shadow burst from a dark spot on the ground, body colliding with Rusk and knocking him onto his back. Shadow’s tail wagged as he spat a ball of thread onto Rusk’s chest. He howled.

  Rusk stroked his furry head. Kai’s muscles relaxed, and his racing heart settled.

  Shadow glanced at him, retrieved the thread ball, and leapt off Rusk. The wolf approached, dropping the ball at Kai’s feet with an accusing whine. Dissatisfaction and indignation swirled in the back of Kai’s mind.

  Rusk’s frivolous nature was rubbing off on his cunning wolf. Who had time for games with scheming gods breathing down their neck? Kai retrieved the damned ball with a sigh. Shadow watched intently, tail whipping back and forth. He threw the ball. Shadow sank through the ground, chasing his prey.

  “I think he likes me,” Rusk said, still grinning.

  “I think he likes your balls,” Kai said.

  Rusk climbed to his feet. “Still counts.”

  Kai studied his new vampire subordinate. The effects of their soul bond were unclear; he needed more information: Was he the master or an equal? Did it work like his bonds with Shadow or Silas? Could Levi defy his commands?

  Soul bonds were intimate, but his knowledge was scant. He had to test it.

  As he approached Rusk, Shadow rose from the ground and dropped the ball at his feet. Alira joined him. Levi was slower, hesitant under the red sun. He looked sick and weak compared to his previous proud bearing.

  A cruel smile slid onto Kai’s face. “How are you feeling?”

  Levi raised his chin. “How else can I feel in the presence of a radiant maiden? I feel...” His voice trailed off.

  “Yeah, yeah, sure,” Kai said, waving his hand. “Listen.” He beckoned Levi closer. “You felt the bond when you pledged yourself to me, right?”

  Levi scowled. “Unfortunately. Why?”

  “Do five jumping jacks.”

  Levi scoffed. “Why would I—”

  He began jumping, arms flapping like a star, scowl deepening with each leap. “That devious Death God,” Levi said. “I knew his offer was too good to be true!”

  Kai’s cruel smile grew.

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  Absolute control. Death God’s contractual prowess is impressive.

  He raised a hand. “That’s enough.”

  Levi halted mid-jump.

  “Why are you torturing our refined friend?” Rusk asked.

  Levi opened his mouth to curse Rusk, but noticed Kai’s glare and chose silence. Smart decision.

  Kai pointed at Levi. “That, Rusk, is a vampire. That pompous bastard stole from Alira’s family, killed their men, did who knows what to their women before erasing their memories, and lacks proper manners.”

  Rusk pursed his lips. Kai continued. “A few jumping jacks is a small price to pay for his crimes.”

  Levi piped up, eyes wide. “I did nothing untoward to those women! I’m a true gentleman! I would’ve let them keep their blissful memories if I didn’t require secrecy!”

  Kai ignored the vampire’s outburst. Rusk twirled a line of thread between his fingers. “Why didn’t you kill him?”

  Kai’s cruel smile shone bright as the sun. “Even a flawed tool has its uses.”

  Levi glared at him, eyes burning with hatred. Kai considered where the vampire fit on the board. He was vulnerable in the sun, so his usefulness was at an all-time low. Storing him in the cave until night was an option, but that meant backtracking to collect him before going to Earth.

  Better to avoid the hassle and bring the sickly vampire along. He was confident he, Alira, and Rusk could handle any abomination stupid enough to attack them on the way to ambush Renzo. Rusk’s trusty threads and Kai’s spatial sense could counter any traps along the forest path. The vampire, Shadow, and Alira were overkill.

  “Levi,” Kai said.

  The petulant vampire glared at him.

  “How useless are you under the sun?”

  The vampire frowned, composing himself before replying. “I’m not…useless. My vampiric abilities only work at night, true.” He puffed out his chest, a smug smile tugging at his lips. “But my Gift works anytime.”

  “And what’s your Gift?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?”

  “If it were obvious, I wouldn’t be asking. Now answer me.”

  Levi flinched and lifted his right hand. The back of his hand showed the Mark: a black circle surrounding what looked like a tree with many branches.

  Kai sighed. “You control trees?” Useful in the despicable forest, but lacklustre elsewhere.

  Levi’s brows drew together. He checked his mark then looked back at Kai. “What? No! Blood. I control blood.”

  That was more like it. But his ravenous suit’s appetite would leave little for Levi to manipulate.

  Kai nodded at Levi. “Not bad.”

  Levi’s chin rose, pride returning to his pale features.

  “The Dark Horses will ensure a swift journey,” Alira said.

  More advantageous to reach the village before his adoptive father arrived than to conceal their presence.

  Kai gestured over his shoulder, thumb toward Levi. “What about him?”

  “He was pretty fast in the cave,” she said. “He can run alongside us.” A cruel smile played on Alira’s lips. “A small price to pay for his crimes, right?”

  His smile matched hers. They both glared at the vampire.

  “The elegant lady deigns to look at me,” Levi said, “but the hostility in her gaze breaks my heart.”

  Rusk’s gaze fixed on Levi too. His eyes lacked hostility but burned with something else.

  “That cape,” Rusk said. “That shirt. Where did you get it?” His eyes gleamed with envy and awe.

  Levi sneered at Rusk. “They don’t sell these at the market, peasant.”

  Rusk lowered his head, shoulders slumping.

  “That’s enough chit-chatting,” Kai said. “Let’s get moving before something tries to eat us.”

  Kai mounted Butcher and patted his neck. The solid beast snorted with pleasure as its dark tendrils wrapped around Kai’s legs. Alira and Rusk followed suit. Levi pouted and mumbled something inaudible.

  Shadow kept pace beside Butcher.

  “Look who’s crawled back,” Kai said.

  Shadow turned his head away as though he hadn’t heard.

  Kai chuckled as his gaze swept over his formidable team. He looked toward the forest path before them and sighed. “Let’s get through this abomination-infested forest, shall we?”

  Their journey through the forest was uneventful. Abominations hungry for Kai’s flesh sensed his companions’ strength and decided they preferred to live. Levi matched their pace despite the sun, though he arrived winded.

  Kai halted as they escaped the treacherous trees. Smoke billowed into the sky. A hazy glow grew beneath it. Nivis Village burned.

  “Alira, you see that?” Kai said.

  Her voice was cold, stern. “I see it.”

  “Any idea who?”

  “Who else?” she said. “Those Ashvale swine!”

  She kicked her mount’s flank and galloped toward the burning village.

  Kai frowned. “Stop running off!”

  His pleas fell on deaf ears. The infuriating woman thought she was invincible.

  Butcher lunged after her at his command. The others followed.

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