Chapter 41

I gritted my teeth, driving my claws through a rogue that had gotten too close.

“We hold the line until Dante gives the signal!” I shouted.

“If we retreat now, we lose everything.”

Osric glanced at me, his jaw tight, but he nodded. His faith in me, even now, was a steadying force against the chaos. A sharp, desperate howl rose above the noise of the battle, freezing me in place. It was faint, carried on the wind from the south, but it hit like a punch to the chest. Dante. The southern flank.

“They’re in trouble,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, though Osric heard me.

His expression hardened.

“Then we finish this here and now.”