Embarrassment shot through Serenna like an arrow, his teasing words quickening her pulse. “I wasn’t asking,” she snapped before thinking better of curbing her defensive reaction. Well, I kind of was. But only because she was attempting to learn more about his culture. “And for your information, I’m not a thing to try.”

Fenn’s cough was obviously meant to swallow a chuckle. His lips twitched like he wanted to dispute that statement. Instead, he became very interested in toeing a clump of snow, disintegrating the mound into icy pieces.

Serenna shoved her hands into her cloak, a wisp of her expelled breath coiling in the air. I shouldn’t be so harsh and accidently bruise his warrior-sized ego—I’m sure it’s as big as those fangs. Serenna cleared her throat, tempering her tone. “But consider me…enlightened.”

As he studied their surroundings, Fenn spun his lip ring before his gaze landed back on her. “Even if I wanted to pair, I’m not of age yet.”

Skeptical, Serenna scrutinized his face. He was definitely no youth. “What do you mean you’re not of age?”

“I’m still a part of my clan’s household until I reach my fifth decade.” Fenn stooped to snag a clawful of snow. “It’s one topic I actually agree with the reavers on.” He grunted humorlessly, balling the flakes into a sphere and bouncing it. “It’s absurd that the elders don’t consider those of us born as wraith to be mature sooner—I have three decades.” With a faraway look, he added, “I’ve already proven myself as a warrior in battle.”

Serenna scoffed, a flare of indignation brewing under her ribs. “I hope that’s not a boast about attacking us.”

Fangs extending, Fenn suddenly rounded on her with a snarl. “I lost clan there too.”

Serenna blanched at his reaction, retreating as he crushed the fistful of snow. She’d never considered the casualties on his side.

“Lykor believed eliminating your military was the only way to keep the wraith safe,” Fenn growled, adjusting his bandolier with a yank. “And I’d do my part to protect my people again.”

“Then why didn’t you finish me off in the war room for your precious leader instead of protecting me?” Serenna bristled. “You’ve lived in as much fear of us as we have of you.” She stepped back into the space she’d abandoned, ignoring her better judgment of antagonizing a soldier. “If those at Centarya knew the truth—”

“I know what you’re trying to do, she-elf.” Fenn’s tone was loaded with a warning that he wouldn't be swayed. “Lykor warned me you’d—”

“And does Lykor not permit you to think for yourself?” Serenna interrupted, planting her hands on her hips.

A two-note horn sounded, breaking off whatever words Fenn was starting to form. Serenna followed his gaze to a mountain pass. Her pulse skipped up her throat upon seeing a group of wraith in the distance, angling toward the stronghold.

“A patrol returns,” Fenn announced, alleviating her flash of worry. Shoulders relaxing, he retracted his fangs. “They’ll likely have a kill to transport to the kitchens. Let’s use your magics to clear this lift.”

“Yes, let’s use my magics,” Serenna mimicked under her breath.

Blowing out a sigh, she released her frustration. As soon as she started reaching toward the surrounding earth, Fenn stiffened, snatching her arm.

“We’re getting out of here,” he said, bending down as if to scoop her up.

Uninterested in being carried again, Serenna shook him off. “Why?”

The scouts were much closer now, warping in short jumps to the fortress. A patrol of nearly fifty wraith with red face paint sheared a path through the snow. The sides of their heads were shaved, leaving twin ridges of obsidian braids trailing down the centers of their backs. Crossbows and maces clattered as the soldiers approached.

“We’re going back to the Aerie.” Fenn caught her wrist. “I didn’t expect the reavers to return until nightfall.”

Serenna froze when she noticed the smaller beings in front of the warriors. Hands tied, they staggered as the wraith roughly shoved them ahead.

“Humans?” she gasped, seeing the mortals in rags and tattered furs. “What are humans doing this far away from the realms?”

One man stumbled and fell into the snow. Laughing, a female warrior punted him in the ribs with a cruel, spiked boot.

Serenna flinched. “Fenn,” she whispered, clutching his arm. Fear soaked into her limbs, icier than the surrounding air. “What are the reavers going to do with them?”

Fenn’s eyes volleyed around the warriors. The soldiers kicked the remaining humans behind their knees, sending them sprawling face-first to the ground. When a pair of wraith sauntered toward them, Fenn stepped in front of Serenna, concealing her with his towering frame.

“What are you doing with Lykor’s elven scum, Lieutenant?” the male sneered, cloak flapping over his armor. Face painted with red streaks, he squared his stance, folding his arms across his chest. The female next to him replicated his pose, flashing her fangs.

Claws flexing, Fenn ignored him and addressed the female warrior, who had a bone pierced through the center of her nose. “Taryn, the humans need to be escorted to Lykor.”

The male’s snarl cut in, lifting every hair on Serenna’s neck. “I’ll decide what to do with them. It was the reavers who seized these thieving rats, gorging themselves at our traps. Pilfering our kills like the vermin they are.”

“We’re starving,” one human cried out, eyes smudged with exhaustion. Hands bound behind his back, the man stumbled forward, trying to stand.

Serenna’s stomach turned over at their malnourished faces, skin edged in frostbite. The mortal didn’t make it far before one of the wraith clubbed him with the butt of a crossbow, sending him crashing to the snow.

“They’re defenseless,” Serenna said, a swell of anger feathering in her pulse. Fenn snagged her shoulder as she stepped around him.

“I’d keep your new pet on a tighter leash, brother,” Taryn said, rolling a braid between her talons.

Attention riveted on the male wraith, Fenn flung his arm toward a tunnel that led into the stronghold. “Get the humans out of the cold and find them something to eat.” Eyes on fire, he threw the command like a javelin. “Lykor will want to speak to them.”

The male cackled like a crow. “I don’t think so. Why would we waste our resources on feeding the elves’ fodder? These mangy mutts are as worthless as their bones.”

“Larek,” Fenn growled, the low rumble from his chest reverberating through the air. His claws clacked, forming fists. “That’s an order.”

Taking a step forward, Larek broke into a serpentine smile. “You know the funny thing about orders?” His scarlet gaze dismissively slid over Serenna before he stood boot-to-boot with Fenn. “Orders are only respected if you follow the chain of command.” Larek’s fangs extended. “And I’ve grown weary of following Lykor’s blundering.”

Fenn tensed when Larek gave a shrill whistle, like a dracovae on the hunt. A warrior hauled the collapsed human up by his hair. Serenna yanked in a shocked breath as cruel talons sliced across the man’s neck. Blood gushed in a spray, drenching the snow.

Fenn lunged, his fist connecting with Larek’s face.

The valley erupted into garbled screams as the reavers shredded the remaining humans’ throats. Unable to process the fountains of red spouting in waves, Serenna went numb, watching in horror as the slaughter slowed time to a crawl.

Taryn warped beside her, snatching her arm. Wrenched into a nether of darkness, Serenna staggered, reappearing twenty paces away. Positioning Serenna in front of her chest, Taryn’s claws dug into her shoulders. Stifling a cry, Serenna inhaled sharply through her nose, recoiling from the slice of pain.

Fenn faced them with Larek on his knees, talons on the reaver’s face, threatening to gouge his eye. Twisting the warrior’s braids, Fenn yanked Larek’s head back.

“Taryn, let her go,” Fenn ordered, fangs extending.

A cruel laugh spilled out of the female as weapons rattled and unsheathed. The reavers fanned out, aiming their crossbows at Fenn.

Terror bludgeoned Serenna’s chest when Taryn tauntingly skimmed a talon across the front of her neck, scraping skin. Fenn flashed his canines. Claws forming hooks, his nails scored the side of Larek’s face, dragging out a hiss and a trickle of black blood.

“The wraith need her magics,” Fenn snarled. “You can’t harm her.”

“Is that you talking or Lykor, brother?” Disdain dripped from Taryn’s fangs like venom. “I don’t see how this elven bitch can serve the wraith, but the reavers will discover exactly how far her usefulness extends.” Taryn jutted her chin in command. “Run back and inform Lykor that we’re taking over her watch. Let Larek go.”

Shock from the sudden slaughter fading, tears streamed down Serenna’s cheeks, iced over by the wind. This is just the beginning. Pulse roaring in her ears, her mind replayed severed throats gushing blood. The humans will overwhelm the wraith when they come in force, but how many smaller groups will die until they find this fortress?

Imprisoned in the female’s claws, a sense of cold foreboding constricted Serenna’s air. Heartbeats passed while scales tilted in her head, weighing her options.

Serenna’s eyes locked with Fenn’s, the world coming to a stop. Rage honed the rigid lines of his body. If he was trying to communicate something with that fire smoldering in his eyes, Serenna was too panicked to read it. Withdrawing his gaze from hers, Fenn burned his conflagrating stare into his sister.