Magic? Dread rose the hair on Ruenen’s arms. Why was it so bloody cold?

Someone sniffed the air, loud as a wolf. Ruenen nearly jumped to see Nosficio standing in the middle of the courtyard, having appeared out of nowhere.

“She’s right,” the vampire said, eyes darkening. “I smell strange magic. And something else . . . something chemical.”

Chemical? What the fuck is going on?

“What happened, Sir Nyle?” Ruenen asked the only conscious man.

Avilyard handed him a flask. Nyle took a long drink, then his body heaved with a hacking cough.

“I can’t remember . . .” the young knight said weakly. He chugged more of whatever was in Avilyard’s flask.

“I can smell the Butcher,” Nosficio said, prowling around the courtyard as Thora continued waking the other guards and revelers outside the portcullis. “And the fae councilman, Keshel. And someone else.”

“Marai was out here?” pressed Ruenen.

“Yes,” came a new, weak voice. Ruenen turned to another conscious guard; this one in silver Greltan armor. “She was speaking with the long haired fae on the council.”

“What were they discussing?”

“Leaving.”

Leaving? The pit in Ruenen’s stomach grew larger. Had Marai and Keshel left together? But why knock out the guards?

“Then a man arrived.”

The stranger Nosficio smelled. It had to be.

“He wasn’t from here, and he wasn’t dressed as a noble guest,” continued the guard.

“What do you mean?” Avilyard asked.

“He had dark skin and wore peasant clothes. I think the faeries knew him,” the guard said, holding his head and grimacing, as if the remembering hurt.

Marai had never mentioned this stranger before. Of course, there were plenty of things Ruenen still didn’t know about her, but who was this man?

Nyle’s eyes opened wide. “Something happened. The air grew cold and I couldn’t move. As if I’d been turned to stone. The next thing I knew, Your Grace, I was waking up here on the ground.”

Raife and Aresti exchanged dark, nervous looks.

“Do you know who this man could be?” Ruenen asked them.

“If Marai and Keshel truly knew him, they never introduced him to us,” said Raife, jaw tensing.

“Or mention him,” Aresti added as Holfast, Fenir, and Vorae appeared at the door. “Although Keshel had been acting odd since the battle . . .”

Fenir gasped, Vorae went slack-jawed and pale. Holfast stood and stared at the scene before him in disbelief.

Ruenen turned his attention back to Nyle. “You didn’t hear any of their conversation?”

“I believe the man wanted Lady Marai to come with him somewhere.”

“Where?”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace, but I was speaking with another guard, so I didn’t hear them.”

“Maybe she portaled Keshel and this stranger somewhere. She could be right back. Keshel did intend to leave tonight,” suggested Thora, returning to Raife’s side. All the attacked guards were now conscious and receiving water.

“And leave his precious books behind? Absolutely not,” Aresti scoffed, lifting the packs. There was worry in her eyes. “How long ago did this happen?”

“I spoke with Lady Marai not twenty minutes ago,” said Holfast.

“Then they may still be in the city,” Raife said, turning to Avilyard.

The commander turned to his men. “Search the streets. I’ll send out riders, as well.”

Raife, Aresti, and the rest of the King’s Guard rushed through the portcullis and into the Kellesar streets.

Nosficio’s red eyes flashed. “I’ll join them.” He disappeared in a haze.

Ruenen made to follow, but someone grabbed his arm.

“No, Your Grace, you must stay here where it’s safe,” Holfast said. Ruenen glared back at him. “This could be an attack on you. Stay inside and let Commander Avilyard do his work.”

“I cannot sit by and do nothing while Marai is missing,” yelled Ruenen, fists clenching at his side.

Calmly, Holfast turned to Fenir and Vorae. “Go back inside and ensure our guests know nothing about this. Tell the guards to lock down the room, just in case.”

Vorae nodded, and had to usher the visibly shaken Fenir back towards the main hall.

Ruenen stepped further into the courtyard, eyes darting around for a missed sign, some hidden clue. His heart raced as a sense of desperation took hold of him.

“I’m sure she’s fine, Your Grace,” Holfast said. “Lady Marai can take care of herself. Please, come back inside where it’s safe.”

No. 

No, something was wrong.

Marai wouldn’t vanish without a word again. Not after last night. Not after she’d told him she loved him. This wasn’t like the last time . . .

She’d been taken against her will somehow. Keshel, too. By this stranger . . . someone else who had magic and could incapacitate not only an entire group of soldiers, but two powerful fae.

Ruenen stared into the night, lips reared back in a growl. His fingernails dug deep crescent moons into his palms.

But all the while, his heart was splintering.

“Marai!” He called her name into the eerily still night. His voice echoed off the cobblestones and marble castle walls. He shouted her name again and again, voice breaking as the fear began to take hold.