by Jay Kristoff
“A dead white raven.
“‘Clever boy,’ Greyhand nodded. ‘My clever, clever boy.’
“The falcon rasped as I crawled over to his prize. I unpicked the black bow, unfurled the strip of parchment bound to the dead raven’s leg. Looking over the message, I saw it was a tiny map of the Godsend Mountains, painted in an exquisite hand. Fine, flowing script detailed the towns that dotted the range—population, assets, garrisons of men. Black arrows swept down from the north, pointing toward Coste, Tolbrook, Skyefall, and then out into the Nordlund itself. And despite my wounds, I came to my feet, blood running cold as I realized what I held in my shaking hands.
“‘De León?’ Talon whispered. ‘What is it?’
“I looked to my fellows, uncertain whether to be overjoyed or horrified.
“‘An invasion plan.’”
VII
THE FAITHLESS
“WE’D RIDDEN HARD back to San Michon, Archer flying ahead bearing word of our discovery. And though our wounds closed along the road, the price of our almost-victory would be scribed on our skin always. My chest and arm were scored from the claws of Laure Voss’s slain son. Talon’s belly would bear the Wraith’s touch the rest of his days, and Aaron’s face was forever marred—a long, hook-shaped scar cutting through brow and cheek.
“But Greyhand had it worst of all.
“His swordarm was gone, his right eye and ear also, ripped free by the claws of the Dead. Our first night back in the monastery, Greyhand knelt in the front row at mass as if nothing were amiss. But he’d never be the hunter he once was. And all of us knew it.
“When the parting hymns were sung, Abbot Khalid and Seraph Talon bid Aaron and me remain. I tried to catch Greyhand’s eye as he left, but he ignored me as he had on the road back home. I knew there were words unspoken between us—though we’d uncovered the Forever King’s stratagem, the way things had played out in Coste was my fault. My master had vowed I’d never hunt as his apprentice again, and I feared I might be expelled from the Order for my disobedience. Strange as it was, hard as my struggles had been, San Michon was my home now. And I was in dread that I might be forced to leave it all behind.
“Khalid stood at the altar, Talon beside him. As ever, the Abbot of San Michon cut an imposing sight, dark skin glinting with the silver of his aegis. His green, kohl-rimmed eyes were lit with chymical light from the globes above, and the Cathedral was deathly hushed.
“‘Seraph Talon has told me of all that transpired in Coste,’ he said. ‘To stand against a daughter of the Forever King and live is no small feat. You are clearly favored of the Almighty, Initiates.’
“My belly knotted itself tighter as Khalid’s gaze fell on me.
“‘That, or the devil loves his own.’
“I swallowed hard as the abbot turned to Aaron.
“‘Initiate de Coste, Greyhand has informed me you acquitted yourself admirably these last months. You showed patience, valor, and discipline, and dealt the deathblow to a grandson of the Forever King himself. He feels you are ready to be sainted to the Order.’
“De Coste glanced at me, clearly torn. ‘Abbot … it was Gabriel who created opportunity for me to deal the deathblow to Laure’s son. Gabriel who staggered Laure herself long enough for us to seek holy ground. Without him, we’d all be dead.’
“‘Greyhand has informed me of Initiate de León’s conduct in Coste,’ Khalid replied.
“I lowered my eyes, stomach twisting again. Of course Greyhand had told Khalid of my defiance. My rashness had cost my master his swordarm and almost cost us our prey. Greyhand had stood up for me back when Talon suggested I be taken to Heaven’s Bridge, and in earning his ire, I knew I might have lost my only benefactor. But still …
“‘What will become of Master Greyhand, Abbot?’ I asked softly.
“‘I’d have thought you more concerned about your own fate, Little Lion.’
“‘I did what I thought was just,’ I murmured, gaze downturned. ‘God’s truth, I’d do it again. But … I know what happened to Greyhand was my fault.’
“‘Greyhand has yet to decide his path,’ Khalid sighed. ‘He is strong as silversteel. But it will take time to recover from what the Wraith in Red did to him. In body and mind.’
“‘Godless leech,’ Aaron whispered.
“‘We owe her a reckoning,’ I spat. ‘We should track her down and—’
“‘You will do nothing of the sort, you gutterborn spunk-rag,’ Talon snapped. ‘Count your blessings we do not flay the ink off your skin and throw you from these halls.’
“I blinked at that. ‘You mean … I’m not to be cast out of the Order?’
“‘No,’ Khalid replied, sending my heart singing. ‘Your disobedience warrants censure. But it cannot be denied you saved the lives of your fellows, Little Lion, nor that your courage has given us a heaven-sent advantage against the Forever King. But now is no time for vendetta against Laure Voss. All our strength must be bent toward stopping her father. And thanks to your efforts, we now know for certain where he and his Endless Legion will strike.”
“Elation filled me at the thought of my reprieve, that I might yet stand with my brothers in the battle to come.
“‘Avinbourg,’ I whispered.
“Khalid nodded. ‘From the plan you uncovered, we know Voss intends to take the cityfort, then sweep south along the Godsend and seize Coste, Tolbrook, and Skyefall, cutting off silver supplies for the entire empire. And even with knowledge of his stratagem, we have precious little time to stop it. Wintersdeep is upon us. The Cherchant River is near frozen already. Emperor Alexandre has emptied all garrisons along the Godsend to reinforce Avinbourg, and a mighty host is being gathered from Dún Fas, Dún Cuinn, Redwatch, and Beaufort. They are to be led by the Empress herself.’
“Aaron blinked at that. ‘Isabella is coming to San Michon?’
“Khalid nodded. ‘She and her forces will muster here in a week’s time. So I trust your Hunt has not wearied you overmuch, Initiates. You will soon be called upon again to defend God’s Holy Church.’
“Both fear and exhilaration bubbled inside me at that thought. The idea of fighting a siege against thousands of Dead for the fate of the Nordlund was near overwhelming. But this was all I’d worked for. And we’d seen firsthand now, the depth of the evil we faced.
“‘Initiate de Coste, you will be sainted into the Order next prièdi,’ Talon said. ‘If you have time now, I shall take you through your vows. And our expectations.’
“Khalid turned to me. I knew in my thumping heart how close I’d come to the edge here, and I could see in his eyes that it was the abbot’s word that had spared me the fall.
“‘Get your sleep tonight, Little Lion. You’ll have need of it.’
“I bowed, numb with gratitude. ‘By the Blood, Abbot.’
“I turned to depart, but then offered my hand to de Coste. After a heartbeat’s hesitation, he shook it. Despite our differences, I knew Aaron had earned his induction. And since saving each other’s skins in Coste, I was beginning to feel a faint kinship with him. We weren’t friends. But there’s a strange and fierce love forged in the fires of combat. A brotherhood written only in blood. Even among men who’d normally loathe each other.
“I left the Cathedral, into the freezing night. I could hear good cheer in the refectory, Smith Baptiste’s laughter, Frère Alonso’s pipes, but my mind was still unsettled. Traveling back from Coste, I’d been chewing on it incessantly. I knew I could believe nothing Laure Voss had told us. But the way Talon had raged when Voss mentioned Sister Aoife … Despite my reprieve, there was still a mystery here. One I couldn’t see the bottom of.
“Yet I knew someone who might …
“The wait was torture. Aaron and I bedded down in Barracks that night, and our fellow initiates all demanded a telling of the tale of the battle with the Forever King’s daughter. It was hours before the bastards drifted off to sleep. But at last, I slipped from the Barracks, across the monastery, an
d into the Great Library’s dark.
“All was silence as I stole among the shelves. That great map of the empire was etched on the floorboards, and my eyes drifted to the Godsend range, the name of a different angel scribed on every peak. I pictured the legion of the Forever King, marching even now toward Avinbourg, belly thrilling at the thought of the battle to come.
“But more, at the thought of her.
“It’d had been months since I’d seen her, and those last few minutes as I stole into the forbidden section were by far the longest. What if she weren’t here? What if she’d found a way out of this cage, just as she’d vowed? What if …
“But I rounded the shelves, and there she was. Seated at the great oaken table, surrounded by books. Her hair had been set free from her coif, long, ink-black locks framing pale cheeks. One hand traced the text she read, the other clutched a red-stained kerchief to her nose. Sisternovice Chloe sat beside her, poring over a dusty tome. The scent of blood and dreamweed hung in the air. And strangely, I saw a wheellock rifle near Chloe’s hand.
“‘Fairdawning, mesdemoiselles.’
“Chloe startled at my whisper. Astrid looked up from her book, dark eyes meeting mine. She smiled at me then. And God, the way she did so…”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling of his cell with shining eyes.
“That girl had a thousand smiles,” he sighed. “A smile cruel as winter wind, that cut you down to shivering bone. A smile light as dove’s down, just the softest hint of it across her cheek to let you know she was listening as you spoke. A smile that could make you fear, and a smile that could make you cry, and a smile that made you feel like you were the only man alive. And the smile she gave me that night was the first time she’d ever done so, and I’ve not forgotten it, not through all the blood and fire, not through all the nights from that one to this. A smile that whispered, and made me smile in kind.”
“What did it whisper?” Jean-François asked.
“That she was happy. And the sight of me had made her so.
“‘Godmorrow, Gabriel,’ she said.
“‘It’s good to see you both, Sisternovices. I pray God I find you well?’
“‘Well enough.’ Astrid swabbed at her nose. ‘Minor blood loss aside.’
“Chloe smiled, her green eyes shining. ‘I’m glad to see you returned safe, Initiate.’
“‘Safer than some, at least. What’s the rifle for?’
“‘Oh.’ Astrid grimaced. ‘Don’t mind that, it’s Chloe’s.’
“‘… You stole a wheellock from the Armory? Godssakes, why?’
“‘I didn’t steal it,’ Chloe said, making the sign of the wheel. ‘Theft is a sin, Gabriel.’
“‘Abbot Khalid has been teaching us,’ Astrid huffed. ‘The sisterhood have lessons every findi since Aoife was killed by that highblood. It’s fucking ghastly.’
“Chloe stared at the girl beside her. ‘It was your idea, Azzie.’
“‘I merely suggested within the abbot’s earshot some of the girls might sleep easier if they knew how to defend themselves. I didn’t think they’d make it fucking mandatory.’
“Chloe rolled her eyes at me. ‘She’s prevaricating now, bless her. She’s actually a splendid shot. But heaven forbid she appear to be enjoying herself.’
“‘You treacherous swamp donkey, how dare you? I’ll be miserable all I like. You’re the one who’s enjoying herself. And rather too much, some might say. You’re supposed to be betrothed to the Almighty, but you carry that thing about like you were bedding it.’
“‘Oh, stop.’ Chloe blushed furiously and repeated the wheel. ‘I don’t like such talk.’
“Stifling a smirk, Astrid threw me a sly glance. Taking Chloe’s hand, she kissed it, pressed it to her cheek. ‘I’m sorry, ma chérie. I’m only teasing.’
“‘Well, I think training is a grand idea,’ I said, nodding to the rifle. ‘Aoife’s death aside, the night grows dark outside these walls. And nights ahead bode darker still.’
“Chloe brushed a tight curl from her cheek, her voice growing hushed. ‘We heard tales of your Hunt in Coste. It sounded a frightful affair.’
“‘I’ll not dream sweetly of it, sure and true.’
“Astrid looked me over, head tilted. ‘Are you … well?’
“I looked about our little sanctuary, then back to her eyes. ‘Better now.’
“She smiled again, and I pulled up a chair. The metallic scent of Astrid’s blood was knife-bright in the air, goosebumps prickling my skin. I could feel the thirst, like a slow-spreading crack through the ice beneath my feet. Even with all the sanctus I’d smoked on the road, those cracks seemed to be growing deeper, as if feeding it each night were helping awaken it. And though it stood in check, prowling behind the bars rather than throwing itself against them, the reminder of that beast in my blood made me ill at ease.
“Never once had I met him, but still, I was ever my father’s son …
“‘Well,’ Astrid declared. ‘Chloe and I have news that may cheer you further still. Two pieces, actually. I’ll start with what I hope is the less dramatic one.’
“She handed me a sheaf of parchment sealed with candle wax. As soon as I saw the handwriting, I knew who’d sent it. ‘Mama…’
“‘She wrote back almost immediately,’ Astrid smiled. ‘I told you she’d miss you.’
“The girls watched with curious eyes as I tore the letter and read, swift as I could.
“My dearest son,
“Your letter filled my soul with joy. The nature of our parting has been a stone about my neck, and I miss you as flowers miss the sun. Celene also misses you terribly, and assures you that she is misbehaving admirably to fill the hole of your absence. She also informs me you are deeply in arrears in regards to the letters she’s sent you.
“I am glad you have found a home, my love. I am so grieved I did not tell you of your heritage. At first, I prayed God that your father did not pass his curse onto you. And when I could see you were destined to carry the weight of my sin, I was afeared of what you might think of me. I should have prepared you. I can only beg now you forgive me.
“I was little more than a girl when I knew your father, Gabriel. And love will convince a girl almost any lie is truth. But know I did love him, and in his way, perhaps he loved me too. I will tell you more, but God forgive me, I cannot do so without looking you in the eye.
“I pray you, seek leave from the abbot to come home for Firstmas. I will tell you all you wish to know. And then, I will beg you embrace me, and forgive me, and know I am your mother and love you more dear than you can imagine.
“The blood of lions flows in you, my son. I ask you to be brave a month or two longer. Then you will know all you need to, and more.
“With all my love
“Mama
“I finished reading with a dark scowl on my brow, my fangs stirring in my gums as the anger swelled. I could understand a letter was no place for so heavy a truth. But still, being left without answers was a bitter draught, and the sting of wanting something I couldn’t have was becoming all too familiar.
“‘Not the news you were hoping for?’ Astrid murmured.
“I breathed deep to calm myself. ‘Just more questions,’ I sighed.
“‘Well, then. We have one answer, at least.’ Chloe stood and fished about the dusty shelves. ‘Though we’ve had little fortune searching for daysdeath lore, Azzie and I have met some success on your task.’
“I looked up, belly thrilling. ‘You found word of the fifth line? Why didn’t you say so?’
“‘She just did, Gabriel,’ Astrid said, her voice muffled by her kerchief. ‘All this blood is rather fortuitous, actually.’
“‘See here.’ From among the stacks, Chloe produced an ancient book, edged in tarnished brass and bound in pale, cracked leather. The title was embossed upon the spine in golden writing, almost completely faded with age.
“‘I can’t read it,’ I confessed.
<
br /> “‘There aren’t many who can. It’s a dialect of old Talhostic, predating the Wars of the Faith. It took me days to translate a few fragments. But this book is a bestiary. Written by a vampire scholar named Lûzil. Or Lûsille. We’re not sure which.’
“Chloe opened the pages almost reverently. They were yellowed with age, creaking as she turned them. I saw anatomical illustrations of horrifying beasts, some entirely fictional, others variants of the faekin and duskdancers and fallen I knew full well to be real. The book seemed half folklore, half fact, all madness.
“‘Strange vellum,’ I remarked, touching the page.
“‘We think it’s human skin,’ Astrid murmured.
“‘Sweet Mothermaid…’
“‘Here. Here it is.’ Chloe turned the book toward me. I saw heraldic crests in an archaic style, representing the four vampire bloodlines: the golden-crowned white raven of Blood Voss, the roses and serpents of the Ilon, the twin wolves and moons of Chastain, the bear and broken shield of the Dyvok. But the language was unreadable.
“‘What does all this say? Does it mention the fifth line?’
“Astrid turned to the final page, blank and parched with age. ‘It appears not.’
“I gritted my teeth, frustration rising. ‘Then why are you showing me this, Astrid?’
“‘Because, Gabriel, appearances can be deceiving.’ She took her kerchief away, and leaning over the book, snorted hard. Blood began to drip, drip, drip onto the blank page.
“‘What are y—’
“Chloe held up her hand, eyes shining with excitement. ‘Just watch.’
“I sat mute, trying to ignore the perfume of Astrid’s blood, trying not to imagine how it might taste, silken and sticky-smooth upon my tongue. It gleamed like dark rubies across that dusty page, sweet as poison. And then my belly did a slow roll, my eyes widening.
“The blood was moving.