As dawn broke above the city, painting pink and orange over the early morning sky, the group emerged from the side door of the Metropolis. Edric sucked in a deep breath, thankful to be topside and in the fresh, cool air. Ezekiel cast a cloaking spell over each of them, so they could go through the streets without being seen or harassed by the guard that patrolled and searched for them.

Now that it was dawn, and merchants were coming out of their homes to set up their shops and carts, walking through the city would be difficult despite Ezekiel’s spell. As the sun climbed into the sky, more people would flood into the streets, increasing the chance of being bumped into.

As Edric led the group, using the least traversed paths to prevent walking into unsuspecting citizens, he kept glancing at Sophia. She seemed withdrawn. Moving only on impulse. Something happened to her in the vault. She must have seen something, and whatever it was that she experienced, she didn’t seem likely to talk about it yet. He hoped she would eventually confide in him. For now, he had to wait and trust she would come to him in time.

After they passed through the merchant square, Edric led them around the corner of a pub he used to frequent before he met Sophia. A guard marched onto the street with a stack of parchments and nails and a hammer. He held up his hand for everyone to stop. Watching the guard unfold one parchment, he noticed the images under a bold “Wanted.”

His face, along with Andreas’s and Ezekiel’s and Sophia’s, was plastered across the paper. The guard left, allowing him and the group to move closer, so he could read the declarations. Edric clenched his fists as his eyes scanned the words. The poster was nothing but a smear campaign. Sophia was labeled an anima contritum, and he, Andreas, and Ezekiel were listed as her accomplices.

An elderly woman holding a baby approached the board. Edric backed up as she stepped closer and her eyes widened as she read. She shuddered, held the baby closer, and rushed off. The posters were definitely having the desired effect. Sowing and spreading fear among Nighthelm’s populace.

“That’s going to make it harder for us to do anything in the city,” Andreas whispered. “We’ll have more than just guards looking for us.”

“We’re innocent until proven guilty,” Edric said.

“These posters say a whole different thing,” Ezekiel said. “Not to mention they’re working.”

“Yes, this will spook the whole city.” He looked at Sophia. Worry and guilt filled her eyes. He reached for her hand and gave it a loving squeeze. “You didn’t do this, love.”

She swallowed. “You’re wanted criminals because of me.”

Ezekiel touched her cheek. “Hey, I’ve always wanted to be a criminal. It’s more exciting. I was getting tired of doing magic for a bunch of old, doddering fools who never appreciated me.” He smiled.

She did the same, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Edric wanted to pull her in close and hold her until the pain ebbed away. He would have, but he knew she had a purpose and he couldn’t let these posters get in the way of her accomplishing her mission. Wanted or not, Edric would be damned if he couldn’t help Sophia find the heirs.

“If we’re caught, you will all be banished to the mountain,” she said. “That’s a fate far worse than death.”

“Being without you,” Edric said, “is a fate worse than death.”

Andreas and Ezekiel nodded in agreement.

But she spoke the truth, the punishment for traitors against the realm was banishment to Ripthorn Mountain. The rumors were that humans weren’t able to stand the magic of the mountain, seeping into the body and eating everything from the inside out, until the unfortunate soul withered away into nothing. Besides that, the creatures rumored to live in the mountain would be just as horrific to encounter. Edric would face that and so much more if he needed to. Helping Sophia was worth every punishment he would ever face.

His attention was caught by another guard that took station just a short way down the road. He recognized him as an old war buddy and his former guard. Malcolm would have information for them. Maybe even lend a hand. He was trustworthy, and Edric knew he would keep quiet about their meeting.

Turning to Ezekiel, he said, “Get Sophia back to the inn. Andreas and I need to gather intelligence. We need to know exactly what is going on with our people, and what Winston plans to do.”

“Got it.” Ezekiel nodded.

Sophia grabbed his arm before he could race off. He met her gaze and nearly gave up on the mission in favor of holding her. She reached up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. She turned to Andreas and did the same.

“Be safe, both of you, and return to me as soon as you can,” she said.

Andreas slapped a hand on Edric’s back and Ezekiel’s shoulder before dissolving into the shadows to meet with his brotherhood in the Shade. Edric stayed glued to the wall until Ezekiel and Sophia slipped down the street and disappeared around the corner. He kept his gaze on the guards milling about to make sure no one had noticed them escape.

Edric moved closer, trying to catch Malcolm’s attention. And only his attention. Malcolm turned his head toward Edric, who motioned with his hand to keep things quiet. He pushed off the wall and walked across the street, gesturing to the alleyway nearby with a nod of his head. Once within the shadows, he watched as his old friend followed. He looked over his shoulder once before stepping into the alley.

Edric said, “It’s good to see you, my friend.” They shook hands, clasping each other’s wrists.

“The word is you murdered the headmistress,” Malcolm said.

“Winston Kent’s word, I imagine.” Edric narrowed his eyes.

Malcolm nodded. “The little shit is spewing a lot of dangerous things about you and this woman, Sophia. He says you’re trying to destroy Nighthelm, to bring about chaos and anarchy.”

Edric snorted and shook his head. “Whatever he’s telling you, it’s not true.” He could only imagine the vile things that bastard spread about him and his companions.

“I know. As do many who are still loyal to you, Commander.” Malcolm glanced toward the mouth of the alleyway. “He’s got a bunch of mercenaries hunting for you and your friends. He knows a lot of us won’t bring you in.”

Edric crossed his arms over his chest and placed his feet shoulder-width apart. “What does the duchess say about all of this?”

Malcolm shrugged. “Not saying much, surprisingly. Seems like she’s letting him run the show. The Kents have long been supporters of the duchess.”

Edric nodded. Though that was true, he had hoped there would have been a bit more reluctance in the duchess. However, that seemed wishful thinking. “Thank you, Malcolm. I won’t forget this.”

His comrade in arms slammed his fist against his chest. “Warriors of Nighthelm.”

“Warriors of Nighthelm.” Edric left Malcolm and slid out of the alleyway, heading back to the inn. The long way. He needed to see for himself just how far Winston Kent’s hold extended.

Two blocks later, he came dangerously close to the barracks. He spied armed troops forming into battalions. In his gut, he knew where they were going. Head down, heart pounding, he ran as fast as his legs could move.

Slipping into the Shade wasn’t difficult. The area of the city was devoid of most regular people and the city guards. Only wraiths lived in the Shade. And most wraiths were loyal to the royal family and not the duchess, who was just the steward.

As he walked the streets, he received a couple of cautious looks, but he trusted his people to not rat him out, not unless he gave them a good reason to. Rumors spread by a sniveling worm like Winston Kent wouldn’t sway too many in this district.

Ozul grunted when Andreas stepped into the room. “‘Bout time you showed back up. How’s the new place?”

“Old, smelly, and dilapidated.”

“Captain Ryder said you weren’t dumb enough to end up back here.” Ozul chuckled.

“Is he looking for me?” Andreas asked.

Ozul shook his head. “You know the captain isn’t going to do what some human asshole orders him to do.” He snorted. “Well, it seems as word is spreading of you and your friends wanting to usurp the duchess and her seat.”

Andreas shook his head. “And what do you think?”

Mica handed him a jug of ouzo, a thick alcohol that tasted like wildfire, which they made out of grapes and spices. “Is it true your woman is an anima contritum?”

Andreas took the jug and tilted it to his mouth. The liquid burned his throat, but it felt good. He wiped his mouth and nodded. “Yes. She’s extremely powerful.”

“She’s dangerous,” Ozul said, as he reached for the ouzo.

“That too,” Andreas agreed, with a smile. He loved how unpredictable and formidable Sophia was. It called to him on many levels. She made him think of the wild nature of the forest and the mountain. She was an outsider, an other, just like him.

“There’s lots of confusion and fear in the city,” Ozul said. “Everyone is looking for you and this woman, the commander, and the sorcerer. You are making everyone nervous.”

Andreas took another long pull on the jug. “Are you?”

Ozul made a face and waved him off. “Takes more than you and some crazy rumors to make me nervous.”

“What have you heard?” Andreas asked.

“That this woman, Sophia, assassinated Headmistress Mittle as well as Professor Grindel while they were trying to cure her. She’s cast evil magic on you and the others, talking you into helping her kill the duchess and destroying the city. That if she’s not stopped, she will raze the city to ashes and bring the evil of the mountain upon us all.”

Andreas nodded slowly. “That’s a lot of evil killing going on.”

Ozul shrugged. “Humans are easily frightened by things they don’t know or understand.”

They all knew this better than most. Wraiths were persecuted for years before the king pardoned them all and allowed them to live in the city as equals. Despite all the joint missions together with the city guard, he and his wraith warrior brothers were never treated as equals. Over the years, Andreas had seen the wary looks and heard the snide comments whispered behind his back.

He appreciated he’d never received those looks or heard those comments from Edric or Ezekiel over the years, not even when they were competing over everything. And now, Andreas considered them to be his brothers.

Mica took a long drink of ouzo and studied Andreas over the rim of the jug. “Contritums possess mountain magic. We as a people respect the mountain. Your woman has nothing to fear from our people.”

Andreas nodded and offered his hand in brotherhood. Mica clasped it while looking him straight in the eyes, as was their custom.

Ozul also shook his hand. “Lay low. Wherever you’re hiding, stay there. We’ll see what we can do to help.”

“Thank you, my brothers.”