Chapter 76

The Blazewood Pack

The sound of horseshoes clattered through the mountain pass, sharp and clear against the morning haze. Sunlight just barely kissed the mouth of the sanctuary cave, and Lyra was already outside, catching the jittery, hopeful buzz from the riders long before they actually showed up. Not enemies, thank the gods. You could almost taste their determination, but there wasn’t a trace of that cold, fearful edge you get from ambushes.

Marcus showed up a step behind her, fingers lightly brushing his sword hilt, just muscle memory at this point. These folks didn’t read as hostile. He could feel through their bond that Lyra had clocked some familiar faces worming their way up the steep, switchback trail.

“Blazewood,” she muttered, nodding at the black birds swooping overhead. “But not Kael’s freaky little spies.”

The lead rider hit the crest, a woman with travel-stained leathers, dark hair pulled tight in a braid that said she meant business. A whole crowd trailed after her, m