Kaden moved before he could think. He put himself between the witches and Mother Elara, his body blocking their view of the baby. Behind him, he could hear the infant’s cries growing weaker, more tired.“Stay back,” he warned.The lead witch laughed. It wasn’t the cruel, wet sound the Bone-Thicket witches had made. This was lighter, almost musical. Somehow, that made it worse.“Relax, soldier. We’re not here to hurt anyone.” She tilted her head, studying him with eyes that were too bright, too sharp. “Well, not unless you make us.”“What do you want?”“The same thing everyone wants. The child.” She took a step forward, her boots splashing in the bloody water. “But unlike the Indexed, we’re willing to negotiate.”Gregor limped up beside Kaden, his sword still drawn. Half his face was covered in blood, whether his own or someone else’s, Kaden couldn’t tell. “We’re not giving you anything.”“Not even if it saves your lives?” The witch gestured at the tunnels around them. “There are more
Last Updated : 2026-02-16 Read more