CASSANDRA


    As we raced through the grounds in our wolf forms, I saw the buildings beyond us and noted with


    horror that they were all on fire now. The smoldering mes rose high, as did thick plumes of smoke.


    I had hoped to get some medicine from my room to treat Asher’s wound, but there was no chance of


    that happening now. Part of me felt a small amount of loss in knowing that many of my belongings were


    still within the chamber, but the other part knew that material items didn’t matter. I had my family with


    me, and for now, we were all safe and sound. The medicine would have been nice, but I would have to


    find other methods of dealing with our injuries.


    As I tried to suppress the pain in my back and the panic of escaping this ce for good, my eyes


    scanned the grounds. Serv ants were running around desperately, their expressions horrified as they


    fled away from the burning buildings. They were so terrified that they hadn’t even noticed us.


    Finnick clenched himself against Asher tightly, his sterling eyes wide with fear as


    screams rang out around us. I wished I could use my newfound magical abilities to put out the fire, but


    since I knew little about how to use sorcery, I didn’t know how.


    he studied the ze. Our son trembled and wa


    Thankfully, none of the soldiers had followed us, so once I was certain we would be okay, I carefully


    eased Raven’s still unconscious body onto the ground and then changed back into my human form,


    Erika followed suit and helped Finnick get down from his perch on Asher’s back. Once he was secure


    in the maid’s arms, I nodded at Asher, and the Alpha King shifted back too.


    “Is everyone alright?” I asked as I nced around at my family.


    Everyone nodded, and then Asher approached me.


    “There’s nothing we can do here,” he said, recognizing the concern on my face. “We need to leave


    before the situation esctes.”


    I nodded my head and then Erika did the same.


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    “If you take Finnick, I’ll worry about this one,” she said, and she inclined her head to Raven. When I


    nodded again, Erika handed Finnick over to me and then carefully eased Raven up. Despite her calm


    demeanor, the maid was incredibly strong and powerful. She carried the sorceress with ease while


    Finnick buried his face into the crook of my shoulder.


    I kissed his forehead and tightened my hold around him. “It’s okay, baby. We’re gonna get out of here.”


    We resumed our journey back toward the gate, but before we could get too much further, I heard a


    voice call my name.


    I whipped around, and through the thick smoke, a figure approached. It was Ms. Benn. The head


    housekeeper held L in her arms. Her sharp, angr face was stained gray from the soot and there


    was a frantess in her ice-blue eyes.


    My eyes fell on L. She appeared to have lost consciousness and appeared weak. The smoke


    inhtion had likely done a number on the


    poor child.


    Even though I knew it would have been smarter to turn and continue heading to the gate to escape this


    wretched ce, I couldn’t turn my back on a child.


    “Cassandra,” Ms. Benn pleaded as she approached me. “Please, you have to take L with you.”


    PI


    I was taken aback and frowned. Had I heard her correctly? Was this a trap? quickly scanned the area,


    yet Ms. Benn seemed to be acting alone.


    “What do you mean?” I asked as my eyes trailed over her. “Why would you want me to take her when


    you could juste with us?’


    Ms. Benn shook her head quickly. “I can’t leave. The king needs me.”


    “The whole country is on the verge of war,” I practically shouted back at her, nearlyughing at the


    absurdity of her statement. “Kaleb won’t care about losing a maid.”


    Her pale eyes widened and then shed. “You know nothing about this country, about loyalty. I would


    rather die than leave. But L doesn’t deserve that. Get her out of here, take her somewhere safe.


    Make sure she will be safe.”


    My lips parted but I couldn’t refuse. We didn’t have time to have a whole discussion, so I just nodded.


    Wordlessly, Erika passed Raven over to Asher and then took L into her arms and held her close.


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    Ms. Benn bowed and then quickly left and headed toward the main building. As I wretched her leave, I


    shook my head. I had never understood Ms. Benn, but her loyalty to Kaleb seemed to be


    unquestionable. I couldn’t imagine abandoning my child just to stay put and help such a violent king,


    but I supposed it wasn’t for me to understand.


    We continued moving momentster, and uncertainty filled my mind. We were supposed to meet with


    Rayden, but as we approached the gate, we didn’t see anyone other than Kaleb’s guards, who


    appeared restless. Their eyes were locked on the smoke, but duty apparently kept them trapped in


    their positions.


    We hid in the dark shadows cast by the trees. I wondered if we would need to fight the guards to leave.


    Without Rayden and his friends’ help, we couldn’t slip out unnoticed. Of course, we weren’t in the best


    position to be fighting. Asher and I were wounded, and we had two children with us, not to mention


    Raven, who could wake up at any moment.


    As I contemted our next move, I heard a small noisee from the bushes behind us. I exchanged


    a nce with Asher. He seemed to have heard it too. I silently set Finnick down and motioned for him


    to join Erika. Once he did, Asher and I crouched down and then quietly moved in the direction of the


    sound.


    As we stepped forward, we were surprised to see Rayden, but he didn’t appear to be alone. The Alpha


    of the Wild Crawler Pack didn’t seem too worse for wear, but his expression was distressed like he was


    in some kind of trouble.


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    “Let me go,” he hissed to someone beside him. “Or you won’t like what happens


    next.”


    A woman’s voice scoffed. “If you don’t do as I say, you’re dead.”


    My lips parted as I recognized the voice.


    It was Helene.


    I walked toward them and saw Rayden standing in front of Helene. Helene’s hand was on his right


    shoulder while her left hand was behind his back.


    Helene didn’t seem to recognize me at first.


    “Don’t move,” she warned me. “My knife is soaked with a deadly poison. This man will die the moment


    it breaks his skin.”


    “Helene, it’s me,” I pleaded with her. “It’s Cassandra. Please put the knife down. That man is my


    friend.”


    Suddenly, her expression changed and her honey-brown eyes widened. She removed her hold on


    Rayden, sheathed her knife, and then moved toward me.


    “Cassandra!” she said, and then she wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, I’m so happy to see you. I


    didn’t know he was your aplice. Please, take me with you.


    We need to get out of here.”