Page 115 of The Last Valkyrie

I banked on the wind and wheeled around, furiously snapping my wings to speed toward Academy Hill.

I was back over the walls—to the shouts and cheers of Grant and other Huscarl watchmen below—within an hour.

Vanishing my wings, I shoved the door open, storming into my abode where my mates lounged and paced and stood with worried expressions on their faces.

“Vini!” Arne exclaimed first, his bright smile sinking as he saw my pale expression.

“Whatever nefarious plans he has, I don’t think Gothi Salos is going to get to call a meeting with any humans outside the Isle, guys.”

Sven stood from my bed. “What do you mean, menace? What did you see?”

“The Dokkalfar have moved locations,” I said through a short, gasping breath. “They’remuchcloser than Kelvar previously reported. If I had to wager, I’d say they’re less than two days out from Vikingrune Academy.”

Chapter 36

Ravinica

MY INSIGHT BROUGHTa new wave of commotion into my little house.

Magnus left to report to his father Kelvar, who would likely tell Salos and the other Hersirs of the rapidly changing landscape.

Sven went in his wolf form to check on Deitryce and make sure she was staying put in the Ljosalfar camp and wasn’t making any moves yet.

Arne was busy writing a missive at my table, standing over it as he slashed his signature, folded it, and went to give it to a messenger. When I asked, he said it was a letter to Dieter, to prepare the Lepers Who Leapt for the impending conflict.

Grim stayed with me, not sure what he could do other than stick by my side as I reeled.

“You said there are hundreds of dark elves encamped,lunis’ai?” Corym asked.

I shook my head. “Hundreds of fires. I couldn’t tell if it was Dokkalfar or what. But anything this close to the academy can’t be considered friendly. The light elves and wood elves are already here, and they’re the only allies we’re expecting.”

Pacing, Corym tapped his chin. “It’s unsettling, if Gresh’kellen and Korvan have grown their forces so rapidly.”

From my bed, Grim muttered, “The northern portal they opened must have helped them secretly bolster their forces.”

We fell silent, and it was a crushing moment that felt heavy on my shoulders. Our eyes met—my yellow, Corym’s gold, Grim’s amber—and helplessness crossed our faces.

“Then it seems like this is war,” Grim said.

His name was perfect for the tone of his announcement.

Corym and I shared a look, nodding glumly. There was no getting out of it: Enemies would be at our gates for the first time in centuries soon. I wasn’t even sure we had enough time to properly mobilize against them, even though we’d been urgently training for a few weeks now, ever since the first dark elves were spotted in the Isle.

Within the hour, Magnus, Sven, and Arne returned. They relayed their messages.

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