Page 146 of Blood So Brutal

“Come on,” Rummy pushed. “They’re waiting for you both down there.”

“They’re—” I glanced at Wolf, who appeared equally as clueless. “Who’s waiting? Rummy!” But she was already leaving, already running down the steps of the tower.

I took a long breath, retracting my wings with my magic. Luckily for me, I could still contract them at will. Wolf, however, had to bend and maneuver his body—permanent wings included—through the window of the roof to get into the stairwell. Still, I knew he wouldn’t want it any other way.

I didn’t even try to hold my laughter back as I watched him.

“Careful, Huntress,” he sneered. “You’re being rude.”

We descended the stairs together, the anticipation in the air growing heavier and heavier as we approached the bottom. The last four months were a whirlwind. Scarlata was literally being rebuilt from the ashes. It helped that there were so many vampyres willing to assist us, but the memory of what happened that day lived in everyone’s minds.

We could live in peace now because of the sacrifices of so many, and nobody wanted to see violence like that ever again.

I made it to the bottom step and paused, waiting for Wolf. His hand slipped into mine, something I grew very accustomed to when it came to facing our kingdom.

And when Wolf pushed open the door, I nearly dropped to my knees.

“Headmistress Katherine,” I breathed, taking in her tall figure. “Commander Macanthos.” He stood tall, looking much happier than he ever looked back in Moira. “What are you doing here?”

In fact, theybothsmiled, which was already freaky enough.

“Your friends here paid us a visit and explained everything.” Commander Macanthos stepped up, pulling my free hand into his as he added, “I knew things weren’t right. I should have spoken up sooner. For years, something deep in my gut told me not to send anyone else to that damn city.”

So much emotion coming from him. I was used to him being the hard-ass, the strong rock who didn’t put up with bullshit. “It’s really okay,” I replied. “All of this was part of Era’s plan. Nobody knew what was really happening beyond those walls—nobodycouldhave known.”

“Still,” Headmistress Katherine added. “We came here to say we are proud of you, Huntyr. You have exceeded allexpectations, and you’ve saved the lives of those not even born yet. You’ve changed the fate of this entire kingdom.”

Don’t fucking cry, Huntyr. Not in front of Headmistress and Commander.

“It means a lot that you came here,” I replied. “I wish I could have saved more.”

Headmistress Katherine bowed her head. “That burden is not only yours.”

These two were sending people to their deaths for decades now, not truly knowing anything about The Golden City or what was happening within it. Asmodeus did a very good job at letting the outsiders believe what he wanted them to believe. He did a very good job at controlling people with fear and magic.

Not anymore.

“Are you staying?” Wolf asked from behind. “We have plenty of space. You’re more than welcome to?—”

“We only came by in passing,” Commander Macanthos interrupted. “We’re actually headed to The Golden City.”

I paused, dumbfounded. “The Golden City?”

Voiler then stepped into view, along with a few others. “It’s time we turn that city into a place that actually helps others. We were thinking of transforming it into a sanctuary for anyone who needs a place to stay, for anyone who’d like to come learn magic.”

Yeah, I was definitely going to start crying.

Wolf’s hand moved to my shoulder and stayed there. “You’re all going?” There was a small group of them, maybe eight, but we grew close to everyone here over the last few months.

“If it’s alright with you two, of course,” Voiler pushed. “It was Headmistress Katherine’s idea to teach magic to the others, and with the wall broken and all, I figured that might not be a bad place for it.”

I couldn’t even speak. These people—my friends—were going to build a haven for those who wanted to learn. Not just for the elites, either, but anyone. Children. Wanderers. Families. Anyone could go and learn the extent of their abilities.

There were no more limits, no more walls keeping us contained.

“That is okay with you, right?” Voiler’s eyes widened with panic.

“Yes! Hells, yes.” I pushed the others aside to get to her, pulling her into my arms and holding tight. “I’m so damn proud of you, Voiler. You saved my life. I’ll never forget that.”

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