The demon died with Sunrei's dagger in its throat.
Its body hit the forest floor with a wet thud, black blood seeping into the dirt. Around them, the trees stood silent too silent. Even the wind held its breath.
Kaelis wiped her blade clean on her thigh. We're being hunted.
Sunrei didn't answer. His brand still burned, the violet light flickering like a dying ember. The demon's words clung to him like a second skin.
Executioner's heir.
Find the other marked ones.
Kaelis grabbed his wrist, her fingers pressing hard against the brand. Focus. Whatever that thing said, it was trying to get inside your head.
Sunrei yanked his arm back. It knew me."
Demons know a lot of things. She turned, scanning the trees. Doesn't mean any of it matters.
A branch snapped.
They both went still.
Then hoofbeats.
The Crimson Hunters rode into the clearing like shadows given form, their black cloaks fluttering behind them. At their head was a man with a face like chiseled stone Captain Ryvan, the man who'd ordered Harel's death.
And slung across the saddle in front of him was a boy.
A boy with a brand just like Sunrei's.
The prisoner lifted his head.
Sunrei's breath caught.
The boy's face was a mirror of his ownsame sharp jaw, same dark eyes. But where Sunrei's gaze was fire, his was ice.
The boy smiled. Brother.
Sunrei's dagger was in his hand before he could think. I don't have a brother.
Captain Ryvan dismounted, his sword unsheathed. Sunrei of Locksford. You've led us on quite the chase.
Kaelis shifted, her knives glinting. Four Hunters and a half-dead prisoner. You're slipping, Ryvan.
The Captain ignored her. His eyes never left Sunrei. You're coming with us. The Eclipse Brand is too dangerous to leave unchecked.
Sunrei's grip tightened on his dagger. And him? He nodded to the boy.
The prisoner laughed, the sound raw. Oh, I'm just the bait.
Then the world exploded.
The boy's brand flared, a burst of violet light so bright it seared Sunrei's vision.
The ground trembled. Trees splintered.
And from the forest, the demons came.
Not just one.
Five.
Kaelis cursed, shoving Sunrei back. Run!
But the Hunters were already moving. Ryvan's sword cleaved through the first demon, black blood spraying. The others formed a tight circle, their blades a blur.
The prisoner the brother wrenched free of his bonds.
Sunrei didn't think. He lunged.
Their brands collided.
Lightning arced between them, white-hot and screaming. Sunrei's vision went black.
And then
Memories.
A city of silver and shadow.
A blade in his hand.
A name whispered in the dark.
Lithriel.
The prisoner gasped, recoiling. His eyes were wide, horrified. You—you don't remember anything, do you?
Sunrei staggered back. His brand burned like a brand fresh from the forge.
The demons howled.
The Hunters fell.
And the boy who called himself brother turned and ran.
They didn't stop running until the forest gave way to rocky cliffs, the sea roaring below.
Kaelis pressed Sunrei against the stone, her knife at his throat. What the hell was that?
Sunrei's breath came in ragged gasps. I don't know.
Bullshit. She pressed harder. That boy knew you. Your brands reacted to each other. Start talking.
Sunrei met her glare. I don't remember.
Kaelis searched his face. Then, slowly, she lowered her blade. Then we find him. And we make him tell us what you've forgotten.
Somewhere in the distance, the Blood Moon watched.
And the brand on Sunrei's wrist pulsed, once, like a heartbeat.