The warm hearth became a furnace of tension.

  My heart pounded as I stared at the blood pooling in the floorboards. The wounded man on the ground twitched, gasping for air, while the armored woman held the furious red-haired girl in place.

  “Well? Explain,” the woman demanded, her voice rough. The girl glared at the Cinder and averted her eyes in defiance.

  Suddenly, the other two Cinders jumped from their chairs. The frog-man led the way.

  “Easy, Sergeant Laska,” he croaked, placing a webbed hand on the woman’s shoulder. “No need for more violence.”

  Laska released the girl. Her glowing eyes dimmed, and she blinked. The third Cinder, a human with a bushy black beard and bright white teeth, approached the girl with a mischievous smile, hands on his hips.

  “You’ve got fire in you, girlie,” he said, then nodded at the injured man. “Called him a pervert, did you? Now, tell old Al what happened?”

  “He deserves worse,” she spat, but let Laska and the frog-man get to the man crawling on the ground.

  Silas and I exchanged looks. The frog-man noticed. “You lads all right?”

  “Yes,” I mumbled, still shaken.

  “Good. Why not find a table away from this mess? No sense spoiling your meal.”

  “Hopsander, can you move him out of the way?” Al called over his shoulder.

  “That’s Captain to you, Corporal,” Laska growled.

  “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, Sergeant.” Al waved her off and refocused on the girl.

  I grabbed my stew and followed Silas to a new table.

  ‘Erik—’ Fern’s voice whispered in my head. ‘Look at her chest.’

  Whoa, Fern. Manners, I said to him.

  ‘No! Not like that. Her voidblood mark. She’s another teen headed for Ash.’

  I think they all are, I thought, remembering that Laska had said the other “kids” were here.

  Glancing back at the red-haired girl, I spotted the incomplete circle brand peaking out from her slightly opened shirt. Seeing the girl’s tattoo made it all more real. This society really was sending kids off to be made into . . . soldiers. So much was happening at once.

  Laska and Hopsander patched the man’s wounds and tied him to a chair. Al asked the girl again what happened.

  “The mage is a pervert,” she snapped. “He tried to grope Rinka and Sora for three nights straight, blaming it on drink. He knew we couldn’t fight back or he’d drag us to some slaver. When we finally got here, I gave him what he deserved.”

  Al slapped a nearby table with a booming laugh. “Name, miss?”

  “Mel,” she said curtly, blood still dripping from her clawed glove.

  “Mel, eh? I’m Al, Cinder-Corporal of Class 209. Pleasure, despite the situation.” He offered his hand. She shook it firmly.

  Mel leaned forward. “We were told to meet our escorts here. That’s you?”

  Al gave a nod.

  Hopsander and Laska, now tying the man’s arms, exchanged grim looks. “Captain,” Laska muttered, pulling the injured man’s hair aside to reveal a tattooed eye on his forehead. “He’s a royal-court mage.”

  “Why in burning hell is a court mage escorting voidbloods to Ash?” Hopsander rubbed his wide brow. “Trouble finds us whether we want it or not these days, huh? Well, he’s out cold, anyway. We will have to leave. And fast.”

  Mel scowled. “What about justice? Doesn’t matter if he’s a court mage, that’s worse. Mages always get off easy. Isn’t that why we’re joining you? He’ll just walk away unpunished.” She stepped toward the bound man, but Al blocked her path, looming even taller than before.

  Footsteps shuffled in from outside. A mix of new arrivals—teens with varied hair and skin tones, all wearing anxious or rebellious expressions. A giant boy with dreadlocks guided a petite, golden-haired girl. A slick-haired boy loitered, hands in pockets. Twin girls with silver hair hovered near each other. A lanky, pale teen followed last, back straight as if he wasn’t a slave at all.

  “Everyone, have a seat,” Al called, clapping. “We’ve got a long road ahead—fill up now.”

  Silas nudged me. “Look at them,” he whispered. “So many voidbloods in one place.”

  I shook my head, relieved we weren’t alone but uneasy about what lay ahead.

  Think they’re our new classmates, Fern?

  ‘Only if we survive,’ Fern retorted grimly.

  “Wow, I haven’t seen so many new faces in such a long time! Maybe not since your class, eh, Laska?” the barkeep said as he helped Hopsander carry the mageblood. “Eat your fill, I’ll have my boys bring you some stew. Boys!”

  An hour passed. We all ate in silence except for a few murmurs from the twin girls. Meanwhile, the Cinders and the barkeep disappeared with the injured mage into a side room until a sudden crash like shattering glass tore the calm. A piercing whistle cut through the air, followed by a burst of pale light emanating from the private room. The door burst open, and Al, Laska, Hopsander, plus the barkeep sprawled into the main area. The mage staggered behind them, mouth and eyes gaping, as a blazing column of light ripping through the ceiling and into the sky erupted from his open mouth.

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  “What the hell?” someone shouted.

  Chairs scraped as everyone stood. The noise died, and the glow faded from the mage’s face. He collapsed, a small crystal disc rolling from his mouth.

  Laska sprang over and stomped it under her heel. “A crystal call,” she hissed. “Damn it.”

  The barkeep went pale. “You’ve just brought court mage knights to my doorstep!” He jabbed an accusing finger at Mel. “Hope you know what that means, girl.”

  Hopsander raised his hands. “We’ll take responsibility. We always do. You won’t be blamed,” he assured him. “But we need to go now.”

  “Aye,” Laska said, slapping Al’s shoulder. “Gather the brutes. Move!”

  “Yes, Sergeant.” Al grinned wryly, then dashed outside.

  Mel’s eyes burned with anger. “See? I said we should’ve finished him off. Mages bring nothing but trouble!”

  “Enough!” Laska snapped. “No time. Everyone, grab your belongings and get out.”

  “What about seconds?” the huge teen asked, lifting an empty bowl.

  Laska groaned, throwing her arms in the air. “We leave in sixty seconds!”

  Chaos ensued as Silas and I snatched our bags and scrambled outside. The sun had set, leaving only a hint of purple in the sky. Laska herded us toward a massive carriage of dark wood, reinforced with metal bands and elaborate carvings. Al stood beside it, having moved something on the wagon’s side.

  “Captain sorting things out with old baldy?” he asked Laska.

  She nodded. “Are your children ready?” she said, hopping onto the carriage’s rear step.

  Al gave a smile and two thumbs-up. “They sure are!” He whistled.

  I nearly dropped my bags at the sight of two enormous horned beetles harnessed to the carriage. Their obsidian shells reflected the moonlight, antennae swaying intelligently. Easily the size of oxen, they made soft chirping noises in greeting.

  “Whoa,” I breathed. “What . . . are those?”

  The tall kid walked up next to me finishing another bowl of stew. “Titan-beetles. They’re perfect for rough terrain. Their antennae detect danger within a hundred yards.” He extended a hand. “Tevin.”

  “Erik,” I said, shaking his hand. “This is Silas—we’re from Corello.” Tevin towered over us, built like a football lineman. Silas gave him a small wave, still eyeing the beetles nervously.

  “Everyone aboard!” Al called from the driver’s bench, patting a beetle’s shell. We hurried into the carriage. Inside, lanterns flickered overhead, and benches lined each wall. Mel dropped onto a seat, arms crossed, scowl fixed on her face.

  I glanced back at the inn. Hopsander was haggling with the barkeep, face grim, while Laska guarded the still-unconscious mage. His mouth was gagged now and the beam gone.

  “So, what are court mage knights?” I whispered to Silas as we sat.

  “No clue, but they probably aren’t friendly,” he replied quietly.

  Moments later, Laska and Hopsander climbed in, shutting the carriage door behind them. Al cracked the reins up front. The titan-beetles rumbled into motion with a lurch.

  “All right, everyone.” Laska’s sharp gaze swept over us. “A crystal call summons knight units in minutes. They use their teleportation magic when a crystal call goes out. That means they will . . .” Laska lowered her head and took a quick breath.

  “Well, that doesn’t matter. We left that mage tied up and gagged, and paid off the barkeep to cover for us. Stay quiet and follow orders.”

  Hopsander nodded from the front bench. “The good news is, mages can’t follow us past here. The bad news? The Dark Woods are treacherous. Attacks can happen any time. Stick with us if you want to see Ash.”

  Why was someone special like a Court-Mage escorting them? I wondered to Fern.

  ‘No clue,’ Fern replied. ‘It’s odd for such a high-ranking mage to run an errand like that.’

  The carriage jolted forward. Outside, the inn vanished as we entered the looming forest, shadows swallowing the road ahead.

  ‘Crap, it got dark fast . . . Uh . . . Erik?’ Fern’s voice quivered. ‘I’m nervous.’

  Hey, don’t worry, kid, I am scared too, I admitted, trying to sound as relaxed as I could. We’ll make it through somehow.

  ‘Hey! I said I was nervous, not scared.’

  Yeah, yeah.

  My fingers brushed Lightcutter’s handle beneath my shirt, hoping the dagger might offer reassurance.

  Across from me, Mel stared out the window. The anger of earlier had settled into a tense silence. I felt compelled to speak.

  “Hey,” I said quietly. “I’m Erik. Sorry what that guy did to you girls—it must’ve been tough.”

  Her jaw clenched, but she didn’t turn. “Tough doesn’t cover it,” she muttered. “Mages blame us voidbloods for everything. Now he’ll spin it in his favor. Doesn’t matter though. I can take care of myself.”

  I hesitated. “At least the barrier keeps them from following, right?”

  She paused. “Yeah, guess so.” Suddenly, she shot up, carriage swaying.

  “Sit down,” Laska barked. But Mel shoved past me and poked her head out the carriage’s back.

  “You hear that, you magic bastards?” she yelled. “Try to follow us! Next time, I’ll finish it!”

  Laska yanked her back inside. “That’s enough, recruit!” She pushed Mel onto a seat. Mel just crossed her arms, wearing a triumphant grin.

  Nearby, Tevin leaned forward. “She’s been through a lot. Don’t take it personally.”

  I nodded, unsure how to handle this erratic girl.

  We rolled deeper into the woods, the lanterns casting shaky light on thick trunks and twisting branches. Unfamiliar sounds from creatures and monsters stirring in the night echoed around us. I could almost feel the dozens of eyes watching us from the forest.

  Hopsander cleared his throat. “We should introduce ourselves, since we’ll be traveling together. I’m Blaze-Captain Hopsander,” he said. “These two are Cinder-Corporal Al and Sergeant Laska, your escort leader. The journey is no joke—monsters will hound us until we reach Ash.”

  Laska, arms folded, snorted. “I’m in charge of you brats. You listen, or you die. Simple.”

  Al, up front, chimed in cheerily, “Name’s Al. Best driver around, master caretaker of these lovely titan-beetles, and beast-mastery extraordinaire.”

  I relaxed as the other teens rattled off names: Tevin, Zenobia, Ruriel, twins Rinka and Sora, Lucius, and me—Erik. Silas introduced himself, and then Laska looked pointedly at Mel.

  She sighed. “Melody, but just call me Mel. From the capital.”

  Hopsander nodded. “Good numbers. Seven from the capital, two from Corello. We’re basically family now. Our job is to get you all home safe. If you can call Ash a home.”

  “What’s it like?” Zenobia asked softly. She had golden hair in loose curls and sat up proper-like with a straight back.

  “A sanctuary,” Laska answered. “A place where voidbloods can live and train without fear. But you have to survive getting there. That old life was worthless. You belong to us.”

  My mouth opened before I could stop it. “Will we learn to move like you? You moved like a blur and had those glowing eyes.”

  Her stare bore into me. “You weren’t supposed to see that yet.” Then she softened, almost smiling. “No more questions till we’re in Ash.”

  I lifted my hands in surrender. We fell silent again. Gradually, the earthy pine scent filled my senses, stirring old memories of home. I closed my eyes, thinking of my brother Noah and of the big park in the woods where we would have our LARPing tournaments.

  The same park where . . . A somber memory crept into my mind. However, a distant howl shattered it before the memory could form.

  “What was that?” whispered one of the twins, clinging to her sister’s arm.

  “Laska,” Al called back, voice suddenly grim.

  “On it,” she said, standing. She pulled out a small vial of what looked like leaves. She removed the cork and held it up to her nose. She took a deep inhale and closed her eyes. She slowly put away the vial and began breathing slowly in and out of her nose while she remained completely still. The rest of us glanced around at each other, confused about what her next move would be. Then she opened her eyes. Her pupils brightened with a pale blue glow.

  “Stay calm,” she mouthed.

  I barely drew a breath before something slammed into the carriage, tipping it hard to one side. Wood groaned in protest, and one of the titan-beetles screeched. Through the windows, I saw a dozen dark shapes lurking, howls echoing through the trees.

  I gripped the bench, heart pounding.

  Here we go, I thought.