Darius did not linger.

  The questions circling his mind could wait, if they were allowed to wait at all. He turned back to his horse, swung himself into the saddle, and drove it hard towards Nathan’s house. There was no reason to return to Jeremy’s. By now they would have drawn their own conclusions, and Darius had neither the patience nor the safety for explanations.

  The forest rushed past him in a blur of motion. His eyes never stopped moving, scanning the trees, the darkness between trunks— expecting the Valiant to reappear, to strike from smoke or branch.

  But nothing came.

  When Nathan’s house finally came into view, Darius reined in sharply. He leapt from the horse before it had fully stopped and ran straight for the main building. He did not slow until he reached Favian’s door.

  Inside, Favian lay awake.

  Sleep had abandoned him long before midnight. He had seen too many Truthers leave and never return.

  So when the door opened and Darius stepped in, Favian’s face lit with relief.

  “Kriger…” he began, pushing himself upright, and then stopped.

  The relief drained away as quickly as it had come.

  Something in Darius’s expression unsettled him.

  Favian frowned. “What happened?” he asked carefully. “Did it go well? What of the boy?”

  “The Rageler is dead,” Darius replied.

  He did not pause for reaction. He crossed the room immediately, seized an empty sack from the corner, and began shoving Favian’s clothes into it with quick, practised movements.

  Favian stared. “Dead?” He swung his legs over the bed. “Then why are we…”

  “We leave Sadnon. Now.”

  The finality in Darius’ voice froze him.

  Favian searched his face. “Did they discover you?” he asked quietly. “Do they know what you are?”

  Darius did not answer.

  Instead, he reached into his tunic and withdrew a small glass bottle, its contents glowing faintly yellow even in the dim room.

  Favian’s breath caught. “A Potion of the Mend…”

  Darius placed it into his hands. “Inhale.”

  Favian did not argue. He uncorked it and inhaled deeply. The mist flooded his lungs, warm and soothing, and in an instant the pain that had plagued him for days vanished. Torn muscle mended. Bruises faded and strength surged back into his limbs.

  Favian gasped, then laughed softly in disbelief.

  He slid off the bed and stood properly for the first time in days. He shifted his weight, rolled his shoulders, flexed his hands.

  “It’s gone,” he said, astonished. “All of it.”

  Favian turned back to Darius, who was still methodically stuffing clothes into the sack, his movements sharp and restless.

  “Kriger,” Favian pressed, “you never told me. Where did you get the potion?”

  Darius did not look up. “It appeared after I killed the Rageler,” he said simply.

  Favian blinked. Then a low, incredulous laugh escaped him. “That’s… remarkable.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve slain two Ragelers in my time. Not once was I rewarded for it.”

  Darius tied the sack closed and finally glanced at him. “Then I suppose I was lucky.”

  He did not sound convinced of his own words.

  “And luck runs out,” he added quickly. “Which is why we need to leave.”

  Favian hesitated, then asked again, more quietly this time, “Have we been discovered?”

  Darius’ jaw tightened. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But waiting here to find out would be foolish.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He handed Favian the sack. “Get dressed. I need to go to the other building and gather my things.”

  Darius turned towards the door, already half-gone…

  “Kriger,” Favian called.

  Darius stopped.

  Favian rose fully now, his strength restored, his expression grave. “Karev and Catherine returned earlier. They were asking after you— wondering why you’d left without them. I told them you and Catherine had gone on an emergency.”

  Darius turned sharply. “Where are they now?”

  Favian swallowed. “They rushed to Jeremy’s house.”

  Darius closed his eyes for a brief moment and exhaled slowly, as though forcing himself not to curse aloud.

  “Then we move,” he said at last. “And leave before they return.”

  Favian frowned. “Why run at all? If Karev is there, he’ll keep them from raising an alarm. He knows what we are. We should stay, sit them down, and tell them everything.”

  Darius turned back to him, disbelief flickering across his face.

  “Tell them everything?” he echoed.

  Favian nodded. “They deserve the truth. And Karev will listen. He always does.”

  Darius dragged a hand through his hair and shook his head. “That sounds like a terrible idea.”

  Favian stiffened. “Running without explanation isn’t better.”

  Darius did not argue. He sat on the bed instead and decided to wait as Favian had said.

  While they waited, Darius told Favian of the flying Rageler and the Valiant who had disappeared like smoke.

  “The Valiants are changing,” Favian replied. “Growing stronger and gaining new skills, just like we are.” He looked at Darius with grim certainty. “Once we tell Nathan the truth, we leave Sadnon. No more half-measures. We continue our mission as Truthers.”

  Darius nodded slowly. His fingers flexed at his side.

  “When I fought the Rageler,” he said, “I felt… alive. More than I ever have.” His eyes darkened with resolve. “If the Unknown truly sent us into this world, then hiding was never the plan. We were meant to act. To do what must be done.”

  He stepped closer to the window, peering out into the night.

  “And it starts here. In Sadnon. The Valiants are planning something huge. I saw it myself— those clones. They’re about to unleash them on the people.”

  Favian frowned. “That’s what I don’t understand.” He shook his head. “They’ve already convinced the masses that Truthers are the enemy. They hold the people’s fear in the palm of their hands. Why risk that control with another wave of bloodshed?”

  Darius opened his mouth to answer…

  The sound of hooves stopped him and both men froze. It was more than one.

  Darius and Favian turned to each other, tension flashing between them, then nodded in unison. Whatever was coming, they would face it together.

  They stepped outside.

  Two horses slowed to a halt in front of the house— Catherine and Nathan astride them, faces drawn and pale. Behind them followed Karev and Meredith on another horse, their expressions urgent.

  Darius stepped forward, his gaze locking onto Nathan’s. It was time.

  Meredith swung down from her horse and strode straight toward Darius.

  Before he could open his mouth, her hand slammed across his face.

  The sound echoed in the night.

  Darius’ head snapped to the side. For a heartbeat, the world blurred. He turned back slowly with his jaw tight, and met her eyes. They burned with raw fury and hurt.

  Favian followed Darius’ gaze to her, but he did not move. There was nothing he could do but watch.

  “You should leave,” Meredith said, her voice shaking. Not with fear, but with restrained anger.

  “I can explain,” Darius began.

  “Yes,” Karev cut in quickly, dismounting. “You should explain. But not out here. We should all go inside and hear them out.”

  Nathan stepped forward at once, his face hard. “No.” He shook his head sharply. “I won’t allow two Truthers to spend another moment under my roof.” His eyes flicked to Karev. “In fact, you should be arresting them.”

  Karev turned to Darius and Favian, then back to Nathan. His voice was firm when he spoke.

  “I already told you, I don’t believe they are Truthers. I gave Darius that sword.”

  Nathan let out a hollow breath and stared at him in disbelief. “Then explain this,” he said, pointing at Darius’ wrist. “That magical band. Explain how Favian, who could barely stand days ago, is suddenly on his feet as if nothing ever happened.”

  Karev faltered, caught off guard. His mouth opened, but no words came.

  Before he could recover, Catherine stepped forward. “And why,” she demanded, turning on Karev, “are you so determined to protect people who are supposed to be your sworn enemies?”

  Karev’s hesitation vanished. “Because Kriger saved your lives,” he shot back. “Yours, Nathan’s, Jeremy’s. And because whether you like it or not, these men have done nothing but help your family since they arrived.”

  Nathan rubbed a hand over his face and sighed deeply. “You’re right,” he said at last. “They do seem like good people.” His eyes lifted to Darius and Favian, heavy with regret. “And that’s exactly why they must leave.”

  He glanced toward the darkened road, as if expecting danger to emerge from it.

  “I don’t trust Jeremy to keep quiet about what he saw. He’ll go to the Red Dome looking for Oliver.” His voice lowered. “And if the Valiants learn that I was the one who took Truthers into my home, my entire family will be in danger.”

  Karev nodded. “I agree.” He turned to Darius and Favian. “I’ll escort you out of the city.”

  There was no argument left to be made.

  With sacks in hand, Darius and Favian mounted their horses alongside Karev. The night felt colder than usual.

  Before they rode out of the compound, Darius turned in the saddle and looked back.

  Meredith stood apart from the others. She would not meet his eyes. When she finally turned away, Darius caught the glimmer of sadness there.

  His chest tightened.

  Darius faced forward again, heels pressing into his horse’s sides. Together, he, Favian, and Karev rode off into the darkness, leaving Sadnon.