Hazel’s POV

There’s no cheering when we ride back into Stone Jaw.

The forty three kids don’t make noise. Not yet. They’re watching. Waiting to see if the cage door slams again.

“Thirty six,” Cleric says under his breath as we pass the gate. “We came back with thirty six.”

“Thirty three from Black Fang. Tala from High Pine. The two girls from Tormund’s rooms,” I say. “Thirty six.”

“Seven were already here,” Alaric says. “Rook. Miri. Eda. Galen. Pike. The twins we got from River Bend last month.”

Forty three. Ledger closed. Vincent’s last page is blank.

Nina is waiting in the infirmary. Syra wouldn’t let her ride. “You’re...