POV: Lyra

The fortress loomed before us like a monument to death.

I stood at the edge of the plateau with the cold wind cutting across my face and the warriors gathered behind me in silent formation. The snow crunched beneath my boots and the sky above was grey and heavy with clouds that promised more of the same.

The vampires had built their stronghold into the mountain itself. Black stone rose from the frozen ground and disappeared into the peaks above. Towers jutted from the walls like spears and fires burned along the battlements and the stench of blood drifted down to meet us.

Jaden stepped up beside me...