NIKOLAI

We had been riding for what felt like hours when I realized there was something wrong. Something about the dark rims of sky dispersed in the half-moon sky, something about the way the forest outside the village borders had been quiet, too quiet.

At this rate, the Burning City patrol would hear us coming from a mile away, the sound of horse hooves striking the earth. Why the fuck had I thought this was a good idea?

That my brother would give up Raya’s father so easily? Goddammit, this was the third time I was making irrational decisions where Raya Banks was involved. It was like the woman sucked...