Page 57 of Renegade Queen

“Going around means backtracking on ourselves and adding two days onto our journey. The only other option is to take the route through the infernal hounds’ breeding grounds. Then the only safe path across the river is the icefall. Which, by the way, is where I’m assuming the army for the Winter Court still trains.”

“Marsh it is then,” Ryder added with a shrug, like the idea of this maiden sucking his life out of him was the better of the two options.

“It’s doable,” Dean told us like he actually knew what he was talking about. “We move fast, don’t take breaks, and push through.”

Only when Fizzle started laughing hysterically did we realise just how much trouble we were in.

“Fizzle!” Alyssa snapped. “That’s not helping.”

He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Imminent death, here we come,” he groaned.

“I’ve heard of people crossing,” a voice croaked from behind us.

Spinning around, we found The Endless slowly trying to roll onto his side, but the poor guy was drained of energy and looked at death’s door. “If you wait until the sun is setting, she’s said to be at her weakest. You should be able to get a distance into the swamp before her strength rises. Then it’s all a matter of luck as to if she finds you before you reach the other side.”

Ryder rushed to his side with a water bottle, helping him sit up. “Take it slow. You don’t sound like you’re in any condition to move around just yet.”

He gulped down the cool liquid while we all just watched. So many questions ran through my mind, but most would probably be things he didn’t even want to think about. Like, what did he make you do?

Once the bottle was empty, he sighed, and it was then that the glint of the armour caught his eye. His eyes widened in alarm, and his fingers started to claw at the surface.

“Off,” he gasped. “I need this off.”

Alyssa moved to help him. None of the rest of us knew how to do it, but seeing the panic on his face, I wished like hell that I did.

Her hands moved quickly as she released the fastenings, pulling the armour away and quickly passing them to Ryder, who threw it deeper into the cave. Between them, they moved surprisingly quickly. Soon, the soldier sat in thin trousers, struggling to catch his breath as he scuttled away from the cursed armour he’d been trapped inside.

“It’s okay,” I tried to say softly as he moved closer to me. “You’re free from it now.”

He was shaking his head, the tears flowing quickly down his cheeks as he did. There’d be no getting through to him just yet. He looked trapped in the memories of what had happened to him, and I truly felt for the poor guy.

And then Dean was there.

Grabbing hold of his upper arms, Dean hauled him up to his feet. The shocked man stood in front of him on the verge of a panic attack, and Dean gave him one solid shake.

“Do not let this bastard steal any more of your life,” he snapped, shaking the poor guy again. “You are here, you are alive, and you’re free. Don’t wither away from your trauma. Get fucking angry for what he stole from you.”

It wasn’t exactly the tactic I would have taken, but you had to give Dean his due; it snapped the guy out of the spiral he seemed to be on as he stared at Dean in shock.

Then his brow furrowed, his breath calmed, and I could practically see the rage building in his eyes.

“That’s better,” Dean said gruffly, letting the man go. “What’s your name?”

“Ezra,” he mumbled, then he looked around until his gaze landed on Alyssa. “You saved me.”

Alyssa reluctantly nodded, and I felt every muscle in my body tense. This guy knew what she could do, and he was linked with Arik in some way. The word threat echoed through my mind, and I knew it was coming from my bear. He snarled and chuffed, pushing at my consciousness, practically begging for control.

But my barriers held firm, and not for the first time since we’d arrived here. Something about Nymeria had changed our connection, and even if my bear wasn’t happy about it, this semblance of control meant the world to me.

But he also had a point. We knew he’d heard some of what we’d been saying. The question, though, was how much could we trust him?

His eyes moved to Dean next, who’d stayed close to his side. He might have snapped him out of his panic, but I knew the growly fucker well enough now to know he’d consider Ezra as much of a threat as I did. Especially when it came to Alyssa.

“What of it?” Dean growled, moving a fraction closer.

“Thank you,” he rushed out, looking back at Alyssa and bowing his head. “I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me. But if there is ever anything I can do, I am at your service.”

She looked taken aback for a second, but then Alyssa seemed to snap out of it. Climbing to her feet, she held out her hand for him.