The iron execution blade was six inches from Logan’s neck when a cool, sharp voice echoed through the stone dungeon and stopped Tarek’s hand in midair.If you spill a single drop of that boy’s blood on this floor, Commander, your High Solar Council will be facing a full declaration of war from the Kingdom of Alistair by tomorrow morning.Tarek froze, his glowing brass gauntlet humming loudly in the dim, damp corridor beneath the Sun Gate. He slowly lowered his raised arm, his cold brown eyes turning toward the heavy oak door at the end of the hall. Standing in the doorway, wrapped in a stained linen cloak with her hands folded neatly in her sleeves, was Vivienne. She looked pale, exhausted, and covered in dried salt dust from the sea, but her head was held high and her eyes were as steady as cold steel.Vivienne, Logan gasped, his knees digging into the rough stone floor as he stared at her in utter disbelief. You are alive.Keep your mouth shut, Logan, Vivienne said

The crowd wanted to see a monster burn, but Logan was determined to give them a lesson in human survival instead.The giant quilled sand bear let out a deep, chest-rumbling roar that shook the white sand under their boots. Beside it, the dark dune stalker hissed, its six thick legs clawing at the hot ground as it prepared to spring forward.Logan, your collarbone is glowing red, Vivienne shouted, her voice sharp as she circled around to his left side with her wooden shield raised high. You need to suppress the dragon crest right now.I know, Logan grunted, forcing his eyes shut for a brief second. He dug his nails deep into the palm of his hand until blood welled up, using the sharp physical pain to force down the rising heat in his veins. If I let the crest ignite in front of ten thousand sun priests, Tarek will unleash every solar archer on those walls.We win this with our brains and our muscle, or we do not win at all, Vivienne said, her dark eyes quickly scannin

The cool air of the royal palace felt like liquid ice compared to the suffocating stench of the lower slave quarters.Prince Kaelen moved quickly through the dark, arched hallway, his silk cloak fanning out behind him as he led Logan, Vivienne, Kassia, and Brandon past three sets of heavy velvet curtains. The silver key had opened the iron sewer grate just as promised, leading them right into the palace's hidden service passages where Kaelen's two trusted guards were waiting with dark wool cloaks to hide their bloody arena rags.Step quietly through these doors, Kaelen whispered, holding open a massive oak door reinforced with polished bronze bands. My father's spies watch the main corridors, but no one enters my private chambers without my permission.They stepped into a grand, high-ceilinged room filled with thick silk carpets, carved wooden tables, and soft oil lamps that cast a warm golden glow over the stone walls. Large glass windows looked out over the sparkling n

The dark shadow of the moon was going to swallow the desert sun in less than one hour, and that short shadow was the only thing standing between them and a firing squad.Vivienne spread a large leather map across the stone floor of the hidden cellar beneath the western market. Around her, oil lamps flickered softly, throwing long shadows against the damp brick walls. Outside on the streets of Solis, thousands of citizens were shouting, beating brass drums, and chanting ancient prayers to prepare for the rare celestial event.Listen to me very carefully, Vivienne said, her dark eyes looking at each of them in turn. The Eclipse Festival is not just a party for the locals. It is the one night every ten years where the sun mages lose almost all their power.How much power do they lose? Kassia asked, adjusting the leather strap of her quiver as she leaned over the table.At the exact moment the moon completely covers the sun, the solar crystals in their weapons drop to le

The blade was ready to strike, but the man on the floor was already cold.Logan kicked the heavy oak door open and burst into the inner sanctum, his Vanguard sword raised high and his knuckles raw from the battle through the lower halls. Beside him, Vivienne swept her eyes across the dimly lit room with her dagger drawn, expecting a squad of solar guards to jump out from the shadows.Instead, the spacious chamber was dead quiet.High Priest Harek lay sprawled face down across a dark velvet rug near the center of the room. His fine white robes were stained with a thick pool of crimson blood that was already turning dark against the carpet. His wooden staff sat snapped in half beside his outstretched hand, and his mouth was frozen open in a silent scream.He is dead, Vivienne whispered, her voice tight with shock as she slowly lowered her dagger. Someone beat us to him.Logan stepped closer, using the tip of his leather boot to roll the old priest onto his back. A