Morning sunlight crept across the capital, cutting through the smoke of last night's raids.
The city was quiet, as though holding its breath. Inside the guest chambers of the royal wing, Raven's companions rested—or pretended to.
Rufus and Jessy had yet to return with the last group of captives, so they were waiting for them.
Once everyone was here, they would put Nibbles to work and start the purge of the demons.
Right now, in one of the smaller rooms in the palace, Alex sat hunched on his bed, elbows pressed to his knees.
His fists trembled, still flecked with dried lava, as if they couldn't forget the violence of yesterday.
Beside him, Nibbles sat cross-legged on the pillow, a tiny red scarf folded neatly across his chest, and a board and chalk floating by his side.
Alex's jaw clenched, his voice raw and low.
