Bunny was the first to notice the giant red monster that emerged from the shadows of a dead birch tree.

  Cade was grateful for his companion’s draconic senses, though he had to admit that it was a miracle on its own that such a massive amalgamation of flesh didn’t make more noise as it undulated through the swamp.

  It was faintly humanoid, and given the pale flesh and black orbs for eyes, Cade assumed that it likely once belonged to one of those draugrs. That was where the similarities ended.

  Crimson veins were visible across its entire form, pulsing with malevolent energy. There were definitely arms and legs to this foul creature, but it was like it had forgotten to keep its flesh and organs inside its skin.

  “What in Death’s wet dream is that?” Cade asked as the creature lumbered forward.

  A bright flash of energy that started in the monstrosity’s heart pulsed throughout its entire form. It screeched with an ungodly howl that grated against Cade’s mind. Bunny hissed and raised his haunches while Cade called on his magic.

  Before Cade could react, a figure stepped out from behind the creature. The girl was short, with pale skin and twin braids cascading down her chest. Black tattoos and lines crisscrossed her face and neck, and her dark eyes, devoid of any whites, gleamed with a malevolent intelligence.

  Cade immediately recognized her, and his gaze wandered around for those prowling cloaked figures that always seemed to be near her.

  “Hello, Cade Stormhollow.” The draugr girl spoke formally.

  She stood atop a thin but sturdy ebony staff stabbed into the water.

  “I am Astrid Clover,” she announced, her voice slicing through the swamp’s oppressive air. “This beast, formed from one of my underlings, is a test for you. Slay it, and the Clover Clan will consider you for… future arrangements.”

  “Future arrangements?” Cade’s eyes narrowed. “Like a marriage? Thank you, but no. I wouldn’t want to incur the wrath of the Blue Viper, after all. So why not skip the middleman and fight me yourself?”

  Astrid’s smile was chilling, though he didn’t miss the flash of recognition when he mentioned Cici’s professional name.

  “You’re far too weak for me to take seriously.” She casually flipped a single braid over her shoulder. “But my servant should be enough of a challenge to help determine your worthiness, Cade Stormhollow. Though perhaps you should have your Dreadcaller practice more. It might make your team a bit less… useless.”

  “Huh?” Cade had no idea who she was referring to, but there was no time to ponder.

  The red beast of flesh and power lunged at him with terrifying speed. Cade barely had time to roll out of the way, the ground where he’d been standing exploding in a shower of mud and debris. Bunny hopped over his perch on Cade’s shoulder and landed on a looming branch of a withered birch tree.

  The creature’s movements were jerky, its limbs flailing with unnatural strength. Each step it took shook the ground, and its eyes burned with a mindless rage. Cade’s heart pounded in his chest as he summoned his magic, flames flickering to life in his hands.

  He sent a blast of fire towards the beast, but it merely shrugged off the attack, the flames licking harmlessly at its grotesque form.

  Cade gritted his teeth and shifted his strategy. He yanked on the churning power within his core and conjured a gust of wind to push the creature back. With a fierce cry, it barreled through the gale, its strength seemingly unaffected. It swung a massive arm at him, and Cade twisted out of the way but was too slow.

  Ribs bowed and ground together in his chest as the monster’s fist grazed his side. His body was sent flying several feet away, and swamp water flooded his lungs. He gasped and coughed, but the monster was already on him.

  Bunny darted in, nipping at the creature’s heels, trying to distract it. Cade used the momentary diversion to gather more magic, flames and wind swirling around him.

  “Take this, you oversized sirloin!” he yelled as he sent a concentrated blast of fire at the beast’s head, but its entire form caved in on itself to avoid the blow.

  He cursed loudly and clutched at his ribs. His fingers found purchase on a thin sapling, and he used it to prop himself up. His eyes watered as the putrid taste of the swamp water coated his tongue and nostrils.

  The creature roared, and Cade saw that its jaws were lined with more than just teeth. Bones and sinew protruded from the disgusting creature’s maw, and he thought he recognized bits of bones from the fingers and leg there. The thief swallowed against the bile that rose in his throat.

  “You know, I really thought that having destruction powers would’ve made, well, destroying things much easier!” Cade yelled at his foe.

  The beast lashed out, and its arm extended unnaturally as more of its mass was reallocated to expand the striking distance. Cade cursed and forced his injured body to move.

  He ducked and swerved, but the fist twisted unnaturally in line with his direction. It caught him against his left thigh, and he felt his femur bend at the sheer force behind that blow.

  Pain radiated down his leg and up into his hips and chest. He yelled furiously to block out the pain, in part because he knew that if he left this thing to its own devices, Bunny would be next.

  He wouldn’t let that happen.

  Gritting mud-coated teeth, he forced himself to his feet. His mind raced. He couldn’t argue with this enraged creature, nor was its undead master present to call it off.

  He needed a new tactic, something more powerful.

  Cade winced as the creature’s screech echoed through the swamp, its eyes blazing with unholy fury. Bunny let out a defiant roar. The beast lunged again, its grotesque limbs flailing with terrifying speed. Cade dodged to the side, feeling the wind from the creature’s swing brush against his skin.

  “Bunny, distract it!” Cade shouted.

  The dragonling responded instantly, diving at the monster’s face and nipping at its eyes. The creature swatted at him, but Bunny was too quick, darting out of reach and drawing the beast’s attention away from Cade.

  Seizing the opportunity, Cade gathered his magic, feeling the familiar heat build in his bracers. He raised his left hand, wind swirling into a tight, focused tunnel.

  A flash of inspiration, or perhaps mania, rushed into his addled mind. Praying that things wouldn’t explode in his face, he lifted his right hand and summoned flames, feeling the heat build to an almost unbearable intensity.

  Coppery tendrils sparked from his palms, illuminating his vicinity with his fledgling magic. With the flames encircling his right arm, he began to summon wind in his left hand.

  It was nearly impossible to concentrate on the two very distinct spells, but he forced his mind to maintain control of the two writhing energies.

  The beast turned back toward him, its maw opening wide in a hideous display of hunger and bone.

  Cade thrust his hands forward, the wind tunnel guiding the flames into a concentrated vortex. He could feel his core drain at an alarming rate.

  A swirling column of fire roared to life, engulfing the creature. Bunny leapt back right as the orange pillar struck, his white scales dancing with the brilliant light of Cade’s vicious attack.

  The beast howled in agony, its flesh sizzling and blackening under the intense heat. Cade pushed more magic into the spell, the flames burning brighter and hotter. Each hand pushed his winds and flames respectively to their limits. More coppery sparks flashed off of him. More silver than ever started to mix in, but he couldn’t concentrate on that now. One of his knees buckled under the strain of his onslaught, and he forced his lungs to breathe.

  One second.

  Two.

  The monster thrashed wildly, its limbs flailing as it tried to escape the inferno. Bunny darted in again, biting at its legs and causing it to stumble. The creature fell to one knee, its strength finally beginning to wane.

  Three.

  Cade’s heart pounded as he poured every ounce of his magic into the vortex. The flames intensified, the heat so intense that the air around him shimmered. The beast’s roars grew weaker, its movements more sluggish.

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  Four.

  Finally, with a last, desperate effort, it lunged at Cade, its massive arm swinging toward him.

  Cade didn’t have time to dodge. The blow shot toward his chest. He knew that if it landed, he would die. Just its glancing strikes were enough to badly injure him. A direct blow would end him, and then it would go on to rampage in this swamp, killing Bunny and likely the rest of his team.

  Defiance roared in his ears, and it took him several seconds to realize he was screaming. It was a primal, guttural sound.

  His vision turned red.

  Eight.

  His fingers trembled as the creature fought against the pillar of flame and wind in its path. Mist formed from the proximity of the heat to the water. He could feel his core nearly drained, but he kept pushing more and more of his magic to the limits.

  It got closer.

  The creature screamed in pain and malice, clawed fingers reaching for his chest and neck. Cade shoved every last drop of his magic into his hands. The vortex blazed with new life, and it became a roaring inferno that consumed the beast.

  He unleashed every bit of magic he had left, the flames burning hotter than ever before.

  The creature let out a final, pitiful howl as the fire engulfed it. Its flesh melted away, leaving nothing but a charred skeleton that crumbled to ash. Cade watched, his breath coming in ragged gasps, as the last remnants of the monster were consumed by the flames.

  Exhausted, he slumped to the ground as his vision blurred. Bunny landed beside him, nuzzling his neck and chirping softly. Cade managed a weak smile, reaching up to pat him gently.

  They had done it. They had won.

  As the adrenaline faded, the pain in his chest and leg became more pronounced. He winced, clutching his side as he tried to catch his breath. But despite the pain, he felt a surge of triumph. They had faced this beast and emerged victorious. His crew was safe.

  Astrid reappeared on a nearby branch, her legs swinging beneath her. Her dark eyes gleamed with interest.

  “Impressive,” she said, her voice tinged with amusement. “Perhaps you are worth considering after all.”

  Cade glared at her, too exhausted to speak. She smiled again, a cold, calculating expression.

  “Rest now, Son of Ruin. We will speak again soon.” With that, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Cade and Bunny alone in the desolate swamp. The wall of miasma was a good deal closer now, and Cade cursed in every language he could think of at his rotten luck.

  “THE TRIAL HAS CONCLUDED.”

  The lofty and maternal voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere all at once, shocking Cade’s mind into action.

  “WELL DONE, MY CHILDREN. YOU HAVE LEARNED HOW TO FIGHT FOR LIFE. REST NOW, FOR ONLY ONE LESSON REMAINS.”

  Cade collapsed onto his back, staring up at the sky through the twisted branches above. He had survived, but just barely. The fight had pushed him to his limits, and the victory felt both exhilarating and hollow. He closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over him. He had earned this moment of peace, however fleeting it might be.

  True to form, it didn’t last long.

  There was a brief flash of light, and he felt his body transported gods knew how far. In the next heartbeat, he was flopped onto the sandstone floor of the massive arena, his friends gathered unwittingly over him.

  “Oh, hi.” Cade blinked at the bright sun overhead as the noise of the crowd reached a new crescendo at their appearance.

  Jer, Elena, Gavin, Nora, and Evie all peered down at him in surprise, though their emotions quickly shifted to various states of confusion and shame. A lump formed in his throat as he peered at the twins and Gavin. He had a lot of apologizing in his near future. Before he could get a word out, though, a commotion broke out on the opposite side of the arena floor.

  “You bastard! What have you done?!” someone screamed hoarsely, and Cade tilted his head up to see Orro walking away from Hugh’s group. “What have you done?!”

  The thief propped himself up on his elbows in time to see the limp form of the water-controller dark elf held by the large human brute. Cade was fairly certain her name had been Selena. Sheathed in her chest was one of Orro’s daggers.

  Dust was kicked up in Orro's wake, his cowl and half-mask hiding the rage that only Cade could see. He didn’t say a word as the human warrior spouted curses at his back, nor when the sobbing man was held back by his teammates from rushing the assassin.

  Cade got to his feet and waited for his best friend to reach them. Orro didn’t say a word as he stewed in the shadows of his hood.

  Nora looked ready to interrogate their darkly clad teammate, but Cade raised a hand and rested it on Orro’s shoulders.

  “You okay?” he asked gently.

  Something broke in Orro’s eyes at his question, but he nodded just enough for Cade to notice.

  “I know where she is, Cade. I know where they took Rayka.” Orro’s words rang out in Cade’s chest like a bell, silencing every other noise in existence.

  “How did you come by that information?” Nora’s tone was too cutting for Cade to ignore.

  He was about to speak, but Elena beat him to it.

  “How do you think, paladin?” Elena asked, and everyone heard the desperation she tried to hide beneath her confidence. “What matters is that we know now, so Cade can devise a rescue plan. Right, Cade?”

  “Yes,” Cade responded quickly.

  But at Orro’s wince, he knew that there was something important missing. Something that would break him.

  “What is it, Or?” he pressed.

  The assassin didn’t respond.

  “FOR RETRIEVING THE SEED OF LIFE, I GRANT YOUR TEAM, OH MIGHTY CHAMPIONS, AN ESTATE IN THE ROYAL DISTRICT, AND LAND BEYOND OUR GATES!” Life declared proudly as she floated toward their team.

  The crowd yelled their approval, and Cade looked over to see Evie clutching a glowing acorn the size of his fist. She grinned sadly at him, and then addressed the goddess.

  “Your Divine Grace, I humbly offer this great boon in exchange for a small pittance,” Evie spoke with clarity and decorum befitting a queen of the realm.

  Cade was stunned at her eloquence as much as the perfect bow and tone to take with such a powerful entity. If he was honest, he would’ve struggled to sell the earnestness his teammate embodied with such ease.

  Evelyn continued speaking as Cade and his team watched her, dumbfounded. “It is not that we aren’t grateful for your esteemed gift, but that our needs demand your aid. If you will it, could you replace the royal estate in exchange for another set of items from your prestigious vaults?”

  The crowd stilled.

  Life halted in her aerial approach, her white silken dress billowing around her sensuous form as a halo of brilliant vines encircled her brow. Though the sheer brightness of her face made it hard to see the subtle shifts in her expression, it didn’t take Cade’s expertise to see Life was frustrated at the interruption.

  “MY HOME IS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, MORTAL?” Life asked testily.

  Flowers with long thorns grew from the sandstone, twitching into existence from their rapid growth. Each thorn dripped with a purple ooze Cade knew without the need to test that getting prodded by those poisonous barbs would not be a pleasant experience.

  “It has nothing to do with the magnificence of your home and heart, your Divine Grace,” Evie explained with a low bow. “My fellow champions and I have great tasks that require more preparation than we currently possess. We need your help, your Heavenly Majesty. Without your aid, we shall surely perish before your love has called us to rejoin the cycle of Life.”

  Once again, Evie spoke with an authority he had never seen in the usually timid girl. At her last words, she curtseyed as her eyes remained lowered. Though covered in filth, Cade believed Evie looked more regal than the unblemished goddess in front of them.

  “YOU REQUIRE MY MOTHERLY ASSISTANCE, DO YOU?” Life pinched the tip of her chin and looked over his motley crew.

  Cade shuffled his feet in a rare display of nerves. It was impossible not to squirm when near her. Her aura made him want to vomit, each cell in his body screaming to run or explode in the face of her magic.

  “THEN SO IT SHALL BE, MY CHILDREN. IN EXCHANGE FOR MY GENEROUS OFFER OF A SAFE HAVEN, I SHALL AID YOU IN THE QUESTS LIFE HAS GIVEN YOU.” She lifted her head to the royal box where a gaggle of Lifekeepers stood at attention. “BAZZ, MY CHILD, ASSIST THEM WITH WHAT THEY NEED. HOLD NOTHING BACK. THEY’VE MORE THAN EARNED IT.”

  Cade could’ve laughed when he saw the wood elf blanch at the request.

  “AS FOR THE REST OF YOU,” Life intoned and rose higher into the sky.

  The barbed flowers wilted into dust as she left.

  “FOR FIGHTING FOR LIFE, I GRANT UNTO THEE ESTATES FOR EACH OF YOUR TEAMS, WITH SEVERAL MANORS PER PLOT OF LAND PROVIDED,” Life proclaimed with outstretched arms, accentuating her comely form.

  “Doesn’t that make us minor lords in the Elysian government?” Elena asked with a scheming grin.

  “It does,” Gavin replied smoothly. He too bore a wide smile filled with plans. “Though we’ll have to survive the next few days to enjoy it. She said that we have a day of rest tomorrow before the final trial, right?”

  “Yeah,” Cade answered absently.

  An extra day. Gods, they needed it.

  His growing plan would need every second of it to come together.

  His eyes widened, and he turned to Orro. “Hey, where did you say Rayka was being held?”

  Orro turned to him, and Cade was alarmed to see the rage and sorrow etched like stone into his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Cade.”

  “Where is she?” Cade demanded, his patience thinning.

  “She’s—” Orro swallowed hard. “She’s being held by the third and final gang in Elysia.”

  “Hold on. There were those Gilded Drake fellows we tried, and then Bernard’s people… Stone Britches or something like that?” Jer counted off on his fingers. “Who’s the third?”

  Gavin blanched, and he swiveled on Orro. “You don’t mean—”

  “Yeah,” Orro replied.

  “I’m thoroughly not enjoying this skirting around the issue,” Elena barked, voicing Cade’s sentiment a heartbeat before he got it out.

  Orro and Gavin looked at the rest of the crew, their expressions a model of defeat and sorrow.

  “She’s been given to George for safekeeping,” Orro finally said.

  “Who in Honor’s hairy ass is George?” Elena demanded, leaning forward with both hands on her hips.

  “George is the leader of the Night Ladies,” Gavin explained softly.

  Orro turned away as Cade’s heart hammered faster and faster. He could hear it thrum in his ears as the blood drained from his face.

  “It’s not just a brothel,” Orro said darkly. “It’s a fortress, and a damn good one at that. I’m sorry, Cade, but getting her out of there is going to be nearly impossible.”

  “You’re giving up already?” Cade asked incredulously.

  Orro simply shook his head.

  “Good,” Cade said. “And the rest of you?”

  “Of course we’re in,” Elena said with a gesture between her and Jer.

  Bunny chirped happily, apparently in as well.

  “Nora?” he asked, his gaze shifting to the dark paladin standing just beyond their circle, whispering to Evie.

  Her eyes darted toward him, and she paused.

  “We’re with you to the end,” she said firmly.

  “Good,” he repeated, though he hid the surge of surprise that came along with her assurance. “Then we have a heist to plan.”

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