Page 150 of Ravenous

Shock. Cold. “Emilia?”

“Kidnapped by Co?tin. He slew Arctos as well. Yrsa and her guards will come for you and your babe. You’re a loose end, and she’s trimmed more than you can imagine. There’s not a soul outside, not a single sentry who will see or protect you. But I see everything.” Another sob.

“Then why not tell us thisbeforemy mate lost his life?” Tonight, only one thing could have stolen the ohalla he’d earned.My beloved was decapitated.

Dagny’s inner bear shook off its shock and blinked open its eyes.

“I didn’t know Yrsa had grown this brazen. Didn’t know Co?tin came repeatedly to the kingdom, learning our ravines. I only saw them by chance one night, and then I began to put things together.”

Panting, Dagny rose up on spread knees. “You could have said something. Anything!” Berserkerage simmered, but she somehow controlled it. She would need her wits if she and the babe were to survive the night.

“I wanted to warn you that Torben was in her sights, but you avoided me. I tried. And now you have to leave this place.”

How?“Will you help us?”

“I can’t!”

Then she was of no use. As Dagny’s baby crowned, she crooked her finger at Hulda. “Over here. Come to my side and help me to my feet at least. This hurts so bad,” she lied.

Wringing her hands, Hulda crossed to her. “I tried.”

When the woman shuffled close, Dagny shot to her feet and seized her arm. “Not hard enough.” She drew back her fist and punched Hulda, taking her jaw clean off. Bone and flesh shot across the room. The exertion of the blow forced the baby to emerge more—just in time for his beloved face to catch Hulda’s spurts of blood. “Born in blood, my little deathling.”Born to deliver vengeance with your mother.She released Hulda to crouch like a bear and finish her labor. A final unholy push freed him, and she lovingly caught Torben’s son in her arms. His healthy scream was a battle cry. “Koda,” she breathed. “My deathling.”

Shuddering with horror, Hulda retrieved her jaw, tongue working like fat worm. She fled as if she’d witnessed a monster come to life.Because she has—two of them.

Yrsa was likely already on her way here. No time for Dagny to get to Craigdúr; the queen’s guard would hunt them down.

With her crying babe still attached by his cord, Dagny draped a bearskin over them and limped to Arctos’s den, every step a prayer. She’d sensed Torben’s death but didn’t share the same connection to Arctos. Maybe Hulda had lied. Only the shieldchief could rally enough of the clan to fight an ancient queen. Dagny entered his home.

Arctos lay on the floor surrounded by blood. His body was still; a clean, mortal wound to the heart had taken him—just one valiant kill away from ohalla.

Think! I have to get Koda out of here.Arctos must have had the same idea; he’d begun drawing summoning symbols with his lifeblood before dying. Probably to Inkletter.

Would the incubus’s loyalty hold true after death? Would he teleport Dagny and Koda to safety? The last symbol was incomplete. Taking a guess, she adjusted the slippery babe, bent down, and used Arctos’s blood to finish it—

Yrsa’s guards burst into the den, swords drawn, faces grim. The queen entered behind them.

“My gods-son!” Yrsa keened with a grief-stricken mien. “Emilia murderedArctos and fled.”

Dagny spat, “Save the theatrics.” She rose, clutching Koda. “Your lover Prince Co?tin did this. Torben figured that out, didn’t he? So you killed him. Hear me now: one day my son and I will wear your flayed skin as I wear this bear.”

Yrsa’s expression turned sanguine. “Interesting proposal. But how will you do that when you’re both dead? You, Torben, and even Arctos were all plotting against my crown. And now you’ll pay.” To her guards, she ordered, “Execute them. The traitor’s offspring first.”

The men hardly hesitated, even when Koda cried his baby cry against Dagny’s breast.

A shadow appeared beside her. Inkletter. His eyes swept the scene in one shattering glance: Arctos’s lifeless body, Koda’s wails, Dagny’s blood-spattered face.

“I didn’t hurt your friend,” she quickly said.

“Seize them!” Yrsa’s command split the air.

Boots thundered closer. Over the din came a low, impossible sound. A groan from Arctos’s body.

Inkletter lunged, scooping his fallen friend into his arms. He froze for less than a heartbeat, just long enough for Dagny to act.

Still clutching Koda to her chest, she flung herself toward him. Her fingers caught his sleeve—

—and the world tore away.