Following the curve of the river, we came upon a colossal willow tree. Branches bent at crooked angles from the weight of leaves seeking the forest floor. Roots larger than grown men delved deep into the earth and anchored the tree directly over the river. An arched passageway formed in the base of the smooth trunk.
The gateway to Hireath. The Kestral circled her tree once before nesting in a crook at the point of the arch. This was as far as she’d take us.
Stepping in front of my brethren, I bowed my head. “Thank you.”
Soft chirps lilting from her beak, she preened her feathers. Her blue eyes never wavered from mine. Taking a steady breath, I led the way through the archway, picking around lichen-covered roots and slick river stones. I’d sent Winnow back to the realm to keep her safe, but not before she told me the way.
Follow the river. Leena is in Wynn’s quarters of the keep.
My nostrils flared. I’m coming, Leena.
The moment we passed through the gateway, we called on our shadows. We slunk in a realm of darkness, stalking the river’s edge with quiet speed. A distant roaring called. The heavy beat of water crashing over rocks.
Closer. We’re getting closer.
Morning ushered in a symphony of bestial cries. Bird screeches chimed in the breeze, and the banks grew heavy with hooved beasts emerging from caves to drink. Their rumbling growls vibrated my bones, but we went unnoticed. The river pooled outward and came flush to a monstrous mountain of pure-white stone. A vast waterfall poured over one of the highest peaks, crashing against the basin in a billowing shower of mist.
As one, we stopped and stared.
A marble castle carved from the mountain beckoned to us. The gargantuan oak and white ash trees surrounding it were laden with houses, and stone homes stood sturdy on the climbing walls of the falls. A few of the larger estates and communal buildings dominated the forest floor with cavernous structures crafted in tree trunks. Charmers milled about, crossing the network of ladders and vines tying the city together, the keep pressed flush against the smooth mountain wall.
Leena.
Gripping my hands into tight fists, I turned back to my brethren. “Let’s keep our presence hidden.” I rolled my head from side to side, stretching my neck. “We hit the keep first. If she’s not there, fan out to the rest of the city.”
Emelia stepped forward, gripping the hemline of her tunic. “About that.” With one pointed nod, she directed our attention to the guard towers stationed on either side of the lake. Snaking vines crawled over slabs of smooth stone piled high. The flat platforms of the strongholds were littered with beasts of a single make.
Every one of them stared at us.
With heavy talons, they clung to the lips of the towers and speared us with oval black gazes. Their deerlike bodies were as still as statues. Even their impressive wings, the color of the mountain, were taut. I’d passed right over them, but now I saw the twitching. The occasional flick of an ear. Heavy antlers crowned their heads, and they angled their faces toward us, lances at the ready.
“Do you think they can see us?” Calem asked, voice low.
Kost grimaced. “Most certainly.”
The closest beast reacted then, its stomach contracting and forcing air up and out of its throat. A deep whistle started low before screeching in a high-pitched tone and stretching on for what felt like an eternity. A second one followed. And a third, until the whole colony of creatures whistled, sharp bugles slicing through the tumbling crash of the falls.
Hireath stilled. Charmers stopped and turned toward the towers.
My brethren cringed. We’d been outed. If we’d been able to rely on our shadows, I had no doubt we could’ve snuck through the buildings without repercussion. But now… A memory of Leena calling forth three beasts at once flashed before my eyes. There were hundreds of Leenas here, each with arsenals as vast as hers. Some even larger. Some even stronger.
Taking flight, the sentry beasts formed a tight circle over our heads. Fear threaded through my insides. Fear for the lives my family might lose—all for me.
Jaw set, eyes level, I turned to my men. “Go back. Leave the rest of this to me.”
No one moved.
I snapped, “That’s an order.”
Ozias looked past me to the Beast City. “You know damn well we’re not going anywhere, so stop trying.”