The smell of smoke reached Shadowfang before sunrise.

Darius was in the courtyard with his warriors when the first scout staggered through the gates, covered in soot and ash. His eyes were wild, his voice hoarse.

“It’s the human settlement near the river,” he gasped. “Rogues… they burned everything. People screaming, children…..”

He couldn’t finish.

Selene felt her stomach twist. That village traded with Shadowfang every week—farmers, blacksmiths, hunters. Humans who had ...