Betrayer: (The Cursed Bloodstone Book 1)

The next morning, golden light wanes over the city as thousands of warriors fill the sandstone streets of Astarobane. I clutch at my surcoat as hope dwindles inside me. Now that the city is filling with more Bloodstone warriors, I doubt my ability to ever find Hector.

People crowd the streets, following the long parade of soldiers and calling out to them. I walk with them, winding through the cluster of people as dread finds a solid place in the center of my chest. It’s been there since Kassandra and the attack on Astarobane.

The preparations I made before I came here seem so far away now. Everything I planned seems implausible. Roland is dead, and I have yet to set sight on his successor.

I follow the line of people into the city, lingering near the different shops, trying to catch a hint of what people are saying about the new soldiers. Hector could be among them.

When I spot a round woman dressed in a silk surcoat, I move closer.

She fans her face with her hand as she talks to the short man next to her. “They’re calling for the livery collar.”

The one Alden said he would only wear if he was the chieftain?

My throat clenches as I jerk my gaze around, but nobody else is listening.

“Then it’s true?” the man asks. “Hector has finally come to Astarobane?”

My heart thunders against my chest at those words. The ones I have longed to hear for weeks.

“Yes.” The woman fans her flushed face some more.

I step closer to the booth full of fresh baked bread and try to calm my thoughts. If Hector is at the palace, I must catch a glimpse.

“Then, it’s true?” the man asks in a shushed voice. “Roland is dead?”

I raise a trembling hand to my throat. Now that everyone knows Roland is dead, Hector will have no choice but to lead his people.

When I set eyes on him wearing that livery collar, I’ll know it’s him.

He will not bring magic back.

I’ll kill him first!