{Raven}
Raven watched the soldiers stagger back into camp, their faces grim and bloodied. She counted them quickly. Five left from a patrol of eight.
No Melisa.
She put down the dagger she'd been sharpening and walked toward them. Captain Fenris was already there, her expression hardening as the soldiers gave their report.
"Ambush... came out of nowhere..."
"...took her alive..."
"...didn't have a chance..."
Raven stood perfectly still, absorbing every word.
Isabella and Armia rushed up behind her, drawn by the commotion.
"What's going on?" Isabella asked, her tail bristling. "Where's Melisa?"
"Darians took her," Raven said flatly.
"What? How?" Armia's hand went to her sword. "When?"
One of the soldiers, his face caked with dried blood, looked up at them.
"Redheaded bitch hit her from behind. Knocked her out cold. Took her before we could do anything." His voice cracked. "Killed Bomas and Renn."
Isabella's face drained of color.
"We have to get her back."
