The black mass of Forgotten leaped from the walls, pouring into the courtyard and sliding toward us like ink. I spun as Keirran lurched to his feet and raised his sword. For a moment, standing back to back with the Iron Prince, surrounded by Forgotten in a place of power, I had a surreal flash of déjà vu. The last time this had happened, Keirran had turned around and run a sword through my middle.
“Ethan.” His voice was quiet, just like last time. I tensed and forced a raspy chuckle.
“Keirran, if you’re about to stab me, I swear I’m going to claw my way out of the grave and drag you back with me.”
“No.” A shiver went through him, and he took a deep breath. “Just...thank you. And, I’m sorry. For everything. I just... I wish I could talk to my parents one more time.” He shifted back and raised his sword, his voice going hard. “But I’ll be proud to die fighting beside you.”
I grimaced. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” But...it looked pretty hopeless from where I was standing. There were a ton of Forgotten, in the courtyard, on the walls, with even more sliding into view. Even with Keirran’s help, I couldn’t fight that many. Though I’d give them a hell of a hard time before I went down.
Kenzie, I thought with a pang of regret. I couldn’t see her through the press of Forgotten, but I desperately hoped she was safe. Go home. Go home, and be safe. Things are going to get crazy after tonight, but I know you’ll be okay. You’re too smart to let them beat you. And if you see my parents, tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t come home.
The Forgotten crept closer, just a few feet away now. I felt the tension surrounding us, saw the swarm getting ready to lunge, and took a deep, final breath.
“Stop!”
A new voice rang out, clear and strong with authority, making everything freeze. Stunned, I looked toward the corner where the voice originated and saw the Thin Man on his feet, one slender hand braced on Kenzie’s shoulder as she stood beside him. His pale eyes swept over the Forgotten and narrowed.
“Stop this!” he hissed again. “All of you! This is madness! This is not what you want!”
“You,” muttered the First Queen, as the Forgotten, shockingly and as one, turned to face him. “I know you.”
“Yes,” the Thin Man agreed. “You know me. You’ve all seen me before, in Phaed. And I know you.” His gaze swept the crowd. “All of you. Even now, when you have been twisted nearly beyond recognition, I know you.” He shook his head, his voice sympathetic. “Forgotten, hear me. Is this truly what you want? Going to war, fighting the other courts, killing for her? Dying for her? Do you really believe she has your best interests at heart? Look at what she has done to you all. What she has turned you into.”
The Forgotten were silent, their whole attention riveted to the Thin Man. A few shuffled uneasily, but the rest just stared at him, unblinking. The Thin Man stepped away from Kenzie and walked a few paces forward, still glaring around at the horde.
“You were happy in Phaed,” he said. “Content to know nothing, to return quietly to the Nevernever until you could be reborn again. And then, she awoke and convinced you that her ideals were your own.” His voice hardened. “They are not. You were never like that! And now, you are nothing but pawns in her quest for power! She will—”
He jerked, throwing his head back, as a storm of razor feathers slammed into him from behind, ripping through his chest with coils of mist. Kenzie gasped, and the Forgotten straightened as the Thin Man swayed on his feet, mouth open midsentence. Slowly, he came apart, fraying at the edges, and collapsed to his knees, before he finally disintegrated into mist. A breeze stirred the courtyard, and the coils of what used to be the ancient mayor of Phaed vanished into the wind.
“You were always a thorn in my side,” the Lady said into the shocked silence. “You will question me no more.” Looking over the still frozen crowd, she smiled. “Your mayor is gone,” she called, triumphant. “I am your queen and have always been your queen! Obey me, Forgotten. There is no one left to follow, no one who will lead you to victory but I.”
“Yes, there is!”
Keirran’s voice made me jump. The Iron Prince stepped forward, raising his voice to the crowd. “Forgotten!” he cried. “Rally to me! You’ve followed me into battle, obeyed my commands and trusted me with your lives. Follow me now! We can cease this fighting, put an end to this war. I swear, I will not let you Fade away, but destroying the Veil is not the answer. You’ve been used by the First Queen. She has turned you against your own kind, but if we stand together, we can put a stop to this for good!”
“Silence, traitor!” the First Queen hissed, and sent a flurry of razor feathers at him. I quickly lunged forward, and they went spinning aside. “The Forgotten are mine,” the queen spat at Keirran. “You have no claim, Iron Prince! You have not been forgotten by the courts. You are in no danger of Fading away. You do not need the emotions and belief of mortals just to stay alive, to exist! I will lead the Forgotten to a new age, an age where all mortals will fear us, believe in us! An age where the courts are no more, where there is only one queen of the Nevernever, and that will be me! Forgotten!” she cried, sweeping her hand down. “Kill them! The Iron Prince and the mortals! Kill them all!”
I tensed, but the Forgotten didn’t move. They stared at her, golden eyes unblinking. The First Queen frowned, gazing around in confusion. Keirran stepped forward again.