Kallie was already on the move. “Let’s go dismember that bitch and make a bonfire. I’m done with both of them.”
Our friends went to deal with the corpses of the antidemigods, while Oberi cleared a spot in the dirt to make a fire. I heard a groan as Eddie roused from somewhere nearby.
“Did we get him?” Eddie asked faintly. “Is Charlie okay?”
Ez stumbled over to Eddie. “Charlie’s fine. Are you good?”
“He blasted back one of my illusion spells, but I’m fine now.” Eddie’s words were nearly a shudder as he rose to stand. “Cursed vampire. It’s a blessing he’s gone for good.”
Ava and I didn’t move. She fell into my arms while I clutched her close. My pulse began to slow, and that’s when I realized the sounds of battle had completely faded. I drew away from Ava and asked, “Did everyone else make it to the lake?”
“Yes, we’re the last ones. Most of The Mission is dead, and the rest of the cowards have fled.”
“Then we have to get moving so I can close that portal. We can’t risk another wave of Mission members showing up and following us through.”
“Not to mention Esther and Mad Dog haven’t shown up yet, but if they’re not here already, they’re on their way,” Ava seethed. “We need to get out of here before they arrive.”
We did, because I didn’t think with as battle worn as we all were, we could face two more antidemigods and survive today.
I struggled to get to my feet, but Oberi was there to catch me before I fell. He lifted me onto his back before he set Ava on in front of me. I didn’t think I could take another step even if I forced myself to.
Our friends had dragged the antidemigods’ bodies over. Kallie threw Naya’s wings on the ground, while Marcus and Ez carried her body. Danny worked quickly to tear the antidemigods’ limbs apart, tossing them all into a pile. I heard the snap of Deuce’s neck as Danny ripped his head clean off his shoulders.
“Hang on,” Ava said. “Give me that. There’s something I need to do with it.”
Danny clicked a lighter. “Aw, but I was just about to light ‘er up.”
“We need to leave a message behind for the Warden.” Ava withdrew one of her throwing knives, and I heard skin tear open as she scrawled a bloody note onto Deuce’s skull. When she was done, she held the head out to the others by the hair. “Put this on a stake.”
“With pleasure.” Kallie’s voice was gleeful as she slammed a pike into the ground, then stuck Deuce’s head on the top of it. Oberi turned and began to walk away, our friends following his wake.
What did Ava write? I asked Oberi, wondering what the message could be.
Oberi’s bitter voice made a promise as he growled, You’re next.
Good. I hoped the Warden saw the message, and knew we were coming for him.
Eddie ran to pick up my grandfather’s sword, and the fire blazed at our backs as we left the battlefield and returned to the lake. We passed through the portal I’d created, emerging onto the beach in Ilamanthe. As soon as we stepped onto the sand, I closed the portal within the ocean. I felt the magic wash away, and my shoulders fell once I was confident no one could follow us through.
Alana and her Toaqua battalion were waiting for us when we stepped through the hole in Ava’s shield and back into the safety of Ilamanthe. She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank the ancestors! We didn’t know how much longer we should wait before going back for you.”
“We had to take care of some things first,” Ava told her sister. “But we’re all alive, and that’s what matters.”
“We saved a lot of lives today,” Erica said. Marcus’ sister sounded confident as she added, “That’s one more Mission stronghold the Warden doesn't have. Today was a victory.”
Ava’s guard Eldin approached, wheeling Ava’s all-terrain chair through the sand. “We’ve retrieved your chair from the palace, princess.”
Ava slid off of Oberi’s back with Marcus’ help. I remained on my wyvern’s back, unable to go anywhere, really. I was struggling to keep my eyes open at the moment.
Once Ava was back in her chair, she turned to address Eldin. “I need a report. Where is everyone else?”
“The Firebirds escorted the fae refugees to a beach on the other side of the island,” Eldin explained. “It’s the only place large enough to set up a camp that can house that many people. We are awaiting your orders.”
“Of course,” Ava stated diplomatically. “We’ll make our way there immediately.”
“I want to help,” I offered weakly. I cringed as one of my hands jumped up to hold my side without me meaning to. Speaking, breathing, thinking— everything hurt right now. Staying awake was a tremendous effort, and even though I wanted to, I wasn’t sure I could help myself, let alone anyone else.
“Charlie, you need to go back home,” Ava said, the order gentle, but insistent. “You’re barely conscious. You need rest.”
