“Yeah, weeks of them trying to work together, weeks of them not fighting each other with weapons or magic, but with words.” Lionel nudged me with his shoulder. “You give yourself too little credit.”
I took a long deep breath as my eyes slid towards him. “Thanks.” Having him here made things easier for sure, he was always thinking, planning and calculating. He was a step ahead of all of us and always had my back in those meetings.
Ashley came skittering with a bag on her back, practically glowing.
“Oh?” Nate sneered, as if nothing had happened. “Did you lose?”
“Lose what?” Ashley snapped, before taking a bite out of a piece of bread she had somehow procured.
“No, she prioritized,” I chuckled looking at the food, as Lionel and Nate burst into laughter, but Ashley furrowed her brows confused.
Then Jaden showed up behind her, snagging the bread. “I was wondering why a piece was missing.” He flashed a smile at her, dancing the line between threat and politeness, while she warred about whether to bite or play nice. Considering that he hadn’t lost his arm taking her food, she must’ve felt something for him.
Eve swung her rifle onto her back, eyes locking in on Lionel. “I’ve got your ammo in my bag as well.”
“Thanks,” Lionel smiled easily, but his eyes never met hers.
“Who has the map?” Eve asked, looking around.
“Can I have my bread back now?” Ashley muttered, stretching for it, as Jaden teasingly lifted his hand higher.
“I have it,” Nate said, his voice flat as he stepped forward and snagged the bread from Jaden, giving it to Ashley, before continuing past them.
“Our journey will not be boring,” Lionel repeated, this time with a sigh.
“Did I do something wrong?” Jaden cocked a brow, looking at Nate.
“Don’t worry about it, he’s going through… stuff,” Lionel waved it away, before strolling after Nate.
“He lost his sister,” Eve clipped, her hands tightening around the strap of the rifle.
“Oh,” Jaden’s face went blank, with a slow nod.
After we had gathered our supplies, we continued to the outskirts of the field. We stopped at the edge, glancing back at the camp, taking in the sight of the budding peace between Aetherions and Ashen Corps, together in one place, without ripping each other apart.
“This could be the whole world one day,” I whispered, warmth spreading inside me.
“Yeah, just one little demon army away from peace,” Nate scoffed, breaking the bubble of happiness that I was clinging to.
I scowled at him, my glare sharp enough to make him wave his hands in the air, before I moved in front of them. I managed to take one step, before I froze in place.
“What?” Ashley asked behind me, peeking past me.
A thin, red thread floated in the air, a faint glow pulsating, and my heartbeat quickened from the sight alone. No matter how long I had tried to prepare myself for it, for seeinghim. I couldn’t contain my reaction.
“What’s that?” Jaden asked cautiously, not moving an inch.
On pure instinct carved into me, my hand reached for it, not able to resist the temptation, but just as I was about to touch it, it flickered and disappeared. My brows furrowed and I let out a long breath, confusion spreading inside of me. Then I saw the same red thread floating in the air, but a couple of feet ahead of me, taunting me in every way possible.
“Arrogant demon,” I hissed low, my blood boiling.
“Demon?” Jaden echoed, his voice an octave higher. “They’re already here!?”
“Half, half-demon,” Ashley chuckled nervously, as she patted Jaden’s shoulder. “The details are important.”
I snorted dryly at her words. But before I was able to step up towards the next red thread, Lionel grabbed my arm. “Be careful… Okay?”
I looked back at him, nodding slightly as he slowly released me again. We were all still on-edge, after what had happened at Rimefield. I walked towards the glowing thread once more.
