“I have been in this from day one, even before Beth got to the academy. I won’t stay behind so you can stifle poor Kira.” Raven swings back, punching him in the gut.
“Raven, that’s enough,” I yell. “Don’t kick him while he’s already down. No one wants this, least of all me, but we have to do what Adrian says.”
“It doesn’t matter. Greyson has to go so he can assist in gathering our allies among the wolves.” Adrian shakes his head. “You guys don’t understand. Very specific conditions must be met for us to even have a chance to win this.”
“Those conditions will be met. I will have anyone who tries to mess with those conditions placed in the dungeon.” I cross my arms.
“Yes.” Jayden wraps his arm around my waist. “We will do whatever it takes.”
Everyone nods except for Dax. “This is horseshit. I should be there.”
“Dax,” Kira says. “There are people at the academy who are going to need you to lead them and help them survive the army that is surely coming for it.”
“No,” he shouts. “I don’t care about anyone else. You need me. Who else will be there to protect you?”
“Hey now,” Draven barks. “I can protect her just fine.”
“You two Neanderthals need to stop talking like I’m not formidable on my own or you’re both staying behind.” Kira shoves Draven.
“We’re fracturing,” I whisper to Jayden. “Can they survive this fight? I hate this and I hate the damn queen for doing this to all of us.”
“They will and they will be stronger for it.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “We can’t be defeated so easily.”
“Can’t we, though? Everyone is fighting about who’s protecting who and it’s a complete shit show.”
“We didn’t mean it, Kira,” Draven says. “We know you’re capable of protecting yourself and Beth and Raven would never let anything happen to you.”
“But?” Kira says, hands on her hips. “I know there’s a but in there somewhere and if I don’t like it, I’m borrowing a dagger from Raven and getting stabby.”
“Can you stab my idiot brother first?” Raven holds out a jeweled dagger.
“Raven.” I grip her arm, pulling her away from the impending bloodshed.
“What? They are a couple of morons. They deserve it if they can’t see that she’s a badass.” Raven steps away from them.
Greyson wraps his arms around her from behind. “I’ve got her.”
“You know I can get out of this hold easily, right?” Raven asks.
“Yes, but do you want to?” He nuzzles her neck.
“No.” She giggles.
“Guys,” Adrian says. “I wouldn’t even suggest this if it weren’t necessary.”
“I know.” I pat his shoulder.
“The things I’ve seen are horrific. The ways I’ve seen you all die and the end of all things will haunt me for the rest of my life.” Adrian tilts his head back, squeezing his eyes shut.
The healer rushes over and glares at the others. “That’s enough. He needs to heal and rest.”
“Hold on,” Jayden says. “Adrian, what aren’t you telling us? This isn’t exactly an even split.”
“You caught that quicker than I hoped.” Adrian sighs.
“What?” I ask, gripping Jayden’s arm. “What do you mean there’s more?”
“There’s always more, Beth.”
