“All right,” Thom said, wasting no time in taking control of the potentially perilous situation. “We’ve got a Keep to fight our way back through. Vayd, Raff, and I can’t do much, but we can keep an eye on the group. If anyone starts to falter or is in danger, we’ll intervene. Otherwise, we’ll remain in the center.
“Auden, Isla, you two take the front with Brea,” he instructed. “The Shades will await us at the top, so we’ll need you to knock them back initially. Ethenn, Ilain, you take the left flank. Evie and Jonn, you’ve got the right. Keep the attacks ranged unless otherwise necessary. Agreed?”
Each of them nodded except for Deckard, who merely stared down at Evylin stolidly.
“Great.” Thom curled his fingers tighter around his sword, his heart thumping with nerves. “Let’s go.”
The others moved into formation, with Auden, Isla, and Brea leading the charge, but Deckard and Evylin remained frozen.
Thom skidded to a halt, wary of their exchange.
Deckard angled down toward Evylin, speaking with a flat, lifeless tone. “I could have carried it.”
“Maybe,” Evylin admitted, though Thom could see she held no more hope than him.
“Evie,” Deckard said, his voice taut, “Icouldhave.”
“Maybe,” she returned.
His brow pinched together in that telling way of his. “Why don’t you trust me?”
Though Thom felt he was intruding on a private moment, he couldn’t look away. Not when he had to ensure Evylin didn’t give in to whatever hold Deckard’s magic might have on her. He’d seen her expression when Deckard offered his hand in the Keep above. She was ready to let the magic consume her, too, and Thom wouldn’t lose them both to this strange, enthralling force.
Evylin took what appeared to be a breath to steady herself. “I do trust you,” she reassured, then gestured to the roiling cloud of crystalline shards around him. “Butthisisn’t you.”
Deckard looked disappointed, his brow furrowing deeper.
Evylin reached across, grabbed his collar, and pulled him down so their foreheads touched. Thom averted his gaze, listening only to ensure their safety. “I trust you, Jonn,” she said fiercely. “I love you.”
Through his peripheral vision, Thom saw Deckard lean in for a kiss, but Evylin pulled back. She held his gaze, piercing him with a sharp stare. “Which is why I need you to get this under control,” she charged.
Thom grinned to himself, proud of her fierceness.
Not a second later, Evylin was at Thom’s side, Deckard trailing behind. “Let’s get out of here,” she said.
Thom sent her a smirk. “With pleasure.”
The three Deckards hurried across the black marble tiles to meet their troop in the stairwell. Thom kept an eye on Deckard’s magic, which still drifted around his form. However, something in his brother’s eyes had lightened, which gave him hope. And if nothing else, Deckard didn’tappeartired. At this point, Ilain had needed assistance before she blacked out.
Maybe Deckard really had the strength to see this through.
At the top of the staircase, they readied themselves to continue the fight. Brea had a hand on the door; Auden and Isla prepared to summon their magic. “On your word,mi’caro,” she called lightly, though even across the distance, Thom could see the respect in her gaze. She was a lieutenant, and he was a captain. In the army, he would be her superior, Warrior or not. And she was demonstrating that she honored his authority despite her experience over his.
Thom gave her an appreciative nod, then checked the troop once more. Assured they were all prepared, he met her gaze again and ordered, “Now.”
At his command, Brea yanked the door open. Auden and Isla’s magic leaped forward, a torrent of wind and a strange shard-like flare—his Day magic altered by the influence of the Space Relic. The first several rows of Shades flew back in the combined explosion of element and existent. Auden’s power was much more potent than usual, and it replicated Deckard’s in its new glittering form.
Brea’s arrows covered the pair as they pushed out into the Keep. Vayden went next, sword at the ready, followed by Ethenn and Ilain. Rafferty and Thom plunged forward after them, with Deckard and Evylin at the rear. Everyone sprang into action, moving into the formation Thom had instructed.
At the front, Isla and Auden cleared swathes of Shades while Brea laid down cover with her arrows, keeping them safe as they pushed their attackers back. Together, Ethenn, Ilain, Deckard,and Evylin watched their rear and flank, preventing the Shades from surrounding them. The non-magical members jogged in the center, watching keenly, calling out warnings when Shades came too close or were attempting to outmaneuver them.
At first, it seemed they were doing well. The Shades were dwindling in number, and they were making steady progress.
Then a fresh wave of Shades joined the fray.
Their clay and onyx forms twisted to life like the nebulae above their heads. Desperately, they charged, pressing toward the front where Auden carried the Space Relic. Thom heard Deckard tell Evylin, “I can stop them.”
“It isn’t worth the risk,” Evylin replied.
