But Raine was quicker, releasing an arrow into the daemon’s eye. His friends were now lost in the melee. All he could see was the multitude of magic as they fought their enemies.
They were making quick work of the small force, cutting down soldiers and monsters left and right. It was almost too easy.
“Something doesn’t feel right!” he shouted, wrapping vines around a daemon as Maeryn used her magic to melt him.
The daemon dead, she paused. “What do you mean?”
“Why send such a small force?”
“Do you think it’s a distraction?” she asked.
“Possibly…but from what?”
Raine shook his head, scanning for more enemies to fight but his soldiers had it handled for the moment.
The fields,Sabriel suddenly said.They’re burning.
“Shit!”
“What’s wrong?”
“They’re trying to take out our supplies. Our food. We must get to the farms.” Raine searched the chaos, attempting not to panic. His father was a farmer. Which meant his home could be burning at this very moment. Locating who he was looking for, he shouted, “Ava!”
She rushed over, Casimir and Jorrar on her heels. “What’s wrong?”
“I need you to make a portal to Jorrar’s house.”
“My house? Why?” Jorrar clutched his sword, out of breath.
“There are enemy soldiers burning the farms and your house is close.”
Jorrar went pale. “My grandchildren…”
“Is Isolde with them?” Ava asked.
He shook his head. “She’s been at the castle all evening, preparing supplies with Kai.”
“Who’s watching them?” Raine asked.
“Your sister.”
33
“Get me there…now,” Raine urged. It was too far for them to run and would take too much time to saddle their horses and ride.
“We need more forces,” Casimir said.
“My family could be in danger. So could Jorrar’s. I’m going now. Send soldiers as soon as you can.”
Emotions warred on Ava’s face.
“Please,” Raine’s voice cracked. He’d already lost his mother. Then Finnick. He refused to lose his sister and father. Not now. Not today. No more.
Casimir acquiesced with a tilt of his head. “Make the portal. I’ll gather more forces and follow immediately.”
Within minutes a swirling vortex appeared before them. A warm hand gently grasped Raine’s and squeezed. Maeryn looked up at him, determination on her face. “Let’s go,” she said and stepped through, pulling him after her.
They emerged on the dirt road in front of Jorrar’s house. It was absolute chaos.
