Andras has it in his tent. Are you going to get it?
“Yes.”
Be careful. I will remain close in case you need help.
Andras. Even the thought of his name sent shivers through her body.
Was she strong enough to fight him? Or perhaps hold him off long enough for Remy to snatch the book? At the battle of Oakshire she wasn’t. But now—now that her well of magic had grown exponentially—she might be able to hold her own. At least for a few minutes. Long enough for them to get in and get out.
“We must find Andras,” she said to Remy. “I’m going to distract him while you get the book.”
“Yes yes yes. I can do that.”
They wound through the tents, unseen as they snuck around the soldiers cleaning up the mess created by the rest of Ava’s group. Daemon bodies lay bloodied and strewn about. Tents were crushed, some of them ablaze where Maeryn must have used her magic. A melted cage sat a few yards away.
“Is Aro okay?”she asked Luna.
Yes. He’s with us.
Ava’s shoulders relaxed at Luna’s answer. Aro was safe. Taking a few more steps into the camp, she paused when Andras’ voice spoke from inside a nearby tent. “He’s in there,” Ava whispered, pointing. “Are you ready?”
“Yes yes yes.”
“Remy.” She looked at her small friend. The friend she had met in this very camp. Who she had escaped with; ran through the woods with; stayed the night in a cave with. And now they were back here, together. “Please be careful.”
About a dozen guards milled about in front of the canvas quarters. Though she hadn’t had much time to train with her magic, it seemed to do whatever she commanded. And while she didn’t know how, she decided to create a golem.
Please let this work, she pleaded as she extended her hand and focused on the mud near the soldiers.
Nothing happened. She closed her eyes and visualized the ball of light Raine had coached her through. Imagined it was deep within her and extended through her arm and fingers. She opened her eyes and stared at the mud. Willing it to form. Urging it to listen.
Your magic only listens to you. It is an extension of you,Raine had said in one of her training sessions.Will it to do what you command.
A large creature rose from the muck, catching the soldiers’ attention. It molded itself into a being over ten feet tall and began to punch and kick at the daemons. Ava grew roots around the legs of several others, pulling them down for the golem to crush.
“I was wondering when you’d show, Ava dear,” Andras crooned from behind her.
She straightened, spinning around, now face to face with her enemy. A subtle glance to where Remy had been showed her he’d already disappeared on his mission.
“Miss me?” she asked, feigning confidence, though she was still terrified of the daemon who had tricked her.
He regarded her with his icy blue eyes and long dark hair, dressed in his usual all black, hands in his pockets. Tilting his head, he gave her a ravishing smile. “Miss you? Of course I did. But I had your lover to keep me company while I waited.”
At the mention of Casimir, the earth trembled near her feet. “I will kill you for what you did to him. Just like I killed Vazgeth.”
A flash of surprise passed over his face before he regained his composure.
Ava let her rage smother her fear. “You didn’t know. The sound of his spine breaking as I ripped him to pieces was music to my ears after what he did to me. After what he did to Casimir.”
Andras sauntered toward her, his lips pulling into a sultry grin, his cold eyes sizing her up. “Impressive. My, how your magic has grown.” He gestured to the golem occupying the soldiers. “Is that mud creature yours? It seems all it took was hurting your soulbond to induce your great tribulation.”
Keep him talking,she thought to herself.Hurry, Remy.
“Well, I guess I should thank you then. For increasing my power.” She took a slow step backward.
Ava. Casimir’s getting worse. He has a fever and is unconscious,said Luna.
“Tell everyone to head back to Mosshaven. Remy and I will catch up. Send Skye to meet us at the edge of the woods.”
