Casimir sat among the trees, camouflaged with vines and roots of his own creation, waiting to enact their plan by the river. A group of fae soldiers had snuck into the daemon camp the night before and destroyed a large store of weapons and food. Using the animals as spies, they were able to stealthily complete the task.
But the daemons were now fully aware.
Jorrar’s owl had been watching, and warned they were on the move, infuriated by their losses. But Andras did not accompany them. In fact, he tended to spend most of the time in his fancy tent. Content to leave the leadership to the several daemon generals and Valeria.
Ava was right. He was arrogant and confident. As if he couldn’t be bothered to oversee anything. From the intelligence they’d gathered, Andras still didn’t know they had learned who he truly was. So, they continued to play along. Pretending they thought they could kill him with ease. That Deidamia was the greater threat.
The fae acted as though they still believed Deidamia was around, just hidden. But what did the daemon army believe?Did they know Andras had killed her? Who he truly was? He supposed it didn’t matter. It appeared they were loyal to him regardless. Whether they knew the truth or were being manipulated, they were here and priming to attack. It was all Casimir needed to know.
One thing they had witnessed, however, was more of Andras’ power. Much more power than they’d ever seen him wield. As if he’d been holding back, continuing his guise as a daemon. But the animals had seen him punish the group of soldiers who should have been guarding the weapons. He used his shadows and they all dropped to the ground. Dead.
The thought of Ava facing him alone made Casimir nauseous. One wrong move, one hint it was a trap, and she’d be killed instantly.
“How is Ava?”Casimir asked Aro.
Furious.
“I’m sure she is. But is she staying put? Is she safe?”
Yes. She yelled at Thorne, but eventually relented.
Casimir chuckled quietly to himself. They weren’t allowing Ava to help with the river plan, making her save her magic and strength for Andras. She had been ordered to stay in the tent with her brother and wasn’t pleased about it.
A whistle in the distance. The signal.
Several hundred soldiers are on their way. Almost to the river,Aro said.Just daemons. No fae.
Casimir knew they wouldn’t send their entire army, but a small force to retaliate. A few hundred was larger than he’d expected, but they were prepared. It just meant they’d be able to kill more than they originally thought.
He waited, silent, the rest of his team hidden amongst the forest. His sharp hearing picked up the subtle splashes of their enemies crossing the river in the distance. Not as quiet as they believed they were.
Casimir waited until he could see the glint of black armorin the moonlight. Waited until they were just feet away. Almost there…
“Aro. It’s time.”
Casimir whistled and emerged from the shadows along with about a hundred of his own soldiers. Archers hidden in the trees took down the first group of daemons, their expressions frozen with surprise as they fell.
But they didn’t falter for long.
Seconds later Casimir threw himself into battle. A group of daemons charged forward. Raising a hand, he called on his astral magic, easier each time he allowed himself to use it. Manipulating the gravity around them, Casimir raised his enemies into the air, now suspended and unable to fight back.
Shouts and screams burst from their lips as they struggled to grasp their weapons. But before they could reach their blades, Raine stepped up beside Casimir.
“Nice trick,” he said with a wink.
With a flick of his wrist, Raine wrapped vines around the soldiers, pulling them forward and gutting them with his sword. One by one.
Sabriel and Aro joined, leaping into battle and ripping off limbs with ease. Growls mixed with screams, the animals mauling every enemy they came across. Thorne’s eagle, Skye, dove in from above, picking up one soldier in each taloned claw and ascending into the sky before dropping them to their deaths.
A daemon soldier raised his sword, lunging for Casimir. But he met him blow for blow, blocking each swipe. The enemy growled, black eyes swirling with violence.
Casimir’s blade cleaved the air. The enemy dodged. With a swipe, Casimir tried again, but his sword was knocked from his hand.
He rose a vine from the ground, wrapped it around the daemon’s own sword…and yanked. Darting forward, Casimir tried to take the weapon for himself, but another soldier thwarted his attempt and it ended up too far away to reach.
Aro lunged for that soldier, while Casimir focused on the first. Palming a dagger, he whipped it forward. The man avoided it, spinning around and jabbing a spiked elbow into Casimir’s side.
The metal pierced his flesh. Casimir shouted. The soldier attempted another attack, but Casimir rolled and grasped his ankle, burning him with starlight, leaving only a pile of ash behind.
