“What do we do?” Ava asked.
Casimir stopped before her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I know this wasn’t the plan. But can you make a portal to send her back now?”
Ava shook her head, drained and helpless. “Not enough magic left.”
“She wasn’t supposed to be here,” Maeryn muttered.
“We can’t leave her there,” Casimir said. “Though she cannot be killed, we may still be able to drive her away. She’s alone with no help.”
“What, we just attack and make her run?” Raine asked.
Casimir turned to Ava. “Do you have enough magic to make a basic portal to get us away quickly if we need to? One that’ll only stay open briefly?”
“Yes.”
“Alright then. Ava, trap her in a flower. We’ll reinforce it with vines. Maeryn, you and I will burn it. Hopefully, it will be enough to injure or scare her away. If at any point we’re in over our heads, we escape through a portal back to the castle entrance.”
Ava took a breath. “I’m only going to leave it open for about five seconds so you have to get through it in time. We all need to be standing close.”
They approached the looming ebony fortress, entering an arched doorway. Keeping their steps light, they crept down a short hallway, the black walls lit by the glow of iron torches.
It didn’t take long before they heard the daemon queen cursing to herself in frustration, her volatile temper on display.
Casimir signaled for them to halt with a raised fist. Ava pressed her back against the wall, listening to the queen muttering in the room around the corner. The four of them remained silent, preparing to begin their plan.
Casimir squeezed her hand, indicating it was time. Ava took a step away from the wall, about to round the corner, when another voice spoke.
“My queen. I must ask you to calm down.”
Andras.
Ava’s blood ran cold. Her friends’ eyes were wide with fear and confusion, all of them listening to the daemon queen and her consort.
“Calm down?” Deidamia shrieked. “You lied to me. Manipulated me. Everything you promised is ruined!”
Ava furrowed her brow. Promised?
“Yousoughtmeout. Came to my realm in search of my armies. Promised we would rule together. Promised I could lead and you would remain at my side. We’re losing this kingdom. This shouldn’t have happened!”
Ava’s wide eyes met the others, dread settling over her like a heavy blanket. Raine mouthed ‘what the fuck?’
Maeryn motioned for them to follow, leading them to an open door. It was an observation room, a wide window providing a view into the large space where their enemies were speaking.
“They can’t see through the glass, but we can see out,” Maeryn whispered so low Ava almost couldn’t hear her.
It was like a two-way mirror. Perhaps for the king or queen to watch the smiths without being noticed or disturbed. Deidamia paced back and forth while Andras stood unbothered, his hands in his pockets, face a mask of calm.
“It seems like your commander wasn’t strong enough to fight off the fae. Igneothenia belongs to them again. At least for now,” Andras said with boredom.
“No,” she seethed. “I’m done. I’ve let you put my creatures through experiments. Let you usemyarmy. For what? Power? Vengeance? Because your brethren trapped and punished you?”
Ava’s heart raced, pounding so loud she heard it in her ears. What in the world were they talking about? Deidamia brought Andras with her from their daemon realm. He came with her. That’s the story they knew.
But something wasn’t right.
Ava glanced at her friends again, their expressions as confused as she felt. And it felt dangerous. Like they were missing a giant piece of the puzzle. What was it Andras had said when he’d had a hold of her back in Oakshire? Something about him being ancient and eternal…
Ava clenched her fist, trying to ignore the increasing trepidation clawing its way into her gut.
