Page 99 of Dream Reaper

Ava clenched her fists before opening her palms and pressing them against her thighs. She needed to think of some way to convince Jerrid and Dragon to do this—to do something! Sitting around arguing only gave the shadow more time to regroup and plan its next attack.

It was growing stronger, attacking outside of nightmares.

It was no longer a voice in their dreams.

The next time Jerrid paced in her direction, she stepped forward to intercept him. Holding her breath, she reached for his hand and clutched it tightly. He stared down at their clasped hands for a long moment before shifting his attention to her face, a question in his eyes.

“We need to do something,” she whispered, the words scraping out of her mouth. “We don’t have a choice. We won’t survive much longer if we don’t have help.”

He winced, his eyes flicking closed briefly. “But we can’t leave you and the girls here unprotected. And giving more power to Talos is an absolute no.”

“I won’t be unprotected,” Ava told him. “Echo is here. And Brynja. She’s quite ferocious now, isn’t she?”

Don’t forget Roar, Dragon said dryly. He’s a real scrapper, that one.

“Besides, it’s almost dawn,” Ava reminded them. “I don’t think the shadow is as strong in the light. It always attacked Haryk at nighttime. And it’s been the same with us, hasn’t it? So if you leave immediately⁠—”

“It’s a two-day flight, Ava.”

The words washed over her, icy with cold.

She licked her lips. “We’ll take refuge in the ruins. Stay as far away from the woods as we can. Hole up until you get back.”

We should bring Talos with us. Hand him over to his people.

A part of Ava thrilled to hear him discussing her plan as if it were a possibility, but she didn’t like the idea of them being alone with Talos. “He’ll add extra weight. It would take longer.”

Jerrid shot her a knowing look but didn’t respond. He just stood there, letting her clasp his hand.

Very well. We’ll hand him over when the prince arrives. Then he won’t be our problem anymore⁠—

“What happened?” an angry voice bellowed through the camp.

They spun, still holding hands, as Brynja stalked toward them.

“Finnr said there was another attack?”

Ava breathed a ragged sigh as the human girl came up to them. “Yes, and I think Jerrid should go for help. He can fly to Eroth and bring back the one person who has fought this thing and lived to tell the tale.”

Brynja raked her with a suspicious look. “You want to send to Eroth for help? Are you crazy? I cannot allow that⁠—”

“You don’t have a choice,” Ava interrupted. “If you try to handle this on your own, that thing is going to pick off the girls one by one until no one is left. I need you to trust me. Things are changing in Eroth. Prince Haryk is changing things. He hates the treaty. I’ve heard him say it.”

The human girl’s jaw tightened, and something akin to panic sparked in her eyes. Ava understood the pressure she was under. It was her job to protect the girls in this camp, and she didn’t take it lightly.

Ava settled a hand on the girl’s forearm. “Brynja. Please. We can trust him.”

“I don’t know him,” the girl said stiffly, avoiding Ava’s gaze. “I can’t trust him.”

The flicker of hope that had begun to take life in Ava’s chest fizzled into smoke. “Things will never improve if we don’t try to work together. You and me. Our people. Our kingdoms.”

“We can’t control what kings decree,” Jerrid said, clearing his throat before continuing, “but we can control what we ourselves choose to do. I have chosen to trust Ava. She fought Talos to help protect the camp, and she drove back the shadow. She has earned a voice here.”

It’s about time. In case it isn’t obvious, I trust you, too, Meat Pasty.

Jerrid turned to Ava, darkness and fire swirling in his gaze. “I’m going to Eroth for help.”

Tears pricked behind her eyes, but Ava blinked them back. Now wasn’t the time to show weakness or uncertainty. They had decided their path, and now they needed to each do their part.