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That had been our one firm rule before we had asked for fighters. We refused to send ten-year-olds into battle, even if they did now have powers.
“We aren’t kids anymore. We’re sixteen. If you’re fighting, then we’re fighting by your side.” Cruz spoke and I saw the same stubbornness in his eyes that I often saw in Madden’s.
The two stared at each other for several minutes, neither backing down, until Madden’s mother walked up. She grabbed both twins’ hands in her own before turning her stare on Madden, a look that would have anyone folding.
“Your brothers have made their choice. And so have I. We will fight as a family and if it’s meant to be, we will die as a family. You don’t get to decide for us.” Her words were firm and I watched as Madden struggled, but eventually he sighed.
“Fine. But you’re out of your mind if you think any of you will die under my watch.”
All three rolled their eyes at him, waiting as I took down each of their names, before heading towards the group of Shifters. I knew Madden didn’t want his family risking their life, but I couldn’t deny that we needed as many Shifters and Drax as we could. We would be arming all the Ethos and Seers that volunteered, but the Shifters and Drax were our main physical weapon.
As more volunteers came, I spoke quietly to Wilder. “Can you handle this? I need to speak with Kalani.”
He simply nodded, continuing to speak to the couple in front of him, but I took that as my cue and went to search for my best friend. The past several days had been a whirlwind and with everything going on, we hadn’t had any time to ourselves. But now our time was running out and I needed to see her before morning came.
I found her at the back of the volunteer line, Maeve at her side. The two were whispering to each other, holding tight to each other’s arms. I wasn’t surprised to see them in line. I knew nothing would have stopped them from fighting.
Maeve was the first to spot me and she gave me a warm smile before whispering in Kalani’s ear. Kalani turned towards me, a somber smile on her face that matched my own.
“This better not be you coming to say your last goodbyes.” She warned, but I could hear the fear in her tone. The truth was, this could be our last goodbye.
“Just figured we deserved that friend time now.” I joked and both of them laughed.
Maeve nudged Kalani to go and together the two of us walked to the castle. Holding her hand in mine, I refused to let go, knowing this could be our last night together. She had been my first friend at Willow Grove. My first friend ever. And she had been there with me every step of the way, never faltering.
Walking into the castle, the two of us made our way towards the fireplace room, cuddling up on one of the couches. Neither of us spoke for a while, each just soaking up the other’s company. It was the true sign of friendship, comfortability in the silence. Finally, Kalani spoke up.
“Do you remember the first time you figured out an enchantment?” She questioned, and I thought back to the time. It felt like it had taken place years ago, when truly it had only been months.
However, no matter how many years truly passed, I would forever remember the moment. The joy in both of us when I spoke to her through our minds. Realizing that I truly could do anything as an Enchantress. That I had the power flowing through my veins.
“I couldn’t have done any of it without you, you know that right?” I told her, hoping she did.
“You could have. It just would have taken you way longer.” Kalani joked, causing both of us to break out in laughter.
Resting my head against her shoulder, I spoke quietly, hating that I had to put pressure on her for tomorrow.
“Willow told you how you have the blood of the Alpha, that you can control the Shifters?” I questioned.
Kalani sighed, resting her head atop mine. “She did. I know that tomorrow I’ll have to use that power. Try to get the other Shifters on our side.”
“Are you okay with that? You’ll be in the middle of the battle. I don’t want that for you. You have a family waiting for you, Maeve ready to grow old with you.”
The thought of that future being torn from her broke my heart. I knew how it felt to lose Kalani. I didn’t know if I would survive if she was truly gone this time around.
“You have all of that waiting for you too. Maeve and I are your family and you have four guys waiting to grow old with you. But this is how it was meant to work out, yeah? The reason me and you found each other.”
“And what reason is that?” I wondered.
“To be side by side in battle. Never alone again.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Madden
After several hours of signing up volunteers to fight and sending them to their group for more information, we were finally done. Altogether, we had one hundred and sixty-three Divines willing to fight the Dark Divines and Willow. They were all idiots if you asked me, but then again so were we. Shit, we had been the first four willing to put our lives on the line.
I was still trying to figure out a way to prevent Hayes and Cruz from joining the fight, but with Mom on their side, I knew I didn’t have a say in the matter. If people thought I was scary, they had never met the woman who raised me. She could strike fear into even the strongest Divine.
