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“We understand the risk,” Tall One intoned. “We will stay.”
The final words were masked by a hard snap, and the craft jerked forward, no longer supported by the restraining branch. Its occupants launched themselves out of the compromised vehicle as a large plume of smoke rose in the air.
The soldier closest to us fell ten feet, landing on their haunches. Olympia bent low to inspect them, and although she tried to hide the shaking fingers and temporary fatigue from the overexertion of her powers, I saw it all.
“There were more of us,” the soldier said. “We were a unit of ten crafts. The others turned back when they saw Almanera’s fire launchers.”
“Turned back?” I questioned.
“They are recalibrating,” Tall One supplied. “Finding another way in. A safer way.”
I nodded. “Can you communicate with them—”
Darkness descended rapidly, and for a moment, I believed the sun had set sooner than expected.
“Zoei.”
Olympia’s rendition of my name held an unfamiliar note:fear.
I turned to see what had caught her attention, and found myself staring at the devil himself. Up on a hill, about a hundred feet away, Almanera and his Alphas stood with their backs to the west, blocking out the sun before it could bless us with its much-needed light.
Olympia reacted first. She dropped to the ground, placing her hands flat on the forest floor. I’d never seen her magic work so quickly. The ground rumbled, gasps from the soldiers rose in the air as they fought to keep their balance.
Olympia panted and heaved—noises of struggle I’d never heard from her before.
The forest floor shot up like a wave, throwing Almanera and his men several feet in the air. We watched them fly, armor and all, and land heavily back on the ground.
“Run,” Olympia yelled, her voice breaking with effort as she rose to her feet unsteadily. “Run!”
But I had a different plan.
Flames flared to life in my palms.
“Stand back,” I warned Olly. “I’m going to fry this bastard.”
The scent of arcane magic rose in the air, and I realized my soldiers had brought their powers to the surface as well.
“Goddess.” Olly cursed under her breath. “There are over thirty of them, and eight of us! We should wait until your soldiers return to launch any kind of attack.”
I loosened the muscles on my shoulders, feeling a satisfying crack. “We have the element of surprise now, Olly. Step away from the line of fire—I insist.”
I raised a palm in the air, gathering the soldiers’ attention. “On my command. Fan out.”
From the corner of my eye, I sensed Olly take one step back, then another, until I couldn’t see her anymore.
The first fire swirl set alight a patch of grass, garnering shouts from Almanera’s men.
Good.
While the flames didn’t inspire panic, it would push them off-center from their confident perch. I imagined that their egos flew high from slaying every Agnivale soldier in their path and putting them on display for others to see.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had attacked with glee instead of remorse.
Agnivale had protected the borderlands for centuries—nourishing it with resources and education. This was certainly an ungrateful turn of events.
Flames flew over my head—blue, green and pink traveling with mesmerizing speed. Between my cupped palms, a large fireball expanded, fueled by anger and pain.
The soldiers at my side were not from the royal guard, but they were talented. They would have not been my first choice in a battle against a determined lunatic, but they impressed me with their strength.
