Page 40 of Of War and Realms

We command the sorids forward, weaving through the city at an impressive speed. As we pass Anloria’s gates, I can’t help but wonder if that was the last time I will ever see my home.

The heat from the sun’s embrace withers away as the star descends along the horizon. A bone-chilling breeze takes its place, settling in the depths of my core. I am standing at the head of our army, as I insisted I be the one to speak to Andras. He’s here because of me, and I would much rather not fight hundreds, if not thousands, of demons. Maybe I can talk him down and find another solution to this.

I huff a breath, casting my eyes toward the darkening sky. There will be no talking him down. The male is self-serving and delusional.

Although…he did claim to love me at one time. Maybe I can use that to get close enough to him where I’ll be able to end his life. It’s quite an unrealistic hope, but I will do anything to keep my bonds safe. Even beg on my knees for Andras to reconsider.

I have no shame in ensuring their safety.

Every muscle in my body stiffens as a prickling sensation slithers up my spine at the most horrifying noise I have ever heard.

Screeching. Clicking—so much clicking.

The only sound for miles was the clicking that left its throat.

I suddenly wish I could jump into Ivy’s journal and tell her that she was wrong. The clicking is only one of two sounds that can be heard for miles. The other is the unnaturally rapid thumping of my heart, pumping what feels like gallons of blood through my head all at once. My vision falters, my organs trading places with my bones as I lose function of my limbs and the ability to speak. I do not think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire fucking life.

The blood-curdling sounds increase, effectively silencing the thousands standing behind me. It takes everything in me to be still and portray the confidence that I no longer have. I raise my chin and steel my gaze to the forest across the large field we’ve chosen. The sun departs quicker than normal, almost as if it does not wish to witness the things about to happen here.

Lucky bastard.

Air struggles to reach my lungs when I catch movement ahead. Every drop of blood evades my body just as things enter the field. Ten feet doesn’t seem that tall in theory, but these creatures could rival entire buildings. I immediately call to my essence and throw a wall in front of our people, no longer caring if the depleted magic harms me later on. Maintaining something of this magnitude will drain me quickly, but I cannot seem to let it go.

I take in the demons, knowing I will need to face the truth of this eventually. Ivy’s journal was not so far off…black, leathery skin. Three claws where their hands would be, jutting out of their skin so far they nearly touch the ground. The last of the light catches on them, highlighting just how sharp each one is. More clicking. My eyes snap to one’s face, its mouth opening to…talk? Thick, incredibly sharp teeth jut from the mouth that seems to take up half its face. It leans forward, curling out a leathery tongue as it screeches so loudly I nearly cover my ears. Empty holes rest above its lip-less mouth, no eyes to be seen. Though I’m unsure of what that means?

Do their eyes just have a film, darkening the color? Do they actually not have eyes and instead use their other senses to see? And the way they lean forward when they screech…is that how they gather visuals? The same way some creatures on earth do, by utilizing sound waves reflected back to them?

Their bodies are thin, but seemingly impenetrable. It almost looks like they’re wearing armor with the way their skin thickens over their torso. I assume that will not be the way to kill them. Beheading them would surely work, though getting high enough to even attempt slicing through their gangly necks is going to be extremely difficult.

All my instincts scream at me to run. To turn around, grab my bonds, and abandon the rest to this impossible fight. I want to listen.

“Anellah, my sweet!” Andras’s grating voice cuts through my panicked internal war. “So kind of you to bring the rest of the gods along. It makes things much easier for me.” He laughs, mimicked only by Dominik, who also seems to be the only fae not under Andras’s influence.

I’m relieved that I instructed the entire army to try to incapacitate the fae instead of kill them. Most of them have no choice and do not deserve to die in a war they were quite literally dragged into.

I gesture to the entourage the ex-god brought, smirking. “All this for me, Andras? It’s a little pathetic, don’t you think?” Even from across the field, I watch his eyes darken and jaw clench as he visibly struggles to hold in his anger.

“And what is it you consider pathetic? These beings that I harvested from an unheard of realm?”

I hold the smirk, raising an eyebrow at him. “No,” I mutter, my voice sickeningly sweet. “What’s pathetic is that you brought an entire army here just because I didn’t want to fuck you. Did I really hurt your ego that much?” He growls, stepping forward before Dominik grabs his arm and yanks him back, speaking low in his ear.

“Enough, Nell! We are not here to bicker!” Andras’s fanboy yells, glaring at me with untamed fury. I open my mouth to retort and buy us more time to observe the demons, but the way he said my name stops me cold. I rear back, quickly searching my head for why that sounds so familiar…

“Nell, are you awake, sweetie?”

“Does that feel good, Nell?”

No fucking way. This has to be a joke. Because there is no chance that male was the foster father Imogen planted in my head. No. I don’t believe it.

I killed him. I shoved him down the stairs so he could never touch me again. He can’t be here.

“Nell,” someone whispers, and I jolt. I tense my muscles to lessen their trembling. My eyes find the two males across from me, narrowing as they smile delightfully.

“Déjà vu, my sweet?” There’s a laugh to Andras’s words, as if he’s been waiting a long time to let me in on this little secret. I swallow thickly, forcing the disgusting memories from my head. I need to focus.

But that doesn’t stop me from searching for the witch who did that to me in the first place. I survey those I can see, my brows furrowing when Imogen is not among them.

The horrid male must see the question in my eyes. “Ah, yes. Imogen will not be joining our little gathering tonight. Or any night,” he mutters on a laugh, like he’s sharing a joke with himself. “She was a necessary sacrifice for them.” He waves a hand to the demons, looking bored.

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