Page 49 of What Courses Through Her Blood
“Of course, I got everything I wanted and then some,” Dorian confirms with a nod.
“The men are ready, we are fully stocked, and everyone is in a good headspace. Honestly, this is the best time for us to act. Samael won’t be expecting it. We’ve given him no reason to suspect we would go on the offensive.”
Bim concurs with a firm nod, his expression resolute.
“We attack tonight,” I declare.
After several more hours ofintense deliberation, we finalize our course of action. We decide to launch a three-pronged attack: one group will target each of the military camps in Tempest Moon, and a third will strike directly at the castle itself.
Colton will harness our father’s magic, leveraging his unique ability to create multiple illusions of himself. This will allow us to position a Colton in each group, ensuring seamless communication across the battlefield. The real Colton will be able to see and speak through his illusions, coordinating our movements and strategies in real time.
We will all channel to the Lamia Realm together, where Drew will then distribute her fighters among our three groups. Each group will be accompanied by Fae who will channel the Lamias to their respective locations.
Channeling is one of our greatest assets in this war, though it comes with limitations—the Fae cannot channel to locations they have never visited, necessitating a strategic approach to deployment. We must coordinate meticulously, moving in waves to ensure every fighter is properly positioned.
I will take command of the first group, with Bim and Dorian leading the second, and Colton alongside Drewheading the third. Our plan is to initiate the attack just after midnight. If all proceeds as intended, we anticipate declaring victory by mid-morning.
“It’s all decided then,” I declare with finality. “Bim, notify the men to prepare for battle. Dorian, ensure all ranking officers are briefed on the plan. I’ve already informed Flora of my intentions, and she’s coordinating with Twig to hold things down until we return. I’ve kept this from the elders and everyone else. The element of surprise is crucial.”
I stride over to the shelf, grabbing the decanter and pouring each of us a glass. As I distribute them, the weight of the coming battle settles over us. I raise my glass.
“To Eguina and to restoring the balance,” I proclaim, the irony of what I’ve learned about Lyra from my father’s journals momentarily surfacing in my mind.
“To killing that bastard Samael,” Colton adds.
“To all my life’s work finally paying off in the face of battle,” Dorian chimes in, his anticipation palpable.
“To peace,” Bim interjects, lifting his glass higher.
All eyes then turn to Drew, the last to speak. She smiles—a rare expression that lightens the tense atmosphere. “To none of you fools getting yourselves killed,” she says wryly.
We all down our glasses in unison, the sharp clink of glass echoing our resolve. Without another word, we split to don our armor and gather our weapons, ready to converge outside the tent in thirty minutes, united for the impending assault.
Chapter 24
Colton
Cladin my cuirass and armed with my favorite weapons, I feel a surge of eagerness rather than the usual pre-battle anxiety. We’ve divided into our three groups in the Lamia Realm. Drew and I lead about a hundred fighters, including roughly twenty Lamia besides Drew.
Although I often train with Lyra, it feels unusual to head into battle with so many women. Nighthold’s armies rarely include Fae women, despite having many powerful female Fae. Tonight, only six are in my group.
Utilizing my magic, I cast two identical illusions of myself, sending them to join the other groups. With that task off my mind, I focus solely on the team I’m leading. We are tasked with assaulting the camp furthest from the castle. Nyx, naturally, has chosen the castle for his own team. While we target the camp near the Lycan Realm, I can still tap into what’s happening at the other locations, and I’m ready to channel directly to Samael if needed.
Clearing my throat, I address my fellow fighters. “Tonight, we battle Sorcerers, and it’s crucialto remember the stark differences between their magic and ours. Sorcerers cannot cast through mere gestures or sheer force of will like we can. They rely heavily on spells that require more time to cast, giving us a tactical advantage.
“We attack under the cover of nightfall because powerful Sorcerer spells necessitate whispered incantations, often causing their lips to glow. If you see anything glowing tonight, move quickly out of the way and prepare to defend yourself.” I see a collection of affirming nods.
“When we land outside the camp, we’ll split into smaller squads to encircle it before methodically advancing toward the center. Eliminate anyone you encounter,” I instruct, scanning the faces of my team for understanding.
I glance over at Drew to see if she has anything to add. With a quick wink, she signals her approval.
Turning back to the group, I announce, “We channel on my mark.”
Drew and I are the first to arrive, pausing in the cover of the tree line as the rest of our group assembles behind us. It’s shortly after midnight, and a warm summer breeze whispers through the trees, carrying the fresh scent of pine. I breathe it in, savoring the sweet aroma, fully aware it will soon be overpowered by the acrid stench of death and destruction.
The enemy camp lies ahead, shrouded in a deceptive calm. A small handful of guards are gathered around a fire, their laughter and the soft shuffle of cards punctuating the quiet night. Unbeknownst to them, their tranquil evening is about to be engulfed in flames—quite literally.
With a subtle gesture, I signal my group to fan out and encircle the camp. The disciplined silence of my team is palpable as they stealthily position themselves, knowing not to engage until they receive my command. I take a moment toanchor myself in the stillness, listening to the distant murmur of the river and the crackle of the fire.
