Page 134 of Sidhe
“I will not leave your side, Nathan,” Walter announced.
Nathan turned to his Spirit Guide with a wide smile. “I know, man. You’re staying with me at the front of the line.
“Jim,” Nathan looked to his brother, “best place for you is with Aloysha’s group. If things get crazy, you can use your powers to guide them. Aloysha already knows I want you to do that, much as he hates it, so don’t worry about stepping on toes. They’re the first group Malak’s army will reach and…I’m pretty sure we’re going to have some trouble with Solrin stealing our soldiers. You up for that?”
It was easy to forget about Solrin, the lone human amongst Malak’s army,leadingthem, but recognition filled Jim’s face. “I…I’ll try. I mean, of course I’ll do what I can, Nate, but he might be stronger than me.”
“Then I guess you’re gonna have to step up then, aren’t ya?” Nathan grinned and smacked his brother on the shoulder, waiting for the inevitable smile that Jim could not stop himself from offering. “Good. The other fae I asked to be backup for Aloysha’s group are probably already there, and Oberon will join you as well. Shiarra is going to be joining Gwen’s group in the middle.”
Finally and worst of all, because Nathan knew this wasn’t going to be easy, he turned to Sasha. “Last is you, baby.”
Sasha’s eyes widened. “What? Nathan, no. I’m staying with you,” the redhead said as if that settled it and there was no room for argument.
Only Nathan had to argue, because he needed all of the groups solid, and that meant he needed Sasha with the last of them. “You’re helping Gwen and the fae with Shiarra. Please,” he said before Sasha could protest again, “I need you to do this. Four groups if you count those in the Gatehouse separately. Four horsemen. Four leaders.”
“Gwen’sthe leader, not me,” Sasha countered.
“Yeah, and technically it’s Aloysha not Jim, and me not Walter, but I need you guys there too. You’re the ones I trust most to help where others can’t. Gwen was practically giddy with the thought of getting you as her right hand. You wouldn’t want to disappoint her,” Nathan finished with as warm a smile as he could muster, considering he could still feel the approach of Malak deep in his soul, warning him that time was very short.
“I don’t want to leave you,” Sasha said as if the mere thought wounded him, “I can’t. Iwon’t. Not if it’s the last time…I…” and then Sasha trailed because that wasn’t a thought he could finish.He looked away, flushing as if just then feeling the many eyes on them.
If Nathan thought it was the best route then he would have Jim and Sasha at his side in a heartbeat, but it wasn’t the best or the smartest. Even if he wanted to give in, say, ‘okay, baby, stay with me, stay by me through all of it,’ he couldn’t.
He had to be a leader. And leaders didn’t always get what they wanted.
“I need you to do this, Sasha.” Nathan dropped his forced smile, wanting to reach for Sasha but needing to be strong. “This is important. This is how it has to be. I’m pretty sure things are gonna get nuts fast, and then who knows who will end up where anyway. I’m counting on you guys,” he turned from Sasha to Walter and Jim, “to decide if and when the horsemen need to switch groups or whatever else. We only get to use each of your powers once, and that has to count.” He looked to Alex as well, watching from the Gatehouse doors.
At last he looked again to Sasha. To his relief, Sasha gave a tight nod, much as his agony over being separated from Nathan showed clearly on his face.
Nathan couldn’t let Sasha pull him in for a final kiss or embrace this time, not today. He wouldn’t be able to think of anything else if he allowed that. So he turned away, grabbing up weapons for himself and heading to the tallest point on the lawn to watch the fields. There were shadows in the distance, visible even with the land still covered in darkness, illuminated only by the lights from the Gatehouse thanks to Serileth’s return, and various other fae lighting up the fields. The soldiers further out began to scatter and create a defensive line.
It was starting.
Jim
“SoItakeitthe term ‘horsemen’ is a relative thing,” Cam said to Jim as they neared the front lines.
Jim smiled. “We thought it might be a bit too tacky on horseback.”
It was an amazing thing, being able to laugh in the middle of the apocalypse, but somehow they managed.
“I’ll bet,” Cam said, but it was about that time that the others around them, many of whom were still in human form, began calling out in warning. The dark fae were coming in fast.
Jim and Cam reached the twins just as Oberon joined them. He was still in his human form as well, but he seemed to glow, emanating light that was almost too brilliant to look at in his armor. And yet he wasn’t the leader in this camp. That right fell to Aloysha, who stood at the front with the others from the High Council as if Oberon were merely another soldier in their ranks.
“We have no time,” Aloysha called out to Jim. “Your presence is welcome, Changeling, but do not get in our way. As one of these supposed horsemen, use your weapon well, but save its true power for the moment when there is no doubt in your mind that it is the right time.”
Aloysha was already transformed, with so many bright shades of green, his horns impressive, his wings massive around him.
Jim nodded in understanding.
Calling the transformation of the rest of the incubi and succubae extraordinary was a vast understatement. It happened so fast, the remaining members of the High Council being thecatalyst that was quickly followed by all the others—and there were so many.
“They arebeautiful, aren’t they?” Oberon said, a near whisper clearly meant for Jim as the only other amongst them besides a few fae throughout the camp who wasn’t currently sporting leathery wings. Oberon’s expression was one of deep regret, and Jim remembered how the light fae had shunned Sasha’s people in the beginning, forcing them to create their own kingdom when they might have gladly lived together.
Today, if they won the war, that could all change, and a new age for the Veil could be ushered in, not just the saving of mankind. It was more than enough to fight for.
“They’re here!” someone shouted.
