Page 258 of The Lands Defying
“Do we have enough people for that, are we even ready for an attack on the castle?”
“You will be,” a voice says suddenly, and we turn to see Belldame strolling toward us, witches in tow who are bloodied and bruised.
Rhea gasps rushing over to her. “What happened?!”
I don’t even question how the witch got into Eridian through our barrier as I look over the bloodied witches.
“The Highers attacked, our home is overrun by all manner of beasts,” she gasps, teetering to the side and Rhea grabs her, holding her steady. “Janelle…She was killed instantly, along with her husband.”
The Highers managed to finally enter Witches Rest? Anger rises to the surface and Drax growls within me.
This is bad.
Anna comes bounding over, rushing to her. “Grandmother!” she looks her over, checking for injury as Belldame reassures her. “How did this happen?!” she asks, and I don’t see a hint of grief on her face about her sister.
“That is what I would like to know,” I say, folding my arms.
“There are far too many, I couldn’t hold the barrier,” she says, breathing heavily as Anna helps her sit on one of the benches in the gathering, lowering her carefully.
“Many what?” Rhea asks.
“Of beasts and other witches. We were deceived by one of our own. They guided them through the mist and it was already too late by the time we realized. We lost so many…” I look at the witches and children, some lost in what must be horrifying memories.
“Leo, grab supplies and water,”I say down the link, and he goes off with Damian to do so.
If they have managed to get inside Witches Rest…
Belldame starts coughing, the sound deep and I know her lungs are full of liquid. “Grandmother!” Anna says, her hands instantly at her ribs as she closes her eyes and concentrates.
Edward sits beside her, hand on Belldame’s shoulder as the old witch gives him a small smile, but suddenly, blood is coming out of her mouth as Anna moves her hands up her sternum.
“Sorry, Grandmother, we need to get it out.” The witch nods, still choking and coughing up blood as Edward steadies her.
Rhea watches on, her face pale, but as she turns to me her eyes are full of fury.
I know that look. It is one of a warrior ready for battle, ready to kill those who hurt her family.
I nod.
Ready or not, we are attacking Wolvorn Castle, and many will die from both sides.
I know it.
She knows it.
We all know it.
War does not come without sacrifices, and as I told her before, war is death.
“We will gather everyone over the next week or so to select their role if they are joining the cause,” I tell the others and they nod.
“I want…I want them all dead for what they have done to our home,” Belldame chokes out.
Rhea nods. “We will kill them all.”
“I am going to be fighting, right?” Kade asks as he swings at me and I side-step, dodging his fist and jabbing him in his kidney.
“No,” I tell him, and he stops. That’s a mistake. I jab at his shoulder, knocking him back and then I go for his legs, taking them out from under him.
