Page 74 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
ELIAS
The second compoundon the map took us deep into the Arizona woods. It was colder here, the wind slicing into my flesh without reprieve. For the first time, I wished I had worn a long-sleeved shirt rather than the short-sleeved one that tugged around my chest and upper arms. I reached for the blankets stored in my inner pocket of magic, which I had specifically kept for Teddy, and distributed them to each warrior. Only Koa refused one, saying he didn’t feel the cold.
Begrudgingly, I gave Sebastian the last blanket, also tossing a cap I’d made for Javier while he wore the gloves I’d given him at our first encounter. Even with his wrists tied and mouth gagged, I kept a watchful eye on him. While I knew he couldn’t be trusted, I needed him here to guide us to the underground bunkers that imprisoned my fae.
With Koa as the only lirio with us, we had to be careful that the guards standing watch on the platforms within the compound walls didn’t spot us. This smaller and busier compound boasted a larger number of soldiers and moreweapons. While scouting the area, we’d found a few men and women engaging in target practice outside their walls.
I’d been tempted to kill them, especially when I’d heard their carefree laugh, but reason kept me from doing so. Just as we’d had the element of surprise on our first raid, we needed that same advantage when we stormed through these walls.
For now, our only plan of action was to wait. Once the people within the compound had settled for the night, we’d breatheEnfiernaon them. But even the fires from hell wouldn’t be enough to quench this hunger. I hoped that by waiting, fewer civilians and young would die this time. Near midnight, the murmurs within the walls started to die.
Without any fires to warm us, Brenton kept Everly and Finley huddled close to him. After several long beats, he’d trail his smoke magic around them and the other warriors to ward off some of the cold.
With the freezing temperature, I figured there wouldn’t be any live animals and hadn’t bothered hunting. We instead ate whatever we’d brought with us from Niev. When I went to take a drink from my jug of water, I lifted it toward Brenton, silently asking him to melt the frozen liquid again. At his initial attempt, his magic stuttered before he forced more energy into it so that my water began to melt.
We hadn’t even started our attack, and his magic was already draining. With the lirio and nyxx absent, our pitiful army was even smaller. I fisted my hands, damning myself for not bringing more.
We could return to prepare ourselves better for the environment while bringing in more warriors to aid us. Not for the first time, I wished Alastor were here to talk this through.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Everly’s or Brenton’s opinions,but simply that I’d come to rely on Alastor and his instincts and wisdom, just as I once had Nalari.
Vith,I’d made a mess of things.
Koa moved noiselessly, his large footsteps never crunching on the snow. He scanned the area before he sat beside me. Much taller than me, his head was still several inches higher than mine. He leaned forward, resting a trunk-like arm on his knee.
“Alastor’s been trying to reach us,” Koa whispered. “He was only able to do so now.”
I sat upright, sensing when Brenton did the same. “What’s wrong?”
“Your mate and younglings are fine,” he said, still whispering.
Brenton moved beside us, his breaths filling the space with little billows of white smoke.
“Alastor said a group of twenty-two humans attacked your home with Teddy in it. She’s fine,” Koa repeated quickly. “Alastor and two lirio killed the humans surrounding the house while Teddy and Kieren took care of the two who’d made it inside.”
I wasn’t sure when I stood or started pacing, but I stopped to peer up at Koa’s standing figure. I raked a hand across my chilled face, desperate for a breath I couldn’t catch.
“Alastor and George are staying in the house with Teddy and the younglings,” he continued. “She has thirty lirio protecting her in the woods surrounding your home.”
Vith.
I spun, panic coursing through me so quickly I couldn’t form a thought. Brenton gripped my shoulders and shook me. I blinked back at one of my best friends, still unable to think clearly.
“She’s safe.” He slapped the back of my neck, leaving a smart sting to snap me out of my stupor.
“I need to get back to her,” I said.
Brenton nodded, and when I blinked again, Everly stood beside him, worry etched on every line of her face. Brenton turned to face Koa.
“You should go back with him,” Brenton said, his words low. “You’re only here for Teddy anyway.”
Koa tilted his head. “She’d be just as upset if her brother died.”
Brenton crossed his arms. “And I’d feel more comfortable if a lirio I trusted was guarding her woods.”
Koa considered Brenton’s words. “Every lirio guarding her woods cares for Teddy. Each can be trusted to protect her. I’ll stay to help you bring your people home.” He pursed his lips, and an eerie whistle filtered through the air.
While the hair on my arms rose, the guards on the platforms didn’t seem to notice. A lirio stepped from between two tall trees.
