I slipped the guards over my arms, unhooking the chains on my bond bracelet so I could hook the arm guards over my thumb. Emmanuel showed me how to pull the laces snug and latch them into place near the elbow. Matt reconnected the chains on the bracelet. It was partly hidden by the Wyvern hide until he undid it and fastened it over top instead.
“This last piece can be left off or worn depending on what kind of battle you are going into,” the Centaur said, showing me the pieces that slipped over my head, and hung over my shoulders and upper arms. The scales were larger and heavier, more deep blue than black.
Matt whistled. “Angel, you look awesome.”
“I feel like I could take on the world,” I admitted, and looked up at the Centaur. “Thank you, Emmanuel.”
He beamed down at me. “The mate of a Dragon must look the part,” he stated.
“Are you part of this effort?” I asked.
He glanced toward the academy. “I belong to a small band of mercenaries that have fought alongside my Dragon brothers from time to time. But we have not been invited to this party.” He shrugged. “Between the Liberi Elder council and the Dragon Empire, there is enough arrogance to conquer the realms, I figure. They will not ask for help from the likes of me and mine.”
I regarded him with incredulity. Mari summed it up well. “Then they are indeed foolish.”
Emmanuel shrugged again. “They run this show. And they know where to find me.” He bowed to us, and turned to trot toward the gate.
Matt was also confused. “Who the hell wouldn’t want a group of those blokes on their side?”
My stomach was in knots. But once again, it was Mari who summed things up. “I wish I could say I had a good feeling about this.” Her heavy brows dropped. “But I don’t.”
Hate to say it, Angel,Matt sent along the link.But I gotta agree with her.
Yeah,I admitted.I do too.
* * *
We sat on the bench by the lake as the strike force filed out through the gate.
The afternoon light slanted across the waiting army. The Liberi Elders had gone through first. I doubted they were going anywhere but home, and I tried not to resent that. They were not warriors, but their influence no doubt dictated how the battle would unfold.
Cody mingled with a group of Sabres and Dires. Still in human form, they talked easily among themselves as they lined up for their turn through the gate. Off to one side, a cluster of other Watchers joined Bess and Cara. Near them, Bellatis stood in orderly rows. They wore the grim, set looks of warriors headed for battle.
The Dragons did not require the Watchers to take them through. Cara approached us.
“You look ready for action,” she assessed, her gaze questioning.
“Emmanuel brought me my armor.” I held up my arm. “It’s beautiful.” I gestured to the activity in the meadow. “Will you have enough resources to take down Galeran?”
“I could only answer that if we knew what Galeran would bring against us. He is not without resources himself, nor is he afraid to use them.”
“The Dragons alone should be able to handle him,” Matt stated.
Cara shot him a look. “Galeran brought the Torshin on board because he had access to the parasites that his father used against the Dragon Legion. We are hoping he does not have that weapon with him to attack these towns, but he might. And if he does, it will effectively neutralize the Dragons as beasts. Even fighting on the ground will be risky.”
“I heard about the parasites.” Mari’s brows lowered. “It decimated them.”
“Yes,” Cara said. “It did. And Ash has indicated it might be an issue for this battle. But Galeran won’t have as effective an answer against our Bellatis. So we should have the resources to carry the day.” She rubbed her temple. “We are using the closest permanent gate, but it is in a town hours away. Not a big deal for the Dragons, and they are carrying the Sabres to the goal. We will be sending our Bellatis through Isobel’s gate once she brings her own through.”
I noted theshouldin her statement. “You can do that? Grab hold of her gate?”
“It’s tricky,” the Watcher admitted. “But we can do it. If the Bellatis are there ahead of time, she’ll sense them. So it is the only way.”
Matt’s eyes gleamed. “So then you’ll hold the gate to keep them from escaping?”
“That’s the plan,” Cara stated. “Although if Galeran doesn’t have the parasites, the Dragons can attack as beasts. And we may not need the Bellatis.” She gestured to us. “Come with me,” she said. “I have a job for the three of you, an important one.” The Watcher glanced down at Trix. “I mean, the four of you.”
As we pushed through the front doors, Matt asked, “So what do you have in mind for us if you don’t want us to fight?”
