Matt’s uneasiness flooded down the link, but he didn’t say anything. I met Nikolai’s silver gaze, watching as the black skidded across it.
And I nodded.
52
Anna
We gathered in a clearing beneath a setting sun and waited.
It was destroying me, this last bit of patience before our plan launched. But it took time to pull all the pieces together. So Mari watched me as I paced beneath trees that had odd, flattened needles for leaves. I was being eyed by furry, winged critters hanging within them.
Mari glanced up at them. “If you attract any more, that branch is going to break.”
I sighed, my eyes sliding to Emmanuel. The big Centaur was an essential participant in this. His market wagon was rumbling its way here as we spoke, and it would be our ticket into Galeran’s hideout.
Along with Lucas and Maddy’s crew, Emmanuel would be part of our insertion squad, but he currently stood with a group of six other Centaurs who would be coming in with the strike team. Their bulk dominated the clearing—all were older warriors bearing the scars of many battles. Armed with five-foot swords and battleaxes almost the height of me, they appeared formidable.
Bloody terrifying is the word,Matt said.
I agreed with him, although those clustered around the clearing were no fuzzy bunnies either.
Wombats,Matt corrected.Bunnies are not cute in Australia.
Mari had been watching my eyes. “If they’re saying anything funny, I want to hear it.”
“Matt always thinks he’s funny.” I grinned.
Hey. I flippin’ am.His eyes glowed at me in the fading light.
I looked away, examining our strike force. Kitani and Cody spoke with Razir, Tyrez’s brother. Tyrez and Dani sat together on a boulder with Ash. They would be fighting with the strike team, but Ash was here to provide oracular support rather than teeth and claws. Alex had recruited his entire pack to the cause, along with Neil and their two mates, Sarah and Emily. They would provide magical firepower.
I gazed down at Trix. She wore her armor bodysuit, and I’d dyed her white fur black, which made her vivid-blue eyes stand out.
Aria had stayed at the academy. She had arguably the most difficult job of all of us—keeping Nikolai from erupting. The two were connected to it all through Lucas.
Eli and Cass sat upon the trampled grass nearby, surrounded by Cara’s group of realm-restoring Bellatis.
That was it. Two fledgling Shade teams, a dog, and a cluster of experienced warriors, against a castle filled with Sorceresses, Bellatis, and mercenaries.
Cara will bring the others,Matt reassured.
I wasn’t in a mood to be placated.But will they be in time?As soon as the wagon arrived, and our insertion team was well on the way, Cara would galvanize the Legion and the council.
It’s still a long shot,I argued, and then berated myself. I was team leader. I was supposed to be building them up, not throwing doubt into things.
My gaze moved to where Cara stood near the gateway. To keep what we were up to a secret, we were gathering well away from the academy. Cara would gate everyone through to the Zetnak realm, as near as possible to the town of Neimak. Not an easy task—Isobel would sense a new gate opening if it was too close.
For now, there was nothing to do but wait for the wagon. While Sebastian grew weaker by the minute—I could now barely sense him. Matt had stopped reassuring me that the Bellati was strong. His own doubt now echoed along the link.
Mari had adopted a Lotus position beneath the tree, although I noticed she kept a watchful eye on the overladen branch. Talakai sat by himself. He stared at the sky as Matt walked over to speak quietly with him.
Both swiveled to stare at me. I gritted my teeth as Talakai rose and strolled over. Even when he was trying to appear casual, he moved like an assassin. Smooth, fluid.
And definitely up to something. I eyed him as he approached.
“We’ve been ordered to go for a walk,” he rumbled.
My gaze slid to Matt, who waggled his brows at me.No point standing here stewing, Angel. And the Dragon needs to take it down a peg before he strangles someone just to relieve the pressure.
