“By the way, oh great and powerful fae, I thought you said we couldn’t flash because it would leave a residue thingy.”
“Thank you for pointing out that I am great and powerful. It just reaffirms that you know your place in this world, and yes, I did say that. Flashing large groups of people would definitely leave a trace, however, I can manage to erase my own trace to a certain extent. It is a bit of a risk, but it’s a calculated one and necessary.”
Jen saluted the high fae as she flashed away to the front of the group where Rachel was leading.
“Everything okay?”Decebel’s voice filled Jen’s mind.
“Just peachy, except I’m convinced the trees have it out for me and keep dropping limbs and logs in my way in an attempt to get me to fall and break my neck.”
“I’m sure the trees don’t have it out for you.”
“So you say.”Jen sighed.
“How’s Thia?”he asked.
Jen glanced over to where Zara was walking next to Wadim. “She’s keeping Zara and Wadim company,”Jen said, smiling when Thia giggled at the silly face Zara was making.
“I’m glad Vasile told Wadim to stay with Zara, as well as for Costin to stay with Sally,”Decebel said.
“I agree. I would have been ticked if the alpha had requested Costin go. I don’t know that he’s mentally stable enough to be away from Sally.”
“Don’t get injured by a tree, please. I love you, baby,”Decebel said as she felt his breath against her neck.
“Behave, fur ball.”Jen laughed.“Love you too. Let me know how the summit goes.”
Jen returned her attention to the trail in front of her and watched as pack members talked and laughed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a great threat to bring different races together in a common goal. Only then can they learn to appreciate their differences.” ~Vasile
Vasile couldn’t rememberthe last time he’d seen so many fae warriors in one place. His eyes roamed over the field where he and his wolves usually sparred, attempting to count the fae. But they kept moving, so the highest he’d gotten was thirty-five.
“Did you expect this?” Decebel asked from beside him.
“I knew that Peri would send as many as she could,” Vasile said, “But I didn’t know how many would be willing to answer her call. Let’s just hope she and Nissa were able to recruit as many of the other supernatural races as well.”
Riven, the fae warrior who had come to them a week prior, walked over and held out his arm. Vasile clasped the fae’s forearm in a warrior’s shake and bowed his head at the same time as Riven.
“We are honored to go to battle with you,” Riven said.
“As we are honored to have you on our side,” Vasile replied.
Riven released the alpha, stepped back a step, and clasped his hands behind his back. “I come with discouraging news,” the fae said. “It became apparent as we were recruiting warriors to fight that many more than we realized have joined the Order. We knew some had, but we weren’t aware it was so many.”
“Do you have an estimate on the number?” Vasile asked.
“Of the ones of which I am positive, there are thirty. Those unaccounted for number around twenty-five. I must assume they are with the Order, which brings their fae support to fifty-five,” Riven said.
“How many have joined with us?” Decebel asked.
“Forty-five,” Riven answered.
“What about Peri?” Fane, who had just stepped up to the conversation, asked.
“I asked her to go to the Deep Keep,” Vasile said. “I wanted someone powerful with the children and the healers.”
Riven nodded. “That’s a wise decision. Peri announced to us that Alston’s magic was a part of how the Order captured your healer. Knowing that he is working with the Order, it’s important to have someone powerful watching the vulnerable. Nissa will be joining us. She is a high fae as you know and quite formidable.”
