Gripping their weapons tighter.
Their fear was so potent that I felt the faintest echo of their drumming hearts, even through the veil.
Not the soldiers’ in the first lines, though. The ones who squirmed on their feet, tense and ready for more destruction. Whatever curse had befallen them, it had caged them from my power the same way the snakes had been protected from us.
Sensing trouble, the river billowed and murmured, as if asking for fresh sacrifices.
Sadly, it would get its fill today.
Ifeverything went according to plan.
Our army stood on the raised riverbank, staring down at the Serpents who’d dared pass through our lands, Zandyr, Elysia, and I in front. Always the first ones in the line of danger. Like true leaders.
Another flutter from Allie coursed through me. Concern filled up most of her emotions today–for me, of all people–but those feelings were laced with encouragement.
She believed, unflinchingly, that I could withstand the torment I was about to face.
A comfort when the sight before me reeked of death.
One I had to shield her away from.
I gently caressed our connection one last time, as Kleonos rode in front of his army, grin widening.
“Are you ready?” Zandyr asked.
He stood tall and proud, a prince ready to protect his Clan. But I saw the tremor in his back. The veins on his neck sticking out.
For this plan to succeed, we had to work together in perfect synchronization.
I nodded, even as my insides tightened. “Are you?”
He inhaled for longer than necessary. “I have to be.”
There was no other way.
If the three of us fell today, the Blood Brotherhood would crumble. Soryn and Calyx might be able to hold off its destruction, but not forever.
“If this plan doesn’t work, I want you both to know you’re insane and infuriating,” Elysia mumbled, her dark gaze focused on the snakes with a chemist’s precision, twirling her three-pronged daggers. “But it’s been my honor to fight alongside you.”
“No words of parting, Viper,” I said. “They bring bad luck.”
“Then I can’t wait to outdrink you at the feast later today,” she said. But I heard her gulp. How her pulse quickened.
“Dragon.” The Butcher’s grating, smug voice whipped through the stillness. “Before I erase you army from this world, I hope you’ll indulge my curiosity. Tell me, why did you decide to raise your river bank? It won’t stop my snakes from slithering through your army or my soldiers from climbing it.”
If we succeeded, neither his soldiers nor his snakes would get the chance.
My fists curled at my side.
Those were the last words I heard before I blocked everything and everyone out, focusing solely on my power.
To the outside world, I looked tense and ready for battle.
Inside, my blood raced faster, blazing my veins.
I was distantly aware Zandyr was playing Kleonos’ game, exchanging taunts to keep him amused and focused on meager pride. But neither the Dragon’s words, nor his blade would be his most dangerous weapon today.
His power slid against mine soundlessly.
