“We’re surrounded,” Quinn said.
Casimir was on his feet in a heartbeat, donning his armor. Ava did the same.
“Surrounded? How is that possible? We had eyes on their army the whole time. We would have seen them moving,” said Casimir.
Raine stepped in behind Quinn. “This tent is too small for all four of us.”
“Then get the fuck out,” Casimir snapped.
Raine said, “Andras cloaked the army.”
“He what?” Casimir shouted.
Ava’s heart would not stop racing. They were here. The battle was happening. Right now. In the middle of the night. She was going to be sick. Not yet, not yet, not yet. They hadn’t prepared for this possibility.
“Luna,”Ava cried.
I know. Try to stay calm. You can do this.
“He cloaked them. With some other special secret power he has,” Raine said. “No one could see them coming until we were already surrounded.”
“Are they in the camp?” Casimir said.
“Not yet,” Quinn replied. “We must rally and meet them at the edge.”
And just like that, their plans went out the window. They wouldn’t be able to organize and sneak up on the daemons. Wouldn’t be able to structure their army the way they’d painstakingly planned. Now they would be fighting just to get free of their advances.
A flash of lightning and another crack of thunder made Ava jump.
And they’d be doing it in the middle of a storm.Oh god.
Jorrar stepped into the tent as Ava buckled her armor together and reached for her sword. Thorne was close behind him.
“Why is everyone in our godsdamned tent?” Casimir almost yelled.
He’s stressed,Luna said.
“I can see that.”
“Casimir,” Jorrar said, always calm and collected. “Take a deep breath. We’ll leave your tent. We just needed to inform you of the situation.”
“Consider me informed.”
Alone again, Casimir yanked Ava against him, one arm around her waist while the other tucked her head beneath his chin. His breathing had picked up, his fear so intense she couldfeel it through their bond. Being able to sense his terror had her on the verge of tears, but she willed them away, forcing herself to keep it together.
There was no time for that.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent. He nuzzled into her hair and did the same. They didn’t speak. Didn’t need to. Just held each other, both of their hearts racing in tandem.
Casimir pulled away first, taking a deep breath and taking Ava’s face in his hands. “Do you remember your role?”
She nodded, throat still tight.
“We will be with you until we learn where Andras is. But as soon as we get wind he’s headed your way, we’ll disappear.”
“I know.”
He pulled her into a gentle kiss, saying everything with the way his lips met hers, the way his tongue danced against her own. They broke apart.
