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Ava stood in a small clearing, preparing for her final task. In order to trap Andras, she would have to be touching both him and the crystal, then speak the spell while feeding her magic into the conduit.
According to the text, it would only take a few seconds before he would be held in place, allowing her to open the portal and banish him back to the realm of the gods.
She took a moment to close her eyes and take a deep breath, trying to keep her heart calm and her hands steady. Tuning out the noise of battle in the distance, she focused her attention to her surroundings. The breeze rustled the trees as the call of a bird singing to its mate wound through the forest. The smell of lilac floated by, a balm to her weary soul.
Her loved ones were counting on her. The entire realm was counting on her, and she would not fail them. Would not balk. Refused to be afraid.
Because she had found where she belonged at last. Her true home. The place that had called to her, welcomed her. That small seed within had been nourished, cared for, and watered the moment she stepped into Mosshaven. And it had grown.Not just grown, but flourished. Soared. From the tiniest seedling to a steadfast tree, like the Elderoak, with roots so deep it could withstand the harshest of conditions.
Though she was here by herself in this clearing, she knew she wasn’t truly alone. “You are an Everwood, Ava. We are in thistogether. You belong to us. All of us,” her brother had told her.
And she did. She had found belonging with each and every one of them. Remy. Casimir. Thorne. Raine. Quinn. Jorrar. Kai. Fanya. Isolde. Pax. Even Maeryn and the friends she’d made from other kingdoms.
Wrapping those names around her heart like armor, she took a deep, steadying breath.
It was time.
If everything went according to plan, it would be over soon.
Opening her eyes, she spoke to Luna, pacing at her feet.“Are you ready for your part?”
Worry shone in Luna’s violet gaze.I don’t want to do this part.
“I know, but we already agreed. The only way to do this is to make him think I was bitten. He must believe I’m weak.”
Rising onto her back paws, Luna placed her front feet on Ava’s legs. Whimpering, she sank her canines into her thigh.
Ava gasped, holding in a yelp. “Harder, Luna,” she said out loud through gritted teeth.
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,Luna repeated as she clenched her jaw harder, shaking her head to worsen the bite.
Ava blinked away tears as searing pain tore through her leg, trying to hide it from her companion. Luna released her and licked the wound.
Ava gently pushed her off. “No, sweet girl. Don’t try to help. Leave it.”
Oh, Ava. That was terrible. I’m not supposed to harm you. It hurts my soul.
Wincing, Ava knelt, gripping her friend’s furry face in herhands. Her first friend from the realm of Eorhan. There had been Remy, and then Raine, but Luna came before both of them. The only one who had been by her side the entire way.
“I’m so sorry you had to do that, Luna. I love you so much.”Ava swallowed the lump in her throat as she kissed her head.“But you did a great job. Now, go hide. It’ll all be over soon.”
Luna licked Ava’s face, purring.I love you too. Please be careful.
The cat bounded off into the trees, finding a safe place but staying close in case Ava needed her.
Now it was time to take her role as actress. Kneeling next to the daemon hound’s body that lay in the grass—the reason they chose this clearing—Ava stabbed it, ensuring her blade was coated in its black blood. She rose, holding her sword loosely as she limped along, acting as though she was headed back to the battle.
She didn’t have to pretend for long.
All sounds of nature ceased. Birds stopped singing. Insects silenced their chirps. No cries of animals were heard in the distance. Even the breeze halted, as if the forest held its breath.
Then…she felt him.
The hair on the back of her neck stood. An involuntary shiver ran through her as an oppressive presence overtook the space.
“Hello, Ava dear,” a smooth voice purred from behind her.
