For the fae were clinging to peace. Happiness. Freedom. And Ava refused to allow their enemies to take any more.
“We’re close to the castle,” Casimir said. “Let’s keep going.”
Maeryn led the way through more shops and buildings, then over a wide bridge crossing a deep chasm of boiling lava. The heat was almost unbearable, even with the second potionthey’d all consumed the night before. The only one of them who wasn’t drenched in sweat was Maeryn, not bothered by the environment at all.
On the other side of the bridge, they passed through a black metal gate, leading to the castle. Hewn from the deepest obsidian, dozens of tall spires reached to the sky, embellished with a rainbow of stained glass windows. Ava’s breath caught as she studied the craftsmanship, the detail carved into every surface.
Dark gray trees with bright orange and red leaves lined the path leading to the intricate front doors.
“Those are fireoaks,” Maeryn said. “They only grow here.”
“They’re beautiful,” Ava said, touching a velvety leaf.
“When they reach the end of their life, they burst into flames and a new one grows from the ash,” Maeryn explained.
Though Ava had lived in Eorhan for months now, she was still in awe of the magic around every corner. The unique beauty in each kingdom had her falling more in love with this world with each new experience.
Passing through the tunnel of trees, they approached the steps leading to the stained-glass double doors when horrific screeches resounded far behind them. Ava whirled around and her heart bottomed out when she saw the source.
Monsters.
So many monsters.
There had to be at least a couple hundred, perhaps more. Giant humanoid daemons with bat-like wings flew through the air—similar to the ones they battled on the ship. Helwraiths—exactly like the one she had killed after escaping her imprisonment—scurried on four unnaturally wide and bent legs, their teeth dripping with venom.
The creatures descended on the army in the middle of battle. Fae soldiers shouted in surprise as they fought the monsters—monsters who had the ability to suppress magic should they bite any of the fae.
“What do we do?” Ava cried.
“We continue our task,” Casimir said. “We talked about this. Everyone knew it was a possibility.”
“He’s right,” said Maeryn. “We must keep going.”
The others ascended the steps, but Ava didn’t follow. She didn’t feel right leaving the rest of her loved ones to face the new threat without help.
“Wait.” Ava grasped Maeryn’s arm. “Do you have animals that live in this area?”
Maeryn thought for a moment. “Mostly just birds and a few species of small reptiles but…there is one other, though it was rumored they went into hiding many years ago.”
Ava glanced back at the army. The daemon creatures continued to descend, many fae now fighting without their magic. What if they couldn’t fight against them on their own?
“Ava,” Casimir said. “I know what you’re thinking. There’s no guarantee they’ll come if you try to summon them.”
“Summon them?” Maeryn asked.
“She was able to summon ocean drakes while we were on our way back from Saxumdale,” Raine said.
Boots pounded on the earth as Quinn and Pax, who had blood running down his shoulder, dashed toward them with panicked looks.
“Where’s everyone else?” Casimir asked. “Jorrar and the others?”
“They’re fighting,” said Quinn, out of breath. “There are too many creatures. We had the upper hand, but now I’m not so sure.”
Maeryn said to Ava, “Then you must try. Try to summon them. I don’t know how many are left or if they even exist, but try anyway.”
“What are they called?”
“Fyreleopards.”
