Page 149 of Journey to the Elderoak
A shiver went down her spine.
Unsheathing her dagger, she spun around and whipped it at the voice. But Andras caught it midair, an amused smile on his face. She froze in place, fear taking over as she looked into the eyes of her enemy. Her abuser. The man—no, the daemon—who tricked her. Beat her. Drugged her. Then stood by as she was tortured for weeks.
“Look at you,” he said, tossing the dagger to the ground as he strolled forward, placing his hands in his pockets. He was dressed in all black, matching his long ebony hair and contrasting his pale complexion.
“You have magic,” he crooned. “What a treat.”
“You killed everyone here,” she whispered, trying to hide her trembling.
He shrugged and continued to advance as Ava backed away.
A shout came from her left. “Ava!”
Raine appeared, bolting for her as he unsheathed his sword. But Andras threw out a hand and black shadow shot forth, covering her friend in darkness.
“No!” Ava screamed, lunging at Andras with another dagger.
He grabbed her wrist, stopping her blow, as the shadows writhed and swirled around Raine. She was barely able to see him through the darkness but caught a glimpse of platinum hair as his body trembled, starting to convulse.
“Please, no,” Ava begged as she let out a sob, heart in her throat. “Stop.”
Andras released his magic and Raine fell to the ground. Motionless. She couldn’t even tell if he was breathing.
He couldn’t be dead. She wouldn’t accept it. She wasn’t going to lose yet another friend. Andras tightened his grip on her wrist so hard, she yelped and dropped her blade, wincing in pain at his strength.
“Get up!” Ava screamed at Raine. He didn’t move. “Get up!”
Still, he remained motionless.
White hot rage boiled inside her as she turned to Andras. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”
Fueled by her fury, she pulled out of his grip and raised roots along his legs, attempting to trap him but he laughed as his shadows dissolved them in seconds. He was too strong.
Run, Ava,said Luna.
“No, I’m not leaving Raine.”
Roots and vines twisted and turned, Ava using her magic once more. Her attempt was met with shadow and death, disintegrating them as soon as they reached Andras. Sheunsheathed her sword, prepared to fight, when Andras laughed again.
She lunged, prepared to cut his head from his shoulders, but his shadows burst forth so quickly, her body froze as she was ensnared. Dark smoke snaked around her like wispy black ropes, climbing her legs, her torso and around her throat. He lifted her into the air and grinned as Ava dropped her sword and panicked.
43
It had been a trap.
Casimir and Aelerion’s group was surrounded as they hacked their way through with swords and magic. Andras had wanted them to find out. Had wanted them to try and save the village.
And they had played right into his scheme.
Twisting to his left, Casimir sliced the head off a daemon soldier with his sword, turning around to deflect a blow from another enemy. His foe turned, attempting to use the spike on the elbow of his dark armor to gut Casimir, but he ducked, grasping the enemy’s leg. Using his astral magic, the daemon was a pile of ashes within seconds.
Pushing to his feet, he shook off his fear over Ava’s safety. Raine was with her and would protect her with his life. But he still regretted letting her come. He would never forgive himself should something happen.
Dodging another attack, Casimir whirled around and jammed his sword through an opening in the brutal armor. Aelerion fought near him, a river of lava twisting and turning as he melted the daemons. Aro lunged, grabbing a soldier by hisarm and ripping it clean off, screams echoing in the morning sunlight.
As they fought their way through, Casimir went into a place of killing calm, and unleashed himself into the fray as they finished off the remaining enemies.
Casimir had finished off the last soldier when Aro said,Ava’s in danger.The town square. Hurry.
