Page 152 of A Curse's Death Sun

?Minor chaos erupts as Darian and Castiel show up and voices get muddied because I can only focus on her. Body covered in a cloak, I realize, feeling nearly nonexistent with her aura hidden and her scent so muted I can only get hints of sweetness.

?I wipe my hand down my face and take a step back from all of them. All their words talking about a plan I was not a part of. Rovan shows up next with Scorn behind him and Matthiaus. The angel and demon that have been sticking as close as possible to Mavyn to spy what they can for Alexandros.

?So much commotion and I hear Jullia and Asher’s name and the Willow of Lore before a voice quietly says, “Enough.” And they all listen.

?I’ve never seen Alexandros, but staring at him right now I know I never really needed to. Aside from his stormy ocean colored eyes, his features match Castiel’s near perfectly. I would assume as much, even though he’s Castiel’s younger half-brother.

?Alexandros D’etrenomas. A full shifting demigodwitha blood art. Leader of the Rebellion.

?Everyone is quiet as he walks through the group and turns to Rovan first. “The willow?”

?The mage who can control all thirteen elements shakes his head. “Asher Rowsan Ruleten has a runic shield imbued with heraura.” He nods towards where Mavyn is covered up in Varian’s arms. “He has three mages and an apakiko shifter with him. A lightning mage and two water mages. One of the water mages, I believe, processes frost of the starlight.”

?Alexandros looks around at all of us and when he meets my glare he pauses. “Callahan Armani,” he greets. “We have yet to properly meet. I am – “

?“Mavyn told you not to destroy the willow,” I state coldly.

?“Mavyn does not know – “

?“She knows everything,” I cut off. That’s probably a lie, but from what I’ve heard and seen she knows more than any of us. And she may not want anything to do with me, but like the masochist that I am, I will be on her side until I am allowed to die. If she wishes for me to continue living, keeping me from death, then so be it. “She warned you, but you must be an even bigger bastard than your older brother.”

?I can feel Castiel glaring at me, but I’ve made it apparent I do not like him. He is not good for Mavyn, he is especially not worthy of her, and even if she does cement the bond between him and her I will never like him. There’s something off about him. Something twisted inside – I can feel it.

?Alexandros looks at Mavyn and his stare hardens. “It seems, then, that we will have to wait for her to wake and explain. The Willow of Lore is protected now, no matter how many times we breech the school that shield won’t break. So let’s all just take a breath, and calm down.”

?He gestures to Varian and towards a tent. I finally notice my surroundings and the field we’re on. Larger than the eastern field at the school with hundreds of tents and camps spread out.At my back is a thick forest, and from its aura I can tell where we are.

?Not exactly, since the Hinterwood Forest extends further than what you could ever guess, but this field is within it. And somewhere near the middle, barely a wink that I can see here from this vantage point, I can see another tree. A similar form to the Willow of Lore, but this one is different.

?“The Bleeding Tree,” Alexandros explains, though I don’t look at him. “The first thing that was created on this world by powers higher than the primordials. And this place. . . welcome to Syngenia, the First Land of Magic.”

?Then he leads us into his rebellion, and we wait for my fated to wake up.