Page 145 of The Starlight Savior

“Yes,” Saige said grimly.

“This will be fun.” Althea bounced on the edge of her heels.

“I forgot how naive mortals are,” Conor grumbled.

Saige huffed as she grabbed ahold of Althea’s hand. She followed suit, gripping Baron’s free hand tightly. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Althea said at the same time as Baron choked, “No.”

Before they knew it, Conor tugged Saige against him, pulling along Althea and Baron as they all jumped into the portal.

Chapter 56

The world spun around them as they all stumbled into a single room. It was barely big enough to house the ginormous mirror pressed into the wall or their cramped bodies. Landing hard on her feet, Saige was pleasantly surprised by her lack of sweat and vomit. Beside Saige, Baron heaved onto the dirt floor. Althea’s hand rubbed up and down his back, but she didn’t look too well either. Conor rested his back against the wall, jaw slack at the sight of the quivering mortals.

“We need to hurry,” Conor grumbled.

“Why?” Saige poked at Conor’s arm, hoping to break past the barrier he had up, but his mask stayed on tight.

“I don’t know how far away it is. This must be the closest portal.”

The structure was doorless, revealing the expansive lands and hills. It was clearly built to hold the portal, ensuring accurate and stable travel throughout Brevil. Saige leaned forward, gripping the entryway. Her eyes widened as she peered out. All her life, she had been surrounded by ridges and peaks. The Redolf Mountains in Brevil, the mountains in Etrane.

Staring out at the land before her now, she found it odd to see beyond the ridges. In the distance, she spotted the massive forest containing Silva’s magic. No mortals ventured into the powerful foliage, fearing the variety of creatures dwelling there.

They walked across rolling hills, layers of greens and browns. The sun was beginning to rise, time shifting from their portal travel. In the distance, she could hear the trickling water of the river.

As they emerged outside, Althea clutched her stomach. “D-Do you have the map?”

Saige nodded, rolling out the parchment. Her finger trailed along the markings of Opela, over the blue line that portrayed the river. In truth, she didn’t know where the trigger point was. Only the general area and the flashbacks of the river from years ago.

“You’re lucky.” Conor’s hand wrapped around Saige’s finger, moving it across the map.

“Why?”

“Because after your wise declaration to the council, Sebastien and I were ordered to scout the area.” He moved her finger along the map, pointing past Oswan. “We’re somewhere around here, I think.” Her finger pushed farther east, to where the trigger point was circled in black ink, nestled between the forest and Tiranos. “We need to be here.”

“How far are we?” Baron stumbled from behind. He shielded his face from the glimmers of sunlight.

“If we can find a stable and steal some horses, we could be there by nightfall, which will be perfect for your magic.” Conor let go of Saige’s hand, walking towards where she presumed they were supposed to go. “It will take two or three days to get there on foot.” He turned towards Saige. “You pack any food, witchling?”

She looked away. Technically, yes. But not enough for the four of them. The deeper they ventured into this plan, the more she realized how unprepared she was. There were so many things that could go wrong. Not only was her life now absorbed in it, but so were Althea and Baron’s.

“Let me see.” Baron reached towards the map. “We’re here?” He pointed down. Conor nodded. “Somewhere near here is a soldier outpost. There should be a handful of horses we can steal.”

“Baron,” Saige objected, “we can’t do that. You’ll get in trouble.”

Baron gave her a small smile. “I’ve already been damned, Saige. I’m in league with a witch.”

“But—”

Conor held his hand up. “The moment he abandoned his post, he was convicted. I’m sure Althea is the same.”

She looked at her two friends. Their eyes held no lies. “If I would’ve known—”

“We made our choice,” Althea said. “I told you that whatever you face, I’ll face too. You can trust us.”

Baron gave a curt nod and clapped a hand on Saige’s shoulder. “Come on. We don’t have time to waste.”