Page 95 of Fated for Dawn

We’d reduced her army by half, and we hadn’t even engaged yet.

Eris’s face contorted with fury, Lia’s elegant features twisting into something monstrous. “What have you done?!”

I shrugged, feigning innocence. “Just stirring up a little chaos. Isn’t that your thing?”

We’d landed the first blow, but the real fight was just beginning.

I gripped my sword tighter, electricity crackling at my fingertips.

Eris’s eyes blazed with rage. She raised her hands, and a wall of black flames erupted, roaring toward us.

“Shields up!” I screamed.

Adrien and the shield casters’ meticulous preparations deflected the worst. The counter-spells held strong, but the heat was still intense, leaving scorch marks on the lawn. This was her advantage, her domain, and she wasn’t holding back.

Then all hell broke loose.

We surged forward as one, weapons clashing and spells crackling in the air.

“Now or never,” I muttered, summoning the lightning.

It surged through me, raw power tingling in my veins. I hurled bolts at the nearest demons, their shrieks piercing the air as they disintegrated under the force of my attack.

All around me, chaos erupted. Zade’s massive wings unfurled as he dove into the fray, a blur of precision and deadly grace. Rafe fought beside him, his movements fluid, every strike calculated and powerful.

“Having fun yet?” I shouted to Eris, zapping another demon.

To my surprise, she laughed, the sound sharp and wild. “Oh, darling, I’m just getting started.” Her eyes gleamed with a manic light.

Is she…enjoying this?

As I struck down another enemy, a chilling realization hit me. Eris thrived on chaos. She didn’t just feed on it—shewasit.

Were we playing right into her hands?

I pushed the unsettling thought aside, focusing on the battle surrounding me. There was no time for doubt now.

Officers from the SLEA and the brave volunteers who had joined our cause fought valiantly beside us. Spells flew, swords clashed, and the air was thick with the sounds of battle. We had an impressive force, but Eris’s minions were relentless.

Then I noticed it—something was off.

Shouts and arguments erupted within our ranks. Accusations flew, tension rising as allies turned on each other. This wasn’t just the chaos of war. It was discord—one of Eris’s tricks.

“Traitor!” someone roared.

I turned just in time to see a shifter drive a blade into an officer.

“Block your minds!” Alister’s voice rang out over the battlefield. “Don’t let her manipulate you!”

At the far end of the fight, I saw him standing tall, sword in hand, his face a mask of unshaken determination.

A massive demon lunged at me, its claws slicing through the air. I ducked, the wind of its strike brushing against my cheek. Electricity crackled in my palm, and I slammed my hand against its chest. The demon convulsed, its eyes rolling back—just as a thick vine shot up from the ground, coiling around its ankle. With a sharp yank, I sent it hurtling through the sky.

“Evelyn, behind you!” Chad’s voice roared in my mind.

I spun around just in time to see a serpent shifter barreling toward me, fangs bared and eyes glowing with malice. My breath caught, but Chad’s hellhound form slammed into it with bone-crushing force before I could react. The shifter yelped and went limp under his claws.

“Thanks, puppy,” I sent back through our bond, my heart still racing.

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