Page 53 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“A distraction from what?”

“From this war that’s about to erupt,” he insisted, eyes boring into his friend’s.

“I know,” Raine said. “But there’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.”

“Fun?” Casimir tilted his head. “Is that what that was last night when I sawthreeorcs leave your room disheveled and smiling?”

“Exactly.” Raine grinned widely. “You should try it some time.”

They were interrupted by a faint hooting in the distance.

Raine stood. “Looks like Percy’s back.”

Jorrar and Quinn stepped out of the shop in time for the owl to swoop down and land on the back of the bench next to Casimir. Percy ruffled his feathers and softly hooted at his companion. Jorrar tilted his head, listening to the information the owl had brought with him.

“He has news from Thorne,” he informed them. “The rumors about the human are true. All the animals are speaking of it.”

Quinn gasped. “Seriously? What does that mean for us? What does he want us to do?”

“They have the human woman. It sounds like she’s their prisoner. Thorne wants us to start scouting the lands in between Monterre and their largest army camp. Not get too close but see if we can gather any intelligence from the creatures of the nearby forest.”

“Well, alright then,” said Raine. “I was kind of hoping he’d tell us to come home, but who’s up for a little adventure?”

“Only if I get a tent to myself,” grumbled Quinn. “I’m sick of listening to Raine mumble in his sleep all night.”

“Oh, thank The Mother. I’ll finally be free of your incessant snoring,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye.

“I donotsnore,” she bit back, shoving him. “Right, Cas?”

“I’m not answering that,” he remarked as he led his friends back to the tavern. “We need to gather our supplies and move out.”

Quinn scoffed behind him as Raine laughed and continued to taunt her. The four warriors made their way back to their rooms above the tavern at the inn and began to pack, preparing for their next mission.

“I hope we don’t run into any more of those horrid insects,” said Raine. “Their black blood was impossible to wash out of my hair.”

19

Ava’s throat burned as she screamed and thrashed against the two guards carrying her to the other side of the tent. She tried to kick and flail as they laid her on a large wooden table with metal cuffs at the head and feet.

Whatever they were about to do, she was determined to fight against them. To make it as difficult as possible. Panic fueled her as she turned her head and bit one of them on the arm, tasting iron as her teeth sank into his flesh. The soldier yelped in pain and her head spun as he punched her in the jaw. Now subdued, they secured her wrists and ankles to the metal cuffs and left the tent.

Nausea gripped her as she took in a smaller table next to her, displaying jagged knives, rusty saws, forceps and other tools whose purposes she could only imagine. The instruments reflected the orange firelight as if vibrating with the thrill of promised pain and suffering. The horrors of Deidamia’s war camp personified. Right there before her.

Her hands were clammy, and her throat tightened as she realized the purpose of the set up. Heart racing, she frantically looked around as if help would materialize out of thin air, eyeslanding on Remy. He placed his hand over his heart and gave her a nod as if signaling he was there for her.

“What are they going to do?”

“They will try to unlock your magic. Yes. Yes. That’s what I think.”

“I don’t have magic. I told you.”

Remy shook his head. “Your blood. Magic. The daemons. They need more. More portals. For more conquering. They will try to make you have your great tribulation.”

“Great tribulation?”

“Fae are born with lesser magic. But the great tribulation… that happens to the powerful ones. Those destined for more. When they go through something big. Something bad. It stresses their body, and the big magic comes out,” Remy whispered.

“But—” She took a deep breath. “You’re saying they’re going to torture me into having a traumatic experience, so my magic comes out?”

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