Page 31 of Hopeless Sacrifice
Nine hundred and thirty-two. I’ve never thought so much about a number before. It is a small amount to win a war, but it is a massive amount to lose in a war.
But we’re not setting out with the intention of losing.
“So, you’ll send us then?” My gaze rises, meeting hers with intensity held in my eyes.
The smile softens, becoming more genuine.
Only a small second passes.
“Of course.”
Finally.Finally, I like her.
Just in time for her to whirl us away.
***
The goddess’s magic isn’t like the chaotic shuddering power Ryder possesses. Maybe it’s because we’re being sent through realms instead of space, but I don’t feel a single thing. Numbness sinks into me as a darkness fills my sight.
Until we’re spit out on the other side. Nine hundred and thirty-two soldiers, one dragon horse, and a few Hopeless fae leaders land in a heap on the ground in the mortal realm. Pain stabs through my shoulder the moment I hit the earth.
Welcome back to the mortal realm. Enjoy your stay.
Rain pelts down from the dark, cloudy heavens. The sleet stings against my skin, and for a few seconds, I just lie there. Smoke fills my lungs just as it has my entire life in this world. I had forgotten about it. During my short stay within the beautiful Hopeless realm I’d forgotten the destroyed world I left behind.
“Let’s set up in the clearing just over there.” Darrio points toward an empty space among the forest, his head slightly downturned against the stinging rain. “Kara, do you know where we are? How far the kingdom is from here?” He kneels at my side as I lay in the mud at his feet.
I’m a defeated little pile of hopelessness. I was really aiming I’d go unnoticed for at least a few minutes.
Zero breaks. I’m beginning to find there are zero breaks when you’re a leader.
Stiffly, I stand, attempting to look like the gift from the gods that they just spit out.
Through the heavy sheet of rain, I peer into the distance, trying to determine which way the smoke is coming from. The weather is harsh, but the sun always rises on the kingdom, it always shines down on the source of our destruction.
The sun is nearly setting now, it can almost be seen through the pounding rain and the heavy smoke and the dense clouds. Faint rays of white sunlight cut through the billowing, dark clouds.
“We’re in New Haven. The coast is just to the east. Juvar is just beyond that.” I point the way and his attention lingers in the distance as if he can see the fiery kingdom clearly.
New Haven. Of all the places Viola could have deposited us, she dropped us into New Haven.
There has to be a reason for it.
The cold rain tingles against my face as I peek up at the heavens.
“You okay?” Dax’s long fingers tangle slickly with mine and he does a once-over of my body, seemingly checking for any damage from our fall.
His voice is sweet, concerned. It’s too sweet, really. There’s a reason Darrio is a commander and Daxdyn doesn’t possess a single scar.
He isn’t built for war.
Part of me wants to shield him from whatever tomorrow brings. He’s capable. In a fight, his powerful strength can hold his own. But in a war …
“I’m okay,” I say in the quietest voice.
“Let’s set up there.” Darrio’s orders cut through my thoughts. “We’ll head to the sea once the storm passes. We’re not risking our lives on a choppy sea filled with nix.”
The nix. Are the creatures here already? So much time slipped by in the Realm of the Gods but hardly any at all has really passed. Time halted while we were there and now I have no idea what we’re up against. I don’t know if they’ve already consumed this world and moved on to the Hopeless realm, or if they’re still building their strength in Juvar.
