Page 48 of The Magic of Eternity
At the first pound of a booming drum, everybody paused and the mood grew solemn. It was time. I let my gaze sweep across the group. Our small army had to be strong enough—there was no other alternative.
Cam whistled, gaining the focus of everybody in the room as they waited anxiously for his instruction. “Alright. This is it. I would just like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here, and embarking on this battle with us today. By being here, you’re taking a stand. You’re willing to sacrifice your anonymity. By standing with us today, you will be known as loyalists to Bram, and there are many risks with that. Not all of us will walk out of this with our lives. What we’re fighting for—to rid your kingdom of this evil and oppression? It’s worth everything. I know each of you is here because you believe that to be true.”
Cam paused, scanning the crowd. “If any of you wish to go, you’re free to do so.” It felt as though the room as a whole held its breath. Nobody moved, and Cam nodded.
“Thank you. Remember to stay alert and watch for anything suspicious. We’re going to go out that door and blend in with the crowd. Nobody will suspect anything. We’ll wait for the dragons to create a distraction, and that’s when we’ll attack. If you’re feeling scared right now? Good. Just know that’s what our enemy will be feeling as he faces his end in a very short while. Take your fear and mold it, turn it into something useful. I’m sure each and every one of you is sick of feeling afraid. It’s time to feel something different. It’s time to take back your freedom, your magic, and your happiness. Let your determination fuel you today.”
His eyes moved through the crowd. I knew he was making eye contact with as many of these demons as he possibly could. Cam was an excellent leader, and people often felt connected to him. His energy was contagious. A simple act of looking a person dead in the eye, knowing that you were going into a dangerous situation together, it created a connection. It let people know that those they were fighting for—and fighting beside—actually gave a shit. They weren’t just nameless, faceless soldiers in the crowd.
“Balor.” Cam raised his voice as he called out to the doctor across the room. “Open the doors.”
Balor nodded and gripped the two iron handles, pulling the wide wooden doors open. Fresh air from the courtyard drifted through the doorway, giving everybody a taste. Within these walls right now, we were captured. Birds in a cage. Fish in a net. A bear in a trap. But out there… Out there, we are going to be free.
I could see the crowd was already growing in the courtyard. So as our people started filing out, they melded right into the masses. Perfect.
Cam had come to a halt a few feet from the door, his green gaze scanning the scene. As I stepped up beside one of my oldest friends, a strange sensation of déjà vu hit me. Like we’d been here before. I suppose in many ways, we kind of had. All of the missions, yeah, but even before that. As kids, sneaking over to each other’s houses, standing up to bullies together, checking out girls—and in my case, boys.
We did everything together. The four of us. All roads led us here.
“Well?” I asked Cam. “What are you thinking?” Kai stepped closer so he could hear what we were discussing.
“I’m thinking that it’s time to fuck this shit up, brother.” Cam smirked. It had been a long time since I’d seen that expression on his face, and despite feeling fucked up and not quite like myself, I found my own lips twisting up into a grin.
Kai bounced on the balls of his feet, shaking out his hands. “Fuck, I’m excited. I need to burn off some energy.”
I snorted. “Yeah, like we couldn’t tell.”
‘Guppy.’Saige’s voice floated through my head.
“Hold on, guys.” I let myself sink into my psyche.‘Are you guys here?’I asked her, my heart picking up speed as I waited for her answer.
‘Yes,’came her instant reply, and I breathed a deep sigh of relief.‘We were able to see the front of the platform when looking out of an arched window in the left wing of the castle. We’re in a storage closet now around the corner.’
‘That’s good, sweetheart. Alright. One of us will come to you, because we need to give you these vaccines. So just stay put for a few more minutes, and then you guys will be able to use your magic.’
She murmured her agreement, saying she’d be listening and watching for one of us. I quickly relayed our conversation to Cam and Kai.
“Who’s gonna go?” Kai asked, looking between us.
“I think you should,” I told him honestly. “I need to be out there. I need to be able to use my powers to assess what we’re dealing with, and not only that, I’m the mental link between all of us. So I need to see what’s going on firsthand.”
“What do you think, Cam?” Kai asked, his eyes gleaming with hope.
“I agree—you should go, Kai. I’m the leader of this makeshift army. It wouldn’t be right if I wasn’t out there.” Cam dipped his large hand in the pocket of his trousers and retrieved a handful of syringes, placing them carefully into Kai’s upturned palm. “There’s some extras, in case you need them. Go fast, Kai. After you give them these, you know where we’ll be. Kiss her for me.” Cam spun on his heel, and marched out the door.
“Good luck, brother,” I told Kai, surprising myself when I pulled him into a hug. I still didn’t like the idea of anybody touching me, but I also couldn’t stand the thought that I might not get another chance if something went wrong.
Kai purred, squeezing me tightly, and patting me on the back. “We got this. Be strong.” His voice didn’t waver. His confidence was unbreakable.
Stepping back, we looked into each other’s eyes and nodded at the same time. Then with a playful smile, Kai turned and ran. I watched as his back disappeared from sight, before turning to follow Cam.
My footfalls were heavy as I walked toward the call of the courtyard, anxious about the battle that was coming. The anticipation that was swirling in the air guided me. So many emotions calling me, pushing me, driving me. This time, I didn’t push them away. I didn’t try to shield myself. Whatever I was feeling, I needed to. I stopped just shy of the line separating the stone prison I’d been held in and the open air of freedom.
Steeling my spine, I stepped out, ready to do whatever it took.
We couldn’t be defeated.
Victory was the only option.
