10. Veyka

It was farther than I'd ever jumped before in a singular use of my power. But I did not even pause long enough to wonder if I'd make it. Maybe part of me didn't care if I did… a secret hope that I'd be caught in the void, that I'd find some remnant of Arran there.

But I landed on the ground with my own two feet. Alone.

To find Lyrena and Cyara completely unruffled. The latter spared me a glance only long enough to confirm that it was indeed me who had appeared at the edge of the campsite.

Lyrena was dressing a hare, blood and discarded entrails at her feet. She paused in her gruesome task to say one word, "Avalon?"

I jerked my chin in confirmation.

The golden skin of her throat bobbed in response. "What now?"

"Isolde will stay to watch over Arran." I'd explain the rest to them later. I needed to move now, or I would start second-guessing my decision and wouldn't be able to move at all. "If we are to battle the succubus, we will need allies."

Cyara lifted her eyes to meet mine, their turquoise depths looking into me in that keen way that was slightly unnerving, and yet comforting. She saw what I couldn't yet say… was ready for what I did.

"We are going to Eilean Gayl."

Lyrena's inhale was sharp, her gaze cutting from me to Cyara. My handmaiden held my gaze as she reached behind her and lifted her pack from the ground. Her tent was rolled and affixed to it. In the corners of my vision, I realized all the tents were down, the debris and laundry we'd scattered over the last weeks tidied. Everything was already packed.

It was time to go.