53. Bree

53

Bree

The meeting room seemed chaotic, but Tyrez had a finger on the pulse of the activity. He knew the second we entered, and waved us over to the table.

Ganit and Cody were everywhere at once, struggling to bring order to the chaos and confusion Mykal had caused. If we hadn't been able to stop him—he could have decimated our fledgling army before it had even taken flight.

As it was, he'd done damage.

Ash leaned over the table. When I approached, I saw that he was staring at topographic maps of a mountain range. Red X's had been drawn in several spots within them.

"The gateways Finn has created, at least the ones we know about," Tyrez clarified. "But there could be more."

The Oracle turned to me. "I have four possible locations for the actual battle, depending on the timeline. Have you envisioned anything that might help me pinpoint it better?"

I blinked, trying to orient myself. The smaller scale map had the academy clearly marked beyond the forest and meadow to one side of the mountains. A few towns were on the other.

Caliel looked through my eyes. There's the lake where they came at us before, he said.

I pointed that out, and Tyrez nodded. "Aurora must know these mountains well, for so many gateways to be popping up."

"I had a vision about the battle," I said. "Show me the four spots you've seen."

He directed me to another topographic map featuring only the mountain range. There were four shaded areas on it, all valleys. Two had rivers running through them. One had a lake.

"The one I saw lacked any water," I said.

"He's trying to limit the damage Breana can do," Riggs stated.

"There's only one valley without water running through it." Tyrez pointed to a spot. "It has to be this one."

Cara examined it. "I'll need to be flown in. Then I can get the gateways established, and we can start moving in the army."

"We'll take Havoc and Riley," Tyrez told her. "Riley's Jumper talent is going to be essential for rapid transport. I want her as familiar with every nook and cranny of that valley as possible."

Cara nodded and hurried out of the room. Tyrez started to roll up maps as he transferred his metallic gaze to us. "We're going too. I want eyes on that place, to plan this. Fortunately, Finn has significant ground forces that need to be transported. Even if he uses Dragons to move them, it is going to take some time." He glanced around the room and gestured to Rafael, who was now against the far wall. The young man seemed a little lost amid the bustle, but he moved over to Tyrez.

"Find Talakai and meet us at the gateway," Tyrez said.

Rafael nodded and hurried out into the hall while we helped Tyrez and Ash gather maps and a table.

I'm helping Bess pack up medical supplies, Caliel said. We'll be coming as soon as we can.

I was rushing along the hallway when suddenly, arms wrapped around me—Leah hauled me to a halt.

"Stay safe," she said, and I was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

My gaze moved to Nar standing a ways from her. "I guess there's no water where we're going," I said.

Leah looked unhappy. "Cara said our skills aren't suited to an open battle. She's not wrong—my siren song doesn't work well when the recipient is hypervigilant. And Nar would run out of venom very fast. So we're on triage duty in the valley. We'll be going there with the medical crew." She squeezed me hard, and then let me go. "We just wanted to wish you guys luck."

"Thank you," I said, before I hurried after the others.

Cara, Havoc, and Riley were already at the gateway when we tramped out there. Rafael and Talakai arrived right after us.

We all stepped through and emerged into the academy meadow, which was a hive of frantic activity. The Dragons transformed to beast, including Riley and myself.

"You make a lovely Dragon, my dear," Cara told me as she gathered cloaks for all of us and climbed up on Tyrez.

You sure her being a Dragon is a good idea? Tez asked as he settled himself on Riggs.

She needs as much flight time as she can get, Riggs insisted.

Rafael mounted Talakai, and he, Havoc, Ash, and Tyrez took off.

Riggs rubbed his head along mine. Watch me . His huge wings spread and cupped the air with each flap, lifting his massive body into the air.

He wrapped his mental self around me as I copied him, and he showed me how to angle my wings when it started to work. In moments, I was airborne, with Riggs flying just above me. In no time, we were flapping amid the mountain peaks.

Tyrez and Ash led the way along the passes to the valley. Somewhere out here, Finn was marshaling his forces.

It takes time to pump an army through to another realm, Riggs said. So they've done it in multiple places, to prevent us from stopping them.

Contemplating that, I narrowly avoided hitting a projecting cliff. Riggs nudged me sideways just in time. A moment later, Ash dropped back and forced us upward, just as a small avalanche of displaced snow cascaded past below us.

I think Tez was more freaked out than I was. Does that mean we could have died there? He sounded frantic.

It might have just knocked a few scales loose, I hastened to reassure.

Like the Oracle would intervene for a few scales, Tez pointed out.

We are fine, Riggs stated calmly, And she's doing great.

We came around the side of a mountain and dropped into the valley.

I pulled my cloak closer around me and brushed debris out of my hair as I peered into the driving snow.

Even with Riggs's help, my landing hadn't been pretty. That he'd steered me into a snowbank at the last second saved me bruises, at least.

The cave Tyrez had chosen as headquarters was above the snow line. The cliff overlooked the valley, and the first thing Riley had Jumped in for us were the tables, now loaded with maps and Tyrez's hasty sketches and notes.

Riggs moved a little closer to me. Tez stood on my other side. I appreciated the reassurance of their physical presences, as much as what flooded me along our link. Together, we looked down to the squads being sent through the gateways Cara and Bess had built in the valley below.

The valley was relatively flat, a combination of grass and rock with snow beginning just below where we stood. Here, our army would meet the combined forces of the underworld and Daize. It was eerie seeing it in real life, after the vision.

The first students from the academy were on their way here on Dragonback. Tyrez had more Dragons digging trenches along the edges of the valley. It amazed me just how much dirt and rock they could actually move.

They're better at it than the average dog, Tez provided.

My mind did its usual grope through human realm zoology. Aren't dogs furry canids humans keep as pets?

The dogs I've met are cute but rather noisy, and have a tendency to drool, Riggs said. Don't think the Dragons would appreciate the comparison, bro.

Before Tez could fashion a snarky reply, Tyrez refocused us by stating, "I'm betting Finn will be running the battle."

"What about Victor?" I asked.

"The other's Drakes were stomping their human side," Tez said. "Chances are good Victor's is as well. Finn, now that he's the Trinity, will be large and in charge."

My heart constricted as I remembered the young Centaurs I'd known. Now all of them were nothing more than monsters.

Riggs offered another warm mental stroke that helped ease my nerves, and he moved until his body touched mine. You have a new family now.

I did. So long as we survived what was coming for us.

We will. Caliel, doing his best to be reassuring from a large cavern below us, where they were setting up the triage area. Why does Nemi keep poking me with her beak?

I suspect she's annoyed at being left with you, I answered.

Tez rubbed a red spot on his neck. Annoyed isn't the word for it.

A battle is no place for her, Riggs stated. She's brave, but she'd get minced in a minute.

As I watched the army gather, my gaze was drawn to a group of Gryphons. They wore armor over their furry forequarters.

Tyrez seemed to be looking at them, too. "We haven't had time to gather as many as we need. From what my sentries had reported, our forces will be outnumbered. I am hoping our talented students and Finn's lack of organization will even those odds." His mouth pulled straight.

"But they will have Drakes throwing lightning and fire," Tez stated.

Tyrez nodded. "The only answer we have for them is Bree, Marcus, and maybe you."

I sensed Tez's angst about that as he moved up on my other side. "Are you sure we can't use Mykal? Maybe Rafael and I can hold him together, with Nikolai's help, and the sword."

Riggs stiffened, but Rafael shook his head. "I think he's way too unstable to be managed—if the mind fractures, he'd be as likely to rip into our army as theirs."

Tyrez merely nodded. "Mykal is holding on by a thread. He's best left out of this. But those Drakes are going to be hell to deal with."

Rafael's mouth straightened. "They were resistant to my power when Isobel and I collected them—she pumped me full of bloodmagic to do it. With their elemental energy, they can tap directly into the lodestone beneath the valley. Although we've been practicing my ability to directly connect to the Perditor, I doubt that my brother could push enough power through me to control the Drakes."

Tez looked from one, to the other, and a muscle jumped in his jaw. "Great. So against the Drakes, we only have our two Drakes and a handsome snake with ‘tude. What about Finn? Him and his Trinity will be tossing those freaky energy bolts."

The wind blew Rafael's hair across his face, and he pushed it away. "The Trinity will be relying on bloodmagic for power. And for that, they'll need the crystals that the coven prepares. They'll have a stash with the army, and the coven will be pumping the power to the Trinity."

Tyrez locked eyes with him. "We need to shut down that coven. Our best bet for that is you."

"My power to kill requires one-on-one contact," Rafael hedged. "Aurora knows how I killed Isobel by channeling Nikolai's power. There is no way she'll let me anywhere near her."

"If Riley has a visual, she can jump you right on top of them," Tyrez stated.

Rafael's mouth twisted, but then he nodded. "That might work. Aurora is the most powerful coven member. Once she is removed, I might be able to control the coven itself."

"So Riley getting a visual on the coven is priority," Tyrez affirmed.

I glanced at Ash. "I haven't seen it in my visions. Have you foreseen where the coven will be?"

Ash grimaced. "It is too fluid. Too many possibilities, ranging from this cave to a frozen lake three miles from here." He rubbed his temple. "Once the army arrives, things should solidify."

With a flash of golden light, Riley appeared. She didn't look happy—and she wasn't alone.

Seven feet of male Liberi stared out at us with chaos in his eyes. Everyone in the cave went rigid as Nikolai turned to Tyrez. "I should be here for the battle."

Tez vibrated with tension, but he took a step between me, and Nikolai, and his hand was inches from his waist knife. What did he think he could possibly do against the Perditor?

Far from being intimidated by Nikolai, Tyrez instead pinned him with a look. "Not a good idea."

The Perditor's eyes flashed silver. "You may need me."

Tyrez straightened. "If we need you, Riley can Jump you here. Until then, we are all better off if you stay at the Talon Complex."

Rafael stepped closer to Nikolai. "It will be safer if you channel the power through me. We've gotten better at it over time. It will work."

Nikolai locked gazes with Rafael. Chaotic energy swirled around us, and the Perditor's hair lifted in an invisible wind.

"Please let Riley take you back, Nikolai," Tyrez said. "This is not the place for you."

The big man's eyes blazed, but then, he sighed. "Very well. But I will stand ready, if you need me." He emphasized the word "need" as he turned to Rafael. "Be ready, my brother."

Rafael nodded, and Riley cast me a worried look as Nikolai laid a hand on her arm. With a snap and another flare of light, she Jumped him away.

Into the silence that followed, Tez said through gritted teeth, "I'm just going to throw this out there. If the battle goes badly for us, how long can Cara and his mates hold Nikolai back?"

Instead of answering, Tyrez and Riggs exchanged a long look.

"If we can stop the army ourselves, it would be a best-case scenario," Tyrez started.

When the big shifter hesitated, Riggs finished for him. "But if we are losing the battle, should we hold Nikolai back?"

Tyrez gazed out over the valley. "If we lose this battle—a final strike is a possibility."

Tez regarded them with dawning astonishment. "What do you mean, a final strike?" His eyes flashed turquoise. "Are you talking about deliberately turning Nikolai loose? Won't that wipe this entire area right off the map?"

Tyrez shot Tez a look. "It would also decimate the underworld coalition and severely dent, if not destroy, their plans for realm domination."

"Along with obliterating us," Tez pointed out through a clenched jaw.

"Yes." Tyrez turned his face into the wind. "But if we are serious about preserving the greater good—that would do it."

"Then why don't we just set Nikolai loose on their army now?" Tez demanded. Exasperation pulsed along our link.

Riggs ignored the sarcasm. "Because we owe it to the many innocent people in this realm to try another way."

"Nikolai could be the last-case scenario." Tyrez stated.

I swallowed. My pulse was fluttering like a trapped moth.

The link lit up with Tez's angst as he gestured to the Oracle. "Have you seen whether we will win this?"

I closed my eyes. My mind vibrated oddly with red light, as if I were permeated with bloodmagic. The remnants of a vision? Or just paranoia? I wrapped my hand around Riggs's rock-hard arm and leaned into him.

Ash met his gaze. "I have seen it go either way," he admitted.

"Even odds?" Tez pushed.

The Oracle's lips pulled straight. "No."

Stop pushing for details, Riggs said. Some things are better not to know.

I squeezed his arm, while dread seeped into my pores. What had the Oracle seen?

Would he know whether we live or die? Tez asked.

Likely, yes, Riggs stated.

Tyrez's chin jutted toward the far end of the valley, where the Dragons were arriving from the academy, carrying students. They landed, joining the group of shifters and Bellatis. "I've got troops to organize," he said.

My heart just about stopped when his wings sprang free from his back, and he flung himself off the cliff without fully transforming. I didn't breathe until I saw his Dragon soar safely above the rocks.

We used to dare each other, Riggs said. To see who could do that and transform the fastest.

I don't want to know who won, Tez growled. And do not think of trying that with us in tow. I have a knife, and I'm not afraid to stick it somewhere delicate.