The word tasted bitter on my tongue, but I said it anyway because hope was all I had left to cling to.
A Skathe patrol emerged from behind a ridge, rushing in our direction.
“Kill them all,” Derren shouted, racing forward with his sword lifted, Dare and Lexie right with him.
Our companions surged forward. Pherin and Gavelle worked together, one driving the Skathes toward the other’s flames. Our dragon companions dove from above, their talons raking across Skathe skulls, following it up with a blast of fire. Kira’s python wove among the Skathes, ripping their heads off one by one. Other companions galloped along with them.
Trew’s magic crackled as he directed it at two Skathes, the force of his power driving them backward into Kira’s waiting blade. Lexie and Derren fought side by side, swiping off heads with their weapons.
I stayed back because I had a different plan.
Using veil-sight, I studied the threads connecting the Skathes to a distant point, indicating the cloaked woman and Lord Alfred’scontrol. With a wrench, I severed three connections at the same time. The creatures stumbled, confusion replacing their coordination.
“Nice,” Kerralyn shouted, finishing off one of the disoriented Skathes.
We killed them all within minutes, but more would come.
As we ran again, Trew stayed beside me, his eyes dark with worry.
“The ritual is already starting,” he said. “I can feel pressure building. It’s making my teeth ache.”
I could too. “How long do you think we have?”
“Minutes. Maybe an hour if we’re lucky. If Fenmark’s the primary source of the power they need, they’ll kill him at the ritual’s peak.”
“You realize they’ll try to take us to gather more power.”
“Not happening.”
Kira joined us, her face pale but determined. “Strategy? We can’t just rush in, or they’ll capture and use us. The breach site will be heavily defended.”
Pausing, we gathered close to speak in hushed tones. Addie swayed but remained upright, leaning against my side.
“Addie and I will work on the veil while the rest of you defend us,” I said.
“You’ll be exposed,” Trew said. “Vulnerable.”
“We won’t, because you’ll be watching over us.” I met his gaze steadily. “There’s no other way. The ritual has to be interrupted, and the veil has to be sealed.”
“Do you know how you’ll do it?” Derren asked.
“I need to study the veil first. If the weave was torn, it can be mended. That's what veil-sight is for.”
Lexie spoke up, her voice rough. The set of her jaw told me what the wound was costing her. “Derren and I will carve a path for you to the edge of the weave and hold it.”
“Kira and I will flank you,” Kerralyn said. “We’ll keep the Skathes from circling around.”
“Trew?” I met his worried gaze. “Can you distract them?”
He gave me a curt nod.
“Our companions will do what they do best,” I said, glancing at Pherin and Gavelle. “Rip through everything coming for us.”
Fight,Pherin said in my mind.
Addie’s hand found mine, and she squeezed.
“Velacross’s blood runs in our veins,” I said. “I bet the veil will recognize us. We’ll force it if we have to.”