As for me, I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Not when we were so close to Concord City. Mere hours, in fact.
I had no idea what the following day was going to bring. One thing I did know, however, was that I would not hold back. I knew Fae wouldn’t either.
~
I didn’t sleep at all. I sat by the campfire, staring into the flames for hours on end. The crackling fire drowned out the gentle snores of the Vulmessians and my followers. Over the last twenty-four hours, our numbers had doubled, and I was beginning to feel rather cocky about my attack on the Realm. Word of our plight seemed to have spread like wildfire, and Mages were joining us from left, right, and centre without being asked. We’d walk through a town, and people would emerge from their houses with rucksacks over their shoulders. They’d begin to walk with us in silence. I didn’t mind.
Fae, however, was suspicious. She feared that we would be betrayed by the followers and attacked before we reached the Realm. I was not worried, however. Each and every nameless Mage that joined our plight had a look of sadness and desperation in their eyes, and I knew at once that they felt the pain I had for Helena.
While I didn’t know the name of every Mage who joined me, they promised to fight for human rights alongside me.
By the time we reached the outskirts of Concord City, it was mid-day and I had a plan fully formed in my mind. Hours prior, I had delegated a duty to each and every person. No one argued with me.
Perhaps they were afraid of me. After all, my reputation seemed to precede my abilities. Perhaps I had become the monster the Realm depicted me to be.
One thing was certain, however, I would not back down until the Realm had paid for what they’d done to Helena. They deserved it. Perhaps I was a monster, but was it so wrong to want justice? Fae didn’t think so.
Emilija was to stay with Willow and Rue during the attack, and remain out of harm's way. I would never forgive myself if the pups came to harm.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sirens
JACK GREENWOOD
Jack had guard duty with Ethel Jenson that evening. It was something he wasn’t looking forward to, as Ethel had been flirting unashamedly with him lately.
It wasn’t just that, though. Jack didn’t want to be responsible for Ethel getting hurt during the inevitable attack. She was a nice girl, though her morals were a little skewed because of her upbringing. Despite this, she wasn’t a bad person.
Jack took a deep breath, thinking hard. How was he supposed to heal both sides, without anyone becoming suspicious? He’d have to figure something out. He didn’t want to be responsible for the death of anyone.
Jack expected that he’d be healing both Howl, and guard members. It wasn’t in his nature to let someone suffer, no matter which team they were on.
The evening was drawing close, and Jack felt a sense of foreboding. He couldn’t help but look up, towards the skies, expecting to see Hawthorne flying over at any moment. This did not go unnoticed.
‘Why do you keep looking up?’ asked Ethel, following his gaze and squinting into the sky. It was a sunny day, and not a cloud was in the sky.
‘Uh, it’s such a nice day.’
Ethel raised her eyebrows at Jack.
Jack wrung his hands together nervously. He knew there were H.W.L members watching him at this very moment.
Ethel sniffed the air, as though she could smell danger.
‘It’s weird,’ she said, thoughtfully.
‘What is?’ asked Jack.
‘I’ve got this terrible feeling in my gut,’ she said, folding her arms across her chest.
Jack grimaced. ‘Strange.’
‘I just feel as though something really bad is going to happen soon.’
Jack scuffed his toe along the concrete, trying hard to keep a straight face. He wanted nothing more than to tell Ethel to leave, to go and hide. He didn’t want her to get hurt.
But most of all, Jack wanted to see Avalon. He missed her so desperately, and he thought that perhaps he could talk her out of this attack.
If what Cecilia said was true, Avalon’s attack on the Realm was purely based on revenge. Avalon knew nothing about the cure within the Realm Headquarters. He must talk to her at any cost.
Jack was currently within the Realm gates, walking around the perimeter with Ethel. He suspected that Ethel had put in a word with her father, ensuring that they were always paired up for guard duty.
Suddenly, the air was rent with the sound of a dozen sirens wailing in unison across the grounds. Ethel gasped and looked around, her eyes wide and alert.
‘What is that?’ asked Jack. Of course, he knew what it was; Avalon. They’d arrived, but Jack saw nothing in the sky.
‘It’s the sirens!’ said Ethel. ‘It means there’s been an intrusion!’
‘Are you sure?’ said Jack, stalling for time. ‘We’ve been guarding the gate all evening. The perimeter is surrounded by guards-’
‘There are other ways to get in, Jack,’ said Ethel. ‘Like if someone can fly, or jump, over the fence. There are even Mages who can teleport.’