Ric sat down and put his arm around me. “Hey, when you start figuring out who you are, I’d stick to that title. Really intimidate anyone who questions your birth right-” I elbowed him in the ribs and he laughed. “Whatever happens, we’ll be fine, alright? Alistair’s running the perimeters. Willow and Lavender are the greatest healers Vremia has to offer. Ethan’s our token nobility and ancient power-play and you’ve got me, the greatest warrior of them all.”
I breathed a laugh before my feelings got the better of me. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “If I hadn’t come into the picture this wouldn’t be happening. If I’d died in Wetherdon you wouldn’t be preparing for a fight that may or may not happen.”
Ethan sat on the other side of me and I tensed. “If you’d died back in Wetherdon, a lifetime of answers would have died with you,” he started. “You’re troublesome, irritating, and fairly useless when it comes to fighting anything different – but we’d not trade you for the world.” I stared at him, unsure what to say or how to feel. “You’re a mess, but you’re our mess – past, present and future.”
My eyes watered. I swear to the Daeus, I’d cried more in Vremia than I had in a lifetime in Wetherdon. They patted me on the back and I waved them off. “Stop it. Don’t look at me.”
“Aw, but then I’d miss your disgusting crying face,” Ethan teased. Ah, there he was. I shoved him over the other side of the bench and he laughed. My breathing suddenly grew difficult as the locket grew hot and heavy and the boys looked up to the window. Alistair sped through the collective green, his shirt part-torn and bloody as he yelled up at us. Another figure ran behind him.
“They’re coming,” Ric said. The violet in his eyes bled out as he searched for a number.
I stood, brushing a hand over my dagger while the other clung to my locket. “Let’s give them a fight to remember.”
We descended the stairs quickly before the creatures could cut us off. Shadows moved across the tree line and red glinted in the scrub.
“You owe me five silvers,” I said, my words stuttering at my pace.
Something hit the bridge above us and I stifled a cry as it ran madly down and leapt over the side. Ethan yelled out and caught the Berserker before it could stick its landing, shoving it through the broken wall.
“This really isn’t the best time to discuss this,” he panted.
It screamed and we sprinted to close the final few feet between us and the house. Inside Ric barred the door and followed us down into the atrium. Alistair and Chester were panting heavily and explaining to Willow what they’d seen.
“There’s not as many as we thought in our worst-case plan,” Alistair panted and looked toward me. “There’s also no sign of Daniel in their ranks.”
Something banged behind us and I jumped. “He won’t just sit this one out,” I said.
Alistair nodded. “I know. That means he’s not just here to kill us.”
“Gehn.” I pulled my hands up to my head. “He’s here for me. Two birds with one stone.”
“I had a feeling you weren’t fully Gnathian, but the lost daughter of Adrian is not one I would have guessed,” Chester laughed.
Willow glared at Alistair. “You told him?”
“He’s a trusted friend-”
“Daniel was a trusted friend and look how that turned out. We have one of the missing pieces of Vremia’s history in our home and you weren’t supposed to take that information outside,” she snarled.
“On my life and honour, I swear I won’t breathe a word,” Chester said, pressing a fist against his heart.
“Keep your life and honour,” Willow said, barging past him. “Let’s survive the day first then we can deal with this.”
Willow was so collected in her manner that it made me wonder what else she’d seen in her life that, compared to the pounding of feet and snarling outside, was more terrifying. They were ready to fight, and everyone but Lavender and me knew their positions for battle. Alistair tossed something to Ethan and clamped a piece down on himself.
“It’s been a while since I’ve worn this.” Alistair stretched out his arms in the leather and metal armour.
Ric and Chester wore nothing other than basic clothing and held no swords or stilettos. Then it clicked: they wouldn’t be fighting in their usual forms. Ric passed Lavender his knife and whispered something to her. She nodded and wiped her eyes as he kissed her forehead. It was when people started saying their ‘good lucks’ and ‘good-byes’ that the worry grew. Even Chester and Ric grasped each other’s arms. Willow kissed her daughter and told her she would see her soon. For the first time in a while she pulled me into a hug and ran a hand down my hair before she ran out of the door with Alistair and Chester in tow.
“Whatever happens, stay inside and stay hidden. This place has plenty of hiding spaces,” Ethan said to us, securing his bow over his shoulder. “If Daniel’s here for you he’ll stop at nothing until he can get to you. That means you and Lavender are in as much danger as any of us out there.”
“Wait, you just expect us to stay here while you all risk your lives?” I challenged.
“I expect you to defend our home,” he said gruffly. “I expect you to live.”
“We’ll guard this place with our lives, brother.” Lavender grasped my hand.
“Fine, but you already lost one bet so I’ll make another. I spotted a nice looking tavern in Carrandell the other day. If you’re not back before sunset you have to take us out for a drink and you have to pay for it.” I didn’t quite know what was wrong with me. All of these bets and wagers were achieving little more than a minute of distraction and a smile.
“If you’re talking about the Rose and Thorn you can forget it; the place does ale like pisswater. If we’re talking about Lady in the Lake, however, you’re on. If I win this wager I get to take my old room back.”
“Fine,” I said.
Ethan laughed heartily as it took him off guard, “It’s a deal, lady.”
He mocked a bow and patted Ric on the shoulder. I let go of Lavender’s hand momentarily to hug Ric and wish him luck. Then they were gone.
There was so much more I wanted to say to Ethan in case I didn’t get the chance again – I suppose that was the hardship of battle. You never quite know who’ll return and who won’t. Even if we had more time together what would I say? ‘I think you’re an asshole but I might also love you…’ No. Not in a million years. The things I felt for him were confusing. He made me angry and light and scared and safe all at the same time. There were also moments where I wanted to either punch him or tear his clothes off, but what in Gehn did that say about me? Love – hate – where did the lines blur?
“I’m scared, Lav,” I said, concentrating on the present.
“So am I,” she said, staring at the shut door. Together we slipped the bar in front of it and trapped ourselves inside to wait for the fighting to begin.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
TIME PASSED TOO slowly as the sounds of chaos around us grew louder and more dreadful. Hands banged against the walls, doors and windows now and again, but we kept ourselves hidden beneath the stairs. An almighty BANG came from the front door and Lavender jumped beside me. Her heart raced so hard even I could hear it in the quiet of our refuge. She banged her fists against the floor and groaned.