Page 96 of Lethal Souls
“I am,” I breathe, shaking a loc away from my face. “But you’ll likely regret having to train me. I wasn’t born a fighter like my mate.”
“Oh, Willow.” Korah chuckles. “You were born to be that and so much more.”
FIFTY-EIGHT
CAZ
No one wants this war, but the truth has settled in, and the villages, cities, and camps are in a frenzy as they prepare.
We’ve made our last stop to Whisper Grove, where Devlin horribly insists that his people fight or die. There isn’t a compassionate bone in his body, but his fervor is admirable. He’s willing to fight for his world or die trying.
Prior to that, Alora gave a warming speech to her people while explaining that we had the assistance of Hassha. The murmurs amongst her citizens were loud. At first, they didn’t believe what she was saying about The Regals. Not until Hassha flew down to greet them in a blaze of blue.
“I’m surprised they accepted me,” Hassha says as we make our trek to an open field. Rowan, Killian, and Juniper follow along, guns slung over their shoulders and their eyes tired.
“The world isn’t what it used to be, Hassha,” I say. “Some of us are willing to respect those who look out for them.”
“I suppose so.” She stops in the center of the field. A breeze floats by, sending specks of luminous blue dust off her cloak. “Many things have changed. My tribe tried to inform me of this, but I didn’t want to believe them.” She directs her attention to me. “Willow told Korah that you and Alora are seeking change. I see that now. And though that Devlin can be a bit of a savage, he wants the same thing. I read him well. He’s a true ally despite how much he boasts.”
“Well, I’m glad we can trust him at least,” I say.
Hassha steps closer to me. “This is why I believe we have a chance of winning. As a unit, we cannot be defeated. All Selah has is herself.”
I study her glowing irises. “Are you sure about that?”
Hassha raises her chin. “If there is one thing you should know about me, I do not like to lose. Selah will bring all she can, but she will not stand in the end. The best thing to do is prepare for her surprises.” A breath escapes her as she peers up at the stars.
Then, right before my eyes, those same stars fall from the sky and twirl around us. Juniper giggles as one of the stars lands on her cheek and settles into her skin. Killian tries swatting at them while Rowan attempts to catch a few.
A silver star lands in my lifted palm, and it blazes around the edges with light. It’s surprisingly cool to the touch. It slips out of my hand, and all the stars zip past Hassha, forming into two solid figures.
One is a person wielding a sword, the other a winged creature with blue jewels for eyes. Both drip with starlight as they stand side by side.
The creature is reminiscent of a horse, only stealthier and much, much taller. It huffs and stomps a hoof as the starlight person next to it raises their sword, swinging and slashing at the air without a single strain.
“She has her surprises,” Hassha informs us, watching the person mount the horse, “and I have mine.”
The sword-swinging star figure mounts the horse, and it gallops away, melting into the forest in the distance, leaving glittering dust behind them.
“What are those?” Juniper asks, tilting her face to the sky.
“Sky warriors,” Hassha answers in a softer voice. “I breathe life into them, shape them. They are warriors who will be at your side during the war. They’ll be made of both moon and sun. With them and my Kessel warriors, we will rise. Now come.” She raises her hands, and her whole body ignites. “It’s time to return to Blackwater.”
FIFTY-NINE
CAZ
The sunlight nearly blinds me when we land in front of the manor.
I stagger on my feet, trying to regain balance. Rowan stumbles and knocks into Killian, who grips him by the shoulders and rights him.
“I need to gather my tribe and bring them here. It’ll be best keeping them close so they can prepare and train too.” Hassha is already marching in the opposite direction of the manor. “Caspian, find Willow and Korah. The rest of you, make sure your armor and weapons are prepared and worthy.”
The Regal vanishes, leaving me and my clan standing in the grass. “Well, you heard her,” I say, my words melting to a sigh. “Let’s get training.”
Willow and Korah are in Monarch Terrain. I hear them before I see them. Willow’s heart is beating rapidly.
When I step through the brush of leaves, I spot her in the middle of the field, struggling to hold a sword in the air. Korah stands in front of her with her own sword pointed at Willow.