For an agonizing ten minutes, Tipa was gone.
Merrick paced in front of a square, wooden arch with winding black flowers while I stared out at the tundra, heart thumping. The implications of what just happened with Tontes continued to circle my mind, like birds of prey about to dive for the kill.
What a fool I had been.
All this time I’d been attempting to protect Letum Wood, I’d really been cutting myself off from the most powerful source of magic that I had. The signs had been there all along. I’d bluffed with Tontes to buy time, but my suppositions had been true.
The way the forest spoke to me made our connection clear. We had worked seamlessly together against the demigods that had attacked my house. We hadn’t saved my cottage, but we’d been effective in getting the amulet.
All this time, I hadn’t seen my true power until I had to face Tontes.
The goddess magic had been growing inside of me for weeks now. Each day, a new advantage. More skill, more power. Targeted and strategic. Though growth had been slow, it had been steady.
True.
The powerful connection I’d harbored with Ignis, I also had with Deasylva. I hadn’t recognized it as the same until this moment. God magic had been bold, blatant. Powerful in ways that took my breath away, but it held a dark side. Goddess magic had been far more subtle. It required choice, not force, which meant I had to want it.
Now, I wanted it.
No, needed it.
Everything lay so bare—so pristinely clear in front of me. The power had been inside me all along, I just had to trust it.
“Dragons are reported to be flying over Chatham City,” Merrick said.
He’d stopped pacing to stare out, lips turned down. His shoulders splayed wide against the dying light in the background, casting him in a dark silhouette.
“Demigods have been spotted in the forest. Witches continue to flee to the Southern Network from all over Alkarra. If they can’t transport, though most can, others are transporting them.”
“Are the borders closed in the North?”
“Geralyn tried. I’m not sure, though. Derek said something . . . ”
“Are the demigods following the fleeing witches?”
Merrick paused. No doubt he received updates through the Protector magic. From a wily, ages-old Protector named Chi, most likely, as Chi had eyes and ears everywhere. What I’d give to be part of that exclusive circle—such quick and easy access to them would change the battle everywhere.
“No,” he murmured. “The demigods are concentrated inside the forest. Foresters are spilling into Chatham City. They’re saying that the demigods are cutting down trees, attempting to flood where they can.”
“Is it working?”
“Sometimes, I think.”
“Not surprising.”
“The rain has stopped in the Central Network, but winds have picked up. Trees are falling in the flooded areas from the gusts. Some have fallen on homes.” He broke, shook his head, then continued. “Forest lions are roaming villages, Chi says. Witches are saying they’re unusually agitated. None have attacked any witches.”
“The good gods,” I whispered.
Letum Wood was bleeding like a severed artery. Creatures, trees, and panic spilling everywhere.
“The hurricane in the East is picking up speed,” he continued, his voice low. He spoke methodically, relaying what someone else said. “It’s turning into violent winds instead of rain. Tornadoes have broken out across marshes. Reports put the bulkhead of tornadoes as close as two hours from the eastern edge of Letum Wood.”
“Not that far from the circle of the ancients.”
“No. Dust devils are rampaging across the Western Network, too.” He grimaced.
“There’s only one way to stop this,” I muttered.
With a touch of magic, I brought the forest to the front of my mind. Trees screamed. Saplings shrieked. I winced, closed my eyes, against the instant cacophony. With it came pain. The rending of soul with each lost tree. My heart felt like tattered fabric, almost torn to shreds. It palpitated inside me, an aching mass.
Tontes and Ventis had doubled their attacks in the wood. Saplings fell everywhere, but the older trees gave little indication of their status. Their silence reassured me only slightly.
Guilt followed.
With my heart, I reached out to them.
Arborra, I have more to tell.
Before Arborra could respond, I turned my heart to the magic. Our connection was enough that I felt as if I’d turned a microscope to my vulnerabilities. All lay bare before me now.
My insecurities. My deep-rooted fear of losing the forest. The decisions that led me to this point. All of my revelations to Arborra were tinged with desperation. A quiet hope of forgiveness summarized in two softly spoken words.
I’m sorry. We’re . . . connected, I said to Arborra. We’re tied together. You’re part of who I am.
Part of you, they whispered, but not you.
Grandfather’s words from what felt like so long ago resurrected in my mind.
You’re so much bigger than that.
Ah, so that is what he meant. Had I tied myself too tightly into the forest? Had I too-closely aligned myself with Letum Wood? Yes.
But that wasn’t real.
I’m afraid of losing you. The words rang, barren, even in my head. Thousands of years of history came from this soil. It lives in you. I don’t want to sacrifice your lives to the gods. Deasylva’s power is rooted in the forest. If we lose you, we lose Alkarra.
Arborra’s voice strengthened. Not if we fight together.
Some trees will die.
Yes, and so will witches. It is the way of things.
With a wince, I turned away.
I’ve taken care of the forest for so long . . . I don’t know if I can let you die, Arborra. I only wanted to protect you.
The admission crinkled inside of me like cold leaves. My heart shriveled. For a moment, time hung in the balance. The air stilled, time stopped. Arborra’s words shook me to my center.
Your heart is known and understood and cherished. You have found your path, now allow us to have ours. Together, we will fight. We can win. Only you can direct us. With you at the front, we can make our own destiny.
Other trees spoke at the same time, tripping over each other in their haste to be heard.
We will be your eyes.
She leads us.
We follow her.
Always.
Such unequivocal belief humbled me. A tear formed in my eyes as I pulled in a deep breath. Heat swelled in my chest. With it came a melody of voices. They gathered together, funneling into one voice that represented Arborra’s steady, quiet tone.
We are one.
Truly now, I said. We will do this together.
We are here.
I trust you.
As we trust you.
A sense of release followed. Freedom, perhaps. The realization that the only true chance Alkarra had involved Letum Wood, and my ability to trust the trees to do what they must. Losses would happen.
I couldn’t change that.
We face a hard path ahead, I said. We will lose trees. The forest will have to fight for its life. I can’t save all of you, but I will fight with you.
Millions of responses followed.
It is all that we ask.
I drew in a deep breath, feeling as if I stood on solid ground for the first time. Uncertainty mixed with elation. With Letum Wood at my side, I would be a far more powerful force than Ignis could have ever been with me.
The forest knew me. In some ways, better than I knew myself. Our magic would be seamless and tremendous. Though Ventis rampaged the forest and knocked down trees, and Tontes moved closer to Deasylva’s heart center, I knew I stood exactly where I belonged.
This time, Letum Wood was the conduit. It was always meant for this purpose.
I have a plan, I said with growing confidence. It’s a plan that has a chance. Are you ready to hear it?
A pause. As I turned my mind over to Arborra, the trees responded in a denouement of sound. Silence prevailed in my soul, as oddly calm as the forest became on many occasions. In it, I gave my mind to the forest. Let them see my plan, hear my thoughts, and appreciate the path.
The noiseless moments continued until Arborra spoke again.
We see your plan.
Are you willing?
We are ready. Will the witches agree?
They won’t know.
A humming resounded. Affirmation, as if Arborra agreed that subterfuge was best. The enacting of my plan would happen in conjunction with Scarlett and the Networks’ plan. Mine relied on quiet, steady patience. On the witches who were prepared to make this happen—like the forest was prepared to fight for its life.
For Alkarra.
Together, I promised.
Always.
A rush of sound drew my head back up, out of my thoughts. Arborra’s trailing whisper faded into the background as Tipa reappeared. With her usual purposeful stride, she moved toward me. Merrick paused, turned. Behind her, Baxter appeared. He was ragged, with bags under his eyes. Clothes wrinkled, a bit haggard. He saw me and a raised eyebrow followed. What felt like moments later, they stood in front of me.
“What’s going on, Bianca?” he asked.
“Tontes has Nicomedianthekus,” I said quickly. “I think I know where he’s hiding it. I have two jobs for you. If you can do them, we have a chance of winning.”
Baxter hesitated. His gaze searched mine. What he looked for there, he must have found, because he nodded.
With a hard swallow he said, “What do you need?”
* * *
Matthais blinked.
Talmund stared, face scrunched.
Merrick chewed on his bottom lip.
Total silence lay on the Gatehouse as I waited for all three of them to respond to my plan. Merrick stood a few paces away at my side, gaze intent on his leaders. I knew he wanted to be closer to me, but he stayed back so I could stand before Matthais on my own.
In the waiting quiet, clanking chains sounded from below as Guardians lowered the portcullis. Voices called from the lower Bailey, and a thump thump thump indicated a dragon soared right past the window. Flames burst, illuminating the sky for a moment. The chaos of Alkarra represented itself in the mayhem.
Moisture curled off the stones outside, filling the air with vapor. The rain had stopped, but the storm continued. Winds gusted past at intermittent intervals, rapidly changing direction. Their mischievous bursts, then falling power, lent a harried feeling to the air.
Talmund opened his mouth, then closed it. He straightened from where he’d leaned over the table to study my proposed attack strategy. With the heel of his hand, he rubbed his bloodshot eyes, a suppressed yawn tightened his jaw.
“It’s a wild plan, Miss Monroe.”
“It can work,” I said.
He glanced at Matthais, who watched me with a glittering, studious gaze. I met his stare, tension all the way down my spine.
“Could is a far cry from will,” Matthais murmured.
His gaze dropped to an open map on the table, filled with a grid-like structure of the forest. Chatham Castle lay to the left of the page. The rest of the forest rolled out like a skirt.
Colorful triangles indicated contingents from each Network. Emerald for the East. Amethyst for the North, who represented themselves through a witch named Nadira. Crimson for the Central Network. Mustard yellow for the Western Network.
West Guards would hover around the western edge of Letum Wood, as well as Chatham Castle. Each Network defended their own castle, except the East. Magnolia was too far underwater to need defense. They’d place their extra contingents along the eastern border, to escort witches to the Southern Network.
The room fell into utter stillness as I pointed to a spot on the map where I felt certain the circle of the ancients stood. The heart of Deasylva’s power. Mapping out Letum Wood to any degree of exactness was like unwinding yarn, but I had a feeling my instincts in this matter were correct.
“The seat of Deasylva’s power is around here. Tontes knows this—he’s going to put his foremost attack at the circle. If I had a guess, I’d say that he’ll concentrate all his most powerful demigods and mortals there. He craves this victory. More than anything, I’d wager.”
Talmund frowned. “You think that’s where the demigods will congregate, too? We assumed they’d spread their resources out in a wider net to destroy the forest while mortals fought at the circle. A few signs of mortals congregating there are already obvious.”
“It seems most likely to me, because the circle is the real target. Ventis and Tontes are already destroying the forest—now they need to go for the throat, so to speak. After our meeting, I’ll transport there. You can follow if you need to.”
In a thought, I turned my mind back to the forest. Their collective whisperings resumed in the interior of my mind. Murmurs and thoughts whirled around. As if I could extend myself through the roots, my awareness raced all the way to the circle.
No demigods have revealed themselves here. They work elsewhere. Witches have begun to appear in greater numbers.
Could the demigods be invisible, Arborra?
Yes. We would not be aware.
I blinked, bringing my mind back to the room.
“Letum Wood will listen to me. The forest wants the amulets as much as we do. It will help wherever it can. The trees are good at anticipating what we might need.”
My thoughts rippled to the dragons, creatures, saplings, undergrowth, and finally to a goddess who placed her trust in me. The magic had always been at my fingertips, but now it lay at my command. I was not Letum Wood’s caretaker anymore.
I was their High Priestess.
“What does that mean?” Matthais asked.
“It means,” I said with finality, “that we’re going to take the gods by surprise.”
“Your plan relies on the cooperation of trees,” he murmured, voice rolling like thunder overhead.
“And a demigod that might be willing to double-cross us,” Talmund added in a mutter.
Merrick stepped forward, the dull thud of his boot on wood reverberating. His expression was stern. “His name is Baxter,” he said tightly, “and he’s not just a demigod. I trust him. Baxter has already proven his loyalty.”
Talmund’s reluctance faded, only slightly. Matthais glanced at Merrick out of the corner of his eye, then back to me.
“You want to do this without telling Scarlett?”
“There’s no reason to. It would only distract. The plan that the Networks came up with centers around the circle of the ancients anyway. We can work with their plan. The Guardians will give us some advantage as they fight the mortals.”
“You’re sneaking your plan on top of this one?”
“It’s all we have time for.”
Another pregnant pause.
Finally Talmund lifted one shoulder. “Fine. It’s no skin off my back for you to try it, as it wouldn’t alter the course for my Guardians. They’re almost entirely into position. The answer lays with Matthais.” Talmund slapped Matthais on the shoulder. “Update me as you are able. I’ll keep the mortals as stressed and busy as I can while we try to find amulets.”
With that, Talmund returned to the forest, leaving Matthais and Merrick and myself alone in the Gatehouse. Matthais widened his stance as lightning streaked across the sky. The bright flash of white faded back to utter darkness. A waiting pall enveloped Alkarra, as if the land knew that destruction awaited.
A thud rattled the door. I tightened, stopping myself just short of a gasp of surprise. Matthais disappeared.
“Come in,” Merrick commanded.
A young boy stumbled into the room, drenched. His hair dropped down his brow in saturated curls, pasted to his skin. Water collected in a puddle beneath him as he doubled over, gasping. Matthais reappeared by the door. He braced his fingers against it and closed it with a thud.
“What is it, Nate?” he asked.
“Demigods at the edge of the castle,” the boy gasped. “Mortals, too. They’re gathering around all the entrances and exits. They’re about to attack! A butler sent me to tell the Protectors. I don’t know anything else.”
Matthais held up a hand to indicate they should wait, then gazed off into the distance. Moments later, he turned back to the lad, hand returning to his side.
“Talmund just left. He said he’s assigning a contingent to come back to the castle and support the one already here. Run to your butler, tell him that.”
“Forgive me,” Nate squeaked, “but there are so many demigods! More than a contingent can handle.”
Merrick growled.
Arborra, can the trees nearest the castle see the mortals and demigods amassing outside?
A pause, then, Yes.
Tell the trees to get rid of them. I don’t want a single demigod or mortal near the castle.
A thrill infused Arborra’s reply.
As you command.
“It will be taken care of,” I said to the boy.
Matthais lifted an inquiring eyebrow. “Will it?”
Already, the voices of trees rose in my mind with promises of protection and revenge. A thirst for justice drove them to action, I felt it stirring my blood. Overhead, a screech, then a burst of dragonfire, headed that direction.
I couldn’t see what the trees or the dragons did, but exclamations, discussions, and cries from the saplings indicated some level of success already.
“Go, Nate.” I nodded toward the door. “See for yourself.”
Nate turned to Matthais, who relented with a nod. The boy scampered back outside, disappearing with a crackle of lightning. Thunder flowed next, lasting for several long moments.
“You’re serious?” Matthais murmured.
“Quite.”
“The trees just . . . obey you?”
“They want to fight for Alkarra. I simply . . . guide. It’s the power I’ve been given.”
“By the goddess?”
“Yes.”
He let out a controlled breath. “All right.”
“With the forest, we can save the Network, but we need the Protectors help getting the amulets. The trees can’t fight forever, and the only way to stop the gods is to destroy the amulets.”
“Baxter hasn’t found Nicomedianthekus.”
“He will have, shortly. If Baxter does his job well,” I replied, “we’ll only have one god to deal with. He’s going to find Nicomedianthekus, return it to Gelas, and distract Ventis until we’ve found and destroyed at least eight amulets. We have seven left.”
My confidence didn’t waver. Tontes had inadvertently revealed himself, and my trip to Alaysia made it almost glaringly obvious where the amulet could be hidden. If Baxter drew his father’s attention away, we’d have one less god to grapple with.
Hopefully.
Matthais pulled in a breath, his nostrils widening, then shrinking. The intensity of his gaze hadn’t waned as he considered the rudimentary steps of my plan. Breath rushed out of him. He nodded once.
“Fine. You have my support, on one condition.” He paused, lifted a finger. “Rognvald, Chi, and myself are involved. Derek is on his way. I’ll brief him and Regina.”
“Agreed. I expect the six of you to take an amulet each. That will amount to seven. I’ll find one myself, which makes eight.”
“What’s our backup plan?” Merrick asked. “In case someone doesn’t get an amulet.”
I grinned.
“The forest. Once you find an amulet, the forest will take it from there. It can send them to Ignis and Gelas more safely than we could without Baxter here. Ready to get started?”
Matthais stopped me with a gentle hand on my shoulder.
“Wait.”
I froze, startled by the contact. He dropped his arm back to his side. Both eyebrows crashed together, wrinkling the skin between them.
“I wanted you to know that the Brotherhood is proud to work with the Sisterhood.”
Heat welled up in my throat. Relief. Pride. Joy. Matthais continued seamlessly, as if the words didn’t cost him a thing to say.
“You’ve done well, Bianca.” His gaze darted to Merrick, then back to me. “I love my Brothers like my sons, and I hope one day to say the same about the Sisterhood. Let’s go amulet-hunting, shall we?”
My lips curled into a slow grin. I nodded.
“Oh, one more thing.”
His hand reached back out, settled on my shoulder. He murmured under his breath, full lips moving fast and steady. Heat welled up in his palm, slipped into my body. Magic darted from my shoulder to my mind like streaks of fire. I gasped, shuddered. A shift occurred, like a breaking within. My mind opened to fireworks of bursting light.
Matthais stared at me, gaze tapered. His lips didn’t move, but I heard his voice all the same.
Welcome to the magic of the Brotherhood.
A thrill shot all the way through my body, lifting goosebumps on my arms. The Brotherhood magic. As powerful an acceptance as I could ask for. No more sending written messages to Papa or wondering when Merrick would reply. The Brotherhood had access to me, and I to them, in an unprecedented, clever way.
Matthais had given me the gift of arriving.
Joy infused me. Courage. Readiness. I smiled. Matthais returned it, however briefly. Within moments, he sobered again.
“I’m going to find your father,” he said with a step back. “Give him and my other Protectors updates and assignments. Merrick, stay with Bianca. Chi, Derek, Regina, Rognvald, and myself will meet you both at the rendezvous point at the circle of the ancients.”
At my side, Merrick grinned. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, squeezed. Let’s go, little troublemaker, he said in my mind. We’ve got the Network to save again.
An intentional thought sent my reply.
We have one more witch to find.
* * *
Guided by a darting blue light, Merrick and I sprinted through Letum Wood.
Muddy ground squelched between my toes as I ran, grateful to find higher ground. My chest burned as I hurried past freshly-fallen trees. Some propped against other trees, like a sick friend. Saplings filled the forest floor. Fading cries issued from them as I soared past. Moisture soaked us in moments as we splashed through puddles, wading through swollen streams trickling downhill.
With each footstep, cerulean light appeared beneath me. I trailed my fingers along the trees, grabbed vines. Brilliance lingered with each touch. Voices spoke with each caress.
We are yours.
You belong to us.
We protect each other.
I trust you, I said. My mind lay open to the forest, broadcasting my thoughts, my commands. Tree branches stirred. Limp bushes straightened, as if finding courage again. In the distance, the roar of forest lions could be heard.
Magic reared up inside me, a prickling, ferocious power. A beacon of light and ability, so much greater than Ignis and I ever shared. My heart stirred with restless regard to the potential sitting in my chest. I poked and prodded the power to life, allowing the full extent of abilities to make itself known. The magic stood up, willing to respond.
To the trees, I continued my refrains.
You follow me.
I lead you.
We fight together.
You take care of yourself.
The whispers responded with growing volume, increasing measure.
We follow you.
We fight together.
We fight.
We take care of ourselves.
A building thrum followed their words—so similar, yet different—to what I’d always heard. Their growing courage spurred me to move faster. My heart slammed in my ribcage. Thunder growled overhead. My feet slapped mud, pressed past rocks. Lightning flashed at every other moment. Wind gusted by in wrathful surges.
Still, we plowed through the forest, spreading my message. More voices crowded my mind, my connection broadened to welcome all. Agitation accompanied the forest response. Deeper, similar, but distinctly different at the same time.
At once, I knew it to be the forest dragons.
Their deep-seated annoyance and thriving frustration gave them away. This deluge of rain threatened their heat. They tolerated moisture, according to Nicholas, because it maintained the foliage in which they hid. Such copious amounts would be outright torturous.
Good.
A prickly hoard of dragons could be just what the Network needed.
The farther I ran, the deeper the angst. Wings flapped overhead. Penumbras shifted in the forest next to me. I glanced to the side to find galloping bodies, furled wings, snarling teeth. The dragons ran with us now.
A bellow of fire came from up ahead. I skidded to a stop. Mud slipped all the way up my calves, caking my legs to my knees. My hand reached for purchase and a branch appeared. I grabbed it, kept upright by its gentle guidance. Merrick halted behind me, chest heaving.
I stopped, tilted my head back, and stared into a familiar pair of enraged yellow eyes.
“Reebis.”
You have returned.
“We need you. I came to ask the dragons to fight with us tonight. The gods are advancing.”
A body shifted, stepping to the side just behind the dragon. My breath caught as Nicholas moved into view. His hair was askew, eyes wide, lips down. He stalked, his heavy feet stamping through water until he stood a few paces away. My heaving shoulders slowed.
“Nicholas.”
He nodded once, face hard as stone. “The dragons are ready to fight.”