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Friday, July 4.
The morning is bleak, and the weather matches my feelings. Neither Shay nor I slept, in spite of my best efforts. We were content to lie next to each other without saying much. It was already said and then some.
A knock on the door tells us that we really must start the day. Shay hugs my shoulders and then rises from bed, opening the hotel door to a cart of breakfast foods.
“Good morning, you two,” Sidelle says. “I took it upon myself to order food since I know you lazy bums aren’t doing anything.” She winks at me. “One of everything is here. I know you both will need your strength, especially, Shay.”
Placing plates and glasses filled with orange juice and milk onto the tables, she lifts the serving plate covers to reveal at least a pound of bacon and scrambled eggs, five pancakes, half a dozen sausage links, bagels, muffins, and fruit cups. Off to the side are steaming cups of chai tea latte.
“I ran to the coffee shop in the foyer because I know it’s your favorite, and I thought it would help ease your mind with something familiar.”
“Thank you, Sidelle. That was very kind of you.”
“I do have my moments.” She smiles.
“All right, Zoe,” Shay says and motions me to join him at the table. “You heard her, eat up.”
Never being one to shy away from food, I set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me. While the eggs are not fluffy like how my mom makes them, these are doused in a white cream sauce. I take a few bites and moan. My cheeks redden, and I cover my face with the latte.
We make a good dent in the food, but I don’t think I can eat anymore without it threatening to come back up later.
“What’s the plan?” I suggest. “Maybe we should pack food for today?”
Kieran appears in the room. “I thought that we would meet with Vash and then scout the woods,” he says. “The angels have set Split Rock as the meeting point and will create the Void from there, spreading it out over the water. We need to be there when it’s created because the angels won’t have time to keep adjusting it during the battle.”
Kieran calls Vash to set up a meeting time and place, so we are well coordinated with our attacks. The assembly point is at Goosberry Falls State Park, and Sidelle informs us Oberon will also be at the gathering.
We do pack food, enough food to feed a small army. In fact, it’s for all the Nephilim and Pack members, so it really is for an army of warriors.
Around noon, I can’t sit in the hotel any more. “We need to leave. I have to stretch my legs.”
“The meeting isn’t for another couple of hours,” Kieran says.
“I know, but I can’t be cooped up any more. If today is my last day, I don’t want to spend it indoors. I need to feel the breeze on my face, the smell of pine surrounding me, and hear the water lap the shore.”
“Are you sure you aren’t a Summer fairy?” Sidelle asks.
“Pretty sure,” I tease.
“Let’s get you out of here and be one with nature.” Shay ushers me out of our room and down to the lobby. “I need to gas up the vehicle, and then we can be on our way.”
The state park is just under an hour away from us, about ten minutes from our rallying point. The landscape is breathtaking. To my left are dense thickets of strong oak trees, red maples, and evergreens. On the other side, as we travel north on Highway 61, is blue water as far as I can see. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, sharing boarders with the U.S. and Canada.
As we enter the gated parking lot, the aroma of wood, dirt, and grass fills my nose. This is a perfect setting. The wolves and Summer fairies will be right at home.
We pay our admission fee and roll along the paved road toward the tourist lodge. I can’t wait to set my feet on the multitude of walking paths. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. I remember my family taking a trip here, maybe when I was around six or seven. Mom held my hand, while Dad led Stella to the falls. My sister and I climbed rocks most of the day then waded through the shallow, cool waters.
Now, I lead my party to the same water pool and watch the water cascade over the multiple-level rock formation.
It’s early in the afternoon, and people are milling about, but they don’t pay attention. Hikers stop and pose for a quick picture before they wander down a new path. Tourists splash the water along the shore, and kids’ giggling fills the area. So many are carefree. I envy them.
Shay nudges my shoulder and then points. Turning, I look in the direction and see eyes staring back at my own. A smattering of wolves came early, probably to scout the area for demons.
We head in their direction, going deeper into the forest, needing to be hidden from prying eyes. Twigs snap beneath my feet, and once again I notice that I’m the only one whose soles make noise. It reminds me when we were in Fairyland tromping through the Mist looking for a porta. That time, too, I was the lone hiker who couldn’t seem to make silent footsteps.
I’m the only sound in the woods, even when the more than two dozen wolves surround us. For a moment, I’m jealous, but then remember the reason we’re here.
Vash steps from behind a tree, holding hands with Cali. They smile at us and we embrace quickly. Keeping his voice low and formal, Vash speaks, “We’re all set. We’ve been patrolling since yesterday afternoon throughout the city and the nearby woods.” He spreads his arms wide. “I had several other Packs meet here early this morning, so we can recon the area. The rest are a couple miles out from the lighthouse.”
“Have you seen many demons?” I ask.
“Some have run into Knights in the city, but most have been out here in the wilderness. Marqs are already floating around, too. I think they are seeing the landscape before the battle.”
“And numbers for them?” Kieran asks.
“Thousands of Knights. Not sure on how many Marqs, but we’ve counted four or five dozen so far.”
“That many. Are we going to have enough on our side?” I ask.
“Numbers will be about equal, I would think.”
“They must be hiding the true Marqs numbers,” Shay says.
“I would think so,” Vash agrees.
“We’ll have more than enough.” Oberon walks through a porta. “Mab is on her way with her subjects.” He wraps his dark green cape tightly around his shoulders. “Good thing the cold weather is in her favor, or else she might not stay.”
I forgot how ancient he is, but he doesn’t look a day over forty. He’s dressed in battle armor over brown breeches and a green tunic. The wooden weaved crown I’ve seen him in previously is missing from his head, letting his dark chocolate locks flow freely.
“Hello, Father,” Sidelle says.
“Daughter.” He nods. “Plan of attack today?” His eyes penetrate mine as if he’s waiting for me to answer.
“We were getting numbers from Vash,” Kieran says. “Thousands of Knights and dozens of Marqs.”
“I assume the angels are coming, too?”
“Yes, Michael is rallying them even as we speak. They’ll open the Void as soon as we’re there and most of the demons have come.”
“Any particular way you want to handle this, Vash?” Oberon asks.
“I think the wolves should focus on the Marqs. We won’t know their true numbers until we get into it. But they’re our best defense without tying up too many of us. That leaves the fairies and Nephilim to deal with all the Knights.”
“Some of the Archangels can also assist with the Marqs,” Kieran says.
“The Knights will bring guns, grenades, and anything else they could get their hands on,” Shay says. “Nephilims and the wolves will be susceptible for any kill shots they make.”
I squeeze Shay’s hand.
“It’s a good plan,” Oberon says. “Remember that, but also know that it’s going to go sideways within a couple of minutes and just go with it.” He looks at the sky as if reading it. “Mab is here.”
And like he has announced, the Winter Queen steps through a glass porta. Her blue skirt is wrapped at the waist securely held with a dark navy bodice. Black boots adorn her feet and travel up to her knees. Her long black hair is tight in a bun on top of her head. Ice cold, cerulean eyes gaze at me, then to the Summer fairies. She is a picture-perfect woman warrior.
Like Oberon, she exudes power with deadly precision. She is a woman of few words, but her face says it all. She’s ready to kill, beat, and maim any demon that crosses her path. Retribution for all those she lost when demons overtook her lands.
The Summer King gestures for her to follow and they leave. I guess he will tell her our wobbly plan.
My stomach flips as I realize it’s almost time to leave. Turning back the way we came, I trudge through the trees. I don’t need to look back; I know everyone is following. We stay silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts, doing our own pre-battle pep talk, or whatever it is we do.
Taking one last glance at the beautiful waterfall and all the clueless people enjoying their day, I march back on the trail that leads to the car.
The short ride to the lighthouse has me on edge. My legs bounce and I fidget, playing with the radio, the window, and my seat. Anything to keep my fingers moving.
Shay places a calming palm on my thigh, sending all his love my way.