Page 53 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

D aemon soldiers emerged from their cover in the shadows of the ruined buildings, their ebony armor absorbing the light around them. As if it was a living, breathing entity, determined to squash all hope, all goodness in the world.

Mouths pulled into grins of triumph, they charged. Fae archers released a round of arrows, taking several down, but there were too many.

A stone dropped in Ava’s stomach. They were surrounded.

Shouts in the distance from the other groups echoed, finding themselves in the same situation. Ava placed herself back-to-back with Raine, their group of soldiers circling them, as they prepared to fight their way out.

She had barely drawn her bow when the daemons were upon them.

Roots and vines twisted together, building a blockade around the team, buying the archers enough time to release another round of arrows.

Ava released her own into a daemon’s eye, killing him instantly.

She retrieved another arrow from her quiver, nocked and released it, only this time the black-armored soldier dodged her effort as it was deflected by his spiked armor.

They tried to keep the roots steady, keeping the daemons at a distance, but they were cutting through them faster than Raine and the others could grow new ones.

It wasn’t long before their formation was split and Ava switched to using her magic to pull soldiers down so Raine’s wolf, Sabriel, could finish them off.

As quickly as she ensnared them, more came.

Wave after wave. Several fae soldiers were killed in the chaos as they continued to fight their way out.

She took a moment to search for Raine, but he’d disappeared, lost in the melee.

Shit, she thought, as she unsheathed her sword and pushed through, her months of training and faster fae body paying off.

A daemon soldier lunged for her. She met his attempt, swords clashing, as she blocked the blow and whirled around, severing his head.

Another threw a dagger she avoided at the last second, its blade nicking the leather armor on her shoulder cap as it sailed by.

Her magic warmed inside her, aching to be released.

Raising her hand, emerald vines erupted from the soil, snaking around the daemon’s body, holding him in place as one of her own soldiers slit his throat.

From her left, an enemy charged. Ava turned to meet him, but didn’t have to. Sabriel leaped into the air, canines clamping on his throat and ripping, painting her silver fur with black blood. The wolf growled in triumph, bounding away to maim another soldier.

Dodging and parrying, Ava made it with the help of her remaining crew, killing enough of the daemons they were no longer surrounded. Where was Raine? Was he okay?

Pax arrived with more soldiers to assist. His green skin was covered in daemon blood, a snarl leaving his throat as he helped finish off the remaining enemies .

Yells, shouts and the clang of weapons resonated in the distance, the rest of their forces still locked in their own battles.

“Go help the others,” she instructed.

“Yes, Your Highness,” said Pax as he barked orders at the group and led them through town.

Ava wandered through the rubble, alone in an isolated part of town, but she wasn’t leaving without finding Raine and ensuring his safety.

“Raine!” she shouted. Nothing.

With cautious steps, she wove through the debris and scanned the wreckage around her. Hollow dread filled her gut. He was nowhere to be found.

“Luna, can you find Raine?”

He’s safe. You need to get out of there. Something bad is coming, I can feel it.

Tension left her body at Luna’s words. Safe. He’s safe. Heeding her companion’s warning, she jogged to the sounds of fighting to help the others who were still in battle. She rounded a corner when a rush of power nearby made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Something dark. Familiar.

A deep sultry voice sounded behind her. “Hello, Ava dear.”

A shiver went down her spine.

Unsheathing her dagger, she spun around and whipped it at the voice.

But Andras caught it midair, an amused smile on his face.

She froze in place, fear taking over as she looked into the eyes of her enemy.

Her abuser. The man—no, the daemon—who tricked her.

Beat her. Drugged her. Then stood by as she was tortured for weeks.

“Look at you,” he said, tossing the dagger to the ground as he strolled forward, placing his hands in his pockets. He was dressed in all black, matching his long ebony hair and contrasting his pale complexion.

“You have magic,” he crooned. “What a treat. ”

“You killed everyone here,” she whispered, trying to hide her trembling.

He shrugged and continued to advance as Ava backed away.

A shout came from her left. “Ava!”

Raine appeared, bolting for her as he unsheathed his sword. But Andras threw out a hand and black shadow shot forth, covering her friend in darkness.

“No!” Ava screamed, lunging at Andras with another dagger.

He grabbed her wrist, stopping her blow, as the shadows writhed and swirled around Raine. She was barely able to see him through the darkness but caught a glimpse of platinum hair as his body trembled, starting to convulse.

“Please, no,” Ava begged as she let out a sob, heart in her throat. “Stop.”

Andras released his magic and Raine fell to the ground. Motionless. She couldn’t even tell if he was breathing.

He couldn’t be dead. She wouldn’t accept it. She wasn’t going to lose yet another friend. Andras tightened his grip on her wrist so hard, she yelped and dropped her blade, wincing in pain at his strength.

“Get up!” Ava screamed at Raine. He didn’t move. “Get up!”

Still, he remained motionless.

White hot rage boiled inside her as she turned to Andras. “I’m going to fucking kill you.”

Fueled by her fury, she pulled out of his grip and raised roots along his legs, attempting to trap him but he laughed as his shadows dissolved them in seconds. He was too strong.

Run, Ava, said Luna.

“No, I’m not leaving Raine.”

Roots and vines twisted and turned, Ava using her magic once more. Her attempt was met with shadow and death, disintegrating them as soon as they reached Andras. She unsheathed her sword, prepared to fight, when Andras laughed again.

She lunged, prepared to cut his head from his shoulders, but his shadows burst forth so quickly, her body froze as she was ensnared.

Dark smoke snaked around her like wispy black ropes, climbing her legs, her torso and around her throat.

He lifted her into the air and grinned as Ava dropped her sword and panicked.