Page 54 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

I t had been a trap.

Casimir and Aelerion’s group was surrounded as they hacked their way through with swords and magic. Andras had wanted them to find out. Had wanted them to try and save the village.

And they had played right into his scheme.

Twisting to his left, Casimir sliced the head off a daemon soldier with his sword, turning around to deflect a blow from another enemy.

His foe turned, attempting to use the spike on the elbow of his dark armor to gut Casimir, but he ducked, grasping the enemy’s leg.

Using his astral magic, the daemon was a pile of ashes within seconds.

Pushing to his feet, he shook off his fear over Ava’s safety. Raine was with her and would protect her with his life. But he still regretted letting her come. He would never forgive himself should something happen.

Dodging another attack, Casimir whirled around and jammed his sword through an opening in the brutal armor.

Aelerion fought near him, a river of lava twisting and turning as he melted the daemons.

Aro lunged, grabbing a soldier by his arm and ripping it clean off, screams echoing in the morning sunlight.

As they fought their way through, Casimir went into a place of killing calm, and unleashed himself into the fray as they finished off the remaining enemies.

Casimir had finished off the last soldier when Aro said, Ava’s in danger . The town square. Hurry.

He shouted to Aelerion to follow and they sprinted to the center of the village, leaping over fallen soldiers and rubble. He had to reach her. He wouldn’t be too late. Not again.

They arrived and ducked behind a wall to assess the situation. Raine was on the ground, not moving. A wave of terror overwhelmed Casimir at the sight of his best friend’s still body.

Fuck.

Andras had his back to them, Ava ensnared by his writhing shadows as he held her in the air. Her face was full of fear and hatred as she tried to fight against him.

Seeing her in the hands of the one who had tricked and harmed her unlocked a wrath so deep, he trembled as he tried to remain calm. Impulsively attacking would only risk her safety. But once he got Ava away, he would rip out Andras’ spine for everything he’d done to her.

He whispered his plan to Aelerion, who disappeared and took his position, remaining hidden. Casimir rose and approached Andras. Ava spotted him and subtly shook her head, urging him to run.

Ignoring her warning, he gave her a subtle nod and spoke, “Fancy running into you here, Andras.”

Andras turned around, lowering Ava and bringing her in front of him. Shadows pulled her arms behind her as he took out an ebony dagger and held it at her throat, regarding Casimir with contempt.

“I’ve always wanted to meet The Bear,” Andras said. “I’ve heard so much about you. ”

His voice was ancient, skittering across Casimir’s soul with every word.

“Well, here I am,” he said, walking forward. “If you want someone to play with, I think I’d be a much more formidable opponent, don’t you think?”

“No,” Ava rasped, voice filled with terror.

“I see she’s already found herself a new lover. It sure didn’t take her long to warm another’s bed after me.”

Casimir trembled at the words but forced himself to stay composed. He wanted to rip Andras’ head off at the way he spoke; tear him apart limb from limb. But Ava was too close and would get hurt in the crossfire, so he didn’t respond. Didn’t say anything.

“I think I’ll like seeing her blood paint the ground red when we’re finished.

We translated the book, you know. We know how to open more portals to aid us.

And now that I have Ava, I will drain every drop needed to activate them and Deidamia will drink the rest of her until she’s a husk blowing in the wind. ”

“It seems your queen needs to make up her mind,” Casimir responded. “Are you trying to capture her or kill her? But even the assassins you send can’t seem to do their job properly.”

Andras’ face twitched as if Casimir had hit a nerve.

Aelerion appeared behind Andras, making his way forward as lava crept across the ground. A few more seconds. Casimir needed to keep him distracted.

“Who’s truly in charge, Andras? It seems like you want to be, but she’s undermining you, isn’t she? Making decisions you don’t agree with. Ava told me the two of you often argued when she was imprisoned there. She’s using you, isn’t she?”

Andras’ irritation turned to laughter. “Using me? You have no idea what you’re up against, you fool.”

He tightened his grip on Ava and moved the dagger to her face, slicing her cheek. Ava whimpered as blood trickled down her face, the sound breaking Casimir’s heart in two.

“You’ll never defeat us,” Andras said. “Never defeat me ,” he emphasized. “I am ancient. I am eternal. I am?—”

Andras paused, eyes wide, and looked at the lava making its way up his legs.

Screaming with rage, he let go of Ava and Casimir shot out vines to catch her and pull her to him. The lava continued to rise and Andras bellowed, wrapping himself in shadow now hidden from view.

After a few seconds, the shadows disappeared along with their enemy.

He was gone.