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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Brody led us through the trees surrounding Inveraray castle, offering us coverage. I thought it strange that the demons, Maci, or even Justice didn’t approach us. My feet sank into the soft grass as we moved silently forward.

Through the trees, I glimpsed Justice. I swore he was looking right at me with his vampire vision, but instead of feeling love, loathing washed over me. The hatred in his eyes haunted me, a stark reminder of the demon possessing him. It was Justice’s face, but the expression was entirely foreign, twisted with malice.

I swallowed the disappointment in my throat, fighting the urge to call out to him. That wasn’t my Justice. Not yet. It reinforced why we were here, why we had to succeed. It was the only way I could save him.

I hoped the mirror would tell me how the harp would defeat Rage and release Justice from his clutches.

However, it wasn’t only Justice’s eyes on me. I felt someone watching us, the sensation prickling the back of my neck. Between the sun and the trees, long shadows covered the forest floor, creating a patchwork of light and dark that played tricks on my eyes. Maci could be hiding here without any of us knowing it.

I scanned the area, my gaze darting from shadow to shadow. The forest, which had seemed merely atmospheric moments ago, now felt oppressive and threatening. Every rustle of leaves, every snapping twig under our feet sent a jolt of adrenaline through my system.

“Guys,” I whispered. “Keep your eyes peeled. Something’s not right.”

Damon tensed beside me, his hand instinctively moving toward his weapon. Brody’s pace slowed, his tactical mind working overtime to assess our surroundings. Lisa and Zara exchanged worried glances, their magical senses on high alert.

Was Maci orchestrating some elaborate trap? Being a shadow dragon, she could attack at any moment. I didn’t see Rage with Justice and wondered if he was waiting to pop out and possess another one of our team.

In case the other demons started getting ideas, I reached into my backpack and quietly pulled out the Mirror of Aethereal. If any demons jumped out at us, they’d be toast.

The mirror decimated all the demons except for Rage. I only prayed the harp would be his downfall, or we were all screwed, and I’d lose Justice forever.

Brody led us to the back of the castle, where the gardens were located. A high stone wall, weathered by centuries of Scottish weather, stood between us and our goal.

“Normally, you’d need tickets to get in,” Brody whispered, eyeing the wall. “But I don’t think the demons bothered with the admission fee.”

Damon smirked. “Guess we’re going for the VIP entrance, then.”

We approached the wall cautiously. It was about ten feet tall, old enough to have plenty of handholds but well-maintained enough to pose a challenge.

“I’ll go first.” Brody was already moving toward the wall. “After I’m up, I’ll help pull the rest of you over.”

Brody scaled the wall with practiced ease, his movements almost silent. At the top, he gestured for us to follow.

One by one, we climbed, each helping the next. The rough stone scraped against my palms as I pulled myself up, and Brody’s strong grip helped me over the top. As I lowered myself down the other side, I got my first look at Inveraray’s famous gardens.

The manicured grounds stretched out in stark contrast to the wild forest we’d left. Neatly trimmed hedges formed intricate patterns, and vibrant flowerbeds burst with color. In the center, an ornate fountain stood silent, its still waters reflecting the early morning light.

“Stay low,” Brody warned as we regrouped. “And watch for patrols. Just because we’re in doesn’t mean we’re safe.”

As we crept closer to the castle, I couldn’t shake the feeling we were walking into the belly of the beast. The gardens, designed for peaceful strolls and quiet contemplation, served as the prelude to our most dangerous mission yet.

The castle itself loomed over us, its turrets and spires reaching toward the sky. From this angle, we could see the grand bay windows of the state dining room and the intricate stonework.

Despite the beauty surrounding us, tension hung in the air. The usually welcoming gardens now felt like an exposed battlefield, each topiary and statue a potential hiding spot for our enemies.

“Watch your step, and stay low,” Brody whispered. “We don’t want to be silhouetted against these open spaces. There, I think that’s our best way in.” He pointed toward the castle’s rear entrance.

A set of grand stone steps led up to a terrace. From there, ornate double doors provided access to the interior. The castle’s unique construction, with its four symmetrical diagonal wings, meant this rear entrance was as imposing as the front.

Brody continued. “See that dip in the land before the steps? That’s part of the old defensive design. Not quite a moat, but it would’ve slowed down attackers. We can use it for cover.”

I nodded, taking in the scene. The manicured lawns gave way to a subtle depression in the ground that circled the castle. It wasn’t filled with water like a traditional moat, but in the dim light, it offered some concealment.

Damon scanned the lawn and the rear entrance, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. “After we’re across that, it’s a straight shot up those steps, but we’ll be exposed. We’ll need to move fast.” He smirked. “And pray none of those demon bastards decides it’s a good time for a smoke break on the terrace.”

“You know what to do,” Lisa murmured as she stroked the top of the phoenix’s head.

I stiffened, a flicker of doubt crossing my mind. Was Lisa going to betray us like she did last time? The memory of her past deception still stung.

As if sensing my unease, Lisa turned and winked at me, her eyes filled with determination. She glanced back at the phoenix. “Be careful, Aurora.”

Aurora ruffled her brilliant feathers and took flight, her wings a blur of red and gold as she soared toward one of the castle’s turrets. For a moment, the majestic bird was silhouetted against the sky, a beacon of fire and hope.

Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from the front of the castle. Demons scrambled, their attention drawn to the unexpected intruder.

“The phoenix!” someone cried with awe and alarm. “It’s on one of the turrets!”

“Get it!” another called. The urgency in its voice sent the rest into a frenzy.

As the demons rushed toward the castle, their concentration fixed on Aurora rather than the gardens, I felt relieved. The diversion was working.

Damon grinned, his eyes gleaming with approval. “Now, that’s what I call a bird’s-eye view of the situation. Let’s not waste this chance, people.”

Brody motioned for us to follow him. We crouched and moved swiftly, using the meticulously trimmed hedgerows as cover. These weren’t merely decorative. In the formal garden style typical of Scottish castles, they formed a series of geometric patterns, creating natural corridors we could exploit.

“Stay in the shadows of the topiaries,” Brody muttered. “Move when I move, stop when I stop.”

I weaved through the garden from one sculpted bush to another, grateful for the early morning shadows that stretched across the manicured lawn. Behind me, I heard the soft footsteps of my team. I glanced over my shoulder and found Damon directly behind me. He motioned for me to keep going. I turned and followed Brody. The gravel paths posed a challenge. Each step risked a telltale crunch, so we stuck to the softer grass wherever possible.

I glanced from side to side for any demons, Maci, or Justice, but they all seemed focused on the phoenix.

As we neared the castle’s rear entrance, the hedges gave way to open space. A stretch of exposed lawn lay between us and the grand stone steps leading to the terrace.

Damon tensed. “This is where it gets tricky,” he muttered, eyeing the open ground warily.

Suddenly, a dark shape detached itself from the shadows of a nearby turret. My heart clenched as I recognized the flapping movements of the bat. It was Justice. Even in this form, I could sense his presence, feel the echo of our connection. But the malevolent energy surrounding him was unmistakable.

The bat circled the phoenix, predatory and threatening. Aurora seemed unperturbed by the smaller creature’s approach.

As the bat dove toward her, Aurora spread her wings wide. The morning sun caught her feathers, igniting them in a dazzling display of reds, golds, and oranges. The sight was breathtaking, momentarily distracting even the demons on the ground.

With a powerful flap of her wings, Aurora released a pulse of energy. The air around her shimmered with heat, distorting the fabric of reality. Justice was caught in the wake of this display. He flew erratically, tumbling as if buffeted by invisible winds.

The demons cried out in awe and fury, captivated by the aerial display above them.

Lisa knelt beside me. “See? She makes a great distraction. None of them can touch her since she’s perched on the turret, and the wards protect her.”

I had to admit she was right, but my heart broke watching Justice. This wasn’t him.

Brody’s hand clasped my arm, his grip firm but reassuring. His blue eyes met mine. “The phoenix is playing her part valiantly,” he pointed out. “It’s our turn to step up to the plate. Remember, we’re not only a team. We’re a family. And we never leave family behind.”

He scanned our faces, making sure we were all focused. “We move as one unit. Quick, quiet, and together. Is everybody ready to do their part?”

I drew a deep breath, forcing my focus away from the aerial battle and back to the task at hand. Justice needed us to succeed. We all did. I gave Brody a sharp nod. “Ready.”