Page 31 of Shattered Galaxies (Tears of the Siren #6)

Lorcan

I should have asked more questions.

“I don’t know what I expected when you said we were going to another realm, but it wasn’t this,” I said to Apep. Our large group stood on the edge of the…universe? If it wasn’t that, I didn’t know what else to call it.

“I’m sure Nova can explain in more detail, but our cosmic invaders always target the innermost reality of the planet they’re set on destroying.

No one notices in the other realities, and they’re able to consume the planet’s life force without a fight.

So that is exactly where you need to face them. ”

Without a goodbye, or a ‘thank you for your service,’ Apep disappeared. He’d seemed annoyed that he’d had to explain anything at all. I smirked at his frustration and then let out a big breath…because holy shit .

The portal itself had been simple enough, reminding me of traveling to the Old Realm of the Ethereal Sea or the Demonic realm. But when we fell out of it? I was hit with so many sensations at once, overwhelmed by awe.

When I thought of other realms—even the Old Realms—I imagined places that were…populated. Filled with life. This was neither of those things, which made the situation all the more surreal.

In fact, the only purpose this place seemed to serve was to exist for this battle. If that wasn’t the case, well, I guessed it was simply the perfect fit—everything aligned, pointed, and faced toward the expanse of the universe waiting just off the cliff’s edge.

The realm was vast, the skies a haunting ombre that began with sunshine and blue behind us, blending into deep indigo and then onyx, painted with vibrant galaxies just out of reach.

Nebula-like clouds hovered at the transition between the two skies, stars twinkling in the distance.

At the center of it all was a void—a nothingness.

My instincts told me that would be where they came from. The gateway into our universe.

The sky wasn’t the only unique aspect of this realm, though.

Our portal had deposited us right at the top of a high stone cliff that overlooked an open valley covered in dark, almost black grass.

As the valley stretched farther south, the ground transformed into sharp stone without any vegetation, rising to a jagged clifftop—like a personal runway for the fucking dark ones.

Or for me. I would probably find myself standing right there. A cold sense of reality crawled over my skin, and my throat tightened.

“The camp is already halfway built,” Cormac said. I looked down into the valley. ‘Camp’ was an understatement—it looked like an entire damn city was being crafted.

I couldn’t fully see the layout yet, but I could make out the perimeter walls being constructed and tents starting to fill the center ring of the space.

A light electric hum danced in the atmosphere as several portals opened throughout the camp, the cool air filling with the signature scents of the different species arriving.

It gave the illusion of life in this place, but I knew better.

There were no animals…no wind…no insects.

Just nothingness, waiting to greet the nothingness pressing in on our universe.

“Lorcan!”

Nova’s voice had me snapping my head over as I saw her down below, waving from amongst a group. Her hair was tied back and she was covered in dirt, making me wonder how many hours she’d been working already.

Fuck. I felt guilty—we should have come sooner.

Also holy shit . Something major had happened to Nova’s powers. Where before she was like a force of nature and extremely lethal, now she felt…I didn’t even have a word for it. The power she radiated was pure chaos and completely untameable. It was fucking crazy to experience, even from a distance.

Knowing it would drive the boys crazy, I jumped. While I may not have been a very physically active person—I wasn’t a runner or an athlete—I knew I could do it if necessary. I heard Adriel shout my name in exasperation as I landed solidly two stories below, offering them a thumbs-up.

Man, so freakin’ broody.

Nova hopped over the marked fence perimeter—the wall not completely constructed yet—and tugged me into a hug. I let out an unavoidable laugh, loving her enthusiasm, especially in these circumstances.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” She beamed, pulling back from the hug. “Just two girls about to save the universe!”

I snorted, arching a brow. “I feel like I’m not doing anything! You have an entire fucking town being built! I should have come sooner.”

“Not doing anything?” Nova scoffed, linking arms with me and leading me into the camp. “Hardly. You are literally doing the thing. Truth be told, I’m not doing a ton besides directing people—which I do love, honestly. I just wanted to set up camp so we’d have somewhere to sit and eat donuts.”

“I like the sound of that,” I teased as we came to a stop and I looked around at the camp’s progress. I could feel my men descending the cliffside to join us, and I could also sense their restlessness at not being involved in the work here yet. “But seriously, put us to work.”

Nova tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes lighting up. “I have the perfect job for you.”

“This doesn’t count as a job, Nova!” I scowled as she offered me an innocent shrug and went back to giving directions to the growing forces.

Dean let out a rumble of amusement, and I shot him a look. Clearly he was totally fine with us being sidelined, while members of our group—including my brother—were posted to help in the construction of the camp. Ridiculous.

“I can appreciate a friend who’s protective over you,” he said honestly.

“Besides, these are essentially bombs we are constructing—magical ones, but still bombs. It’s not the least dangerous job in the world,” Rhett mused.

Grumbling, I began to place the magical ingredients in front of us inside a soft velvet bag, just like we’d been instructed. Apparently, once these were lit up, they were explosive. I eyed the lantern at the end of the table, wondering if we should even have fire close by.

“Still could be doing something more helpful,” I argued.

Although, truth be told, it was very obvious that Nova had it handled.

I had no idea how this woman could say she had no experience with being a leader—especially when it came to her organization skills—because this camp had been constructed in record time, as if everyone had worked together for centuries in a well-oiled machine.

We were currently sitting at the very center of the camp, the northern side of the realm having turned dark to match the skies of the other.

There was a fire burning in the center of the pavilion right outside of the central command tent, and all around it were rows of tents, the closest to the center belonging to those in leadership.

Behind those leadership tents were sectors of allied forces including fae, druids, elves, demons, gods, dragons, and even witches.

There were even more than that, though—so many different groupings of individuals, all proudly displaying their own banners.

It was hard to keep track. Everyone had been so busy that I hadn’t had a chance to make it over to Valentina or even Maya’s mates to thank them for showing up, but I planned to first thing in the morning.

I’d also been informed by Nova that there were several people I had to meet— absolutely no choice —and one of them was Queen Gray.

Queen Gray, the leader of the Horde in the Fae realm, and known to be absolutely ruthless.

Terrifying by most accounts. But sure, Nova, let me meet her!

In reality, I knew she was probably really cool, but I was already overwhelmed by the amount of power, the amount of different desires in the space.

It was enough to give anyone a headache, and even Zander and Elora were uncomfortable despite their eons of dealing with this shit.

I did feel bad because I knew Zander was shielding me from a lot of it, which while I appreciated, didn’t make it easier on him.

Maybe…maybe I would get some sleep in a little bit. Rest my head before tomorrow.

Our tent sat right behind me, a space that felt entirely too cozy given we were literally at war.

Then again, it was clear that Elora only traveled in style, because Cormac’s right behind ours was equally as luxurious.

The only thing we were missing? A banner of some kind.

I suppose we could have used the elven banner, but that didn’t really fit.

“Think it would hurt to fall into those wards?” Cash mused, looking up at the newly constructed walls that surrounded our camp.

The multi-realm allied forces had created massive physical fortifications for the camp, enhanced by the glowing wards coating them. There were even observation towers placed at key points around the perimeter.

“Yeah, I think that would fucking hurt,” Rhett chuckled.

I frowned, considering the concept of wards and protection. “I didn’t think about this until now, but how are we going to protect everyone from being affected by my music?”

Dean rubbed my back in comfort. “Maybe we can throw up a protective wall between you and everyone else once you start playing?”

“Maybe,” I murmured, making a mental note to ask Zander for ideas. He was the closest to knowing how my magic would work in this situation, and the last thing I wanted was my magic affecting anyone.

“I don’t want people fighting because they think I want them to fight,” I said. I hated the idea of having influence over people, even unintentional, but I loathed the idea of manipulating people to fight for me.

“We’ll figure out something,” Rhett assured me.

I took a deep breath and continued to work, the orbs floating overhead casting a gentle light throughout the camp.

I could hear the clang of metal in a nearby practice field, and while there was a tense and determined air to the space, it was also calm.

Soldiers continued to practice and train, healers tried to perfect their potions to have on hand, and smaller unit-based strategy meetings took place in the surrounding tents.

These allied forces, who might normally fight one another, were all working toward one cause—one goal.

To preserve our universe.

I’d apparently been trapped in my head for a little bit because when Dean put his hand over mine, the pile of bags I’d constructed had suddenly grown. The camp had grown quiet, and it was just the three of us in the central clearing, Dean to my left and his brothers across from me.

“Shit, we should get some sleep,” I said, rubbing my eyes.

“Worried about you, kitten,” Cash admitted, reaching out to intertwine our fingers.

“I just hope it works,” I said, feeling a bit…

raw? I didn’t know how else to describe it.

“All of these people who would never work together otherwise are united in the hope that I can do this. I don’t usually get nervous about performing, but I’d be lying if I said the pressure wasn’t affecting me. ”

“I’d be worried if it didn’t,” Rhett said. “But you’re forgetting, bunny—we know this will work. We saw it in the back yard, on a small scale.”

“But what if I’m not powerful enough to…” My eyes went skyward at the void of cosmos that would soon be consumed. “To defeat them.”

“Then we’ll fall together,” Cash said. I let out a shaky exhale.

Rhett’s voice was softer. “But we won’t let you face that alone.” My chest ached with love for them, so much it almost seemed unbelievable.

Dean’s final words to the three of us rang true. “And if this universe is consumed, then we’ll be consumed with you.”