Page 110 of A Bond So Deadly

“How did they all get here so fast?” I breathe, my heart pounding rapidly as my gaze sweeps over the Xalgrith warriors arranged in neat lines outside the academy walls. There are already thousands of them, fully dressed in battle gear, with spiked metal helmets that cover their heads. It’s night, and countless torches flicker among the ranks of warriors, dotting the land like moving stars. I’d think the lights were beautiful, if they weren’t a sign of our impending doom.

Knox stands on my other side, and he points to a spot further out. A few hundred yards from the south side of the academy, is the largest portal I’ve ever seen. White light leaks around the edges of the gateway, and a steady stream of warriors pass through. The soldiers are translucent when they first appear, and the air ripples until they materialize fully and step out into the shadow realm. I thank my heightened eyesight from bonding with Emorie, for being able to notice that detail. On either side of the gateway, four massive xalfret creatures act as guardians, roaring as the warriors pass.

I frown. “Do you think that’s the fold the prophecy talks about? The one you’re supposed to close? But how did they create it?”

“Who fuckin’ knows,” Raith replies. “It’s possible they’ve created smaller folds in the past, or used portals before. In any case, that thing is letting too many of those bastards in here.”

We stare grim-faced as Xalgrith pour into the shadow realm, and I internally curse Queen Krosia. If the shadow army were here, they could have stopped the flow of Xalgrith, or at least slowed it down. Unfortunately, with the barrier in place, all we can do is watch.

The next hour crawls by as the Xalgrith army grows. Xalgrith warriors walk around the academy walls, testing the barrier for any weak points, and when they don’t find any, the soldiers gather more around the academy gate. Catapults are wheeled through the fold, pulled by a few of the xalfrets, and they anchor them some distance before the front gate. The Xalgrith commanders bark orders at their warriors, and the soldiers roll giant boulders into the catapult buckets before lighting them on fire.

We move from the roof, making our way to our positions. On the ground, my mates stand a few hundred yards behind the metal spikes we erected. They keep themselves cloaked, staying directly in the path that leads from the main gate. If the Xalgrith breach the gate and make their way past the metal spikes, my mates will be waiting. A couple dozen of the strongest students stand behind my mates, their weapons already out.

More students hide in the forest on either side of the main path, along with the bonded animali. Once the Xalgrith pass the metal spikes, they’ll help attack from both sides as the warriors filter in. Professor Lankin is with them, and she’s going to do all she can to help the students.

I’m further in the forest with two dozen more students, and we’re perched high in the trees with our crossbows. Not that I’m particularly good with a crossbow, but my mates insisted on keeping me away from the ground fighting for as long as possible. Not that I’m complaining. Kenzie and Satine are in my group, along with a few others I recognize but haven’t spoken to. Everyone is putting on brave faces, but I know they’re all as terrified as I am.

When the assault begins, I’m not ready for it. The Xalgrith work efficiently, launching their catapults and sending their fiery rocks into the barrier. A few of the rocks sail above our heads, but they mostly target the area around the gate. The rocks shatter on impact, fire sparking against the invisible shield, and the magical barrier ripples at the onslaught. Loud cracking sounds travel through the academy grounds, and I flinch, my heart hammering like it’s my own personal battle drum. “You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind,” I say to Emorie, who’s still outside the barrier. “Hiding in the academy is sounding really good right now.”

Her tinkling laughter sounds in my head. “Yes, until they burn the academy building down,” she replies.

The blood drains from my face. “Okay, so I hadn’t thought of that. Though, Galen’s secret library might survive.”

“And when you’re buried in rubble?” she persists with her annoying reality check.

“I don’t know. I’d climb out somehow.”

She laughs again, and I grumble at her. My hands shake as I hold the crossbow, resting it on the branch in front of me.

“You are doing well, bonded,” she tells me.

“Now, I know you’re lying,” I tease. Then I pause, my next words becoming softer. “What if you were wrong, Emorie, and I’m not the one you were supposed to find?” So far, I haven’t really helped the zenali or the war effort. If anything, I’ve made everything worse by bringing the Xalgrith army here and outing the oracle to Queen Krosia.

“You are the one, bonded.”

“Why? Because I can speak to the zenali? It hasn’t exactly made any difference, and Professor Yevar could do that too and look where he is. The zenali keep talking about another prophecy, but I couldn’t find anything in the oracle’s journals. I still don’t know what that means…” Another volley of attacks hits the barrier, and I duck my head instinctively.

“All I know is that you’re the only one I have felt called to after all this time,” she replies. “You give me hope.”

I smile softly. “That’s great, but I think we’re going to need more than hope to survive this.”

She waits a moment before replying. “Don’t worry, Shade. They have already agreed to help and will be here soon.”

“They? Who’s—” My words are cut off as an earsplitting crack sounds through the air, the noise like breaking glass. The dome ripples before a large section of the barrier in front of the gate falls away, and frigid air washes through the forest, making the trees sway and shake. I grab hold of a branch, steadying myself so I don’t lose my footing.

A student not far from me slips, falling from their perch.

“Crap. Part of the barrier is down,” I rasp to Emorie, but she doesn’t reply. I try to create a pathway that leads outside academy grounds, just to see if it’ll work, but it’s like the part of the barrier that remains is still interfering with my ability to create pathways to other places in the realm.

A cacophony of cheering and shouting rises from the Xalgrith, and my hands are sweaty on my crossbow.

“Kenzie!” I hiss, sending a shadow whisper to where my friend is in a tree a short distance away. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she replies a heartbeat later. “But I’d feel better if that barrier were still up.”

“Remember, treasure,” Galen’s voice is a smooth caress in my mind. “Stay hidden for as long as you can, and don’t leave it too late before you fall back.”

“Okay,” I tell him, only just able to see my mates through a path in the trees. “And Galen?”