“Half the camp is in a right state, ready to tuck tail and run. They’re scared, and rightfully so. Most have little, if any, experience with magic, and none have seen the likes of a demon. It fucking blinded a man without even being near him. You can imagine the whispers.” “And the other half?” Calder continued staring at the candlelit maps before him as his Captain filled him in on the latest reports. “The other half, well, they’re not so easily swayed. Most are convinced more now than ever that this enemy has to be dealt with, here and now.” The Prince sighed deeply before finally looking up. “Do you think half will leave?” Talib shook his head. “I’ve got Olander and Kashor and whoever else can speak to it trying to convince them not to. But, we should prepare for the worst.” Someone had to be working against them, spreading fear and doubt, and there was only one person he could think of who would do such a thing. Cal could feel the darkness, it was stronger when Tasha f

If Astasha had been in awe of Calder before, it was nothing compared to the utter reverence and wonderment she felt as she watched him before their army. The energy had shifted so drastically it was like night and day, and the buzz of optimism only continued to grow from there as everyone made ready to move out, into the Land of the Dead and onto the Stone of Balance. Only hours before, she had fought to keep the darkness at bay, Zephyr’s words haunting her as she realized the severity of her situation. Which was why she had asked of Helia something no one else could know of; should she be captured, should the demon’s plan work, and her soul broken and the darkness take her, her fellow Fire Witch was to do the only thing that could stop the Dark Mage from using her as a weapon… end Astasha’s life before it was too late. Helia had stood there in silence for what felt like eternity after she pleaded her case, but she knew the older Sorceress was the only one who truly understood wh