Luca returned, armor strapped, sword in hand. He went to Della’s side. “What now?”
“I’m going to try to reinforce the barrier,” she said. “But we’ll need time. If she breaks through before I finish... there will be no hiding anymore. We will have to fight back! Protect Mira with all you have. She is our only hope for redemption.” She instructed.
Luca gave a nod. He turned to me, “I told you before. Stay behind me.” I gave a sharp nod like my life depended on it.
He held my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
We have no idea what was going to come after now but this was war.
Back at the center of the village, Cara rallied the others—warriors, magicians, even those who had long forgotten how to fight.
They all knew: the end of hiding meant the beginning of war.
I stood between Luca and
