Annalise's POV
The moon peeped out between the clouds, casting shadows along the rocky terrain of the mountains. My mother and I crouched low behind a cluster of boulders, our breaths shallow and measured. We watched the entrance of the mountain, a dark maw carved into its face, flickering with the faint glow of enchanted torches.
I narrowed my eyes, my urgency and need to rush in towards my family barely contained. "We can't wait any longer. The more time we stay out here, the more at risk my family becomes."
My mother placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know, sweetheart. But we have to be smart about this. These elemental fighters are no novice to battle. We must find our way inside."
"So we need a distraction," I say matter of factly. "How about we start a f
