Ascended (War of the Covens 3)

Laila and Vil fluttered from person to person, trying to ease the tension and fear. It worked somewhat, but Caia thought perhaps there was just too much emotion among them all to be soothed. Lucien tried to keep it light as everyone took their seats. Caia watched carefully as Vanne and Marion sat next to one another, their shoulders brushing, their eyes meeting often. Caia smiled, hoping they were friends again … and maybe more someday, she mused.

“This looks amazing.” Lucien gazed over the myriad dishes decorating the table.

Vanne shrugged. “I had the kitchens put in a little extra time. Thank you for inviting me.”

“And me.”

“And me.”

The grateful murmurs of Marion, Saffron, Nikolai, and Reuben filtered down the table.

“I’m glad you all came.” Lucien smiled back and squeezed Caia’s hand. “For tonight, why don’t we forget about tomorrow and just enjoy each other’s company.”

And that’s what they did. Friendly teasing and banter accompanied the meal. Reuben was battered with questions about how old he was and was he there when Marie Antoinette lost her head and did he meet William Wallace and was Julius Caesar really such a dick?

He laughed it all off, answering the questions gamely, looking to Saffron for help when he could. As for the pack, they looked happier than they had in a long time. They laughed and were able to speak of those they had lost with a sad humor and sweet remembrance. Alexa laughed at something Jaeden had said, twiddling the wolf pendant that hung around her neck.

For a moment, Caia was debilitated by a sharp feeling of utter terror. Would all this be gone tomorrow? Would the pack be destroyed once more, just as they were regaining themselves? And would it be her fault?

Caia, don’t, she pleaded with herself.

Fear was for everyone else. They needed her to be confident and assured of what they were doing, of what she was taking them into. This had been her idea. She had no right to fear or doubt.

“You okay?” Lucien whispered, leaning into her.

She sipped her wine and threw him a smile. “Of course.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Sometimes Caia wished her mate didn’t understand her so well. “Really, I’m fine.”

He didn’t say anything more, but as they lay together that night, trying to catch their breath after having lost themselves in each other, Lucien propped himself up on his side and gazed down at her, his eyes narrowed and serious. “You’re allowed to be afraid, Caia.”

Warmth sprung to life in her chest at the knowledge he understood her so perfectly, but she shook her head with a sharp jerk. “No, I’m not.”

He scowled. “Of course you are.”

“Lucien, I started this. This was all my idea. I can’t be afraid when everyone else is or they’ll think I’m not sure we’re going to win this thing.”

“Caia, they know there is a risk we won’t win. They’re not stupid. They’re not blindly following you into battle because they think you’ve given them a 100 percent guarantee of survival. They’re following you into battle because they believe in this … not because they think your lack of fear is a promise of victory.”

Her laugh caught on a sob. “Then I guess I should tell you I’m terrified.”

Snuggling her close, Lucien kissed her softly on the cheek and rested his head next to hers. “Me too.”

32

Pistols at Dawn

Unlike human battlegrounds where terrain and weather could determine the outcome, the supernatural battlefield was perfect. The chosen spot was a massive beach with towering sand dunes to Caia’s left. To the right, the tide remained out and would do so for the entire length of the fight due to a spell that had been cast on it by the Daylights. The sand beneath her feet only looked like sand; she didn’t feel the familiar sinking of her feet into the grains. Instead, the ground was compact and smooth, as was the entire beach.

A dome-like barrier had been suspended over the area to shield the supernaturals from human view. To prevent humans from wandering onto the beach and banging up against the barrier, another spell clouded the atmosphere, one to muddle the human brain temporarily so that any thought of approaching the beach was quashed and replaced with one to go elsewhere. The weather was still and perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. And although the water could be heard lapping in the distance, its spray didn’t come anywhere near them.

Caia’s stomach was in knots. She was sickly white with fear and anxiety, just as the rest of the pack was. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast, she was constantly fighting the need to be sick or pass out. The buildup to battle had been excruciating. It had taken hours for the Daylights and Midnights to arrive, and now finally, the Council had announced it was time.