With all our supplies checked and blades sharpened, we split into our predetermined groups and prepared to leave Meredrin behind. Alara came forward and motioned for a group of twenty armed Imen to join us.

“Please, Hansa, let my Imen help you on your mission,” she said, as her Imen settled into formation with Wyrran and Peyton’s troops. I could see the fear in their eyes, but it was weak compared to their determination and desire for freedom. “These are all the fighters I can spare for you. I will take the others, along with the elders and younglings, and leave Meredrin for the time being. Nevis was kind enough to grant us protection on Athelathan. We’ll go there until your fight is over.”

I had to admit, she was a wise leader. “I assume you’re taking your people away just in case we fail.”

She offered me a weak smile. “I have to take that possibility into consideration. If any of my Imen are captured, they could be mind-bent into revealing our location. I know the Druids didn’t have enough resources to provide everyone with protective lenses. While you and your team members may be immune now, our Imen are still vulnerable.”

“No, I completely understand,” I replied. “Thank you for lending us your strength, nonetheless. I’m sure they’ll provide crucial support.”

She squeezed my shoulder gently, then stepped back, watching us as we all headed toward the shore. I took one last glance over my shoulder, so that the image of Meredrin would stay with me for a little while longer as an example of peaceful coexistence between Maras and Imen. Proof that it was possible.

“We’re not expecting anyone,” Peyton muttered, frowning as he pointed at something ahead.

We all stilled at the sight of a small boat that quietly cut across the lake waters and headed toward us. My instincts were quick to kick in, but the fae in our group were even quicker to react. They dashed over to the water’s edge and used their elemental abilities to coax the waters into bringing the boat closer to the shore, while Ryker and Laughlan stood by their side, ready to intervene.

“Wait!” I croaked, recognizing one of the two occupants of the boat. “That’s Davo!”

Davo, our first guide through Draconis, was hilariously huge compared to the size of the boat, as was his companion, another daemon whom I’d never seen before. They both put their hands up in a defensive gesture as the fae brought the boat to the shore.

They both got out and bowed before us.

“We weren’t sure you’d still be here,” Davo said. “We’re here at Zane’s request. The pacifists are eager to help. This is Beryn, by the way.”

“Mose’s brother!” Fiona gasped.

Caspian smiled as he stepped forward and shook both their hands. Beryn pulled him into a tight bear hug, then chuckled as he measured him from head to toe.

“Good grief, you’ve grown!” Beryn exclaimed. “You’ve had a growth spurt since the last time I saw you!”

“I take it you know each other?” I asked, offering a polite smile.

Beryn mirrored my expression, nodding. “I’ve known Lord Kifo since he was a little Mara, always voicing his displeasure with the treatment of his Imen friends. He got himself in so much trouble on a daily basis,” he said, then narrowed his eyes as he noticed Caspian’s blood oath symbol behind his ear. “It was only a matter of time before they branded him.”

We introduced ourselves, one by one, before Davo and Beryn brought us up to speed.

“Wait, you said Zane called you here,” Fiona muttered, then looked at Zane. “Why didn’t you tell us anything?”

Zane smirked. “I figured you could all use a good surprise,” he replied. “Besides, I wasn’t too sure they’d be able to make it in time.”

“Your Grace, we’ve gone to great lengths to get here,” Davo said. “But we just couldn’t let you down. It is an honor to know you’ve sided with us in this fight.”

“Not like I had much of a choice,” Zane replied with a shrug. “Out of the few options available, anyway. This way, I get to be with the little vampire,” he added, giving Fiona a playful sideways glance that made her blush like a primrose. “Anyway, tell us, what’s new on your end?”

Davo and Beryn looked at each other for a second.

“Milord, there’s a pacifist riot about to unfold in Infernis,” Beryn said. “As soon as the king leaves for Azure Heights, our people will storm the palace. We’ve freed about a hundred pit wolves for this. In return for their support, we’ll help them return to their packs in the west.”

“That’s amazing!” Scarlett replied.

“What about the pacifists we released from Draconis?” Fiona asked.

“Three dozen survived the collapse,” Davo said. “They’re on their way to Azure Heights as we speak. They’ll be close by. Once your allied forces storm the city, they’ll join in and assist however they can.”

I couldn’t help but smile. We were on edge already, limited in numbers but driven to succeed. The difference that three dozen pacifist daemons alone could make in our mission was significant, to say the least. Having that many daemons on our side was sure to turn the tables further in our favor once we infiltrated and attacked the city.

With Infernis coming down as well, we had an even better chance at inflicting irreparable damage to Shaytan’s kingdom. By the time GASP came over after the shield’s collapse, they were bound to find a nefarious alliance in complete disarray, utterly crippled and prone to fatal mistakes. Whatever tools and weapons we had at our disposal, we were ready to use them in order to restore Neraka’s freedom.

Nevis snapped his fingers, drawing our attention as he moved to the edge of the lake. “It’s time to go,” he said, as his Dhaxanian frost stretched out from beneath his bare feet.

Within seconds, a thick layer of ice created a path for us across the lakes, all the way to the northwestern side. From there, only two miles lay between us and the abandoned red garnet mine, where the secret tunnel to Azure Heights awaited.

We made our way across the water, invigorated as we shortened the distance between us and what I hoped would be our victory. Fate had not been kind to us, but it had rewarded us for our perseverance with incredible new allies and the knowledge that our people were out there, waiting to get in.