Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
CROFT
The meeting was over; her mind was made up.
So many years of preparation and it still came down to more plans.
Sloan and Aareth would each turn one member of their choosing to harness the paranormal strength inside of them, and then, in turn, others.
Edison would stay back and help these soldiers in their transition period.
Hopefully, Sloan and Aareth would be back soon to help, but they couldn’t count on that.
At the same time, Cherub and Kimberly would be in charge of bolstering the city for a siege in case their plan failed.
Both gargoyles had voiced their opinions about being left out of the fight, but in the end, they realized they would be the last line of defense with the Azra gargoyles and human guards if they failed.
Croft would go with Theo, Jack, Sloan, Aareth, and the rest of the Azra shifters.
The anxiety she was feeling now as she dressed herself for battle had nothing to do with the battle itself.
It was about seeing her daughters again.
Jack had assured her Abigail was on her way, and they suspected Elizabeth would be in charge of the mage engine.
How would they receive her? Would they hate her for what she had done? She couldn’t blame them if they did. In a way, she hated herself for the decision she had made.
A light knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in.” Croft slipped her hands into her metal gauntlets.
“I just wanted you to know everyone is ready at the gates.” Sloan stepped inside the room. She wore the white colors of Azra with silver armor, her mage sword by her side.
“I’m ready.” Croft adjusted her black cloak. She felt for the handle of her wand by her side. The familiar shape gave her comfort. “Let’s go.”
Witch and vampire exited the capital building. Two white unicorns stood waiting for them as soon as they exited the building on the hill. Elwood stood, holding their reins with a tiny fist.
“Elwood.” Sloan smiled at the gnome. “Thank you. I’ve been getting tired of walking up and down this hill.”
The gnome gave the women a beaming smile and chattered away something Croft didn’t understand.
“Did you conjure these animals?” Sloan accepted the reins and swung up onto her mount.
Elwood smiled furiously and shook his head.
Croft managed a smile and did the same. Her unicorn danced underneath her weight, ready to be off.
“Be careful and watch the city while we’re gone,” Sloan said as she kicked her unicorn to motion.
Elwood gave the woman a salute.
As they made their way down the street, the same feeling of dread reached out and touched her again.
Croft would rather face the entire army of New Hope herself, than have to face her children.
Of course she was going to apologize, but there was only so far that would take her.
She didn’t know if she could handle them hating her.
Time passed much too quickly as the women made their way to the main gate.
In front of them was an army of shifters, all Azra warriors with wild-colored eyes, capable of turning into various animals within seconds.
There were just over two thousand of them in all.
They made quite the impressive group, all standing shoulder to shoulder in their white-and-gold uniforms.
“You can’t come. You’re still hurt,” Sloan said to Kade. “Excuse me.”
Croft nodded, giving the sabertooth shifter a sideways glance. He was brave, but Sloan was right. He needed to stay. He would only slow them down and prove a hazard to himself and others if he came.
Theo walked up to Croft, pointing to Aareth and Jack, the latter on a brown unicorn of his own. “We’re ready. Everyone who needs a steed has one. The guards are waiting if you’d like to address them.”
“Not yet.” Croft motioned to the Azra guards by the gate to open the doors. “Send the scouts ahead. When we’re about to engage the enemy, then I’ll speak to them. They’ll need their courage when we charge the mage engine.”
They rode all day with short breaks. They finally met the fleeing New Order troops as the sun sunk below the horizon.
Both sides had ridden hard to reach one another.
Croft rode in the front with her men, like she believed any general should.
As long as she was able, she would always lead from the front.
There were a handful of riders on horses who had survived the events of the night, along with two carriages.
Croft intently searched every face for signs of her eldest daughter.
Dirt billowed through the air as both forces exchanged pleasantries.
Sasha’s familiar face greeted Theo. Jack was saying hello to friends he had made in the New Order.
Then she saw her. Abigail was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Croft was sure of it. Her daughter was strong, tall, and wildly fierce.
She was much older than the young girl who would pull on her legs to be held or carry books to her lap to be read.
She exited one of the carriages, making her way to Jack.
Croft had replayed the events surrounding the reunion with her daughter a hundred times in her head. Each time they ended in her imagination, there was a fair amount of yelling.
Her heart beat like a war drum as Croft lowered herself from her unicorn and handed her reins to a waiting Azra guard.
Abigail was now not only the most beautiful thing Croft had ever seen, but also the most frightening.
Fear like she had never experienced raced down her spine. The walls of her mouth were dry.
Abigail released her hug with Jack. Croft was close enough to hear their words around the cacophony of sounds around them.
“You came back?” Abigail was facing Croft, but looking at Jack at the moment. “Why? What’s the plan? Are we going to fight them now? Jack, why aren’t you answering me? Why is that woman star?—”
Abigail moved her eyes from Jack, looking at Croft over his shoulder. Her face went from one of confusion, to anger, and then back to confusion again.
“What? How?” Abigail’s lips continued to move, but no more words came out.
Jack moved to the side to allow Croft access to her daughter. Every step Croft took toward Abigail felt like her boots were made of lead. She finally stood in front of her, no more than two feet away.
Croft wasn’t sure when the last time was she’d cried, but she did so now. Tears filled her eyes as all of the words she had planned on saying to her daughter died somewhere in her throat.
What was wrong with her? She had practiced this at least a hundred times before. But now, her lips weren’t cooperating. Tears that had been held in for so many years streaked down her cheeks and plummeted to the grassy ground below.
“I—” Croft finally managed.
She didn’t have time to say more, even if she had been able. Abigail approached and wrapped her strong arms around her. She was her own height now. How she had grown so quickly was something Croft was still trying to figure out. Wasn’t it just last year she was learning how to tie her shoes?
“This … this doesn’t mean it’s okay.” Abigail was crying into her mother’s shoulder. “This doesn’t mean … I forgive you.”
Abigail’s words were angry, but Croft had expected that. Right now, just holding her daughter was enough. Croft gripped Abigail like she would never let her go again. Her daughter’s hair tickled her cheek.
“I know,” Croft said in Abigail’s ear. “I’m so, so sorry. But I’m here now.”
“Dad—” Abigail whispered through her sobs.
“I know.”
“Elizabeth—”
“I know, we’re going to get her back.”
“I’m sorry. I tried.” Abigail pulled away the slightest bit, shaking her head. “I tried to be strong for her, but they took her anyway. I’m sorry, I?—”
“You’ve been strong for so long. It’s not your fault what happened to your sister.” Croft cleared her throat. “I’m here now.”
“Why? Why did you leave us?” Abigail wiped dirty hands across her eyes. “We needed you. Dad changed over the years you were gone. Where did you go?”
“I’ll explain everything to you right now, but”—Croft motioned to the army that stood waiting for them—“I’ll have to do it as we ride. We’re going to get your sister back.”