“Let’s kick his ass,” Christine said, her voice a whisper.
The cheers from the other witches were drowned out by the crack of thunder that rolled over Winterspell.
“If it’s all the same to you,” another voice interrupted. “We’d like to come help.”
Altair turned to see some familiar faces approaching.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, looking back and forth between Damien, Rane, and their mates.
“Lending our support,” Damien said. “One dragon is good. Three is better.”
“And we’re coming too,” Anna said, elbowing Damien in the side.
Christine came over. “I appreciate your help, but our team is used to working together.”
“We understand,” Natasha said, clutching Rane’s hand tightly in her own. “We won’t interfere. But we can help. Our magic is...strong,” she said, looking at Rane. “Very strong.”
Christine nodded. “I...I think I understand.”
Altair glanced over, only to find Christine already staring at him oddly. What was that look for, he wondered? Could she have guessed what he wanted to tell her before they left?
That seemed impossible but...his eyes strayed over to the newly arrived quartet, and the way the two pairs stood close to one another.
Maybe it was possible?
“Remember,” Circe said, speaking at last. “Once you have pinned him down, send the signal. We are ready and waiting. The Coven will join the fight, but we must ensure that Winterspell is not under threat first.”
“Of course,” Christine said, looking around. “Everyone ready?”
There were nods all around. “Very well then. We depart in five. Do your last double check now.”
Altair was watching her as she spoke. The Circe must have made her the team leader now, he realized, noticing that Madison wasn’t among the group. That was why she’d been summoned to her office.
For a moment, he hesitated, wondering if perhaps now was not the best time to tell her. Would it distract her? Make her doubt that what they were doing was a bad idea?
“Don’t hesitate.”
He looked up to see Damien looking his way. The other storm dragon smiled and dipped his head in Christine’s direction.
How the other dragon knew, Altair couldn’t possible figure out, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t right. This was the last chance he would have to tell her before they departed. If he didn’t do it now, he might not get the chance again. After all, anything could go wrong.
Stepping forward, he moved to her side.
“Hey.”
“Hi. You got everything?” she asked, checking her pockets, running her hands the length of her staff.
“Yeah. I, um, I usually travel with it all the time,” he said lightly. “It doesn’t leave my side. Or my front, or...”
Christine looked up, smiling as she realized what she’d said. “Right. Of course. Sorry.”
He waved her off. “Don’t be sorry. That’s silly. Um, but listen, there’s something I wanted to tell you. Before we go out there. You know, in case it goes bad.”
“Altair, listen, you don’t have to say anything,” she said, trying to give him an out.
Before, he might have taken it. Before, he might have not had the courage to even come up and speak to her.
Now though, he wasn’t backing down.
“I’m serious. I need to put this out there. I need you to know, okay? I don’t want it left unsaid.”
Christine fixed him with a stern look. “Look, I don’t know what you’re expecting to happen out there, but you are not to sacrifice yourself today, okay? We are going in as a team and coming out as a team. End of story. If you think you need to—”
“I love you,” he said, interrupting her before she could get any more worked up.
“What?”
Altair nodded. “I love you. I need to tell you that. Just...just in case. But I promise, I’m not going to do anything stupid today. Not unless it’s literally the only option. I don’t want to die anymore,” he said quietly. “Because of you.”
Christine stood there, open-mouthed. Clearly, he’d shocked her with his admission. Altair waited for her to respond, to say anything, but before she could speak, someone else entered the courtyard.
“Do you have room for one more?”
He turned to look over his shoulder as Madison stood off to the side. She looked terrible.
“Madison,” Christine said, finding her voice, stepping around Altair, though not without dragging her hand along his chest as she passed.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough for him. He hadn’t expected her to respond, to say it back. But he was grateful for that touch. It told him all he needed to know, that he hadn’t scared her off. She just wasn’t ready to say it back yet, and that was fine.
There would be time. I hope.
“Are you fit to fight?” Christine asked.
“Yes. More than ready,” Madison said.
“Welcome aboard. Get yourself ready, we’re leaving,” Christine said, shaking the other woman’s hand. “Glad to have someone like you with us to help kick some demon ass.”
The other witches smiled and nodded. They were happy that Christine wasn’t going to hold Madison’s earlier failure against her. Everyone deserved a second chance.
Altair blinked, realizing the words might have more truth to them than he’d thought.
“Saddle up,” Christine ordered. “It’s time to take the fight to Berith and show him the error of his ways.”
Altair grinned. The demon lord was about to get a rude awakening.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Christine
THEY CAME IN AT THE Outpost from on high, staffs and wands at the ready.
It had become evident from a great distance that Lord Berith was still at the Outpost. Try as she might, Christine couldn’t figure out why he had remained in the same place, after proving so elusive to her European counterparts.
She suspected it was a trap. That he was waiting for them to come back. The witches had all agreed with her thoughts, and they were acting accordingly.
They came down in a flash of magic, beams slicing at Lord Berith from every direction. Ice flashed and hissed as it coated the demon lord but was burnt away by his fiery skin and demonic powers.
Berith
