Twenty minutes . . . then all of this would be over, everyone would be safe. Just twenty minutes.

Chapter 20.

Sacrifice THE STORM WORSENED as we made our way to the top. My mind was scattered. The Gaeln, the mission, the boys back home, and Jaden. . . . He stayed close as we walked up to the top. I started to remember my dream at one point and I wished I had told him about it. Though just the memory of him socking Sylvanus made me feel safer. I also wished that he had gotten to help me conjure a flame, but we were in too much of a rush . . . there would be time for that later.

The sky was darker with clouds when we reached the top. The scene was breathtaking. As soon as the trees broke, the ground leveled out to a peak of flat, smooth, rock - with not so much as a plant across it. It was higher than any of the surrounding mountains, maybe a hundred feet in diameter.

A carved statue stood atop a platform on the other side, easy to spot since there was nothing else on the grey slab. When my eyes hit it, I felt suddenly focused: single-minded. My pace quickened unconsciously.

"Whoa," said Ikovos, stopping me with a hand across my stomach. "Let's be careful with this."

Jaden kept past us. "Yeah, and you stay off till we check it out." He lifted his eyebrows meaningfully to me.

I furrowed. That's so unfair, I was the one that had us come. Still, I obeyed, following slowly, a bit behind them. Inside my pocket Tanis was twirling in circles. I don't think he liked the intense wind or the almost constant rumble of thunder.

We stopped about five feet back. Jaden walked up first, looking the stand over, then Ikovos followed. I just hugged my arms, sighing and fully aware that if I tried to go up, I'd get yelled at.

"Are there any specific directions about what's supposed to happen once you get here?" asked Ikovos, feeling around the slick piece.

I shook my head. "Just to come here and speak with them, then they'll be a-" my eyes darted to Jaden. He cocked his head in question. I swallowed. "Then they'll help."

A sacrifice, a test, a trial, different portrayals every time, but always something.

Jaden started towards me, I know to interrogate me about what I'd just omitted. Ikovos saved me when he straightened up suddenly.

"The book," he said. Then he gestured to the statue. "It's a podium, it's for the book." He declared it dumbly, like we should have thought of it from the beginning.

I laughed. "Oh, yeah." Then gave Jaden a quick glance and turned around to dig through my pack. The silver tome was near the top. I could see it glowing even in the daylight. I grabbed it, took a breath, preparing to make a case against Jaden, then started up to turn around.

Before I could another flash lit the sky, followed by a crack that sent Tanis leaping out of my jacket.

"Tanis!" I shouted. He kept running. I glanced around at the boys. "Just a sec."

Jaden looked dismal, I think irritated that I was still avoiding his question. Ikovos nodded then started saying something to the other boy that I didn't catch. Too loud up here.

I ran along the stone after the little troublemaker. He kept on till he was at the edge of the summit, then darted under a bush. I bent down, quickly seeing that he was hiding shakily in the thickest part of it.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Tanis." I said, reaching for him. "We're almost done I promise."

He squeaked.

"As soon as we get back, I'll let you have a go at the entire pantry. Just come with me, okay?" I put my palm out.

His round, dark, eyes blinked hesitantly. Then he crawled onto my hand.

I smiled, eyes closing against a heavy, leaf-filled, gust of wind that had just come through. Then I bent up.

Ahead of me now were the woods, and what I saw made my body freeze. At first I thought I was just remembering my nightmare, but I blinked repeatedly and it wasn't changing.

A man, flawless complexion, light hair, nicely-spaced features, and a pressed smile.

Sylvanus, in his human form. . . . I hadn't seen it in so long . . . but it didn't look much different from the monstrous version now.

His eyes were the same.

The pinkish lips curved up at each side and a gasp escaped my lungs. Then I tried to force control of my body, burying Tanis deep into my jacket first, then spinning on my feet to run back.

The attempt was futile. His arms were wrapped around me before I even took a step.

I resisted at first, then I had to tell myself to scream, that Ikovos and Jaden would hear me if I screamed. I got one out before his head went up over my mouth, my arms locked tightly behind my back. Ikovos and Jaden heard me though. In actuality I'm sure they'd been watching me since I hit the edge. I could barely see their faces from here, but both of them lunged forward.

"Don't try it boys, or I'll gut her right here." It was so loud it hurt my ears.

I moved against his grip. Ikovos and Jaden froze.

Then Sylvanus started to move forward slowly, holding me ahead of him. I continued to struggle wildly, but it didn't loosen his hold at all, he was too strong. It was all I could do to kick and drag my feet against the ground.

The dark sky swirled above us. When we were about ten yards away from the podium he stopped. I could see the boys' faces now. They were standing in a shrilly. Ikovos up on the platform and Jaden dropped down below. Both were intent and livid, but Jaden's brow fell when my panicked eyes hit him.

"Sylvanus, if you-"

"Threats Jaden?" He stopped him with a shake to my body. "Come, come, you know better than that." Sylvanus' mouth moved by my ear. "Plus, you're not in much of a position . . ."

I groaned then opened my mouth to bite down on his hand.

He screeched, then readjusted his grip, tightening harder.

"That's no way to say hello, Evelyn. It's been such a long time." His eyes glowed excitedly, mouth set into a disconcerting smile.

For a second I couldn't breathe. This was everything I had dreamt about, it was happening, all I could feel was a disabling fear.

He turned his head back to Jaden and Ikovos and immediately a red, flaming, knife came whipping towards us. I closed my eyes, bracing, but it past me, causing an unpleasant thud beside my ear.

I opened my eyes and took in air. Sylvanus's hand was off my mouth. Then I looked over, paling to see the still dimly glowing knife jabbing out of his hand. He bit down on the blade with his teeth and slid it from his skin. The smell of blood was overwhelming. He put his hand back up over my mouth.

"Try something like that again and I'll move her in front of it."

I moaned against the coppery liquid seeping into my mouth. The boys froze, Ikovos still up on the higher level and Jaden closer to us. Both of their chests were lifting heavily.

"And none of that super-speedy business from you," he said to Ikovos, "you won't be quick enough."

The boy's jaw clenched tightly.

Then there was a pause.

"Can't we all just calm down for a moment?" tried Sylvanus. "It seems since this war's started everybody's up in arms all the time. . . . Makes it hard to get close."

My body rushed sickeningly. I shifted my gaze, I couldn't bear to meet their eyes.

Sylvanus seemed to catch this with intent delight. He moved his lips closer to my ear.

"Will you look at their faces?" he whispered. His voice was low, honeyed.

I turned my head defiantly, until he squeezed my jaw and yanked it straight.

When I caught their expressions my features dropped. I knew what they were normally like in these situations. Resolute, focused, controlled. There was none of that now. They looked worried, anxious, scared even. My chest locked.

"You are going to make this so easy for me," said Sylvanus. Then he licked his lips, turning back ahead.

"So, how have you two been since the meetings stopped? Keeping busy I'm sure?" He frowned. "You look so surprised to see me . . . then again I guess we are out in the middle of nowhere. . . ." His head shifted around. "I've no clue why, I've just been watching for the pretty girl's scent since the battles started." His nose dug into the side of my head, then he inhaled. "I knew she'd have to leave sooner or later."

My jaw tightened.

"The question is, what can I do with the two of you here? . . ." his head cocked to me, fingers tracing my jaw. "My options have become somewhat limited. Unless I kill you both first . . . but it's not as fun if no one's watching."

Jaden almost lunged forward at that, but Ikovos stopped him, dropping down slowly, tone composed.

"You're making a mistake, Sylvanus. If you let her go now, you can live. Otherwise . . ." He didn't finish, the look on his face said the rest.

Sylvanus clicked his tongue at him. "So calm. . . ." Then he smirked. "Come on, Ikovos, I promise to share."

Ikovos shook then, all serenity lost.

I moaned against Sylvanus's grip.

"What was that?" he asked, lifting his hand off.

I ground my teeth. "Stop it."

He chuckled, dropping the hand to my neck.

"Did you two hear that?" he asked ahead. "She said she wants me to stop." I swallowed, searching for Jaden's eyes. They were set on lividly on Sylvanus. When they caught mine, they fell weakly. A lump rose in my chest. Sylvanus' mouth pressed hard against my ear. "We haven't even started yet."

A loud chirp sounded, followed by a cry from Sylvanus. His grip on my arms loosened enough for me to push away. I turned back to see Tanis latched onto Sylvanus' ear by his teeth. I groaned, trying to hold my mind clear while reaching for the knife in my belt.

Sylvanus grabbed Tanis and flung him across the rocks, then fixed his eyes on my again.

I felt Ikovos's hands on me, it had only taken him seconds. Sylvanus grimaced, but got interrupted with a thorough punch from Jaden. It knocked him back at least five feet, when he came back up he was changed. Dark, bat-like, ears. Slick, stringy, hair. His hand wiped the silver blood across his face.

"You know I hate it when things get violent," he cursed. In seconds a silver ball of liquid appeared in his hand and shot out at Jaden.

He ducked one, but a second knocked him back into the air. I screamed. Sylvanus prepared another shot, but Ikovos was already on top of him, hand balled into a fist.

Sylvanus grabbed his neck, lifting him easily. "You two are distracted, this isn't even a fight."

Jaden was starting to get up again. Ikovos's hands went to his neck, he was choking. I tightened my grip on the knife, then rushed forward, aiming for Sylvanus' chest. He grabbed me with his free hand, then threw Ikovos down against the rock. There was a loud crack.

"You're all making this so easy for me."

I swung back to check Ikovos. He'd dropped him on his head. Before I could reach him Sylvanus grabbed me, locking his arm around my neck and holding my body against him.

Jaden froze ten feet away.

"Now we're in the same position with one down," screeched Sylvanus. His was breathing heavily.

I ignored everything. My eyes were still on Ikovos. I couldn't see the extent of the injury, but he wasn't moving. My blood heated and I tore at Sylvanus' arm with my nails.

"Ugh! I'll kill you!" I screamed. "Let me go! Let me go! I'll kill you!"

"Oh, calm down," he drawled. Then he kicked the body further, refocusing on Jaden.

I lurched and thrashed violently, not stopping till I met Jaden's eyes. He shook his head.

"You're all such fools," croaked Sylvanus. "So wrapped up in your emotions, you can even fight properly." His tone was more strained now, pulse beating wildly against my back. "And you have no idea what is coming."

Jaden's gaze shot to him.

"Demian did warn me specifically not to spoil the surprise, but seeing as neither of you will live past this anyways . . ." My throat constricted, choking through gasps. "You see . . . How can I put this? . . . Let's just say it won't be long before I get to play with all the kiddies at your little lodge."

Jaden looked back at me. I searched his face. His head shook.

"He's lying, Eve."

"I can assure you, I'm not," argued Sylvanus. "You see while you all have been taking it easy with your training and your . . . socializing, we've all been quite busy." He sighed wistfully. "I didn't like Demian's appointment at first, I mean he's a nasty little killer, don't get me wrong, but he seemed like too much of a rule-abider, always playing to the bigwigs and following his orders immaculately. . . . But when I heard about his plan for your precious group I couldn't help but join in."

Jaden's eyes were hard, but hesitant, a realization hit me. He doesn't know what Sylvanus is talking about.

The creature pulsed. "The man has an army," he whispered it amusedly. "Thousands."

My heart missed a beat. Jaden didn't look much better.

"That's not true. . . ." was all I could manage.

"Oh, yes," smiled Sylvanus. "It is." He nodded forward. "That boy knows it too. Ask him where all the forest-dwellers are, or the deserters, any of the Meoden that used to live out of our boundary lines."

My eyes shot to Jaden. He held my gaze hard, his jaw clenching till tears started in my eyes.

He looked back to Sylvanus with a heavy breath. "We'll fight them."