Mated to the Chaos - Georgette St. Clair Page 0,46
our side.”
Carlo ran toward the Guardian, attacking Hollows as he went until he met Torin on the battlefield.
“How long have they been here?”
“They haven't left,” Torin gritted through clenched teeth as he threw another Hollow after twisting and ripping off its head in one smooth motion.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. They steadily attacked and searched through Encantado the entire time you were gone. Did you get Asherah?”
“Yes, she's already on her way to Heath. She'll be secure, and Heath will be able to enter the battle with the rest of his men.”
“I don't think that'll be possible.”
“What's going on, Torin?”
“The Hollows tried to take Silva, but they weren't able to get to her.”
Carlo flinched at his words. “So the Hollows attacked Asherah and Silva. What the hell's Skuld playing at? Why does she want both of them?”
“We can't figure it out. But our duties have now turned to keeping the two Fae women safe from harm.”
A roar shattered over the battlefield, silencing everyone and bringing the battle to a standstill.
Carlo’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened. He damn near had to force himself to speak at the sight of the massive creature before him. It was larger than anything he’d ever seen. “Is that a fucking dragon? Whoa! A dragon just come through the portal, right? I’m not seeing things?”
“By the Goddess,” Torin mused. “This is going to be one hell of a battle.”
A glittering golden dragon glided through the air, its wings spanning at least the length of a football field. There was a damn dragon in Encantado. The last dragon that had come through Encantado had created Scorched Earth.
“I’m going for the flying monstrosity. I'll have to leave the Hollows to you, Carlo. We cannot have another catastrophe like we did before.”
Carlo didn't have time to argue with the Guardian. His heart stopped in his chest as he raced back to Nanshe’s side as she guarded the mages trying to close the portal. There were some portals that were smaller, only allowing one or two Hollows through at a time, but they hadn't closed entirely.
“What the fuck is going on, mate?”
Nanshe’s fearful eyes met his. “Skuld is trying to destroy this place. If we don't stop her, she will succeed. She’s more stubborn than you are.”
Carlo didn't know what to do. “She's going after Asherah and Silva. It seems she didn't know Asherah was already in the In Between. I was told she tried to target Silva in the headquarters as well. She wants them both, Nanshe. But why?”
Nanshe grimaced, and Carlo groaned in frustration. She couldn't answer the question. He was so fucking tired of not being able to get the information they needed or understand her cryptic riddles when she was able to provide a hint. It was worse than not knowing. Nanshe held all the secrets but could not say a word.
“What use is it for you to have come here if you can't help us?”
“I have tried to do as much as I can. Don't you growl at me, mate.”
Carlo took a deep, cleansing breath. He knew her words were not out of spite. He sensed the pain in her, how she’d tried to fight through it. “I'm sorry.”
“It's all right. We will do what we have to do. For now, I will keep these mages working on the portals and add my strength to help them close them. It may expose me to Skuld, but at this point, if I don't get these portals closed, Encantado will be ruined.”
“Do what you must,” Carlo agreed. “If Skuld wants to come after you, she'll have to go through me.”
Chapter Fifteen
War and dust. Pestilence and rage. Nanshe had been here so many times before, more times than she could count. So many times had she experienced the rage of the dragon as it had ruined many lands with its fearless fire and powerful claws. So many, many times had she witnessed countless people die and fall before it.
The dragon, the harbinger of time and power. Nanshe lifted her head, knowing what that golden dragon represented. Dragons were made of pure time and magic spatial control. They were bred to restore the balance, as the In Between was for the Fae realm and Human world.
Skuld had disturbed that tenuous balance when she wanted to gain more power than she was meant to have, or even deserved. And by doing so, her sister had made it so Nanshe—ever fated to be her rival—would have to step in.
Norns actively working within