looping them into our shielded circle. “A cyclone just smacked the witch back into the treeline! She’s too busy fightin’ it to throw any bombs.”
“Miracle enough for ye, Yer Highness?” Alasdair asked with a chuckle. “I’d say tha’s a sign.”
Nodding in agreement, Duncan said, “The weather has always played a role in Doon’s protection.”
Jamie squeezed my hand. “We need ta get the people to shelter while she’s occupied.”
“Alasdair has given us another option.” Quickly, I explained his theory about breaking the Covenant. It didn’t sound any more plausible coming from my mouth.
“I’m willin’ to try it.” Duncan’s gaze locked on Kenna. “What do ye say?”
My best friend nodded, but I could read her like a book and she was two seconds away from changing her mind.
I turned questioning eyes to Jamie. “I believe it’s our best option. But it’s your choice. We await your instruction, my queen.” He raised our joined hands and kissed my knuckles.
Alasdair was right. When stepping out in faith, there could be no guarantee. But faith had brought me to Doon in the first place; had made me its queen when I would have gladly given my life. If we were to do this, we needed to act as one—step out in faith as a kingdom united.
Withdrawing my hands from the group, the bubble disappeared and wind tore at my hair and clothes as the mini tornados spun around the camp, ridding it of all traces of zombie fungus. Jumping up on a stump, I put two fingers in my mouth and whistled as I’d seen Jamie do.
Everyone within hearing distance gathered around. I couldn’t allow myself to search their weary faces for those who could be missing. They were too many to name, and if I had any hope of saving the rest of us, I had to stay focused on rallying the Doonians to our next impossible mission.
Raising my voice over the wind, I spoke the words I knew would plant further fear in their hearts. “Spread the word for every able-bodied Doonian and Destined to rally at the Brig o’ Doon. And for those too weak or injured to make the journey to gather at the auld Kirk and join us in spirit and in prayer.”
I took a deep breath and made sure my next words were sure and confident. “Tell the people we are going to break the Covenant and unite our kingdom with the modern world in order to make the witch mortal. We need to believe that breaching the borders will not kill us, but save us. For Doon!”
CHAPTER 46
Mackenna
Rally at the Brig o’ Doon!”
The cyclones had cleared away the majority of the fungus, making a path for us. Jamie and Duncan raced among the people shouting orders and lending a hand while those able began to make their way toward the bridge.
I dashed across the field alongside my best friend, doing my best not to have a clumsy moment on account of the uneven terrain. As we neared the tree line, someone shouted, “Incoming!”
Acting on impulse, I stopped to look at the magic bomb hurtling through the sky. Duck and cover! my addled brain shouted at me. And I did. I dropped to the ground and wrapped my arms over my head.
What are you doing? Vee demanded. Get up!
She hoisted me up from the ground, but it was too late. The bomb was headed right for us. Quite suddenly, a bolt of lightning cut through the heavens like a missile and intercepted the bomb. The sky exploded in a shower of purple and white fireworks.
“Holy Hammerstein!”
“You can say that again,” Vee murmured.
A second witch bomb flew toward us, only to be stopped by another lightning bolt. As sparks fizzled around us, a bloodcurdling screech rose from the opposite end of the clearing. Although the hair on my arms stood on end, I couldn’t help reveling in the moment. “Guess Addie wasn’t expecting that freak storm.”
Vee grinned back at me. “Guess not. To the bridge!”
Doonians took the lead, escorting Destined through the tree line toward the bridge.
Jamie and Duncan waited for us within the cover of the forest. As Vee and I approached, Duncan said, “The people are spent.”
“An’ many are injured,” Jamie added.
Ignoring the sinking feeling in my chest, I pasted a cheerful expression on my face. “Fiona told me that the journey wouldn’t be easy.”
“That I did,” Fiona called as she and Fergus came up from behind. Next to them were Sofia and Gabby Rosetti, each with an