Chapter 18

I stood at the bottom of the rocks and looked up at the men. Several of them were spread out between the bottom and top the jagged rocks. Bethany stood beside me. We had been dubbed the tag team, and both of us were okay sticking beside each other.

There were mages in a cloaked boat by the shore. To me it looked like they were doing some sort of dance, waving their hands around. Daxx assured me they were working on taking the barrier down.

“How are you doing, Leone?” Troy’s voice came through the earpiece.

“Getting there. Slow going with ten of us.” His breathing was heavy.

I still couldn’t believe they were climbing the cliff I’d jumped off.

“Cristy?” Victor said.

“I’m okay.” She answered quickly.

“We have her anchored to both Leone and I.” Rafael informed him.

“I must have been mad to agree to that.” Victor complained.

“She’s actually making our best climbers look bad, brother.” Leone said sounding amused.

“I have no doubt of that.” Victor said sounding distracted.

I looked up to see him pointing for Arius to look down the beach.

“Crissy, you can’t pass Raf and I, or the anchor rope will pull us off if you slip.”

“Then hurry up.” She said not sounding as winded as Leone did. “I can see the top.”

“Don’t go any closer, little sister—I have to check it—with the crystal.” Rafael said in a choppy way.

We’d been afraid after my escape they may have put a barrier on the cliff side of the island.

“I remember. I never forget things.” Crissy sounded bored.

“On your call, Leone.” Quinton said.

Beth nudged me with her arm. I turned to see her motion up the rock. Daxx and Alona were working their way up. Now I understood why the men were spread out in that way. We would never be out of reach from one or the other as we climbed.

Beth went before me, she made it look easy.

I glanced up to Arius. He knew how I felt about heights. He gave me a quick nod, then a warm feeling surrounded me. Crissy was scaling a hundred-foot cliff, without guide ropes—I could manage twenty-five feet.

I grabbed the first rock and stepped up.

“Romulus says they are almost there.” Michael reported.

“Checking for barrier now.” Raf said sounding winded.

“It’s clear.” Leone said. “First climbers on the ground. Pulling up our gear.”

“Wimps.” Quinton joked.

“You know what to do, Cristy.” Victor reminded. He turned and held his hand down to me.

“Climbing that in leather was challenge enough, brother. You do it with all your gear on.” Leone dared him.

The men were practically throwing us four women up the rock facing. I clasped Victor’s wrist and was lifted up to the next flat surface.

“Getting in the tree now, Vic.” Crissy said quickly.

There was a snort.

“Pretty sure it’s the tallest one on the island. She will be able to see anywhere and everywhere.” Rafael told us.

“I am no longer shocked.” Was Victor’s monotone response.

Arius clasped my wrist and pulled me up. When my feet touched the ledge beside him, he leaned down and touched his forehead to mine for a moment.

I gave him a serious look, my voiceless way of telling him to be safe. Turning, I climbed up to the next spot where Troy would pull me to the top.

“We’re just behind the building now.” Rafael said in a hushed voice.

“Four guards at the back.” Crissy reported. “Three more that I can see in the upstairs window. They are not paying attention to the outside.”

Grabbing the rope, I turned and started down the other side of the rock. Hitting the bottom, I pulled off the gloves and tucked them in my pocket.

Bethany was doing the same. We were probably the only ones in this fight today that had to have our hands unprotected.

We followed Chase as he led us up into a stand of trees. Staying out of sight until the last moment was important.

“Oh, can we drive up on the golf carts?” Daxx asked.

I checked behind us to see a steady line of men right behind me.

“Waiting on the go.” Leone said.

“Three guards west side.” Crissy said quickly. “I don’t see any on your side, Vic.” She paused. “Which is silly with the stairs there.”

“Barrier down. On my way up.” Michael said hurriedly.

“They aren’t reacting.” Crissy told the men. “They don’t know it’s down.”

“Romulus got it right.” Quinton sounded surprised.

I was too nervous to even feel tired as we kept moving.

“Building visible.” Troy said quietly.

“Give us thirty seconds for the rest to get here and breach.” Chase said, his tone harder then I’d ever heard it.

“So many fucking stairs.” Michael panted out. “How did I get mage sitting duty?”

“Quinton volunteered you.” Raf whispered.

“Bastard.” Michael huffed out a breath. “At the carts.”

“So fast?” Alona said quietly. “You are to be commended, Michael.”

“Yeah if I don’t have a heart attack first.” He replied. “I need lighter swords.”

“I’ve been born into a family of crazy people.” Emil said into the mic. “It’s an honor.”

“Breach in fifteen. Fight well brothers—and sisters.” Leone said.

“Our sisters will make us all look bad.” Rafael chuckled.

I couldn’t believe they were joking, then realized this was their way, their lives.

“Anyone makes you look bad, Raf.” Quinton chuckled.

“Fight well, brother king.” Troy said.

“You as well, twin king.” Chase responded.

“In eight.” Leone whispered.

I looked down the line of men to the one that never left my thoughts. “Arius?” I said quietly.

He turned and glanced at me.

I winked at him.

“Yeah, babe?” He watched me.

“Show them my beast.”

“In Three.” Leone announced.

Arius grinned. “My pleasure.”

“Ready.” Leone said.

“Outdone.” Chase said.

“Let’s party.” Daxx growled out.