Chapter 27

Sleep was a relative term. India had been awake for hours now. She knew that the time had come the time for battle and blood. From afar, she could see the whirling dark cloud.

“I’m waiting for you,” a voice murmured—her mother’s voice. She sat up. Taking a bracing breath, she stood, walking to the clothes she set aside, the clothes she’d come to the Haven in. She pulled them on slowly. Behind her, she could hear Aleks rousing, but he didn’t say anything. He rose and strode to her, pressing a kiss on her cheek. He reached for his own clothes. They dressed in silence, the somberness of the war to come pressing in on them.

“Are you ready?” Aleks asked, taking her hand in his. She sighed, looking away from him to the black whirling cloud.

“I don’t know,” she huffed.

“Well, you have me and Sean and Hilda. We came into this with you, and we’ll leave with you.” He caressed her cheek.

“Let’s do this,” she heaved and took his hand as they strode out of the room.