Quin found Layla’s eyes, and she laid a comforting hand on his cheek, pressing her thumb to a hidden dimple. “Yes,” he sighed, returning his attention to Kegan, “we've been guarding our community for Layla's safety.”
“Is it just a precaution,” Kegan pressed, “or is she in some kind of danger?”
“Well,” Quin replied, pulling her fingers to his lips, “you could say she's in the worst kind of danger. The Unforgivables are camped less than an hour away, and Agro suspects she's here.”
Kegan and Weylin froze, unable to respond, and Quin watched their faces while giving them time to swallow the news.
“Without going into detail,” he eventually explained, “here’s the bottom line. Agro recently found out about Layla, and of course he wants her. He doesn't know we've bonded, so we have no idea what he'll want with us now. He's already been here three times, and he could show back up any day, but we don't foresee it happening for a while since he slaughtered over fifty of his own soldiers the last time he was here. Nevertheless, Agro isn't what you'd call predictable, so we stay guarded.”
Kegan opened his mouth to talk, but Quin quickly held up a hand. “Before you even say it, Keg, we're not leaving. We have no intention of hiding, so don't tell us we need to, or ask us why we're not. Think about leaving not only your family, but the entire magical world... forever, and you'll find our reasons to stay.”
“So what are you going to do?” Kegan asked.
“We’re going to prepare ourselves the best we can then let him find us.”
“You’re going to face him?” Kegan breathlessly muttered.
“Yes,” Quin confirmed. “And if it comes to our lives or his… well, the choice is obvious.”
Weylin's sea-green eyes flashed gray, like stormy waters, and the corners of his mouth twitched. “You're fighting.”
“Yes,” Quin answered, “we're fighting.”
Weylin slapped his leg and exposed his grin. “Ha! Agro's going to get his comeuppance, and it's about damn time.”
Kegan twisted in his chair, looking at Weylin like he was crazy. “You need to clear your head, Wey, and stop celebrating. Don't you understand the possible consequences?”
Weylin's smile fell as he scanned Kegan's aura. “Quin doesn't fail, Keg. He'll ensure a victory before he even walks into battle.”
“Not this time,” Quin confessed. “We’ll take every possible precaution, but our chance of failure outweighs our chance of success.”
Kegan’s complexion paled. “Are you facing him alone?”
“No,” Quin answered. “We're accepting all the help we can get from people who are eager to see Agro fall.”
“And how much help can you expect to come of that?”
“We don't know yet. At the moment, only my parents and Layla's grandparents are committed. Hopefully we’ll have more before the time comes.”
“That's three bonded couples and you two,” Weylin noted. “Surely that gives you an edge.”
Quin shook his head. “The eight of us can’t compare to an army, Wey. Agro has hundreds of soldiers at his disposal.”
Everyone was silent for a long time, probably trying to find slivers of hope or elusive solutions. Then Kegan leaned forward, his posture burdened by the news. “It doesn’t sound like you have a chance, Quin.”
Quin shrugged and laid his cheek on Layla's head. “I wouldn’t say that. If we get some help, there’s a chance. Layla's powers are incredible. She's a magical miracle on every level. I don't think there's anything she can't do if she really wants to do it. You've seen her work.”
“Hell yeah,” Weylin recalled. “It was amazing.”
“To say the least,” Quin agreed, “and she performed those things just ten days after learning magic does exist and she possesses it. She's done things you wouldn't believe without seeing proof, and that was before we bonded. After some preparation, she'll be able to perform magic we've never even dreamed about, and now that she's shared a piece of herself with me, I'm capable of magic I never knew exists. A smart plan and larger numbers could equal success.”
“And you’re prepared for the alternative?” Kegan asked.
Quin looked at Layla and pulled a corkscrew curl from her cheek, wrapping it around his finger as he answered. “I'll never be prepared for that. But hiding isn't an option we’re willing to accept. We'll fight to keep the life we love, not run toward a life we hate.”
“Hear, hear,” several people advocated.
“Hear, hear,” Layla whispered, and Quin smiled as he pulled her into a kiss.