Chapter 27

“Guess we’re marching to our deaths.” He chuckled, trying to lift the mood as Aria frantically packed our camp. “Those poles don’t snap that way…”

“I’m going to give her a hug or…” I began before Caen put a hand on my shoulders, then shook his head.

“After. Make me a promise. Don’t die.”

I glanced into his eyes, still a little confused. His calm told me all that I needed to know, before he looked back up at her. He cared just as much as I did.

“I thought Aria was the important one?” I was still wrapping my head around our tiny Pact Mage being the most terrifying of us three as Caen lifted his hand from my shoulders.

“I’m guessing you saw it out there, but Aria’s no pushover in a fight. She can take care of herself. But if she doesn’t have you around, she won’t know what to do. So keep your head on your shoulders, all right?” There was one last pat on my shoulders even if I wasn’t sure there was some deeper meaning I ought to have known.