Free Final Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 6) by Kara Jaynes

minds had the same purpose.”
    Aaric frowned, thinking on Kenroc’s words.
    Together. One purpose.
    He smiled. He’d fit the pieces together. That’s how it works.
    Now for the application. He just needed to make sure he reached Adaryn in time.

 
    31
    Adaryn
     
    I stood on the ramparts with Bran, Fyrsil, and Lord Welling, looking east, the vast plains spread before us. Twinkling in the twilight, yet far away, were the campfires of the massive Twyli army.
    “So many,” Lord Welling murmured, his brow furrowed. “And they’re all magic users?”
    No one answered. No one had to. These were the Twyli.
    “I’ll stop them.” Bran spoke, a fierce light in his eye. “I’ll defend this city and everyone in it.”
    Fyrsil shook his head. “What makes you think you can stop them, boy?”
    “I have the sky jewel,” Bran replied with a frown at the brigand king. “I’m unstoppable.”
    “Up to this point.” Fyrsil snorted. “Hydari and Myyre will rip you to shreds. The sky jewel won’t help you. Not with this.”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Bran rolled his eyes. “But I’m not afraid.”
    “You should be.”
    “Enough,” I broke in. “Arguing won’t help anything.” I peered at the twinkling lights, chewing my lower lip pensively. “Fyrsil, the Twyli woman who’s teamed up with Donell. You’re sure she’s a rogue?”
    “Absolutely.” The once-king nodded. “It was no secret among the Twyli that only royalty was allowed to extract essence. My guess is she was sent to scout ahead for them, and turned against them once she realized she could strengthen her own power, perhaps to rival their own.”
    “I was stronger than her,” Bran said, his eyes worried as he studied the scene before us. “I could sense it. I was stronger than Donell, too. But . . .” He trailed off for a moment before continuing. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough to defeat all four. If they were to join forces—”
    “They won’t,” Fyrsil interrupted. “If Eletha survived the gun wound, she may return. But that she hasn’t shown herself since we’ve attacked means she’s dead, recovering, or she’s decided to pursue other options.”
    “How can you be sure she won’t join with the twins?” I asked.
    “I know a thing or two of royalty.” Fyrsil smirked at me, a dark eyebrow arched. “We don’t share our power easily.”
    “We must focus on the army,” Lord Welling said. He stood a short way from us. While the temporary head magistrate definitely tolerated the presence of magic users, he still wasn’t at ease with us. Or perhaps he sensed Fyrsil’s contempt for him. “Perhaps if my men and I were to find a way to harass them, it might slow them down . . .”
    “You’d die.” Fyrsil’s mood seemed to darken with every passing minute. He shot a withering glance in the direction of the magistrate. “They’re too strong for you.”
    “Perhaps you’d volunteer yourself?” Lord Welling’s tone was mild, but a tightening around his eyes said he was feeling otherwise.
    “I’d last longer than you.” Fyrsil glared at him. “You’re a weak Denali.”
    The magistrate’s face darkened and he opened his mouth to respond, but Bran cut in. “I will attack the army,” he said. “Alone.” He spoke to Lord Welling, ignoring the brigand king. That Bran held a magistrate in Ruis in higher esteem than a fellow magic user spoke volumes about how much things had changed. “It should be a fairly simple matter of manipulating the elements to make their progression slower.” He wouldn’t look at me, which meant Bran was going to try something stupid. I remembered he always did this when growing up. Foolish man.
    “I’m going with you,” I said, causing Bran’s head to whip around, his eyes locking with mine.
    “I won’t let you,” he retorted. “It’s too dangerous.”
    “You don’t have a choice,” I shot back. “You’re going to need someone to back you up in case something