The Last War (Book #9 of the Sage Saga) by Julius St. Clair Page A

as she grabbed the back of his neck and pressed his forehead against hers.
    “I love you, James,” she said. “Don’t ever forget that. I’m sorry that…I spent so much time on my duties and not enough on you. That’s going to change though. I’m with you every step of the way from here on out.”
    “But where do we step?” James asked. “Where do we go now?”
    “We’ll figure it out together.”
    “What are you talking about?” Benny asked, appearing at their side. Catherine beamed as she bent down to one knee and tussled his hair.
    “Boring grown-up stuff,” she said. “Where’s the others?”
    “Still rolling down hills.”
    “Is that where you were?”
    “Uh-huh. But I wanted you to come.”
    “We’ll be there soon. Why don’t you head back over there for now.”
    “Okay,” he said, running off as fast as his little legs could carry him.
    “Want to go roll down some hills?” Catherine asked James. He nodded playfully and she laughed to herself. James was about to head in Benny’s direction when Catherine suddenly grabbed his shoulder. Worried, he followed Catherine’s gaze which was back toward the little cabin.
    Someone was standing in the doorway, leaning up against the uneven frame.
    James and Catherine approached slowly as they both allowed the tips of their eidolons to emerge from the palms of their right hands. James scowled once he caught wind of the familiar signature, but Catherine threw all caution aside. She rushed the intruder and leapt into their arms.
    The intruder stepped out into the light and Chloe emerged. Her green Sage robes were draped over her and her blonde and silver hair was shining brightly as it surfed the breeze. She and Catherine were both giggling as they embraced, but James stayed back.
    When they finally parted, Catherine wiped the tears from her eyes as she waved James to come over and say hello. Chloe’s hearty countenance fell once she saw the concern on James’ visage.
    “What’s wrong, James?” she asked. “It looks like you saw a ghost.”
    “I’m happy to see you,” he said. “But I’m trying to figure out why.”
    “I’m here to see you, silly!” she laughed.
    Catherine shook her head. “James, you’re nuts.” She turned to Chloe. “He’s not been feeling himself lately, don’t mind him. You’re here to get us to join the war, aren’t you?”
    “Your involvement is part of it, I guess you could say,” Chloe said, scratching her head.
    “You must have been searching for a long time,” James replied. “To come all the way from Delilah through Terra and then Paragon, and we’re kind of far away from any of the cities.”
    “Can’t fool you, huh?” Chloe laughed. “I thought that after all we’ve been through, you would be a little more receptive.”
    “What are you talking about?” Catherine frowned.
    Chloe took a deep breath before she continued. “Well, the reason I’m here is because of James. He’s been…the subject of a lot of conversation lately.”
    James didn’t say anything as the eidolon picked up some strange materials coming from under Chloe’s Sage robe. Materials that screamed defense. She was protecting herself from something, but was it from what the war would bring in general, or him?
    “Because he was a valuable asset in the past?” Catherine said.
    “Now, we think of him as a liability,” Chloe winced at saying it.
    “The Delilah? What do they want?”
    “I don’t know how to put this…we want him to surrender and come with us.”
    “Us?”
    “Damn it,” Chloe said as James looked behind him.
    “Kyran’s here too, isn’t he?” James asked. “Just waiting for the right moment to strike.”
    “What’s going on?!” Catherine yelled, her face beginning to go red.
    “We got word that James has absorbed an alarming number of Ancient Knights and has gained a considerable boost of power as a result. We know of the Quietus bloodlust, combined with his love for you. He won’t stop if