Phoenix of Hope: Complete Series — Books 1-4

by Zora Marie

  “Why? What’s there?”

  “This is where they send slaves before transferring them. Try to break from the group when they turn right at the cross in the road, the Fenari patrol through there and we haven’t found an opportunity to pass back out. Maybe you’ll see something from that side.”

  “Join a group. When they go right, we need to break away or we may end up trapped, too,” Zelia told Erolith and Loboran. She let them lead the way as she continued her internal conversation with Rog. “So you mean to tell me that you haven’t come up with a plan yet?”

  “Uh… not a very good one.”

  “You were about to barge down the main road, weren’t you?”

  “Maybe… but if you’re here already, I’m guessing that plan didn’t end well.”

  “No.”

  “What happened?”

  “Just keep Linithion safe for me. Please. Let us find a way to get all of you out.”

  Zelia broke off from the cluster of slaves, following Erolith into what seemed to be a vacant building. Strange strings hung down from the ceiling in places and many of the windows were broken out.

  “Ask them if they can get into one of the neighboring buildings,” Erolith said.

  “We are in the building next to that one, but we haven’t been able to make holes in the walls to get into the next building. It’s like their magic drains the energy from everything to the point that other forms of magic don’t really work here. There’s not even enough moisture in the air for ice to really work. Fire works, but you know I’ve never been the greatest with fire.”

  Zelia told Erolith where they were before continuing with Rog. “So, earth and air magic didn’t work?”

  “Air magic kind of does, but not very well. Earth magic is a dud.”

  “What about Fenari magic?”

  “Linithion and Starling tried everything they could think of, but to break through stone and metal like that you have to pull energy from stone and metal. There isn’t enough left to do that here. That’s probably why they use this as a staging area.”

  “Alright, so I’ll try melting a hole in a stone wall…”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t hold your breath on that working. Go up the stairs to the third floor, oh and avoid the stuff hanging down from the ceiling.”

  “Why?” Zelia stepped around one of the strange vine looking things.

  “You don’t want to get electrocuted, that’s why. Thankfully Terik is used to getting the crap shocked out of him. At least his inability to use innate magic is finally coming in handy.”

  “Hey, be nice,” Zelia warned and turned for the stairs. “Rog says to go to the third floor and avoid the stuff hanging from the ceiling.”

  “I was being nice,” Rogath protested, then sighed. “Just be careful and hurry up if you don’t mind, we’re exhausted and running low on water… didn’t think we would be gone this long.”

  “You’re the ones who decided to leave in the middle of the night after a long day of training. Even I got at least a little rest before coming here.”

  “Only because Erolith made you… and even then, you’ve been pushing yourself too hard. I can feel it. Why don’t you ask Loboran to carry you?”

  “Because he’s tired too.”

  “Yes, but you need to be able to run. Just in case and you won’t be able to at this point.”

  Zelia sighed in frustration. It was beginning to feel like everyone had ganged up against her.

  “What’s wrong?” Loboran asked.

  “Nothing. Just Rog being, well, Rog.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? You know I’m right.”

  Loboran chuckled and scooped her up. “You can walk once we get up the stairs.”

  “Fine.” She’d rather walk on her own, but it wasn’t worth the energy to fight them both.

  “Hm, I like him,” Rogath said. “Both of them actually, they make a good couple.”

  “Yes, well, we should be trying to come up with another plan.”

  “I thought that’s what Erolith was for.”

  Zelia stared at Erolith’s back as he led the way up the stairs. The weight in his step was heavier than usual, leaving tracks on the dust covered steps. She couldn’t tell if it was merely the thought of losing Linithion, or something else that weighed on him. Some small part of her dreaded that he knew something that she didn’t.

  “Stop thinking that way. We’ll find a way out of this,” Rogath said. “Hm. I doubt you’ll be able to break through the wall, but if we can both get access to the roofs and you could make a rope out of something…”

  “You could all climb past the barricade.”

  “Yep. Problem is, a lot of these stairs are unstable and we don’t have forever to find a safe path. I’m honestly surprised the Fenari haven’t noticed Terik missing from his cell yet.”

  “Well, hopefully they have noticed and just don’t care.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Rog said and Zelia knew he wasn’t convinced. “Either way, look to your right.” Zelia did as he instructed, and he hummed a note that reverberated in her head as it did his.

  “Could you stop that?”

  “Oops, sorry. Um, just to the left of that abandoned desk should put you across from the room we’re in.”

  “You can put me down now, Loboran,” Zelia said. “They’re just on the other side of that section of wall.” She pointed to where Rog had suggested and Loboran carried her to the section of wall before setting her down. “Have you all backed away from the wall?”

  “Yes. You’re free to try. You might have Loboran or Erolith look for a way to the roof while you try.”

  “Rogath doubts this will work. Would one of you want to see if we can access the roof?”

  “Of course. Loboran, stay with Zelia,” Erolith said.

  Zelia turned to the wall as Erolith left. She took a moment to shake off the dread that welled in her as she pulled her staff free of its holster. Instead of expanding the staff, she just pressed one end to the strange stone wall and called on the flame that lived within her. Her fingers cracked as she poured her power into and through the staff. She willed it to be heat rather than light, to melt rather than burn.

  Heatwaves rippled through the air around her, coming off the stone. Even so, the stone didn’t glow or glisten. She could feel Loboran step back as she pushed more power and energy into the stone, willing it to melt.

  She was distantly aware of her body beginning to shake with fatigue, the drain on her powers eating at her, but it wouldn’t matter if she could get them out. She couldn’t let that future happen. She wouldn’t.

  “Zelia!” Rog yelled in her mind and crashed through her thoughts. “Stop. You’re just hurting yourself. Look, it’s not doing anything. Just stop, we’ll find another way.”

  “No. I have to save you and Linithion.” She was faintly aware of tears sizzling on her cheeks. She couldn’t lose Linithion. Couldn’t lose Rog either.

  “Zelia, stop,” Erolith ordered.

  She wanted to continue, to push despite their warnings, but her legs gave out and she crashed to the floor. The dust smoked all around her. Her back screamed at her, the muscles spasming to the point of arching her back.

  She’d thought herself able to use her powers as before, but this body didn’t have the centuries of training her other body had. Her hands were cracked from where she’d used ice in her sleep. She couldn’t do this, couldn’t give up so easily. But her body wouldn’t stop shaking, her muscles yelling their protest.

  “If you can cool yourself off, I can help.” Erolith kneeled beside her.

  She forced herself to let out a long shaky breath and soothed her flames back into her core, back to where she kept them separated from her ice. At least that part of her had been intact in this body. She wasn’t sure what she would do without the little cocoons she kept her powers in.

  Fingers ran down either side of her spine, leaving a trail of tingling magic in their wake. Relief washed through her and
she breathed a little easier as her back relaxed and her muscles grew still. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Try not to let your emotions get the better of you, alright?”

  “Sorry.” If he and Loboran could hold it together with Linithion and Starling trapped, she should be able to as well.

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself. A new bond is a fickle thing that messes with everyone’s rational thoughts.” Erolith brushed the hair from her face. “Ask Rogath if all of them can run.”

  “We can…” Rog said.

  “He can hear you and they can. What do you have in mind?”

  “Really? That’s interesting.” Erolith shook his head. “How good is Rogath at lying?”

  “Good.” Zelia turned her head to stare up at him. “Why?”

  “Linithion won’t agree to my plan, so she needs to be unaware of some things until the last moment possible.”

  “No…” Zelia sat up as she realized Erolith planned to sacrifice himself for all of them. “She’ll blame herself for your death.”

  “She’ll learn to accept my decision in time. And she needs you more than she needs me.”

  “Sir…” Loboran said, the single word nearly a plea.

  “No. You and Starling will be needed in this fight more than me. You both surpassed my skills as children. Besides, Eleanor and I have both had visions. This is how it has to be. Loboran, I need you to send out a ripple of energy just before you go through the portal, that way I know it’s time to gift the guild’s power to Linithion. She already knows where I keep the staff.”

  “How do you know it will accept her?” Loboran asked.

  “Because it likes her better than it does me. That’s why she’s been able to perform spells without being an official member of the guild. But if she’s not through the portal when the power hits her, she will need to be dragged through because she’ll know I’m not coming after you. If she doesn’t know that I came with you, keep it that way until you’re back.”

  “She knows… but we’ll make sure she gets through,” Rogath said in Zelia’s mind and she repeated, her voice hollow.

  “Hey, look at me.”

  Zelia raised her gaze to meet Erolith’s. She hadn’t noticed how similar his eyes were to Linithion’s, they were the same hue of green.

  “She may try to push you away, but just as I’m sure she hasn’t let you, don’t let her. I may not necessarily approve, but you two are meant for each other and I’m sorry I didn’t accept it sooner.”

  “Please don’t do this. I don’t want to watch her lose you.”

  “Zelia, I was going to die during this war either way, but this way the two of you may live to save everyone else. To have a future together. I do need you to promise me something though.”

  “What?”

  “When you get home, you’ll let your body rest for a while so that when everything falls apart, you’ll be able to be there for Linithion,” Erolith paused to take a deep breath, “and I give the two of you my blessing for whenever you are ready.”

  “What’s going to happen?”

  Erolith gave her a faint, yet pained, smile. “You’ll see when you’re meant to know. Just be ready. Now, go on. You two sneak back to where you can portal. I’ll distract the Fenari long enough for the others to slip through. And don’t you dare argue.”

  He glared at her and she sighed. It was fruitless to even try. Loboran must have known it too as he scooped her off the floor without another word of protest.

  “Just be careful, and at least try to come back,” Loboran said.

  Erolith nodded, but Zelia knew he wouldn’t. She knew that distant yet love-filled look in his gaze. She had felt that way as she killed herself to protect Koin all those years ago, and again when she’d tried to sacrifice herself for Alrindel and the others. She wanted to stop him, to say that they would come up with another plan, but she knew it was a fool’s hope.

  16

  Something exploded in the distance as they made it to the place they had portaled in. Her heart wrenched at the idea of Erolith doing this on his own and she suddenly understood how the others had felt watching her. She hated herself for making them feel this way, but she also understood that sometimes it was necessary. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made. She just hated that it wasn’t her this time.

  She leaned heavily on her staff. Her legs shook as they waited for the others. Suddenly Linithion was there, running towards them with the others close on her heels. Rogath supported Terik as they ran, but they ran nonetheless. Linithion glanced at Zelia and then Loboran, then skidded to a stop.

  “Where’s Father?” Linithion’s voice was breathless with fear.

  Zelia couldn’t help but look away as her guilt hit her like a physical punch to the gut. She should have tried harder to convince him of another plan. Linithion spun, as though to run back, but Starling caught her and dragged her towards the portal Loboran built. Even with his hands busy, Loboran sent out the ripple of power Erolith had asked for.

  A couple of Fenari rounded the corner. Zelia drew the rune for a shield and barely blocked the Fenari’s spells from hitting Starling as he ran. Her shield buckled under their next assault, the world around them not offering enough energy for her to funnel. So, she poured her own energy into it, buying them time as Starling dashed into the portal with Linithion.

  “Drop the spell, now,” Loboran ordered as he dragged her through the portal.

  She shook as her energy snapped back into her. Loboran held her tight against him as the world turned black before the bright light of midmorning hit her and Linithion’s scream cut through her exhaustion.

  “How could you!” Linithion yelled. “You just let him sacrifice himself?” She looked at each of them, but her gaze lingered on Zelia. “He’s gone…” Her voice shook as she fell in the snow, her arms wrapped around herself.

  Zelia pushed Loboran’s hand away and took a step towards Linithion.

  “Stay away from me,” Linithion snapped and glared up at her.

  “What?” Zelia whispered. Her breaths came in short gasps as she tried to reason through what Linithion was going through, the real reason she had such venom in her tone. “I’m sorry.” She stumbled back, her body foreign and distant. Her body was giving out, but she couldn’t. She’d promised Erolith she’d be there for Linithion.

  “Loboran.” That was Rogath’s voice she heard as the world tilted.

  Something, someone caught her as her eyes tried to flutter shut. She was so tired, her body too heavy, and her soul too empty.

  “Zelia? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” Linithion’s voice cracked with her grief and panic. Linithion’s hands were warm against Zelia’s cheeks as she lay in the snow.

  “It’s okay,” Zelia whispered. Her hands shook as she put them over Linithion’s. “I’ll be fine. I’ve just pushed myself too much the last few days.” Her eyes drifted close. She wanted to do more, to be there for Linithion, but her body refused to take no for an answer.

  Zelia stirred to find a nasty taste in her mouth. Pernion juice, she thought and took a deep breath through her nose. The scent of fresh pine and flowers enveloped her, Linithion’s scent. Linithion was holding her tight, as though she’d slip away at any moment and the pillow was damp with tears.

  “Linithion?”

  “I love you,” Linithion whispered and kissed her cheek, her tone solemn and desperate.

  Zelia turned onto her side, so she could study Linithion’s expression and memorize the lines of her face. “I love you, too. I’m sorry I passed out…” Sorry for not being there.

  “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

  “It’s alright, we all snap sometimes. I’m sorry I couldn’t save him.”

  “No. I’m the one who left like that and made you all follow after me.”

  “It seems I may have rubbed off on you.”

  A tear ran down Linithion’s cheek and Zelia winced as she moved her arm to wipe it away.

  “You need to
stretch. You’re wound tighter than anyone I’ve ever met,” Linithion said and propped herself up on an elbow. “Do you need help?”

  “Maybe…” Zelia admitted as she flexed her fingers. “How long have I been out?”

  “Since yesterday morning, though I can’t say anything since I slept through most of yesterday, too. Seems we both needed to catch up on sleep.” Linithion gave her a tired smile, one that was dim and devoid of the happiness Zelia had seen in it before.

  “Did anyone contact Eleanor?”

  “Loboran and Starling did. She wishes she could come, but with how things are she can’t leave. It’s just you and me now.”

  “We’re not alone. Even if she can’t physically be here, Eleanor and the others are here for us. Besides, we have Raven and Orvi. And I’m sure Loboran and Starling will stick around to help.”

  “You’re right…”

  Zelia forced herself to sit up and hug Linithion and her back twitched with the movement. “As soon as I can move well enough to hobble, how about we go sit with Raven and Orvi? Also, who made me drink pernion juice while I was out? I can still taste it.”

  “It’s not that bad. But Yalif came to take Rogath and Terik back. Oh, that friend of yours, Donequen, is here.”

  “Really? I thought you said that you slept most of yesterday, too?”

  “Yeah, well, a lot happened after you collapsed. Terik was in worse shape than he let on. He collapsed right after you passed out. Lumid must have seen since he sent Yalif to tend to him and you before going back. They sent Donequen with him. He doesn’t talk much.”

  Zelia chuckled. “Just wait until he warms up to you. Did his little brother come with him?”

  “Brother? No.”

  “Zivu must have promised to take care of him then. Just as well, he’ll be safer there.” Zelia sat back and slowly worked the tension out of her shoulders and back. She wished she had been able to see Rog and Terik off, but at least they were safe for now and she was sure Rog would pop in on her soon enough.

  There was a light knock on the door and Linithion went to answer it. “Yes?”