Drop of Hope

by Jamie A. Waters

  Sergei arched an eyebrow. “Of course, but who will monitor you around our precious Ariana?”

  Jason scowled at both men. “For fuck's sake, I turn around for two seconds and you two are all over my sister again. Let's just get this over with. I don't want to be down here longer than necessary.”

  Ariana sighed and decided the best tactic would be just to ignore them. They were all acting like children. She knelt, placing one hand against the ground and dipping the other into the cold river water. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply and let the wild energy fill her. It was exquisite and unlike anything she'd ever experienced. It was untamed and free. The water rushed down whatever path the earth dictated. The sheer force of it was overwhelming.

  “Oh, Jason,” she murmured, “you have to feel this. The river is so primal. It's almost like touching raw energy.”

  Jason stopped bickering long enough to approach her. He bent down to touch the water and stumbled, his foot slipping on the slick ground. Ariana watched in horror as he tumbled forward, plunging into the rushing rapids. She tried to dive toward him, but the harness yanked her backward.

  “Jason!” Ariana screamed, scrambling to find the buckle for the equipment around her waist.

  “Get him out of there now!” Alec shouted.

  Jason struggled and flailed, slamming into the first outcropping of rocks. His head bobbed at the surface and disappeared from view as he was pulled under by the force of the river. He only had precious seconds before he reached the next rocky alcove that had destroyed the equipment. He'd never survive being thrown against the rocks a second time. Ariana knew he was injured or else he would have manipulated the river to slow the rapids.

  There was no time for finesse. Ariana had to act. Shoving her hand deep into the water, she yanked the energy threads from the river directly into her body. The water slowed, almost stopping its flow, but a river wasn't designed to stop completely. It was a source of power that was constantly moving, and Ariana had circumvented its purpose. There were consequences to every action, and everyone in the cavern would pay the price if she didn't act quickly enough.

  Slapping her other hand against the earth, she pulled the energy threads deep from within the earth's core. The ground shook and rose up, halting Jason's progression. She wove a powerful dam of energy around her brother, redirecting the remaining flow of water she wasn't holding around him. Ariana trembled from the exertion of simultaneously holding on to the earth and the water.

  As the river dried up and a path formed to the unconscious figure now lying on the ground, Alec shouted instructions. She barely heard him, intent on holding back the tidal surge that threatened to be unleashed if she made the slightest error in judgment. Sergei, Alec, Lars, and Carl jumped into the riverbed, scrambling over rocks to reach Jason. Kayla tossed a rope toward them, and they hefted Jason up, using the rope to pull him and themselves to safety.

  Once he was out, Ariana slowly began to release the earth energy threads back where they belonged. Her body trembled from the increasing force of the water. Although she ached to just release the energy, the water from the river was far more dangerous to everyone in the underground cavern. One wrong move, and she risked drowning them all. Taking a steadying breath, she slowly allowed the water to trickle through her shields. Gradually, more filtered through and the pressure lessened. Her shoulders slumped from fatigue, but she couldn't stop. Alec's hand landed on her shoulder, and she felt a renewed rush of energy he shared through their connection.

  The energy helped strengthen her resolve further, and she carefully released the remainder of the river, allowing it to once again flow naturally through the cave. She pitched forward, but Alec wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly against him.

  “Jason,” she managed. “Is he all right?”

  “I'm sorry, Ariana,” Alec said in a gentle voice. “It doesn't look good. I've called for an aircraft to transport him to the towers immediately, but we haven't been able to revive him. We have someone working on him now.”

  Her throat suddenly felt dry as darkness edged at the corners of her vision. Alec held her, preventing her from falling, and sent another strong wave through their connection.

  “Please, Alec, I need to go to him.”

  Without arguing, Alec lifted and carried her to her brother's limp body. She could still feel Jason faintly through their bond, but their connection was dwindling fast. Although the medic had tried to expel the water from his lungs, Jason hadn't regained consciousness. He was dying.

  Ariana leaned over her brother, reaching outward with her senses. Using the last of her energy reserves, she wove earth and water together and placed her hands against him. Alec reached out to her, sending additional energy to support her efforts.

  With a powerful surge, she focused on assessing each of Jason's injuries. The large lump on his head that had rendered him unconscious was the most worrisome. There was too much intracranial pressure. She eased her healing energy into him, reducing the swelling in his brain. His spleen had ruptured and three of his ribs had broken when he hit the rocks, puncturing his lungs. She fused them back together and yanked the remainder of the water from his lungs. Jason coughed and sputtered, gasping for breath. The rest of his injuries were minor bumps and scrapes.

  Sergei turned Jason onto his side to finish expelling the water while the medic assessed him. Ariana slumped to the ground in relief and exhaustion. Alec wrapped his arms around her again, and she dropped her head against his chest.

  “Remarkable,” the medic murmured and checked his device. He glanced up at Alec. “We need to do a full battery of tests, but it appears the worst of the injuries have already healed.”

  “His brain… Make them check… There was swelling,” she whispered, unable to keep her eyes open. She couldn't remember ever being so tired.

  “Shh,” Alec murmured in her ear, stroking her back. “Just rest, beautiful. I'll take care of everything. Jason will be fine.”

  Trusting him at his word, she slipped into unconsciousness.

  Chapter Six

  Ariana sat beside Jason's bed in the medical wing and held his limp hand in hers. He was still unconscious, but the doctors had assured her it was a necessary healing sleep. They expected him to make a full recovery and be released the following day.

  She squeezed her eyes shut, guilt consuming her at the thought of how close she'd come to losing him. If she hadn't insisted on having him accompany her to the surface, Jason wouldn't have been hurt. Not only that, but they hadn't even been able to evaluate the river like they’d hoped. The entire endeavor had been a failure.

  Alec dropped his hand to her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. A light band of soothing energy wrapped around her at his touch. “It's not your fault, Ari. You saved his life. That's far more important than anything else. No one else could have done what you managed and gotten him to safety. What you accomplished was a miracle.”

  She looked up at Alec, sensing his compassion and sincerity through their shared connection. “You, Sergei, Lars, and Carl took a huge risk as well. Thank you for trusting me enough to hold back the water and for saving Jason.”

  He sighed and sat beside her, taking her hand in his. “We need to talk about what happened.”

  Ariana looked away, her gaze falling once again on Jason's still form. She focused on her brother's deep breaths, the movement reassuring her he'd eventually awaken. Although the immediate threat in the cavern had been subverted, the resounding backlash from her actions was still imminent. In this case, she'd gladly accept the consequences if it meant her brother would wake up healthy once again.

  “I know what you're going to say, Alec. Even though you cleared a lot of people from the area, there were too many down there. I'm sure even now the rumors are circulating through the Inner Circle about what happened.” She lifted her head to face him. “I can't hide anymore, can I?”

  “No,” he admitted and glanced at Jason. “I don't think you should eith
er. I understand why it was necessary when my father was in power, but things are different now. There are no bracelets, and no one will force you to do anything you're not willing to do. I swear I'll protect you.”

  “Don't make promises like that, Alec,” she chided softly. “I'm not your responsibility.”

  Alec hesitated and then lifted her hand, pressing a kiss against it. A small wave of his energy enveloped her, offering comfort and the hint of a promise of something more.

  “Ari—” He stopped abruptly as the door was flung open.

  Her parents rushed in, taking in the scene and Jason's still form. Ariana immediately stood, moving to the side and away from Jason's bedside. Her mother turned to her, making a dramatic show of hugging her tightly. Ariana wrinkled her nose at the smell of liquor that hung like a heavy perfume around Marguerite Alivette.

  When she pulled away, her mother darted a glance at Alec and gushed, “My darling girl. We heard what happened. You're all right?”

  Ariana resisted the urge to sigh. It was only in public that Marguerite made an effort to act the doting mother. Behind closed doors, her mother barely interacted with them. She wasn't a cold woman, just unhappy. Her parents’ marriage had been a calculated arrangement to produce powerful offspring. Unfortunately, while that part of the arrangement had succeeded, it didn't coincide with a happy marriage. Her father took every opportunity to occupy himself in political machinations, while her mother immersed herself in whatever liquor happened to be handy.

  “Yes, Mother, I'm fine. Jason will be too,” Ariana assured her. “They're just keeping him overnight for observation.”

  Unlike her mother, her father insisted on trying to control and direct every nuance of his children's lives. At least, every nuance of her life. Jason had far more freedom. And now, Devan Alivette was about to unleash his full fury on the room for circumventing his will.

  “Was this your foolish idea?” he demanded in an icy voice, his cold, gray eyes focusing on Alec. The chilling snap of her father's energy filled the room, turning it cold enough Ariana could see her breath.

  “Devan,” Alec stood and acknowledged the older man, “I understand you're upset, but this is not the time or place for this. You are in a place of healing.”

  “You have the audacity to dictate to me?” he challenged, his eyes turning even colder in an unmistakable warning. “Dozens of our people died in those ruins at the hands of your father. Was it your intention to carry on your father's legacy? Your actions nearly killed my son and daughter.”

  Alec stiffened, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn't back down. “Watch yourself, Devan. I will say this once, and you will not question my integrity again. It was never my intention to put either Ariana or Jason in harm's way. I deeply regret that Jason was injured.”

  Devan took a threatening step toward Alec, the freezing lash of his energy pummeling against the room. The temperature plummeted, and frost began creeping up the walls, webbing outward with its frozen fingers. “You expect me to believe your words when you intentionally bypassed the Council and led my children into harm's way? It's only by the grace of the gods they're both alive at all. You've overstepped yourself, Tal'Vayr.”

  “Enough, Father,” Ariana declared, using the moisture in the room to insulate herself from his cold fury. She stepped in front of Alec, not willing to allow her father to keep attacking him when it had been her decision to go to the surface. “This was not a Council decision. Alec explained the hazards on the surface, but it was my choice. I was the one who talked Jason into accompanying me. If anyone is to be blamed for what happened, it's me.”

  Her father's eyes narrowed on her. “Then we'll make sure it doesn’t happen again. You will not leave the sanctity of our quarters again for any reason. As a result of your foolish decision, everyone within this tower will know about your abilities by the end of the week. I will not risk you being harmed or coerced into an undesirable bond.”

  With this declaration, the chill in the room slowly began to retreat. Devan turned back to regard Jason, who was still unconscious in the medical bed. “You've risked everything, Ariana, including your and your brother's life, to prevent some silly piece of equipment from being broken. Your purpose is greater than that. If I cannot trust you to make reasonable decisions, I will make them for you.”

  Something inside her broke at her father's harsh words. Ariana refused to be shackled again and imprisoned in her rooms. After having the first taste of freedom in years, she'd be damned if she was going to relinquish it. Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin in defiance.

  Gesturing toward the shuttered window, she said, “I went to the surface to try to help the thousands of people dependent upon our ability to find new resources. My parents taught me we have a responsibility to protect not only our race but all of mankind. I listened well to your lessons, Father. Or were those just fanciful stories?”

  He turned back to face her, but the derision on his face only inflamed her.

  “We need the resources the river provides,” she said, taking a small step toward him. “Not only for our people, but our alliance with the Coalition and the surface dwellers depends on it. If my talents and abilities can help bring peace to our people, I will do everything within my power to make it happen.” She clenched her fists. “What I will not do, is hide away in my family's quarters as though I'm ashamed of my actions. I am not a child, Father. You don’t have the right to dictate to me any longer. I will make mistakes, but they will be mine to make.”

  Devan Alivette stared at his daughter as though seeing her for the first time. Her mother's eyes welled with tears, and she nodded at Ariana. “Ari, you've made your point. Go and get some rest. Your father and I will speak with you later, after we've had a chance to discuss things.”

  Ariana swallowed and gave her parents a curt nod before turning and leaving the room. Once she was outside, she pressed her back against the wall and tried to calm her racing heart.

  What in the world has gotten into me?

  She'd never argued with her father like that. In the past, she'd relied upon her abilities to soothe the tensions in the room. Instead, she'd stood her ground and refused to back down. Alec had told her she needed to let things play out naturally. She shook her head, wondering if he could be right.

  “Ari? Are you well?”

  Ariana turned to meet Sergei's worried gaze. Was she well? Not really, but if she analyzed things too closely, she'd fall apart before she made it back to her rooms.

  She smiled hesitantly. “Yes, I'll be fine.”

  He frowned and studied her thoughtfully. “Your brother?”

  She nodded and pushed away from the wall. With everything that had happened, her emotions were spinning. All she wanted was to take a long shower to clear her head.

  “Jason's going to be fine. They just want to keep him overnight for observation. He'll be released tomorrow.”

  “Come here, solnyshka,” Sergei murmured and pulled her into his arms.

  She went to him willingly, leaning her head against his chest. She needed the comfort more than she thought possible, and for some reason, Sergei made her feel safe.

  “You are stronger than you believe,” he said, running his hand over her hair. “It takes great courage to do what you did today. You saved Jason's life.”

  Ariana buried her face against Sergei's chest, curling her fingers into his shirt, and breathed in his spicy scent. “It wouldn't have been enough. If you hadn't helped to drag him out, he wouldn't have survived.” She lifted her head to look up at him. “Thank you for my brother's life, Sergei. It's a debt I'll never be able to repay.”

  Sergei pressed a kiss against her forehead. “You do not owe me any debts, Ari.” He paused for a moment, and a wicked grin crossed his face. “Your brother is a different matter though. I shall enjoy reminding him of that often.”

  Despite herself, Ariana couldn't help but laugh. Jason would hate being indebted to him.

  “A
ri?”

  She lifted her head to see a tall, dark-haired man standing in front of her. Recognizing her brother's friend, Ariana straightened and offered him a warm smile. She didn't know him as well as Jason did, but he'd been close with her brother for the past several years. She held her hands out to him in greeting. “It's good to see you, Hayden. You're here to see Jason?”

  He hesitated for a moment, eyeing Sergei with distrust, and took her hands in his. “I actually came to see both of you.” He frowned and took a step closer, putting his arms around her and hugging her tightly. Hayden's heated fire energy surrounded her and offered a measure of comfort. “By the gods, Ari, I heard what happened and came straight away. Are you sure you're well?”

  She nodded, allowing her cooler water energy to brush up against him. “Yes, I'm fine. So is Jason. He's sleeping right now.”

  “That's good to hear. I'm assuming your parents are with him?”

  Ariana gently pulled away from him and glanced at the closed door, hoping she hadn't left Alec in an even worse situation. Her father could be difficult in the best of situations. It was astounding he could appear so much like an older version of Jason but lack much of his son's casual humor and warmth. “Yes, but I'm sure they won't mind if you pay your respects.”

  “Perhaps in a moment.” He fixed his gaze once again on Sergei. In a voice that was unmistakably cold, he asked, “Who's your friend, Ari?”

  Ariana blushed, ashamed at her lapse in manners. “I'm sorry. I'm not feeling myself today. I hadn't realized you haven’t met.” She gestured to Sergei. “Hayden, this is Sergei, the Coalition ambassador and a dear friend. He was one of the people who helped save Jason's life.” She gave Sergei another grateful smile and motioned toward the newcomer. “Sergei, this is Hayden Gavron of the Inner Circle. I believe you may know his uncle, William Gavron from the High Council.”

  The two men assessed one another for a long moment as though weighing each other as potential opponents. Sergei gave the man a brief nod before turning back to her.