by Melissa Haag
There was a familiarity in the bowl Zayn set on the table, but not in the chalk drawing on the surface or the individual ingredients in smaller bowls that intersected the drawing’s design.
“This is a basic location spell, amplified exponentially. Meaning, we’ll find Ashlyn no matter what’s trying to hide her.”
Like the druids in the bathroom, he started murmuring words. Unlike those druids, he lit the center bowl with a snap of his fingers. Flames erupted, burning blue as they crept over the edge of the bowl, following the line to the first small bowl. They consumed Ashlyn’s hair and turned purple before picking up speed and moving to the next ingredient. Colors changed. Ingredients turned to ash. The flames raced back to the center bowl where Zayn added one drop from his newly acquired vials.
The heat in my cheeks flared hotter for a moment, and Fenris gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
There was a popping sound, and the pressure in the room surged. When it settled, a speck of blinding light no larger than a grain of sand hovered above the bowl.
“Touching my forehead to that light will fill me with the knowledge of her location. It’ll also knock me on my ass and probably make me throw up.” He looked around the room. “It doesn’t have to be me.”
“Yeah, I think it does,” Fenris said. “But I promise to hold back your hair.”
Zayn grinned at him and leaned toward the light. The moment it touched his skin, he flew backward, just missing Oanen, before crashing into the door and crumpling to the floor.
“You could have caught him,” Megan said accusingly, glaring at Oanen.
“I could have.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“It’s not jealousy. It’s payback for stealing you,” he said, crossing his arms.
Feeling her growing anger and Oanen’s increasing stubbornness, I shook my head and went to Zayn. I couldn’t sense anything from him, which worried me. Gently, I smoothed my fingers over his cheek and down his throat.
“Are you thinking about kissing him?” Fenris asked.
“What? No. I’m checking for a pulse.”
“Right. That comes before mouth to mouth.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I’m not giving him mouth to mouth. Oanen’s the one who didn’t catch him.”
“Oanen’s a hugger, not a kisser,” Fenris said.
A ragged gasp interrupted Oanen’s return quip, and we all watched Zayn as he sat straight up. Fear boiled under the surface. So much fear.
Fenris sniffed, and I knew he was scenting it.
A shudder ran through Zayn, and his pupils went from explosively wide to pinpoints.
“Are you all right?” I asked, gently touching his back.
He turned his head and threw up on Megan’s floor.
“I wish the goblin was still here,” she muttered.
“Give him a minute to shake it off then make him clean it up,” Oanen said.
“I know where your human is,” Zayn rasped.
“Where? Is she okay?” I asked, patting his back.
“She’s alive and unhurt, for now.” He wiped the back of his hand over his mouth and looked at Megan. “She’s in hell.”
Megan’s eyes went wide, and she immediately disappeared. Oanen swore.
“She’ll be able to get her, right?” I asked, watching Zayn.
“She’s the only one who can,” he said. “It was dumb luck Ashlyn even landed there in the first place. I’ve never heard of a spell to send the living to hell.” He got to his feet and took a wobbling step toward the table.
A burst of heat announced Megan’s return.
Her face was pale, and she was shaking.
And she was alone.
“Where’s Ashlyn?” Oanen asked.
“Couldn’t you find her?” I asked, worry eating at me.
Megan’s fiery gaze swept over us.
“Ashlyn woke Hades, and he’s not letting her go.”
Silence and fear engulfed the kitchen.
“No,” I whispered, pain carving out a hole in my chest. I barely noticed Fenris’s arms around me as the truth of what I’d done settled in my mind. Ashlyn had hated it in Uttira. She’d spent so much of her life either hiding from the monsters or running from them. And I’d sent her straight to the source.
Megan snapped her fingers in front of my face.
“Don’t you dare take ownership for this,” she said, her burning gaze holding mine. “Put the blame where it’s due. The only piece you played is not standing up for yourself. So stand up. Ashlyn needs us to get her back.”
“We need to tell my parents,” Oanen said.
“No,” I said, seeing just how right Megan was. “First, we need a plan. The Council doesn’t try to fix things. At least, not all of its members. Adira will only listen to what’s going on then try to figure out how to use the events for whatever agenda she has.”
I looked at Fenris.
“We’re not mated. Will your dad use this to try to keep us apart? Will Adira use it to push us together? That’s how they’re going to think instead of focusing on getting Ashlyn out of hell.”
Oanen sighed, but he agreed.
“So what do you propose?” Megan asked him.
“You’re Hades’s daughter,” Zayn said, reminding us all he was still there. “You need to figure out what will appease daddy dearest and then ask for Ashlyn. Nicely, Megan.”
“What are the chances I could just ask Hades what would appease him?”
Zayn went quiet then shook his head as he gave Megan a hard look.
“In everything I’ve ever come across that mentioned the gods and goddesses, there was nothing to hint why they left or went to sleep in the first place. They waged war against each other and fought for dominion over man for eons, according to some texts. Why, then, would they voluntarily go to sleep? They wouldn’t.”
“So asking him would tip him off to what we want to do. And he’ll fight us so he doesn’t go back to sleep.”
“I think so. It might be something you want to discuss with Irene. She’s proven she’s well connected.”
Megan looked at Oanen in question.
“We go together,” he said before focusing on me. “We’ll leave it to you to tell the Council what’s happening.”
“And I need to get back to my sister, Elizabeth. I would like to take a vial of Eliana’s life essence with me to use in a complex and very potent protection spell for her.”
“What are the possible repercussions of the spell?” I asked, having learned my lesson.
“If anyone tries to harm Elizabeth once the spell is cast, they will die.”
“I’m all for violence,” Megan said, “but that seems a little extreme. What if I stop in for a visit and smack the back of her head for saying something stupid? Would I die?”
“No. The spell will be smart enough to recognize intent. There are a lot of people after me, Megan. This is the only way to ensure Elizabeth’s safety when I’m not there to protect her myself. I’ve carefully researched the spell, and there’s a safeguard that I’ll share with you so the spell can be disabled if it ever gets out of hand.”
I thought of Ashlyn and how trapped she’d felt in her own home.
“If you give me your word that innocent people won’t be harmed in any way because of this spell, I give my consent to use my essence for this spell only. You cannot use any that remains in the vial without new consent.”
Oanen and Fenris agreed, and Megan handed over a vial.
“Don’t make me regret this,” she said.
“You won’t,” he promised.
He disappeared in a flash of light that left spots in my vision every time I blinked.
“I’ll keep you updated,” Megan said, moving to Oanen.
“We’ll do the same.”
They both disappeared in a flash of flames, leaving us to clean and lock up the house.
“You have no idea how much I wish I would have never asked the druids to do that
spell,” I said as we walked to the car.
“I have a nose. I know exactly how much you regret it.” Fenris tugged me to a stop before I could get in and kissed me tenderly. “The Eliana of yesterday isn’t the Eliana of today. That’s why I know we’ll get Ashlyn back. You won’t stop. And not because of guilt but because you care about her. It’s okay to be afraid for her, but don’t forget what Zayn said. Ashlyn is alive and not hurt.”
I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him close.
“I love you, Fenris, and I’m so glad I finally opened my eyes and accepted what was right in front of my face.”
He held my door for me, and while he went around to his side, I sent two quick texts. One to Adira that simply said, “Council meeting now,” and another to my mom.
Me: Plans changed. I’d rather not wait until dinner. Can you and Dad meet us at the Quills?
“Are you sure you want to involve your parents?”
“Regarding what’s happening in the Underworld? No. But what Megan said about not blaming myself made me realize something. Ashlyn’s in hell because I was trying to avoid confrontation with the people meddling in my life. It’s time we set some boundaries.”
Ten minutes later, he parked in front of the Quills’.
My phone buzzed with a message.
Mom: We’re leaving in fifteen.
“Let’s go in. Mom’s going to be here soon.”
“You can bet the Council is already in there.”
I smiled at him.
“Good. I’d rather deal with the god business before my dad gets here.”
Mrs. Quill had the front door open before Fenris closed mine.
“You could have parked in the garage,” she said. “This is still your home.”
Rather than saying anything to the contrary, I hugged her.
“Is everyone here?” I asked.
“Upstairs in the study. Adira’s impatient to know the result of Zayn’s visit.”
“I’m sure she is,” I said. “My mom and dad are just behind us.”
Mrs. Quill’s brows rose. “I thought you wanted to meet with the Council.”
“We do. There’s a lot we need to talk about.”
She nodded and led the way upstairs.
Adira and Raiden stood near Mr. Quill’s desk, speaking quietly when we entered.
“Where’s Megan?” Adira asked as soon as we entered the room.
“Finding some answers,” I said.
“Which is what we need. Where is Zayn?”
“Wait. Is there time to make some popcorn?” Fenris asked. “I really feel that this moment needs some popcorn.”
A bucket of popcorn appeared in his hands. Grinning, he went to sit in a chair.
“Okay. I’m ready. Let the honey badger out.”
He winked at me, and all my annoyance at Adira bled away.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said.
“And you love me.”
“Can you please focus?” Adira asked. “We need to find Zayn before he—”
“He’s already gone, and as usual, you’re focused on the wrong things. Hades is awake.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, and I sensed a surge in everyone’s fear.
“What did Megan do?” Adira asked, her tone accusatory.
“Megan did what this Council failed to do. She kept her word and found Ashlyn with Zayn’s help. The location spell he performed revealed Ashlyn was in hell.”
“That’s not possible,” Adira said. “Location spells don’t work between realms.”
“I’m not here to debate facts, Adira. When Megan went to find Ashlyn, she discovered Hades was awake, and she was unable to retrieve Ashlyn.”
“She should have come to us first,” Adira said.
“Why?”
I could feel Adira’s frustration mount and her secret desire of wanting Megan here instead of me that lurked underneath it.
“Perhaps this discussion should wait until Megan arrives,” Adira said.
“Megan isn’t coming. She’s now working with the other furies to determine how to appease a god so he will go back to sleep.”
“She cannot make decisions on behalf of the Mantirum Councils.”
I laughed.
“Why not when the issue involves Hades, which is Megan’s domain? And we both know your concern isn’t about Ashlyn, a human, which this Council has proven it can’t be bothered with.”
“Then why did you call for a Council meeting?”
“This Council has handled things poorly. The meeting was called to inform you of the issue, not to hand it over to you. It’s called consideration, Adira. You might want to try it some time.”
My phone started to ring. Seeing Megan’s name, I answered it.
“Is everyone there?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Good. Put me on speaker.”
I did as she asked.
“Grace is at Olympus now, searching for clues regarding what will appease a god. Adira, you need to get to the other realms. We need an answer. Fast.”
“Despite what you might think, I have obligations and can’t put the life of one human girl—”
“That’s enough, Adira,” I said, touching that dark thing inside of me. “Appeasing Hades isn’t only to spare Ashlyn. You’ve felt the quakes. We’re all in danger. Set your stubbornness aside and think more openly.”
Fenris set down his popcorn and joined me, threading his fingers through mine.
Adira sighed, and I sensed her frustration leave her.
“Very well,” she said finally. “The nine realms are vast. If we need answers quickly, I can’t search for them alone. With your permission, I’ll recruit others to assist.”
“I’ll coordinate the hell and Earth search and leave the other seven realms to you,” Megan said. “Keep Eliana updated, and I’ll do the same.”
“And I’ll keep Mr. Quill updated so he can share the information with the other Councils,” I said.
“Good. Now, I need to go see a cyclops about a centaur. This should be interesting. Have fun kids,” Megan said before hanging up.
Before anyone could speak, the doorbell rang. Mrs. Quill looked at me.
“Would you like me to bring your parents up here?”
“Yes, please.”
She disappeared.
“May I ask why they’re here?” Adira asked. “I highly doubt speaking frankly about the gods in front of your father will sit well with him.”
“I think we’ve said all that needs to be said about Hades and how we’re going to work together to free Ashlyn. Don’t you agree?”
“I do, which is why I’m wondering what more we need to discuss.”
Mrs. Quill reappeared with my mom and dad. Dad’s eyebrows were to his hairline as he looked around.
“That is quite an impressive trick,” he said.
“Dad,” I said, calling his attention to me. “You remember Mr. Quill, Raiden, and Adira, don’t you?”
He nodded to each of them, his gaze hardening on Adira.
“Unfortunately, I do.”
“And that’s exactly why I asked you all here. We’ve created some bad blood between us that we need to put aside. Adira, you will stop meddling in my life, Fenris’s life, and the lives of my parents. Am I clear?”
I didn’t control her mind this time and saw the understanding in her eyes.
“I understand, Eliana.”
“Raiden,” I said, looking at Fenris’s father. “The relationship I have with your son is no longer any of your business. When we choose to mate will be on our terms, not yours. And if you ever invite Aubrey back into the pack, I’ll make you think you’re a cat for a year. Understood?”
He nodded, and I looked at my father.
“Mating means sex, Dad. But in the werewolf world, there’s no sex without a bond that’s bigger than marriage. Do you understand?”
“Baby girl, I love you, and I’m sorry for all the misunderstandings I’ve
created,” he said, wrapping an arm around Mom’s middle. “I understand what being mated to Fenris means, and I’m overjoyed you’ve found someone to spend the rest of your life with. I have no objections.”
I looked at Mom, and she smiled at me. She’d seen my potential long before I had and didn’t need any warnings from me.
“Thank you for believing in me,” I said instead. She nodded, and I looked at the Quills. “And thank you for taking me in.”
Mrs. Quill sniffled.
“You’ll always have a home here, Eliana.”
I looked at Fenris, sensing all that he felt for me.
“Wherever you are is home,” I said softly.
He groaned and kissed me.
Epilogue
Two months later…
* * *
“Are you sure this is safe?” Piepen asked, flitting around my head.
“Completely safe. If it wasn’t, would I be going?”
He harrumphed and looked at Merrifolds.
“What do you think?”
“I think we’re going to have babies a lot faster if you stop worrying and trust Eliana.”
His hand went to his crotch, and I sighed.
“Don’t make me regret giving you that ability back.”
He immediately removed his hand and looked at Megan.
“Merri and I need to use the bathroom really quick.”
“Again? You were just in there five minutes ago.”
“I’ll be fast. I promise.”
Merri laughed and took his hand, then both of them raced into Megan’s bathroom.
“You better not leave any sparkles behind!” She looked at me, her frustration increasing. “We’re never going to get to Italy.”
I grinned at her and stole her frustration without touching her.
“Cut it out. I don’t want to be mellow right now.”
“It’s either my method or Oanen’s.”
“And I promise I won’t be fast,” Oanen said.
“That’s not what she said,” Fenris quipped, wrapping his arms around me.
I leaned back into his chest, enjoying the closeness and feeding lightly. A moment later, a high-pitched squeal came from the bathroom.
“Anything?” Megan asked, looking at me.
“Nothing. Zayn is a miracle worker.”
His anti-brownie-lust spell was what made it possible for me to keep my promise to Merri. That and Megan’s generous offer to hell gate us anywhere in the world we wanted to go.
