Last Descendants (Vitarian Chronicles Volume 2)

by S. L. Watson

  “I should never have let you go,” I breathed.

  He gripped my thighs. “It doesn’t matter now. I want you to be mine.” His mouth tasted my neck as he sat me on the countertop and pulled my shirt over my head. “Beautiful,” he whispered.

  I brushed my fingertips under his shirt, caressing his taut muscles. Then I gathered the fabric and lifted it upward. His muscles tensed under my lips as I kissed the Vitarian symbol tattooed over his heart. My tongue trailed the tip of the V and followed the thick line to the top, where it crested to a tightened fist on either side.

  Arden’s breath quickened, and he slipped a finger under my bra strap and slid it down as he kissed the top of my shoulder.

  My entire body quivered, and I clasped my legs tighter around his waist. His lips found mine again when a sudden knock at the door broke the moment.

  “Ignore it,” Arden moaned.

  His tongue joined mine. I nearly lost all restraint just as another knock came, and I heard Luna yelping outside the door. I pulled my woozy head back, feeling as though I’d just woken from a dream I never wanted to end.

  “It’s my mom. I have to get it.” My legs released their grip on Arden’s waist. It took a forced effort to make my body separate from his. I was nearly dizzy with longing as he helped me off the counter.

  I quickly put my shirt back on as I tried to calm my erratic breath, then turned for the door.

  “Wait,” Arden whispered. He cupped my face, and my stomach somersaulted as he touched his lips to mine, expressing silent words.

  I sucked in a deep breath and tried to shake the haze from my mind as I pulled the door open. Luna bolted in and bounced around for pets.

  “Hey, girl.” I bent down and smoothed her black and auburn fur, which had a fresh sheen and smelled of lavender. She sat still while I ruffled the soft fur between her long pointed ears, then bounced behind me into the apartment, where Arden was pulling on his shoes and grabbing his jacket.

  “The girls gave Luna a doggy spa treatment last night.” My mom glanced past me. When she spotted Arden, her brow furrowed with an unspoken question.

  “Commander,” she said, glancing back at me with a shadow of concern.

  “Queen Mother.” He inclined his head.

  My mom flicked her hand. “Enough of that. It makes me sound ancient, and you know I prefer Cacsha.”

  Arden grinned. “It’s good to see you well, Cacsha.”

  “And you.” A knowing look flashed across my mom’s eyes.

  I couldn’t help but smile when the commander of Aenoas-Vita shifted nervously.

  Arden switched his attention to me. “I’ll return as soon as I can.”

  I could tell by his body language that he was unsure of whether to kiss me goodbye in front of my mom, so I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. “Don’t be gone long,” I whispered in his ear.

  When he released me, his look said he didn’t want to go, but we both knew his duty took priority.

  “Cacsha.” Arden inclined his head once more and then left the two of us.

  I kneaded the ache in my chest as I watched him go.

  “I know that look.” My mom’s voice brought me back from my thoughts. “It’s the same look I had for your father. But I worry for you, honey. Arden will never leave Aenoas-Vita for good, and you aren’t ready to leave Earth. And what about Lucas?”

  I sighed and walked to the porch railing. A light breeze refreshed my flushed skin. My mom settled beside me, with her arms folded atop the railing as she leaned forward, lifting her face to the sun.

  A faint shimmer danced across my skin as I stretched my arms under the warm rays. As my powers increased, so did other subtle changes. Luckily, the faint shimmer resembled a hint of glitter in body lotion to the human eye. I glanced over at my mom, noticing the sparkle in her skin as well.

  “I don’t mean to pry.” My mom’s words floated between us. “I want you to be happy, sweetie. Arden’s a good man, and it’s obvious he cares deeply for you, and so does Lucas.”

  “I know,” I exhaled. “I care about Lucas, and I never meant to hurt him, but the truth is, Arden’s a part of me. I feel his absence like a piece of my soul is missing. And when he showed up at my party, it was like being hit by a meteor.” I rubbed my heart. “I don’t want to stay away from him anymore, even if we live on two different planets.”

  “Then you have your answer.” My mom smiled, but the creases at the edge of her eyes gave away her worry.

  I nodded, breathing in the flowery breeze coming off the field of wildflowers. “I told Lucas last night about my feelings for Arden. He saw us kiss outside the café.” I stared down at my bare feet and picked at a splinter of wood with my toe. “I never should have let our relationship get this far. I just wish things hadn’t ended with him getting hurt.”

  “Oh, honey.” My mom smoothed a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’ve put other people’s happiness before your own for too long. If Lucas isn’t the one, then the best thing you can do for him is let him go. Over time, he’ll realize it’s for the best.”

  I wiped at an escaped tear. “He’s stopping by this afternoon on his way out of town. He’s been so good to me. I just want him to find someone who loves him the way he deserves.”

  My mom’s phone buzzed. “It’s Cal. She’s found a spell she wants me to look at.” She squeezed my arm. “Are you going to be okay?” Her sharp ebony brows knitted together.

  I rubbed my eyes. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m going to take Darion some food and clothes, and check on Molly.”

  “Okay, honey. I spoke with your brother this morning. My poor boy is suffering, and it just breaks my heart to think of sweet little Molly, but all we can do is stay focused on finding a way to help her.” Her phone lit up again. “Okay. I love you, Ev.”

  “I love you too, Mom, and thanks for the advice.”

  Her keys jingled as she pulled them from her purse. Luna barked and bounded onto the porch, looking up at my mom expectantly.

  “Looks like somebody wants to go for another joyride.” I laughed.

  My mom patted Luna’s side. “Come on, girl. Let’s go see what spell Cal dug up.”

  I went back inside the apartment and found my phone and sent Darion a short text: On my way! Bringing clean clothes and edible food.

  My shoes squeaked against the shining hospital floor, catching the attention of a group of nurses dressed in blue and light-pink uniforms. They smiled as I passed, then continued their chat with coffee cups in hand.

  I held on tight to the two paper mugs and the bag of pastries in my hands as I pushed through the door to Molly’s room.

  Molly’s body lay the same as last night, only now she had a stone sitting in the center of her forehead, and her eyelids twitched rapidly. I nearly dropped the loot in my arms in my rush to get to her bedside.

  “Darion! Did you see that?” I set the coffee cups and pastries down and slipped the strap from my shoulder, dropping Darion’s duffel bag to the floor.

  Darion didn’t respond. He sat at Molly’s side, holding her hands. His closed eyelids twitched the same as Molly’s.

  My breath hitched. What’s going on here?

  I snatched the stone from Molly’s forehead, and Darion’s eyes snapped open. He wasn’t glad to see me.

  “What the hell, Ev? Why did you do that?”

  “Seriously, Darion, I could’ve been one of the nurses. What would they have thought coming in here and finding a rock on Molly’s head and you in a trance?”

  “Ev,” he intoned like I was a child. “You own a yoga studio that is always full. People love this New Age woo-woo.” He waved his hands sarcastically. “They would just assume I’m practicing some kind of trendy meditative healing.”

  I picked up a hot cup and handed Darion his coffee and bag of pastries. “What were you really doing?” I shot a glance at the door to make sure we were still alone.

  Darion sat up straight, stretching and twisting his back.
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  “Did you even get any sleep?” I noted the shadows under his eyes.

  He gulped his coffee and inhaled a pastry, ignoring my interrogation.

  I glared down at him. “Darion. I’m serious. Tell me what you’re doing.”

  He held up a hand. “Okay. But promise you won’t freak out first.” His eyes became more alert with the infusion of sugar and caffeine.

  I huffed and pulled a chair over on the opposite side of Molly. “I’ll do my best. As long as whatever you’re up to is not putting Molly in more danger.”

  He winced and clenched his jaw. “Do you think I’d do anything to hurt Molly?” He kissed the top of her hand, his expression softening.

  My chest tightened. I placed my hand atop his and Molly’s. “I’m sorry, Darion. I know you would never do anything to intentionally hurt Molly.” Just then, I remembered what Freya had said when we’d been to see her with our mom.

  “Darion, I need to know.” I paused. He met my stare and waited for me to finish. “Did you tell Molly about us?”

  His shoulders tensed, and I wasn’t sure if he’d answer me, but then he nodded. “Yes, but I didn’t tell her everything, just that we aren’t human and come from another planet. She doesn’t know that you’re our queen or anything else.”

  I pulled my ponytail slightly loose to relieve some of the tension in my scalp. Darion had every right to share his life the way he chose, but that didn’t change the danger involved.

  Darion sensed the direction of my thoughts. “Molly didn’t even get upset. She’d suspected something was different about us, and said she was glad I’d told her. She would never tell anyone, Ev. We can trust her.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not what I’m worried about. This knowledge could very well have put Molly in danger.”

  Darion’s eyes flashed wide, and the air tensed as his energy vibrated. “Are you saying this is my fault?” His voice cracked.

  “Of course not, Darion. That’s not what I meant. I just think—” I stopped. Anything I said would just make Darion feel worse. This wasn’t his fault. It was mine. Someone was after me, and I knew in my gut that what they had done to Molly was a message for me to comply. “Something happened last night that I need to tell you about.”

  Darion listened intently while I recounted my encounter with his impersonator at the ball. When I finished, Molly’s heart monitor beeped erratically.

  “Darion!”

  He snatched his hand from Molly’s, realizing that his magic was affecting her. His chair fell backward as he stood abruptly, squeezing his fists into balls. He said through gritted teeth, “If he did this to Molly, then the last person she saw was me. She’ll think I did this to her.” Darion fell to his knees. His hands shot into his messy hair.

  This was exactly the response I’d been worried Darion would have. I went to him and reached a tentative hand toward his folded torso. “Molly would have known it wasn’t you. I’ve seen the connection between you two.”

  Darion shook, his veins popping, and without stopping to think, I felt for the dark spots materializing in his energy field and drew them into me. I couldn’t let Darion lose himself to the darkness again. He’d worked too hard to come this far. His body relaxed in my arms.

  “I felt that,” he said. “You can’t keep taking in everyone else’s dark energy. It’s going to consume you.”

  “Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing. Come on.” I ushered him up. “You’re stronger than this, Darion. Don’t let the shadows prey on you, and I won’t have to take them from you.”

  Darion roused himself, and we both went back to our chairs. A fury still vibrated within his aura, but he controlled it.

  “Now, tell me what you were doing before I got here.”

  A knock sounded at the door, and a nurse popped her head in. “Everything okay in here? I thought I heard a thump.” It was the same nurse, with the kind brown eyes, who’d checked on me last night when I’d broken down in the hall.

  “Oh, sorry,” I said. “I just tripped over a chair, but I’m fine.”

  She glanced around the room and studied the heart monitor. “Okay, then. You two let me know if you need anything.”

  “We will.”

  The nurse popped her head back out and closed the door.

  I looked back at Darion and waited.

  “Okay,” he said. “Well, you know that I can dream walk.”

  I wasn’t sure I liked the direction Darion was heading in with this, but I nodded that I was following along.

  He continued “I thought if I could get inside of Molly’s dreams, I could find out what happened or get her to wake up.” He stopped, grinding his teeth. “But something is blocking me from getting in. I think it’s a part of the spell keeping her asleep, and a safeguard against someone with my ability breaking through the spell.”

  “What about this?” I picked up the dream stone from Molly’s blanket and handed it to him.

  He rubbed his thumb over the mark on the smooth midnight stone. “Freya told me it was the toll to break through the barrier.”

  A jitter of excitement took hold of my hands as what Darion said sank in. “Did it work? Were you able to get inside her mind?” I tried hard not to remember a darker time, when Darion had used his ability to trespass in my mind, but this was different. This time he’d be using his magic for good.

  He lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. Just as I thought I felt something happening and saw a glimmer of images, you came in and broke my connection.”

  My chest deflated. I cracked my knuckles.

  If Darion could get inside Molly’s head, then maybe we might have a chance of waking her up.

  My pulse raced. “This could work, Darion. Try again.”

  My enthusiasm infused Darion with confidence. He settled the stone back on Molly’s forehead and took her hand. I watched anxiously as both sets of eyelids flickered with rapid movement. His free hand gripped Molly’s blanket, and he gasped. His eyes flew open.

  “What happened?”

  Wrinkles creased across his forehead. “I got pushed out—more like slammed out.” His mouth turned down as he studied Molly’s face.

  “Did you see anything?”

  Darion pushed up from his chair and paced. Muddy blue-gray tones shrouded his aura.

  I held my stomach and breathed as Darion’s pain passed through me.

  He returned to Molly’s bedside and smoothed his hand over her cheek. “Her mind is stuck in a loop of her dancing with me at the ball, only it’s not me.” His words came out hoarse. “She’s stuck in there, Ev, with someone she thinks is me.” He reached over and latched onto my wrist. “What if I can’t get her back?”

  “No!” I refused to accept the thought. “Try again, but this time, we go together, and we’re bringing this.” I snatched the stone from Molly’s forehead.

  Darion’s eyes widened. We both knew that once our magic was linked together, it allowed the other to end the curse that bound our lives in the only way we knew possible: by absorbing it in its entirety and being the sole keeper of the spell and all the life force attached to it.

  “You trust me that much?” Darion asked in a stunned whisper.

  My answer came in my action. I latched onto his hand with mine and held on tight. “Let’s get Molly back.”

  I closed my eyes along with Darion. My stomach flipped as I lurched out of my body. We maintained contact with our clasped hands to keep our magic connected, and Darion brought me into Molly’s dream.

  “Don’t let go of my hand,” Darion instructed as a thick fog pressed against our skin like a damp blanket.

  It was hard to breathe, and every movement felt motionless, like we were moving but staying still at the same time. Shadows formed around us. They twisted and swayed as if moving to music only they heard. Sinister laughter echoed overhead, which made my skin crawl. I choked on the cloying air, trying to fill my lungs.

  “Look at me,” Darion demanded through th
e fog. His silver eyes bored into mine as he shook me to focus on him. “Remember where your body is. Don’t lose your connection to it. Let your body breathe for you.”

  I pictured my body sitting back in Molly’s hospital room, my lungs pumping with air, and suddenly the choking stopped, and I took a deep breath.

  “Better?” Darion asked.

  I nodded, ignoring the taunting shadows as we kept pushing forward. Two bodies materialized through the evaporating fog. Molly stood in her costume with the man pretending to be Darion.

  “Molly!” My voice echoed, unheard by Molly’s ears.

  Darion’s heartbeat raced, causing mine to accelerate through our link.

  It was impossible to hurry through the thick, sticky air. The harder we tried to drag ourselves forward, the more it seemed to resist our movement.

  “Darion, let’s see if we can do something about this fog.”

  We stood in place. I wasn’t sure how my magic would work in this dreamworld, but I felt its presence within me, as always. I reached out my mind to the elements, and a force rippled out and away from us. The fog dissipated, taking the dancing shadows along with it.

  We continued with less resistance, and as we got closer to Molly, we could see the Darion look-alike whispering in her ear. She listened intently with cheeks pale and shoulders tensed, and that was when I noticed the symbol cut into her forehead, and so did Darion. His face twisted with the same rage I felt.

  The impersonator glanced up at us like he knew we were there, and the smile he gave us was so evil that I faltered and nearly dropped Darion’s hand, but Darion tightened his grasp and snarled at the impostor in return.

  “Let Molly go!” Darion edged us closer, but we slammed into an invisible wall.

  The man grabbed Molly roughly by the arms. He twirled, twisted, and lifted her off her feet as they danced to soundless music, as the shadows had. The void stare on Molly’s face tore at me; she was a prisoner of her own mind.

  “Darion! Darion!” I shook him, trying to get his attention.

  Darion’s lips moved, but he stayed locked on the two twisting forms. “He’s marked her.” The anguish in his voice ripped into my chest.