by N. J. Cooper
“Your pathetic life? Are you kidding me? What about your brother? He has been killing himself over this. He lets vampires drink from him to the point that he can’t remember anything. He is not going to survive this, Sky. You need to come back, help me, help him.” Kyla begged. Sky shook her head.
“I don’t care. You see Kyla, I left my body, my soul is completely disconnected from there now. Burn it, whatever, I’m not going back to it because the second I left it, the pain was gone, the guilt was gone, the feelings were gone. I know that we are meant to be close, that Wyatt is my twin and that I was meant to have loved Tyrone. Even that I was falling in love with Kasyn, but I feel nothing of that burden anymore. I do what I want, when I want, because I want.” Sky grinned. Kyla snapped. How dare she dismiss everything because life got too hard. She had no idea what it felt like for Sky but she could relate completely to having two parts of herself ripping her apart and for Sky to take everything that they had fought for and push it to the side like it was nothing, had Kyla’s powers flaring in her palms.
“Stop being a spoilt brat, Sky. Put on your big girl pants. This is the real world. We don’t get everything we want without consequences. You think you have that now? You don’t. What you have is an illusion because if I fail today and Onyx gets out, do you really think he will let you live? A loose end that is stealing some of his limelight. Think again. Come back and help us get this guy, Sky. See what you are leaving behind before you do.” Kyla snapped but Sky scoffed and shook her head.
“No. Now don’t you have a world to save? A world who still denies you everything you want even though you put your life on the line at every turn for them. Yeah, have fun.” Sky winked then went to turn away. Kyla stepped forward at the same time Kasyn did but the dogs she had waiting, snarled at their movement and they stopped. Sky shook her head.
“Don’t you dare try to follow me. I’m gone and I’m not your responsibility anymore, Kyla.” Sky said.
“Sky…” Kasyn dragged out. Sky grinned when she turned to him and walked through her guard dogs, pressing her short, well-proportioned frame against him.
“I do wish you would just join me, Syn. You’ve got to admit we had some fun times together. I know you still crave more, just as I do. Say you’ll stop trying to bring me back and you can come back to the castle with me and we can have some more fun with each other.” Sky seduced, her long black fingernails running down his firm chest. Kyla frowned at Sky’s behaviour. She had always been promiscuous, but it was different. She wasn’t doing it out of emotion, only a desire to get what she couldn’t have. Kasyn must have known that too.
“I’m not going to stop.” he whispered, his voice cracking. Kyla admired his strength as his jaw clenched and she let out an irritated sigh.
“Fine. Have it your way. You know where I am if you change your mind, babe. And Kyla, you can show yourself out.” She smirked then left, taking her hounds with her. Kyla ran a hand through her hair and looked over at Kasyn who was still watching after Sky.
“I have to go back, we’re going to the Outlands to get my amulet from Onyx, but I think I have an idea.” Kyla said, her mind grasping at the small ideas she had, to formulate a plan that might work.
“Will it bring her back?” Kasyn asked. Kyla blew out a breath.
“I think so. My amulet; it was made to hold power, dark power and since the Oracle isn’t in it anymore, I was thinking that maybe if we can get it around Sky’s neck, then it will siphon the power into it from her. So as long as she is wearing it, then the darkness will be anchored to that instead of her soul.” Kyla explained but looked away from his eyes because there was a downside, Kasyn picked it up quickly.
“If she doesn’t have the darkness affecting her, if her soul isn’t touching it, then she won’t be able to be over here at all. I’ll lose her.” he said quietly, looking down the misting path again. Kyla nodded, letting him decide whether he was going to help or not but if he loved Sky in the same way that she loved Zarek, then she knew what his answer was going to be.
“What do you need me to do?” He asked. Kyla smiled sympathetically then leaned in.
“Go to Sky. Stay with her. I’ll get the amulet and then I need you to wait for me to get in contact with you. When I do, I need you to bring Sky, okay? If we have to force it around her neck then we do, but in case something goes wrong, just be listening. Please.” Kyla explained. Kasyn nodded warily.
“It’s hard being around her when she’s like that. She’s going to be suspicious and I’m going to have to lie to get her to trust me enough to let me close.” Kasyn sighed. Kyla nodded and thought of what she had to do. She had been planning to destroy the amulet but now she couldn’t, and she had to find the amulet instead. She had to get it. But that wasn’t what had her holding her stomach to contain the swirling. It was the fact that she had to go back to Wyatt and tell him that his sister was the Queen of the Shadow Realm.
~ 7 ~
Kyla wrapped her arms around her legs as she waited in the seating area of the mansion, for the centaurs to be ready for them to go. Wyatt had stormed from the room after hearing about Sky and hadn’t been back since. She hadn’t wanted to tell him, but he had to know. She needed that amulet and with all of them trying to get it, there was more of a chance of that happening. Kyla leaned her head back against the soft cushion behind her and sighed, closing her eyes when a cough interrupted her from the doorway. Zarek stood there in white slacks and a tight tan jumper looking damn good. Her heart sped up as she looked up at him.
“You ready to go?” He asked huskily. Kyla uncurled herself and stood with a nod.
“As I’ll ever be. Did you find Wyatt?” She asked. Zarek nodded sadly.
“Yeah. He told me what happened. Him and Elanor are already at the portal room with the centaurs, everything’s ready.” He admitted. Kyla nodded as she followed him towards the portal room.
“And your mother?” Kyla asked warily, trying to hold back the scowl that tried to etch in her face. She still wasn’t sure how she was going to approach that one without getting arrested but one villain at a time.
“She’s got a migraine and is resting. She wishes us luck and hopes the reports were just a mistake on the centaur’s part, rather than anything serious.” He explained. Kyla rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, sure she does.” Kyla whispered under her breath. Zarek frowned.
“What was that?” He asked. Kyla shook her head.
“Doesn’t matter. C’mon we should hurry.” Kyla said picking up her pace and jumping up the steps to the room that was filled with centaurs with barely enough room for them to get through. They squeezed through to stand in front of the portal where Elanor and Wyatt waited.
“Alright we have twenty centaurs coming with us, Shemar and Orion, and us. Think it’ll be enough?” Zarek asked Kyla. She shrugged.
“I hope so. I hope that it is over cautious, and we don’t need all this protection.” Kyla admitted. Zarek nodded.
“Agreed but they aren’t just there in case of Onyx. They are there in case anything else knows of us coming and decides to take advantage. Before we go though, the terrain over there is very dangerous, okay? It’s unpredictable. Until we get to the prison which has been locked in so nothing changes, the rest of the place could be whatever it wants. Water, desert, forest. We won’t know until we are over there. Okay?” Zarek warned. Everyone nodded.
“How long is it from the portal to the prison?” Kyla asked.
“We didn’t want it too close in case Onyx managed to get out, it would give us a chance to lock him back up so at least a couple of days. The centaurs over there have set up a camp at halfway but whether the land is okay enough for us to settle for the night, remains to be seen. Especially since the creatures are not bound by laws in there.” Zarek explained. Kyla pursed her lips.
“Great.” She said sarcastically, earning her a smirk in return, “Shall we do this then?” She asked. Zarek nodded.
“One more thing.�
� He cringed. Kyla frowned at his coy look.
“I’m not going to like it am I?” She demanded.
“About as much as I like this plan,” He admitted. “The portal will strip our powers” Zarek said, his tone quietening. Kyla’s jaw dropped.
“And you didn’t think that might have been helpful to know beforehand?” Kyla demanded. He shrugged.
“It doesn’t change the plan. It’s just the reason it is such a bad plan.” He said. Kyla looked at Orion.
“Is there any way to keep them? We may need them.” Kyla asked. Orion shook his head.
“No, the portal is there for a reason, nothing goes to the Outlands with power that can be used. Don’t worry, that’s why we’re taking so many guards with us. You should still be able to summon your blade too.” He revealed. Kyla nodded and bit her lip to hold in her protests. It wasn’t her that she was worried about. Zarek wouldn’t be able to defend himself over there. How could she let him go? Which he had probably known and that was why he hadn’t told her until then. At least that’s what she would’ve done.
Orion and Shemar went through first, then waited for the radio back to say it was okay, then Zarek and Elanor, then her and Wyatt with the rest of the centaurs following.
Kyla gasped breaking through the portal into the Outlands. It was stormy, of course with rain pelting over them, instantly drenching her. Her hair was being yanked away from her skull by the wind and the loud whooshing around her ears, rattled her bones. She clutched her jacket to her body and squinted through the fog to find the others. But before she saw them, a hand clutched hers.
“Run!” Zarek yelled pulling her with him as he led her away. She didn’t argue, just ran with him, her feet sinking with every step. Water sloshed around her ankles and moss clung to her pants where her shoes kicked it up. She ran through the water with Zarek, barely able to see anything, not even sure why they were running but she trusted Zarek and let him lead her wherever they were going, clutching his hand tightly. Finally, he slowed and they broke through the swamp into a burning heat and a clear sky. Kyla puffed her breaths out as she looked up to Zarek who was just as breathless. The centaurs had their swords out, flanking them as Elanor and Wyatt stood side by side.
“Welcome to the Outlands.” Orion sneered. Kyla smirked sardonically.
“Right. And why were we running?” She asked.
“Swamp. Giant leeches that can drain you in seconds. And the mist can become acidic if it attaches for too long.” Zarek explained. Kyla nodded with pursed lips.
“Okay well that’s done with so can we go?” She asked looking back to where the swamp swirled menacingly. Orion stepped forward, kicking sand with his hooves as he squinted over the hills of desert that stretched out before them.
“This way.” he said, turning from the hills and to the left where a deep forest opened, a muddy path down the middle, with patches of sand. Kyla grabbed Zarek’s arm.
“That’s the one I saw. That forest.” Kyla revealed. Zarek nodded.
“Let’s hope not everything in your vision is as accurate.” he said walking forward with their group. Kyla agreed and followed.
The forest was dark, and the centaurs all pulled out flashlights as the entrance closed over behind them. They were rigid and wary as they scoured every tree with their eyes and it had Kyla checking over her shoulder, every five seconds.
“What exactly is in here?” She wondered, leaning in closer to Zarek.
“Nothing with powers, don’t worry. That is stripped when they come through, just like ours. How are you feeling with that by the way? I didn’t know how it would work for you because of the whole Oracle thing.” Zarek said as they walked in tight formation, surrounded by the centaurs. Kyla shrugged. She felt the same, maybe lighter? But it wasn’t as noticeable as she thought it would be.
“Not that much different. I don’t feel the heaviness of the power in my veins like I normally do but other than that, I think it’s okay. It is weird not being able to go into my mind and see her though, but I can’t when we’re merged anyway.” Kyla admitted. Zarek smirked.
“You’re not merged at the moment though.” He said earning a frown from Kyla.
“How do you know? I don’t even know that.” She argued. He chuckled.
“Your eyes are blue.” he shrugged easily. Kyla raised her eyebrows and shook out her arms to see if she could feel anything inside her. She reached into herself with her soul, but she connected to nothing.
“I’m human?” Kyla asked, not able to contain the grin that spread across her face.
“At the moment, we all are.” He admitted but his face didn’t hold the same excitement. Shemar looked down from his towering height then with a grin,
“Well not all of us, Prince.”
Kyla smiled and glanced back to make sure Elanor and Wyatt were keeping up. They were and talking together with huge smiles on their faces, standing closer than she had seen Elanor stand to anyone. Kyla grinned and nudged Zarek, indicating back to their friends. He smirked down at her.
“They’re getting cosy.” Kyla wiggled her eyebrows. Zarek grinned.
“Yeah, Wyatt’s got a way with even the toughest shells. I hope he makes her happy, even if it’s just for a little bit.” Zarek trailed off and it had Kyla’s smile falling.
“It’s so dumb. You both know that you don’t want to be married and yet you are still going to be. You’ll be miserable. Both of you. How does that help anyone?” Kyla demanded. Zarek shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“It helps to have a strong, united couple that the realm is happy with. One that has proven that they are best for the realm by being raised into the monarchy.” He explained as if it was completely normal, and it was to him. But Kyla hated it.
“And yet, the Elders on the High Council betrayed the realm. This rule is outdated and stupid.” Kyla sulked.
Zarek chuckled, “I agree.”
Kyla was about to reply when a shiver crawled through her spine and her stomach tightened. She paused mid-step and narrowed her eyes on everything around her. She might not have her powers, but she still had her instincts. Her skin prickled as she looked around them, refusing to move. Her arm flew out to stop Zarek moving.
“Stop.” she whispered as she checked over everything, but nothing came out of the darkness.
“What’s wrong?” Elanor asked as her and Wyatt came up behind them with her voice small and shaky.
“I don’t know.” Kyla winced, closing her eyes so she could concentrate on the warning her body was trying to tell her, but nothing stood out. Clenching her fists, Kyla concentrated harder before huffing with nothing.
“I can’t get anything. It’s distant and I can’t home in on it at all. It’s just a feeling. A warning,” Kyla admitted, “Maybe this human thing isn’t as good as I thought.” Kyla whispered. Orion circled his finger to the centaurs, who closed in around them then indicated for them to keep moving. Everyone was silent as they walked down the muddy path and her white chucks were no longer the same colour. Elanor was even wearing sneakers instead of her heels, and despite the white and gold on her tracksuit making them stand out, it meant it was easy to see each other in the dark. They kept moving through the darkness and she was glad the centaurs knew where they were going because Kyla had no idea, everything looked the same. Every now and then the ground rumbled, and she clutched to Zarek but then remembered their company and stepped away. A buzz from Orion’s walker had her jumping out of her skin as it interrupted the eerie silence.
“Orion, we’re at the camp. It’s raining, but the conditions seem stable. I have a group of ten with me from the prison. What is your position?’ The voice said from the other side. Orion looked up to the sky that was mottled with stars.
“We’re an hour from camp. Standby.” Orion buzzed through.
“Got it. Over and out.” He said before everything stilled again. Kyla shivered as the wind bit through her jumper. She was sick of not being able to see anythi
ng and the constant tension wasn’t helping either. Kyla was about to ask the centaurs why the hell they weren’t riding horseback to the camp when there was a loud squeal from behind them. A loud squeal that was so high pitched that there was only one person that could have made it. Elanor.
Kyla spun back at the same time the centaurs did to see a vine from one of the trees, latch on to Elanor’s wrist, having already grabbed her ankles and yank her away from the group and into the tree that was covered in huge spiking leaves. Kyla didn’t hesitate, she summoned her blade, clutching the cold metal before looking at the centaur in front of her.
“Shemar!” She called through the roar of the plant that had Elanor who was still screaming, yanking at the vines. Shemar looked to Kyla, with a nod. He knew what she needed and knelt down. Kyla ran forward and jumped, using his back to push off. He surged up and she sailed through the air towards Elanor. Kyla winced as her arms and legs scraped against the leaves of the tree, but she ignored it and grabbed Elanor’s hand, yanking her back. The vines pulled her other arm, but Kyla swung her blade through the tough, green plant. It screeched, making Elanor fall from the tree and Kyla wasn’t sure where she landed but latched on to the tree. Finally, it stopped and roared, just as loudly. Kyla looked down below her and saw Elanor climb out of Zarek’s arms, nodding before Zarek looked up at Kyla, the centaur’s lights on her. She was about to jump when Zarek’s eyes widened.
“Kyla! Watch out!” he cried pointing behind her. Kyla turned in time to see a huge bulbous plant with spiking teeth flare its orange and black petals at her. Kyla gasped and shoved her blade through it as it tried to swallow her. The plant shook around her arm, the teeth ripping the fabric of her jumper, tearing through the skin of her forearm. She pulled the blade from its centre just as the plant screamed and withered, falling away, the vines uncurling from the branches of the tree. Kyla breathed a sigh of relief then looked back down to where she was meant to jump. It wasn’t the distance that had her pausing. It was the fact that her vision was leaving her. Black spots poked through what little she could see, with the lights from the centaurs blinding her. She shielded her eyes as her body swayed. She leaned against the tree, trying to get her bearings but her mind was still swirling. She gripped the tree, panic bubbling through her tight chest at the idea of falling.
