The Everly Davis chronicles

by Amelia K Oliver

  We are so outnumbered. My heart sinks.

  A wolf whistle draws my attention to the cliffs behind us.

  "Couldn't wait for us, could you sis?" William yells from above.

  My jaw drops open by the sight I'm met with.

  Garrot

  Looking up at the cliff, I continue to slash out with my sword blindly. Nothing could have prepared me for what is up there.

  Karl

  Five selkie scratch and claw at the sand I throw up around me. I can barely hold them as I look up at William through the sand wall.

  Shit a duck up it's arse.

  Victor

  A Leviathan bites a chunk out of one of my tentacles as I get distracted by William's words. I yelp and snap it's neck as the other tackles me below the surface. A slow smile

  Everly

  "Holy shit," I mumble as thousands of people descend on the beach. Not just people, I realise, as a group of huge wolves slide their way down the side of the cliff. I lift the sand at my feet to form a wall around me so I can watch. Bodies bounce off it. More people and creatures climb down, some people float, red light like my own wrapped around their bodies. I blink when William stands before me. A smug look on his face.

  "What..." I find myself lost for words watching the battle kick up a notch now there are so many of us. I seek out my men as I turn in a slow circle. Karl fights back to back with what appears to be a sprite of some kind. Her skin is a soft pink and her hair is so white, I can't look at it as the sun bounces off it. Garrot and a tall man tear their way through a group of Selkies. He's normal looking, except for razor sharp claws extending from fury hands.

  Victor swims circles around the creatures in the sea, several women and men join him. Their legs turn into tails. Holy shit. Merfolk are real! Ari fights alone, but with deadly precision.

  "While your men were fumbling around," Will pauses to grab a nearby Selkie, stabbing a knife through its face, he lets it drop to the ground, "I was gathering allies." his smile gets wider. So does mine.

  "This is," I look around. More Selkies bodies lay broken and bloody than just moments ago. The noise of the battle heats my blood and makes my heart race.

  "Hold onto that, sister, that anger, the pain, you're going to need it. Here, I have a gift for you." William moves to the side, revealing Darcy.

  "No! You have to go back," I panic. Not only does she have no powers but I need two people with Lorelei.

  "Calm down, that's not Darcy." William comments then jogs off to join the fight. I look into my mother's eyes.

  "What are you doing here?" I ask her while throwing a small knife into the back of a Selkie who was just about to jump on a wolf's back. The wolf turns and tears the Selkie throat out. It nods at me then trots off with blue blood dripping down it's chin.

  "I came to help. You were right, daughter, I have been blinded by destiny." I just about choke on fresh air when she speaks, she is admitting she was wrong? "I will help, but I cannot help in the final battle."

  "Ok, but do not," I point my finger in her face, allowing a trendril of my power to snake out of the tip and have it caress her face "Get Darcy killed. Understand?" She nods emphatically and breaks away to join the fight. Her and William fight side by side as creatures climb out of the ocean.

  I'm suddenly hit from behind. It feels like a rock hit me as I tumble to the ground. The world spins and the smell of blood makes me gag. Blinking furiously I try to stand. I sink back down and blue blood drips from my head. Well, I'm blue. That's nice. I think hazily.

  "Ever!" Mickey's yell makes me look up just in time to see a massive Selkie Elite lifted into the air, it's body contorting as Mickey chants just yards away. I don't stop to watch what happens next, the sound alone is enough to make me cringe.

  Just as my bare toes hit the water, the ground rumbles. I spin, thinking it's Karl doing his thing. But he and Garrot have teamed up with Mickey and Will against a gorgon. I take another step into the ocean and I'm forced to throw my arms out to keep my balance, the earth shakes so hard. Through the noise of clashing swords and tridents, bones breaking and limbs being torn from their bodies, I hear a flock of birds take flight. Facing the horizon, I center myself.

  There, in the middle of the ocean, is Poseidon himself.

  Leyland

  "Hungry, baby girl?" I make my way into the kitchen with a wide awake Lorelei tucked safely in my arms. Darcy left, she was acting so oddly I didn't question her. The house has a strong ward put up by Mickey and I have more weapons than I can use in every available corner. I trust that should any enemies come here, we will be safe.

  I make up her bottle and test it on the inside of my wrist. Perfect. She drinks eagerly as I wander around the house aimlessly. Part of me wants to be at the front line with the others. The call of the battle is loud in my ears. But a bigger part of me knows that I'm where I need to be. With Lorelei. She needs me more than the others. I need her.

  The more time I spend with her, the more my soul is soothed. I did very bad things. Unforgivable things. But maybe by being the best dad to Lorelei I can be, maybe I'll learn to live with my deeds. Maybe not. I don't believe I deserve forgiveness.

  Everly

  I don't really have a plan but I bend and dip the tips of my fingers into the ocean. I pour every emotion I have into them and out into the vast sea. What I get back takes my breath away.

  Pain. Helplessness. The whole ocean is torn between a vengeful god and... Me. Many want to help, but are too afraid that if we lose, they'll be punished. Some want me dead, they want Poseidon to sink the land.

  Help me win this war. I ask the inhabitants of the sea. Please.

  Darcy appears next to me. Her hand sinks into the water next to mine. Our little fingers touch and a spark of my power wraps around the digit.

  "Child, he cannot come to you. His power is in the ocean. He cannot step on land." My mother's voice comes from Darcy's mouth and it still freaks me out. She stands abruptly, "Finish this." she tells me and walks away to join the fight.

  Gordon

  I hurry through the city towards the training field. The streets are empty and there is anarchy within the King's castle. I slipped away unnoticed. My troops no longer following my orders but those of Poseidon. I know why Darcy went to that cave days ago. The ceiling collapsing stopped her from reaching her goal, but now I must complete the mission she started. I just hope I get there in time.

  Karl

  The gorgon in front of us swings it`s stone club wildly. Jumping back, I push my power into the weapon and order it to repeatedly smash the beast in the head. It does my bidding, pounding the gorgon to pieces.

  “Nice!” Garrot yells from my back. “Wanna open a hole so we can sweep some trash into it?”

  “Yeah,” I answer, feeling weak as a kitten. When I woke up from being dead, Ari told me I would be weak for some time. But now is not the time to give in to the urge to curl up into a ball and sleep for a week. More Selkies then I can count lay dead, broken and in pieces across the beach. The Other kind make light work of the soldiers, teaming up against the Elite. Werewolves and vampires work side by side to save the lives of Other kind and human alike. Finding a rare break in the throng of Selkies, I stand back and watch. It's glorious. So many different kinds of creatures putting aside differences. Most are vicious and deadly, others end Selkies lives quickly and efficiently. Blue blood mixes with red in the ocean and the sky turns dark as a storm approaches. The end is in sight. I can feel it. I use an already bleeding cut on my arm to drip my blood onto the sand and lace my fingers into its grains.

  “Could you eat?” I ask the earth. She rumbles excitedly and slowly, but surely opens her maw for a tasty meal. “Heads up!” I yell to the Others around me. Warning them to move back. They turn and back away, they stare at me with a mixture of awe and confusion. The sand jolts a little and splits a few feet in front of me. It's not much, but it'll do. The whole is big enough to throw Selkies into. Which those around me do with vigor, smil
ing when the bodies disappear into the chasm. More Other kind are on the beach now than Selkies. It’s progress. We might just win this.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  EVERLY

  Standing, I throw my arms out to the sides, pouring my will into the move. The ocean obeys and splits in two. Revealing the ocean bed all the way out to Atlantis. A flash of shock crosses Poseidon's face. It's gone faster than I can blink. He reaches out a giant hand and beckons me to him. It's time to end this. If I have to take the fight to him, I will. I’ll use everything I have to my advantage. My bare feet sink into the sand as I walk between the ocean waves. The walls on either side of me start off small, soon they become as tall as houses. In their shadow, I feel at ease. At home. Fear coils in my belly like a barrel full of snakes, it writhes. But still, I push onward. Picturing my daughter in my mind, I slowly make my way to what will either be my death, or our salvation.

  A glint of something to my left catches my eye. Shit. Selkies! I spin. My hands raise, and blast my power into the sea. It hits someone in the chest, forcing them back into the inky depths. I see a flash of red. Oh, crap! That wasn't a Selkie. It was Gordon! Without thinking, I jump right in. My joggers and shirt soak up the liquid and make my progress sluggish. By the time I reach Gordon, I remove my pants so I can swim better. Blue blood surrounds him. He’s hurt. But alive.

  Gordon? I say in my mind, hoping it will transmit into his like he does with me. His eyes flutter but they do not open. Several Selkies swim towards us and I ask the ocean to push them back. They fly through the water like they're being pulled by ropes. Gordon, please wake up! I didn't know it was you. I shake his shoulder as the slight sting of my gills reminds me I forgot to tell everyone I can breathe underwater. I hope none of them saw me enter the sea and follow me. His body twitches and his eyes spring open. A soundless scream escapes between my lips. Oh! You're ok. I’m sorry. I pull myself closer to him using his arm and hug him to me. He helped Darcy and I escape. He could have killed us both, many times, but he didn't. I don't know why he chose to stay behind, but I don't feel like he’s a threat to me.

  Sister? Gordon rights himself. and I drop my arms from around his shoulders. A wound on his chest is seeping blood, but it doesn't look too bad.

  Yes, I'm here. I reply as I take him in. He looks exhausted. When his eyes meet mine, his eyes are alight with relief.

  I'm so glad you're ok, but being in the ocean is not safe for you. Poseidon always meant to kill you, I'm sorry I didn't believe you. His grip on my arm stings, and I pull away from him. Rubbing the spot he just touched.

  It's ok, but I have to go. Find Darcy, she’s on the beach fighting. Mother’s in charge. I start to turn, to carry on my journey towards Poseidon, but Gordon grabs my hand, halting me.

  Sister, Everly, I have something for you. He reaches behind his back.

  I immediately go on the defensive. I push my hands out in front of me, ready to blast him. He holds out a hand, palm out as he reaches behind his back. As he tugs, I feel a change in the ocean. In me. A pull, unlike anything I have ever felt, grips me. Mine. My mind screams. Something of mine is in the sea. I want it. Need it. I turn towards the beach. Is one of my men in trouble? Did one of them try to follow me? Panic flows through me. Mine. Mine. Mine. My mind chants and my heart pounds in my chest.

  Everly. Gordon saying my name is almost drowned out by the sound of drums in my ears. A bright light shining behind me catches my eye. Twisting my body, I face Gordon. The breath leaves my lungs and my head spins.

  It's beautiful.

  Leyland

  Lorelei sleeps soundly in my arms as I walk around the house aimlessly. A knock on the door surprises me. I freeze midstep. Selkies don't knock. Poseidon wouldn't knock. The spell Mickey put on the house won't allow anyone with ill intent anywhere near the house. So whoever is at the door doesn't mean us any harm. Still, I take precautions. I nestle Lorelei on the floor of the dining room on cushions from the couch and close the door. Grabbing a weapon from the umbrella stand near the door, I open it. My sword raised, ready to strike. My jaw hits my chin when I see my mother standing there. Next to her is Aphrodite, Asia and Garrot’s dad, Alan.

  “Let us in then, boy, it's bloody freezing and I'm dying for a brew.” Alan demands.

  “Wait,” my mind catches up with what I'm seeing. Alan died. A Selkie killed him with an arrow. Garrot told me. So how is he standing at our door, alive and well?

  “No time to waste,” my mother pushes past me and strolls into the dining room. “We have so much to do, so little time. Oh! She is beautiful.” I follow them into the front room where they spend time cooing over Lorelei. The whole time all I can think is Garrot will be so happy his dad is back. If it really is his dad.

  “Alan?” I ask while he and I are in the kitchen making cups of tea.

  “Yes, Le, I’m alive. Yes, I know everything you did. No, I don't forgive you. Not yet. Pass me the milk, please.” his tone isn't angry, but his words sting. I don't blame him. I dont forgive me either. I grab the milk from the fridge and hand it to him then check on Lorelei`s bottle by dripping the white liquid on the inside of my wrist. Perfect.

  “I understand,” I tell him as we make our way back to the women in the front room.

  They sit on the sofa, smiles on their faces, as if a battle isn't going on right now. As if Everly, Karl, Garrot, Victor, and Mickey aren’t risking their lives for the people on this planet. It boils my blood.

  “What exactly are you doing here? You do know what's happening, don’t you?” my tone is angry, and I pace in front of them all. Constantly checking Lorelei as she sucks on the bottle I gave my mother.

  “That’s why we are here, young one. We have news.” Asia says serenely.

  “Yes, we’are here to tell you you can help. But sacrifices must be made. Are you willing to give your life in place of those you love, Leyland?” Aphrodite asks me while adjusting the long, flowing dress she wears. She looks uncomfortable wearing clothes.

  “Yes.” I answer immediately. “I would give my life for theirs in a heartbeat.” I mean it. My life is worth nothing compared to Everly`s. Lorelei`s life is worth a million of mine. I would give my life for hers. For any of them. Yes, it would be nice for Lore to have her mother and father in her life. But she has Karl, Victor and Garrot. If I could prevent one of their deaths by offering mine, I would do it in an instant.

  “Good. We have little time, let’s begin.” My mother stands and presses her hands to either side of my face.

  Bright lights almost blind me. Seconds later, darkness overtakes me.

  Victor

  The ocean swirls as dark clouds form overhead. The change in the ocean almost takes my breath away. Something is different. I don’t have time to think about it, because there are more leviathans than I can handle. They tear chunks of my flesh away with their sharp teeth. For every one I kill it seems two more replace it. The ocean darkens with our mixed blood but still I fight. The sting of my wounds barely registers as I smash my massive hands onto the skull of one beast while my tentacles strangle another. A large, purple leviathan speeds towards me. All my extremities are busy. I’m defenceless as it approaches. It jerks to a stop as if caught on something, then disappears below the surface. Thank the gods. I was surely about to die. I quickly end the lives of the two in my clutches and allow them to sink into the sea. There is a brief lull in the fighting as the heavens open and rain pours from the sky. Something touches my leg and I immediately dive under, grabbing it by the throat. Red hair shines even in the darkness of the ocean.

  Hello, Victor.

  The stranger calls out in my mind. I drag in lungs full of refreshing salt water. The man makes no move to attack me, but I still reach out and wrap a tentacle around his throat.

  Who are you and what do you want? I ask while squeezing his neck. Letting him know I’m not messing around. His hair fans around his head. The under current wafts it this way and that. It’s bright red. Just like Everly`s.

>   I am Gordon, my sister is your Queen. He announces while his skin changes from pale, to ocean blue. His face elongates and a fin sprouts from his back. Shark features overtake his humanoid ones.

  You helped her and the pink woman escape. But what are you doing here, and not at your father`s side? I enquire. I don’t let him go. I do not yet know his intentions.

  I am here to help. Poseidon no longer has my allegiance. Darcy is my consort. I wish to preserve her life, and my sister`s. His words ring true in my mind. He’s sincere.

  Let`s get to it then. I say and turn on the two leviathan’s swimming our way. His smile is wicked. I get the feeling he has waited a long time to do this. We work together and quickly kill the two beasts. He fights ferociously, tearing his foe limb from limb until the water is so thick with blood we can hardly see our hands in front of our faces.

  Everly

  I walk between the walls of the ocean towards where Poseidon was moments ago. The trident in my hand is heavy as is the burden it places within me when I took it from Gordon. Bright, silver light poured from it and my body soaked it up. White hot power flows through my veins, burning away all fear and doubt. I walk towards my destiny. My fate. Every moment of my life has led up to this. I cannot fail. The consequences are too horrible. My family. I hold their love close to my heart and put one foot in front of the other. The closer I get the more creatures of the sea line the walls beside me. Whales, dolphins, all manner of mammals and fish are following me to what must surely be our deaths. I reach out and let my fingertips graze the side to my left. The creatures within glide closer, their scaly skin rough against my skin. The comfort and support they offer bolsters my heart and my courage.