She sighed, then stepped back, motioning for me to go back to the table.
“Ready?” Inalia asked me.
“Yeah,” I replied, then looked at my crew. “My earpiece is on at all times. Shout if you need me or if anything happens.”
“We’ll be here trying to find some answers and solutions to this bundle of questions and mysteries we’ve gotten ourselves tangled in,” Raphael said.
I took Inalia’s hand in mine. Her touch alone was enough to set tiny fires beneath my skin. There was something about this Cerixian girl that was clearly beginning to grip me and mess with my senses. It was a dangerous time for me to become affectionate toward her, but I couldn’t help it. I liked her.
Within the blink of an eye, we vanished, as I teleported us back to the red desert where she’d first made contact with her father. From here, we’d go elsewhere. We’d keep bouncing until we found the right place for her to contact Brann.
I, for one, was astonished by how much of her internal balance had been restored since she’d spoken to her father. All those spurts of fire energy had toned down, and Inalia seemed much more in control of her abilities. It was as if she’d accepted who and what she was—and that had an immediate and positive power on her inner fire.
After about twenty minutes of bouncing around from one desert spot to another, we settled atop a tall cliff overlooking a sea of crimson-colored sand. The skies were clear, and the winds were down. We were safe, for the time being.
“I think this is secluded enough for me to do my thing,” she said, then sat down and crossed her legs. I joined her, my nerves still stretched to dangerous lengths. I couldn’t relax as easily as Inalia, who was already smiling, her breathing lighter and more even.
“You seem to be taking all this a lot better than I’d thought,” I replied.
“This… what, exactly?”
“Creatures from outer space, elementals trying to bring upon the end of days… you know, everything you didn’t even think you’d ever experience a couple of days ago.”
She laughed. “I’m quick to adapt, I admit. Especially when I’m proven right. I mean, I knew there was life out there, no matter what the skeptics were saying. I knew you or people like you would come visit again. Mentally, I was ready for the extraordinary. Granted, I didn’t think you’d bring such titanic problems with you, but, at the same time, I’m pretty sure we would’ve had bigger trouble dealing with the Hermessi cults all on our own.”
“I find your thirst for the new and, as you call it, extraordinary, to be fascinating. Most creatures from other worlds would tend to have a more tribal and defensive approach. Not you, though.”
“Oh, rest assured, if it weren’t for me and my predecessors in the Foreign Outreach Department, you would’ve gotten a whole lot more tribal flak from the Cerixians.” She giggled. “We’ve spent decades, centuries even, educating the future generations about a potential visit from another Druid delegation. I was kind of trained for this.”
“And yet, you were so busy looking up to the stars that you neglected the non-Cerixian part of you that was itching to come out,” I replied, smiling.
She lowered her gaze for a moment. “I never said my critical thinking was the greatest. I panicked. I thought others from outside worlds would manifest such powers. Not me. The red-haired nobody from Hadeen’s slums.”
“Well, it’s time for you to embrace the Hermessi side of you, then. Get to work,” I said with a grin.
She straightened her back and closed her eyes, taking slow and measured breaths. There was a lot more confidence coming out of her, this second time around. If, at first, she’d been dogged by uncertainty and fear, she wasn’t anymore. She’d been to other planes of existence. She’d begun to embrace who and what she was. And I could tell, just from the way she began to light up all orange again, that she had better control over the situation.
I watched her for a while, listening to the gentle rhythm of her breathing. Her spirit was elsewhere, stretching beyond the material plane and searching for her father. Brann was out there, somewhere, and Inalia was about to pay him another visit.
All I could do was stay close, ready to get her out and away to safety at a moment’s notice. For the time being, however, I settled on watching her lips, full and pink, as they moved, ever so slowly. I had to focus on them because, if I looked away from Inalia, the dread of what terrors awaited back on our side of the In-Between would surely hammer me down.
Taeral
As the minutes went by, I began to worry. Something seemed different.
Her glow was brighter than before. I feared that I’d burn my fingers if I touched her. The hum coming from her throat didn’t sound good, either.
“Inalia?” I asked, tentatively.
She opened one eye, startling me. I almost fell backward.
“What?” she replied, eerily calm.
I blinked several times, trying to wrap my head around what was happening. “How the hell are you still conscious and glowing like this? Are you not hearing the sounds you’re making?”
“I can,” she sighed. “I’m trying to zone out, but I don’t think it’s working.”
“Then why are you glowing?” I asked, persistent in my panic.
“How am I supposed to know?” she yelped, then glanced down at herself and chuckled. “Gah, this looks so weird.”
“Inalia, focus,” I said. “What’s wrong? You did it the last time. What exactly isn’t working now?”
“I have no idea!”
A terrible thought crossed my mind. “Oh, dear… What if the other Hermessi found Brann already?”
“Pretty sure they’d have destroyed him by now, and we’d all be feeling the repercussions,” Inalia said, then pressed her lips into a thin line.
She was right, I realized, feeling myself much more powerful since Brann had returned to Cerix. My fae ability linked itself to whatever Fire Hermessi was present. Here, that was Brann. If anything had happened to him, I surely would’ve felt a decrease in my inner fire.
“Then, what? He’s pretending not to be home while you keep pounding on the door?” I replied dryly. As much as I’d enjoyed watching her so calm, with her eyes closed, I would’ve felt much better knowing that all this was leading somewhere.
I looked out into the desert, carefully checking the horizon and making sure none of the other elements were anywhere in sight.
“It doesn’t make sense,” I added. “It was definitely easier for you the first time around. Maybe something is holding you back?”
“Like what? The dread of the world ending if we don’t stop my father’s elemental siblings? The thought of your friends and loved ones being bedridden by some kind of Hermessi fever, while their death cults continue to spread the terror? I mean, it’s not like my mind is crystal clear right now, Tae. I’m not sure it will be until we stop this.”
I liked the way my shortened name sounded rolling off her tongue. There was an intimate familiarity that came with it, as if we’d known each other for years. As if my name had been made to come right after “Do you want sugar in your coffee?” or “I’ve missed you,” or other things that lovers said to one another over time.
“Maybe you should just try and let it all go, for a second or two. Just breathe it out,” I suggested, eyes still studying the reddish horizon. A lower breeze crossed the desert, stirring beads of sand along the way.
Silence settled around us. All I could hear were the whispers of the dunes.
“Breathe in and out, Inalia,” I murmured. It should’ve occurred to me sooner that our trials and tribulations were, in many ways, hers, too. Cerix had a Hermessi death cult issue, too. A rogue Fire Hermessi that had literally run off to warn us of what the others were plotting. Yeah, this is your problem as much as it is ours. I’m sorry, Inalia.
“In and out,” I continued.
A thump made my head snap back to her. Inalia had fallen to the side. This time, however, she was shining like a friggin�
� star. I couldn’t even look directly at her, or else my retinas would burn off.
“Oh, wow,” I managed. “Inalia, are you okay? Still with me?”
No answer came. My heart thudded. My pulse raced, making me slightly lightheaded. She’d finally gone under, but, this time, the physical effects were much more accentuated. That glow was unnaturally bright, as if she was seconds away from blasting outward like a supernova. But I could hear her even breathing. If I stayed still and quiet for long enough, I could even hear her heartbeats.
Somehow, I was convinced that she was fine. Just out there, somewhere, in touch with her Hermessi father.
“The weird just never ends, huh?”
I wasn’t going to get an answer to that. It was rhetorical, anyway. Of course the weird would keep on coming. That was the textbook definition of life as a GASP agent. Bucketloads of weird, sprinkled with the occasional swordfight or bloody war. Why would this be any different?
The answer came quickly. It had to be different. It just had to be.
Because, as I watched over Inalia, I understood that part of my mission was to make sure she had a shot at a full and happy life. That kind of ethos made my fire burn a little brighter, too. So, I sat with her, stern and vigilant, determined to keep her safe and hopeful that “daddy dearest” would tell her more about the incoming elemental storms.
Inalia
The utter darkness didn’t scare me like before. I figured one got used to a place after seeing it once, even if said place was some other dimension, home to the natural elements.
“Moon and stars and every other celestial body out there, give me the strength and calm to get through this,” I mumbled to myself, realizing just how overwhelming this still was. The familiarity had already gone out the window, and my nerves were eagerly stretching to new limits.
I focused my mind on Brann. My father. Sheesh.
My mind was still sort of processing that one. But I had to leave my feelings aside, for the time being. I had bigger things to deal with. Heck, the whole universe pretty much depended on me making contact with this one rogue Fire Hermessi.
“Father?” I called out.
The nothingness warped around me, and I giggled internally. It made me a little dizzy. Before another breath, I found myself before the fire figure that I’d met before. Brann. It was him, all right. My insides were buzzing, alight with the elemental connection between us.
“Father,” I said, louder this time.
He seemed confused, judging by how his head twisted left and right.
“I’m here,” I added. I would’ve loved to have a hand to wave at him, but I’d left my body on the physical plane, with Taeral.
Brann turned around, his liquid amber eyes lighting up with… anger.
“What are you doing here, child?!”
He sounded angry. It made my stomach drop like a lead ball. I could almost hear the metaphorical clang as it hit the imaginary floor.
“Don’t be too excited,” I grumbled.
“You’re not supposed to be here, Inalia! It’s dangerous! I told you I’d come for you if I had new information!”
“Well, whatever, Dad, sorry!” I snapped. “There have been some new developments in our world. Frightening and tragic developments. Otherwise I wouldn’t have come looking for you.”
He stilled. The flames covering him licked at the blackness around us.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“The fae. They’re falling ill,” I said. “There have been multiple reports of Hermessi cult members sneaking around, cutting the fae and whispering some kind of spell that renders them comatose, or something similar. They glow in these catatonic states. They’re unresponsive. These are people with friends and family. Surely, you understand how terrible this is.”
His flaming shoulders dropped. Something told me he knew exactly what this was.
“What is it?” I asked. “You know what’s happening, don’t you?”
“I was hoping I’d have more details before seeking you out, but yes. I know what’s happening,” he replied.
A moment passed in silence. I would’ve rolled my eyes if I still had them. What a peculiar thing to say. A week ago, my biggest issue was getting more funds into the Foreign Outreach Department, so we could send a message out to the nearest inhabited planets. Now, my consciousness was separated from my body as I conversed with my freaking father, Cerix’s Fire Hermessi. Goodness gracious.
“Well? I’m on the edge of my seat here.” I sighed.
“Understand something, Inalia. You have exposed us both to the others, now. They’ve been looking for me. They’re eager to make me pay for ruining their initial ritual plans. Every second I spend here brings them closer to me and you.”
“Then tell me what their plan B is, and I’ll get out of your hair,” I replied.
“They’re using a loophole in an ancient ritual,” Brann said. “They’re getting their numbers from the fae, by force. The Hermessi are only supposed to use the cut-and-spell method in times of great trouble. This doesn’t exactly qualify, and I’m surprised the universe hasn’t imploded already because of it.”
“Hold on, I’m not getting it. Start from the top. Cut-and-spell?”
“The way your fae are falling ill. It’s not exactly a sickness. They’re being forcibly… disabled, for lack of a better word. The Hermessi fill them up with their energy, then wait for it to bond with every atom in those bodies. Once the fusions are made, the fae are no longer in control of their own flesh. Their spirits are kicked out and left wandering the world, with no one knowing they’re there.”
“Oh, wow,” I whispered, realizing what that had to mean for Taeral’s friends.
“There’s a chain of sorts that links the body to the soul. This cut-and-spell method first kicks the soul out, then takes some time to eat away at the chain and completely sever the connection. It can last hours, or days, or, in rare cases, weeks. Your fae’s time is running out, Inalia,” Brann said. “And when the break happens, when all the bodies are completely taken over by the Hermessi, the ritual they’ve been trying to perform will be done.”
“What ritual is that?” I asked.
“Inalia, I’m not sure yet. It’s why I haven’t reached out to you. I have an inkling, but I cannot give you information based on that. I would hate to send you in the wrong direction.”
“It doesn’t matter. Tell me what you’re thinking, and we’ll wait until you can confirm,” I insisted. “We have to at least be able to speculate. Is it some end-of-days malarkey?”
He looked at me, and I could feel the fire burning through me. That was the most painful kind of yes I’d ever gotten. Dread clawed at me, threatening to tear my consciousness to shreds before I even got back to my body.
“Inalia, it’s only a suspicion now. A theory.”
“But why would they do that? Wouldn’t it destroy them, too? I mean, it’s the end of the world, right?”
Brann shook his head. “There are many ways in which the world could end, my child. It could end for one person, or it could end for everyone. Or just a few. The possibilities are as endless as the universe.”
I thought about it for a moment. Brann hadn’t wanted to tell me how to stop one of his own the first time we’d met, but maybe I could get him to help us now. Clearly, stopping the Hermessi was more than just a priority at this point. It was imperative.
“How do we—”
I froze as a howling wind rose and nearly cut through me.
“Inalia, go!” I heard Brann shout, the urgency in his voice making me choke up. “Run, my child!”
I couldn’t even move. My spirit was locked in place, paralyzed by the brewing storm that gathered around us. A river snaked its way through the blackness, with crystalline waters that foamed white at every turn. The whirlwind grew stronger, smacking me from all sides. It hurt. It actually hurt!
Brann’s fiery figure was stuck, too. The river flowed around him, spiraling closer towa
rd him. The tornado tightened around him.
“Brann, no…” I managed.
Part of me refused to believe what was happening. But I knew… I knew exactly what this was. The water and the wind constricted around him like elemental snakes. I heard the hiss of water meeting fire, the fluttering of flames struggling against the current of cold air.
Titans of the natural elements battled right in front of me, and I was too choked up to say anything. I certainly couldn’t do anything. Then, a sharp and jagged rock burst through the middle of the fire-and-water tornado. It shot upward, mercilessly tearing through Brann’s very being.
“Father!” I screamed.
The three Hermessi of Cerix had found the fourth and, by the stars, they destroyed him. The fires faded into nothingness, until all that was left was one tiny smoldering ember, hovering in the black abyss. The wind settled slowly, widening its flow around me. The river pulled back, reduced to a slim thread of water. The rock crumbled, and a beautiful tree grew out of it.
I wanted to cry. I wanted to get away.
But I couldn’t do a thing. The Hermessi had just destroyed my father, and I was helpless, facing the three of them and wondering if they’d turn their wrath on me next.
Amelia
Our fae succumbing to the Hermessi’s influence like this was beyond terrifying. It threatened to throw me in the cold arms of panic, and I wasn’t one to give in so easily. We spent hours around the table, bouncing theories off one another as to how and why this was happening. We’d yet to come up with useful answers.
“Clearly, the cults’ reach is wider and deeper than we’d thought,” Varga muttered, his head resting in his hands, elbows on the table.
“Something’s changed in the way they operate,” Lumi said. “I think the endgame is still the same, and of epically disastrous proportions. The method’s different.”
A Shade of Vampire 70: A Breed of Elements Page 20
