Siren Rises (The Rise of Ares Book 3)

by Jade Frances

  I felt all the colour drain from my face. It was like I was back in the same situation as last year, when it was Aresollo that only wanted me. That time, I had stepped through a portal to sacrifice myself and save my friends. It was a mistake, and one that could have cost us lives. We got lucky then, but I had a pretty rough idea of how it would go this time. Ares is the God of war, Aresollo was just a narcissist on a power trip.

  “There is no need to do anything stupid, I only want you to rule by my side. That, and hand over that pathetic beast you call a father,” Ares’s voice filled the air once more.

  “I don’t call him father,” I muttered to myself, but he heard and acknowledged it with a laugh.

  How is he projecting his voice like that? This is ridiculous, he can hear everything. But maybe not our bond... I thought.

  I don’t know what to do… I sent to the girls.

  Fight or flee, my God, I can’t believe those are our options, again, Sandra replied.

  They’ve only ever been our options, Sandra, but look at these people, they aren’t fighters. We aren’t equipped enough to protect them and ourselves, although our guardians would surely die trying, Rose responded while looking woefully toward Barak. Neither of their answers helped me to see what we could do next. We were trapped, with the chimeras behind us, and Ares with his Gifted in front. Either way, we would have to fight our way out, and either way, there was no doubt that we would lose people in the process. I looked over at Aresollo, he was white as a sheet, like he had seen a ghost. In some ways, I supposed he was looking straight at one. One that he had banished before. With my mother at his side, they had succeeded, what if we could as well? How blissful it must be for him to have no recollection of the horrors he wreaked and what he had done to rise the God that stood before him. The ignorance he felt he couldn’t exactly be blamed for. Nevertheless, a carefully thought-out trap might work. Running headfirst into a battle surely wouldn’t. I needed our best minds to put their heads together and come up with something.

  I need you ladies, our guardians, Cole, Adam, Darryl and Theodore, to think of some form of trap. We need a plan that will not only save most of the lives of the people here, but to somehow entice Ares to come after me alone. I don’t know how we will discuss it, or even give the go ahead without him knowing. But we have to try, I sent to the girls. Rose’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red. She glanced at Sandra quickly, then shamefully to the floor.

  I can communicate with Barak; our bond is stronger now. It is worth a try, she sent.

  And I can try with Cole, I replied quickly. I wasn’t fast enough with my attempt at detracting from Rose’s confession, though.

  Your what with Barak? A bond! Why aren’t you the least bit surprised with what she just said Evvy? Sandra’s voice came through the bond, shrill and agitated.

  Now is neither the time nor the place, Sandra. I’ll be back in a moment, Rose snapped, then turned and walked away. Leaving me alone with an irate Sandra who was glaring at me. I shrugged my shoulders at her, gave her a small pat on the shoulder and followed Rose. Not putting myself in the middle of that conversation. Eager to get away, I jogged over to Cole and motioned for him to follow me.

  “I need you to try and communicate through my mind,” I told him, not elaborating further.

  “I’m a dream walker Evvy, I don’t think that’s possible—”

  “You have connected with me when I was on the brink of consciousness before, there has to be a way,” I cut him off abruptly. He looked at me, uneasy, then over my shoulder at the rows of Gifted.

  “Ok, I’ll try. Close your eyes,” he said, as he placed both of his hands on either side of my face. I tensed at the initial contact but tried to relax into his touch. Without opening my bond to the girls, I let my mind become susceptible to his intrusion. Minutes ticked by as I felt nothing. Minutes that we didn’t have to waste. Before I could crack my eyes open and tell Cole it wasn’t worth the time we were losing, I felt him. It was a small tinge of energy on the outskirts of my mind at first, but steadily it grew. As it did, I felt my own energy wane. And remembered that dreamwalkers fed off those they visited. We couldn’t do this for long, so I hoped he would hurry and make the connection, or I would be useless to everyone around me.

  Evvy... Evvy, I think I’ve... Evvy, can you hear me? His voice sounded distorted, but I caught fragmented sentences and figured that would be enough.

  Yes, Cole, hold this connection we need to communicate with the others... I sent back in the hopes that he would hear me clearly. Turning, I looked for Rose and Sandra, who inconveniently were at opposite sides of the group. Although, that could work if we didn’t want Ares catching on to anything we might plan.

  We ready ladies? I sent to them whilst trying not to block Cole from my mind.

  Only for the last five minutes... Sandra retorted. I rolled my eyes and decided to ignore her sarcasm. She was annoyed at Rose, not me. That was their own problem to face, if we survived this.

  Ready Evvy, although I really don’t know what kind of plan we can come up with. Barak has no ideas, according to him neither does Egan. And Pearce, well, he cut them off while he’s trying to sort whatever dark magic is controlling his element. Rose also failed to acknowledge Sandra. I breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t react to being disregarded. A tingling grew stronger in my mind.

  One second ladies... I’m trying to let Cole in at the same time...

  Evvy, Theodore is communicating with me in the dirt. He wants to open a portal to get the more vulnerable people through. But he can only hold it for a short while, he says. Cole sent to me, this time I received his message loud and clear.

  Ok, ok... good start. Then what? I sent to both Cole and the girls. I could feel my energy depleting the more I attempted to communicate with two bonds simultaneously. That was not a good sign.

  Barak says we split up—

  Oh, get lost with ‘Barak says’, Sandra cut Rose off, anyway, over here, because I am still here you know, the dog beside me is trying to say we split up.

  I couldn’t help but let out a guffaw at Sandra’s attitude, as well as the fact she just practically agreed with Rose. But now was not the time for laughter. And the fae in front of me was looking at me like I was mad. Which reminded me, I should really be looking like I’m physically talking to someone. Ares didn’t seem like much would pass by him, I had to make it look authentic. So, the poor fae standing before me—who I had never actually been introduced to— was subjected to a lot of hand gestures and me moving my mouth to imitate words that never came out.

  Split up and go where exactly? I sent, then quickly added, I don’t have much time, I can’t hold both of these bonds.

  Hell, do I know, and Adam’s useless, Sandra said.

  For crying out loud Sandra, do you get how bloody serious this is? We could die... all of us! Grow the hell up and think of a plan, I snapped without thinking. I saw hurt splay across her features, but again, I had no time to beat around. Was I the only one panicking here? It was only a matter of time before Ares-

  The groups need to split now. Reconvene at the falls, Cole cut in.

  Wha—

  Now Evvy! Girls move. I don’t care who goes where. Theodore is readying the portal. Run!

  Toward the sodding Chimeras Cole? That’s not a plan! Panic raged through every fibre of my being.

  Now! he replied.

  I stared at Cole in astonishment. What the hell? Where had that confidence and authority come from? Theodore was standing behind him, looking panicked, but I had no idea why. Nothing had changed. No one else was losing their cool.

  Girl’s? I sent through the bond without taking my eyes off Cole, who had started rounding up our side of the passage in small movements. His aura had changed from someone who was infirm of purpose, to now someone that seemed to be a protector. He looked much older and wiser than his young years.

  Hello, girl’s what the hell?

  I grabbed Cole’s arm and yanked h
im toward me, ignoring the fae that jumped out of the way.

  “Cole—”

  He shook his head vigorously at me and from the look in his eyes pleaded for me not to speak out loud.

  Evvy... we need to go, Rose finally sent through some form of communication. What was everyone sensing or seeing that I couldn’t? But before I could set my bewilderment on her, I heard it.

  Lightning blasted through the sky. My eyes flew around as I wrenched my gaze from Cole’s eyes. I looked up to see what the thunderous noise was that accompanied the lightning; it sounded like an army of riders stampeding toward us across the clouds. If we had thought the world was dark before, it was nothing compared to the storm clouds that were forming in the sky, blackened at the edges and swirling in a dangerous mass. We were out of time. I looked to Pearce where I knew he was with a healer, and as much as he tried to hide it, I noted the panic that was etched in his eyes. He was too far from me, on the other side of the passage. The crowd between us was angst and splitting apart without guidance. A steady beat vibrated the ground from below us. I glanced around at everyone who had started shuffling backward. Through them, I could see where the noise was reverberating from. The many rows of gifted were stamping their feet to a rhythm unknown to us. A war cry.

  Chapter 25

  Chaos ensued. Theodore’s energy sliced through the air. I screamed for Pearce, but my voice got lost, carried away with the stampede of people vying to get to the portal. Someone gripped my arm, hard. The Gifted had started advancing. And they were fast. I pushed and shoved back at those who would trample over me to save themselves. Still, someone had a tight grip on my arm. I whipped my head round to see Cole’s mouth moving but no words coming out.

  “I can’t hear you,” I tried to shout above the screams and wails of Theodore’s people. Cole shook his head and gripped my arm tighter; he was struggling to keep his grip on me throughout the pandemonium.

  “Run... Falls.” I heard disjointed words. But Pearce... Cole gave a final tug, and I succumbed. Pushing our way out, we ran directly toward the one place we had so desperately wanted to exit only moments ago. The runes, I thought, but let it pass by. No point worrying about that now, nor the Chimeras. Either end of this hellhole was a death trap. We had broken free from Theodore’s people and got a few paces ahead when I suddenly stopped. A strong feeling of dread seeped through my pores. Turning slowly, I saw just how quickly the Gifted were advancing. I watched the scene unfold as if I wasn’t standing mere feet away.

  Healers and warriors alike were too far from the portal to make it safely. Theodore, with beads of sweat dripping down his face, was struggling to keep it open against the onslaught that had made it to him. I knew from deep within me that Ava and Aresollo would have been the first to step through if they had been close enough. The only saving grace was that I couldn’t see Sandra or Rose, anywhere. Our guardians must have led them away. But there was one of my people that remained. And I saw his struggle. Adam was stuck behind them, closest to the Gifted that were readying their weapons with each step they took. One broke free from the ranks and headed straight for him. A scream stuck in my throat when I saw him, weapon poised, mere feet from Adam. Dakota flew out of nowhere, red fiery hair blowing in an invisible breeze around her. She raised her arm, claws retracted from her fingertips, and with one clean swipe took the Gifted’s head clean off. Bile rose to my mouth as his blood spurted outward while his body slowly tumbled to the ground.

  “Run,” Dakota screamed when she caught my eye. Cole grabbed me yet again, and we broke free from the chaos into a clear path back in the mountains. My heart was pounding in my chest, I couldn’t keep everyone safe from this. I could only hope that those we lost were none of my closest friends or allies. Don’t look back. I urged myself to keep moving forward. There was nothing I could do for them now.

  “Please stay safe, Theodore,” I whispered on the breeze, hoping it would somehow carry to his ears. The battle behind quieted the further we got from it. I glanced at Cole quickly. He didn't seem to be disturbed by the chaos that had erupted. Nor did he seem as shaken as I was. I wondered what his end goal was here, whether he wanted to find and side with Aresollo, or whether he wanted to truly help us survive this ordeal. Before I had a chance to ask his intentions, he grabbed me by the arm and led me down a path that I hadn’t noticed was there.

  "Cole, where the hell are we going? We need to get to the falls," I panted through the exhaustion that was beginning to take rise. I could feel the scythe in my jean’s waistband, digging into my stomach with each movement I made. Ignoring the pain, I stumbled forward trying to follow Cole who was ignoring my question.

  “Cole, we need to stop and think about how we're going to get to the others. This wasn’t the plan,” I pleaded with him. He stopped and turned to me with a glaring look in his eye. His fists were clenched at his side, and his shoulders were rigid. He took two steps toward me and I slowly backed up.

  “Do you want to die, Evangeline,” he spat at me, seething with anger. “Because that is what is going to happen if you do not follow me right now. We will find the others, but I have to get you as far from Ares as possible.”

  I took in his posture, and the way that he was looking at me. Where had the young boy that I had come to know gone? What had this life done to him? I could tell that he was trying to calm himself down, and as much as I would like to know why he was so riled, he was right, we just didn't have the time.

  I gave him a slight nod and continued jogging down the narrow passageway. There little natural light and it was hard to see where it ended, but still we moved forward, not looking back.

  Sorry. Cole’s voice entered my mind, reminding me I hadn’t shut off the connection.

  Cole, I started… Hang on, have you noticed…

  The chimeras, they don't seem to be down this way… But that makes no sense, they were everywhere, all around us. Why would they not be down this passageway just like they were the others?

  They were herding us before, sending us into the trap with Ares. I can only imagine that they're doing the same again, which means only one thing… We are going in the exact direction that they want us to-

  Then let's turn around. We can find another way, possibly even find the others.

  No, either end is a death-trap we have to keep moving forward. When you led us down this path, what were you thinking? Did you even know where it would lead to?

  A scream echoed through the walls around us, coming from the direction we were heading in. I paused in my tracks. It wasn't one that I recognised, but still, I didn't know if I'd recognise any of my friend's screams anymore. I looked at Cole, whose eyes were wide with fear. It was then that I realised his bravado was just an act—he was trying to seem older, be older—for my benefit. I placed my hand in his, even though I was still uncomfortable with the touch, I wanted to comfort him somewhat. He let out a deep breath and gave me a slight nod. With a quick squeeze of his hand, we continued running toward the end of the passageway. If someone was in trouble, we needed to help. Light started filtering through about fifty paces ahead. Almost there. I pushed my legs harder and faster. More screams were echoing around the cavern that I had no doubt we were about to run into. Along with the screams came a singular roar of fury. That one, I recognised.

  "Pearce," I breathed out.

  Just as I reached the entrance to the cavern, green tendrils of smoke wrapped themselves around my throat and yanked me to the side, blocking the flow of air to my windpipes. A hand wrapped itself around my mouth as the tendrils loosened. I couldn't find the breath to heave or choke, from just that small moment that I couldn't breathe, my throat was raw and ached. I turned and glared at Theodore, “What in the hell did you do that for?" As much as he had shocked and hurt me-and the pain was still radiating through my throat- I threw my arms around him and pulled him close to me. “I am so glad to see you alive, did everyone make it out,” I whispered into his shoulder.

  “Shush now, Nzuri,�
� he mumbled as he gently pulled me back into the shadows where he had been hiding. Cole followed silently behind but looked warily at Theodore. “You cannot go rushing down there, you do not want to see what is happening.” I whipped my head up to look at him, searching for any sign that those I loved were safe. It hadn't gotten past me that he had avoided answering my question about whether everyone had made it out. I let go of him and turned slowly toward the small flickers of light that were just beyond the shadows. It was only then that I noticed we were standing on a ledge. If I'd come barrelling forward anymore, I would have dropped down into the cavern that was situated many, many feet below. I peeked over the edge, but what I saw I wished I could unsee. All of my friends were circled, Gifted and Chimeras had blocked them in. The screams I had heard previously had come from one of them, but from which, I did not know. They looked unharmed from this vantage point, but I was sure if I was standing with them, I would see cuts and scrapes from where they had tried to fight their way free. Our guardians had circled the girls, they looked safe enough, but I couldn't say the same for the others. They were being stabbed and prodded with spears by the gifted and hissed at by the Chimeras. The only one who looked relatively confident was Pearce, of course. I had to get down there. Turning, I looked at Theodore and pleaded with him without saying a word. He simply shook his head and looked behind me at Cole.

  "I can't let you go down there Nzuri, I barely escaped myself after closing the portal. Not everybody made it... I had to get here to make sure that you are safe. I cannot simply allow yourself to hand yourself over to him, not after everything that you have been through to get here—"

  “Where is Ares?” I cut him off with a growl. I was met with silence.

  “Who did we lose?” I asked when it was clear that he wasn't going to answer my previous question. “Theodore, who did we lose?” He looked away, not wanting to meet my eyes. A feeling of dread spread all the way through my body, ice tickled my fingertips and shivers ran down my spine.