by Jenn Nixon
She had to get stronger.
Cyndra tilted her head toward the sun. Her connection to energy seemed limitless, everything was energy, and nothing existed without it. Even though she didn’t need mastery of both her elements to unlock the mirror-prison or take down the barriers, she had to master her energy to transform Zorin back to normal, which meant fire had to be first.
She had to get stronger, soon.
As she clutched her grandmother’s crystal in her hand, Rune came around the side of the lighthouse, smiling and holding a bunch of carrots.
I thought I heard the door. Don’t want to see the garden?
Cyndra shielded her eyes and shrugged. “I was out here earlier.”
Should I even ask?
“You’re right. We need to look for the others. At least try.” Cyndra frowned, stood up, and brushed off her shorts. “I don’t like it, but it’s all we have left.”
Rune nodded. Someone has to have more information that we do, Cyndra. Don’t you think this is too important to leave behind one book with one caster and hope you find the rest?
“Who knows what they were thinking near the end of the war, Rune.”
Well, there are no more answers here.
“I know. But we need to take extra precautions.”
Like what?
“I want to put up a barrier, maybe two, just in case the wraiths come back.”
“That is a good idea,” Zorin replied with his deep, penetrating voice as he landed silently behind Rune and tucked his magnificent dark gray wings behind his shoulders.
Cyndra glanced to the ground, letting out a deep breath. When she lifted her head, Zorin’s bright blue eyes stared into hers, quickening her pulse. Then he frowned.
“There’s something you need to know—”
“I’ve never had anyone worry about me before…that I can remember,” she murmured, gazing off to the side, seeing Rune had left. Zorin’s fingertips caught her chin, inching it back. Her knees weakened and her skin blazed from such a simple touch. “I know how I felt when I thought the wraiths brought you into the mirror. I know what it means knowing you feel the same and now that we’ve taken another step, I’m…”
“Speak your mind, Cyndra,” he begged, caressing her cheek but keeping his distance.
Worried. She swallowed, staring back.
About? Zorin brushed the hair from her cheek.
Cyndra shook her head. Too much, too fast, too soon.
He collected her face between his hands and stroked his thumb along her cheek. With her added control and his promise to keep the siphon slightly open, Cyndra only had to push her energy into him to feel his in return. With her powers stronger, she could siphon him too. Instead, she shut her eyes, trying to calm down.
Zorin drew her into his arms. She trembled as the heat blasting her skin spread from head to toe. He leaned back and stared down. Please, tell me what’s wrong.
This power keeps growing. What I feel for you keeps growing. It’s so hard to control. She shuddered and set her hand on his chest. Zorin’s body absorbed her heat instantly. Cyndra’s entire left side tingled. His muscles tensed under her touch as his jaw locked and eyes widened. So hard to hold it all back, Zorin.
“Don’t hold back,” the gargoyle said through clenched teeth.
“I need to get stronger first.”
“Why?” He furrowed his brow.
Cyndra’s cheeks flushed just thinking about admitting it aloud. She wrapped her hands around his wrists and backed up a bit. “Slowly, remember.”
“I thought we were beyond lies, Cyndra.”
“Omitting information is not fucking lying, Zorin,” she snapped, releasing her grasp.
“You don’t trust me with what you’re feeling?”
“I don’t trust myself!” She shuddered and covered her face.
“Cynd—”
“Getting off the island is a good idea.” She cut him off, looking back at the mansion. “We can go in the morning after Rune and I put up a couple barriers around the mirror and the room maybe.”
“When you’re ready to talk to me, Cyndra, I’ll be here to listen,” he said softly.
Cyndra evoked the fire to her hand, strong enough for him to feel the difference, and shut her eyes when he increased the siphon. He was gone by the time she glanced back, leaving her to stew in her stupidity.
Blocking her energy from him became harder every day. Her emotions and energy were entangled. If she shared that with him, he would know. He’d know how she longed for his touch, how much she craved his kiss. The desperate ache she carried, wanting him inside of her. Allowing him to siphon her energy would ignite a storm neither of them was ready to battle.
Zorin remained hung up on his gargoyle-like appearance. Cyndra didn’t want to feel more until she could have him, mind, body, and soul, and she already struggled enough.
A gentle breeze from the bay sprinkled the air with a hint of salt. Turning toward the mainland, Cyndra searched for the general location of her village, deep in the Virginialand woods. From here, the dead, ghostwood tree-stalks still conquered the landscape, a dismal sight she long lived among. Leaving the untouched island was only part of the reason she dreaded going back to the mainland.
Knowing both Rune and Zorin were curious about the rest, Cyndra decided she’d save that story for the boat ride. Unsure she was making the right choice, it was the only choice, and as she made her way around the lighthouse to check out the garden properly, she planned to take advantage of every minute she had left on the island.
Cyndra pushed the wheelbarrow down the paved road leading back to the lighthouse. Zorin circled around the light for the second time, trying to seem nonchalant and not nosy. He watched her in the same way she always seemed to protect him from the soulless. Instinctual, unwavering.
Space was helping.
Figuring Zorin would fly once they reached the mainland, she only asked for an extra day instead of two or three or another week. Distance from him helped her think clearly and even though Cyndra still wasn’t sure she was ready to go back, it was now or never.
Rune jogged the path toward her, with the ubiquitous smile on his face, shielding his emerald eyes from the setting sun. He was practically the only thing keeping her sane. Whenever her thoughts got too deep or too dark, Rune found a way to lift her into the light.
“I found some shovels and hoses, even a trowel,” Cyndra said, returning the smile and eyeing Zorin on his third lap around the lighthouse.
We put a small fence around the perimeter, though Zorin says there isn’t much wildlife left here. Rune slowed and walked back with her, poking the other trinkets she’d scavenged to sell or trade. You found more utensils, nice.
“And this was only one house. I can probably scavenge enough to sell to get us a solar panel or two…” Cyndra sighed and shook off the rest of the thought, wanting to stay positive for the rest of the night. “We should try to find some chickens on our way back. I wouldn’t mind having eggs regularly.”
How expensive are farm animals around here?
“You don’t even want to know. A cow is worth more than a trailer.”
Rune frowned and ran his hand parallel to the ground, making dandelions and spouts of wild onions popup from the grass lining the pavement. Although she didn’t want to pry, Cyndra tilted her head to catch his eyes. I know you’re upset about the mirror…
He shook his head.
“Then what’s the matter?”
I think I know why you don’t want to go back. You know how hard it is, surviving the Eastzone. Rune twisted his mouth, pulled back his earthcasting, and continued down the path. We should bring extra food with us. For your friends, those kids you mentioned.
“Thanks, Rune,” Cyndra said, nodding quickly to nip the conversation in the bud. “I think they’ll like that and you.”
Can’t wait to meet them, Rune replied before squeezing her shoulder gently.
Zorin landed in front of the lightho
use door drawing her gaze. When he met her eyes, the fire filled her belly again, but she didn’t let it loose. Cyndra guided the wheelbarrow toward him, seeing slight surprise fill his eyes when she said, “I was going to wait until the boat ride…”
For what? Rune prodded.
“I decided to sell my trailer to the village, we can use the dollars to get to Southzone, buy whatever else we need.” She released the handles and glanced down at the pile. “The trinkets I found should fetch a few more. Every bit helps. I can scavenge more as we need it, when we get back…if we come back.”
“Cyndra,” Zorin called gently, sending shivers down her spine.
“I’m really tired. Mind putting everything away while I clean up?” The moment Rune agreed, she went for the door. Zorin palmed it before she got it open. “Rune’s always so happy. I don’t want him to know how…devastating it feels selling that trailer.”
“You worked hard to get it, Cyndra, you made a home.”
She shook her head. “That wasn’t home. It’s where I lived to survive. I’ve never felt at home. It almost feels that way, here, knowing Pristy and my mother are there…”
“We will return, Cyndra. We will save your family, Rune’s father, and all the others imprisoned. Finding the other casters is the first mission. You’ve read the journal, so you know the caster rules now. You know how they were upheld.”
“Lead with logic, decide by majority.”
“Yes.”
“The only reason I’m going along with the plan. I still think sending messages is good enough.”
Zorin stepped closer. “I need to tell you something else.”
“Can it wait until after dinner?”
“No.”
Cyndra blinked at his rough tone. “Okay, spit it out.”
“Mergan has found a way to communicate through your dreams.”
“Are you fucking with me?”
“Cyndra,” he bit sharply, narrowing his gaze. “She spoke to me, through you while you slept.”
“No, that was just a dream,” she gasped and backed away.
“It wasn’t.”
“Shit.” Cyndra trembled. “She got into my fucking head?”
“I’m unsure of her methods, by your dreams or other means, but you were undoubtedly sleeping when this occurred.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing of impro—”
“Zorin!”
“She threatened to make you relive nightmares if I didn’t release her from the mirror-prison.”
“What else?”
“She only wanted to taunt me. It doesn’t matter, Cyndra.”
“The fact you won’t tell me means it does.”
Zorin slid a hand down his face.
Cyndra locked her jaw and jerked open the door, heading straight for the stairs. Now on top of everything she had to worry about Mergan again. His fingers gently clasp her wrist before she crossed the storage room.
“She said the first person you loved died,” Zorin whispered.
“A lifetime ago…I was eighteen. He got sick. You’re right, she’s taunting you.” Cyndra sighed, turning to face him. “What else?”
“Said you still feel lonely.”
“Not because of you,” she replied, twisting her hand and linking her pinky around his thumb. “You know that’s true, don’t you?”
Zorin swallowed and nodded. “I trust you, Cyndra, with all that I am.”
“Don’t say that,” she grunted, ran up the stairs, and dashed straight into the bathroom. He didn’t know how much his voice, his words, aroused her. How the truth in his eyes made her heart swell. And she didn’t know how to ease the distracting desires he created inside her when they touched.
Soon, she wouldn’t be able to deny him the truth of what she wanted. She feared his reaction. Cyndra didn’t want to scare him away and worried if she couldn’t get a grip on the growing power fueling those feelings, she’d lose him one way or another.
Chapter 3
Zorin woke from another dreamless sleep to a bright room and silent lighthouse. Surprised to sense the casters awake and outside so early, he lumbered down to the kitchen and searched for something to drink. Tired of tea, he chose a small glass of apple cider, hoping to have fresh juice once Rune’s trees grew large enough since Cyndra refused to let him take anything else from the other humans on the island.
His chest warmed just thinking of her. She truly wanted him. Learning she was battling her growing feelings was the last thing he expected. They would have to talk more intimately, eventually. He wanted to know what she didn’t trust in herself. Understand her struggle as she came to recognize his. Until that time arrived, Zorin vowed not to provoke her, only help her.
Instead of joining Rune and Cyndra outside, he went to the widow’s walk to take in the view of the island, a habit he only broke recently and would miss once they left again. Zorin paused on the mainland side nearest the door then moved around until the ocean was before him. He still had much to tell the casters about his youth and past transgressions. Lost memories continued to return on a daily basis. Most consisted of the time before the flare and his deeds during the war. Cyndra and Rune already knew some. A few, they didn’t.
Jumping over the railing, Zorin swung around the lighthouse, making a slow descent so both casters sensed his approach, and landed behind the growing garden. Rune, already in good spirits being among nature he helped create, beamed as he waved Zorin over.
Come see, he projected and elbowed Cyndra, who was staring down at the ground. I’m telling you it wasn’t me.
Zorin rounded the garden and approached. “What wasn’t you?”
Cyndra mumbled, “A flower popped up.”
It looks like fire.
He paused beside Rune and looked down. Zorin blinked, feeling odd as he stared at the claw-shaped flower of red, orange, and yellow. It did look like fire and seemed familiar. “I think I’ve seen this flower before.”
What is it?
Zorin shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“It’s a flower,” Cyndra grunted and headed back toward the lighthouse.
That looks like fire, Rune projected to Zorin as he made eye contact. She’s seen it before, too. I didn’t grow it, Zorin.
“It’s possible they grow on the island and your earthcasting simply found a stray seed.”
Rune rolled his eyes and shook his head, laughing. She said the same thing to me despite feeling something for this flower.
Zorin lifted his brow. “What do you think it is?”
A sign? A clue? Every time one of us has an emotional response to a place or object…it’s meant something. Cyndra was familiar with sign language, both of us felt weird when we returned to the island. Your mind, her mind, goes toward logic, a survival skill. I don’t think the same way you two do. I don’t know what this flower represents, but I think it’s important.
Nodding, Zorin patted the caster on the shoulder and studied the rather pretty flower. “I’ve never discounted any of your feelings. You’ve been right about many things, my friend. We have a small library in the abandoned town, and most of the books are still there. I’m sure we can find out what this is when we return.”
Rune signed thank you and returned to picking vegetables and fruit from the garden for Cyndra’s village friends as they discussed at dinner. Zorin helped until the garden was bare and the wheelbarrow full.
Cyndra approached with her empty backpack and two duffle bags and they filled each of them until they were overstuffed with lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, strawberries and much more.
I think your friends will be happy.
“They’re gonna freak, you really have no idea. We’ll have to be careful on the way into the village, maybe you should carry the majority,” Cyndra said, glancing over at him. “I never thought about it; would it look like a floating backpack behind us? I have no idea how that works, non-casters not seeing you.”
Zorin crinkled his brow and laugh
ed. “I honestly don’t know.”
It would be funny to see that, Rune said, smiling.
“I’ll carry the goods and keep my distance once we reach the village to be certain,” Zorin said, picking up the pack and one of the duffle bags.
“We’ll take the back roads in and go through the forest. One of the paths leads right to Turner’s Village.”
I’m going to make breakfast, and then we put up the barriers before heading out, right? Rune asked, unable to hide his anxious excitement.
Zorin glanced to Cyndra for her answer.
“Deal’s a deal,” she replied, actively holding back her energy and by extension her emotions from their bond and his siphon.
“I will pack the boat and get everything else ready while you eat,” Zorin added with a nod, hoping to keep the easy vibe going without it getting awkward again.
Thanks, Rune projected and picked a few strawberries from one of the bags on his way back to the lighthouse.
“Do you want us to save you anything?” Cyndra asked, plucking a carrot from her backpack. “To eat, I mean.”
“A slice or two of orange if there’s any left,” he said, watching her eyes light up as she smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
“Sure,” she replied and jogged toward the lighthouse to catch up with Rune. They clasped hands and smirked at each other. She always seemed so carefree around Rune. He understood, yet felt a twinge of jealousy regardless. Zorin wanted her to be that free with him. Until she talked to him, he’d follow her example and let her initiate future contact. It was the only way he knew how to help her.
After ensuring all the goods were secure on the boat, Zorin took one more look through the storage room at the bottom of the lighthouse for anything able to fetch a price. The box of guns remained deep in the corner, away from Cyndra’s curious eyes, knowing her feelings about the weapons and aware the penalty in the Eastzone for carrying them was severe. Uncovering a broach from at least forty years ago and certain anyone would buy it, he pinned it to the shorts Cyndra made for him and cleared the room, finding only one more knife worth bringing.
Heavy footsteps came from the staircase. Cyndra’s chuckle filled the air. Rune ascended first and greeted Zorin with a smile.
