Juliska stepped through the icy fog, once again gazing out over the island. She sucked in another energizing breath and let out a shudder of anticipation. A dark giggle escaped her lips.
“You’re downright giddy, my Queen,” returned KarNavan.
“Yes. Aren’t you? Can’t you smell it in the air?”
“Smell what in the air?”
She tossed him a confused look. “You, the hunter. The warrior. You can’t smell it getting closer?”
He did not reply.
“It’s so close I can almost taste it. The war. It is about to begin. Soon, my vengeance will be complete. Soon, everyone will bow down to me as their Queen.”
“They already do,” he reminded her. “As do I.”
“Yes. But I will give the word new meaning.”
KarNavan got a bothered look on his face.
“Worried are we?” she asked in a childish voice.
“No. Curious. Don’t understand the point of all this. I know, vengeance, but what about after this war? What then? If you kill them all, who is left to call you Queen?”
Juliska sneered.
“You don’t know much at all, do you, KarNavan? Not so in with Fazendiin as you might have thought.”
“I know enough. I know I have secured a future for my people. And I know that you’re seeking immortality. So is that it? You kill all these people, take what’s left of their magic, get your immortality and serve as Queen, forever? To whom?”
“That’s for me to know and apparently for you to find out.”
KarNavan made a move to leave.
“Oh come now. Don’t be such a baby. There’s plenty in this future for you.”
He turned, bolted up to her, his patience waning. “I don’t like all the secrets. I don’t like that the plan seems to have changed.”
“You mean that I seem to know more than you,” she corrected. “Don’t question. It’s not your place, KarNavan. All you need to know is that Fazendiin is in control. Never question that for a moment. Keep your promises to him and he’ll keep his to you.”
“And you really believe he will? Do you actually believe he will willingly make you immortal? To be his equal in power just because you’re from the same clan?”
Her eyes narrowed, her lips parting into a knowing grin. She leaned in so close he could see every line in her plump red lips as she spoke.
“Get my immortality? What makes you think I don’t already have it?”
CHAPTER 21
Colin strode into the barn where Catrina was held prisoner.
“Colin,” she called out upon seeing him.
“You’ve succeeded,” said Nona, leaving her post by Catrina’s prison.
“Yes,” Meghan answered.
Colin stepped close to Catrina, but not too close. He knew it would be dangerous to get too close. “Are you okay?” Seeing her still imprisoned felt like he was being split in two.
“Yes. I’m fine. Nona has been great company. She’s been catching me up on everything I’ve missed during her visits.” Her eyes grazed Colin and Meghan. “I think the most shocking thing was finding out you two aren’t even brother and sister.”
Colin and Meghan tossed each other a knowing look.
“It is what it is,” said Meghan. “He’s still my brother, no matter what.”
“Yeah, we’ve talked it all out. It’s all good,” said Colin.
Catrina smiled, thrilled that Colin and Meghan had made up.
“Well isn’t this sweet,” a nasty voice bellowed behind them.
Meghan and Colin spun on the spot, watching Freyne’s face materialize in the mirror.
Colin’s temper instantly got the better of him. He wasn’t even going to make an appearance to check their evidence. Colin had intended on inflicting great bodily harm.
“How are you going to know this is real?” he said, taking out the tissue, which held Aloyna’s strand of hair.
“I know it’s real,” Freyne replied. “You wouldn’t dare return if the deed was not done. You’re predictable.”
“Let Catrina go,” Colin demanded.
“All in good time.”
Colin trembled.
If Freyne didn’t keep his end of the bargain, he was going to lose it.
The Magicante would not just stall, but more likely, blow up. Along with everything else in the immediate area. It would never be able to keep up or contain the fury brewing inside of him. His Projector’s powers would be unstoppable. He needed Catrina free and he would stop at nothing to make it happen.
Meghan stood her ground in front of Catrina’s prison. She heard Nona’s thoughts. “Colin cannot free Catrina, but perhaps we can.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Meghan replied. “Makes sense. I’m not a Projector. Any idea how?”
Meghan heard only a frustrated purr as a reply. “I’ve been thinking on it for days, but no. No idea.”
“I did what you asked, Freyne,” said Colin, his tone turning deadly. “Let. Her. Go.”
“I have a better idea,” said Freyne. “How about a little game of keep away?”
Six shadows materialized, like wisps of smoke seeping through the walls; dark robes layering six bodies as smoke turned solid. Ancient looking hands outstretched, each holding a pure white dagger.
“Colin, get out of here!” pleaded Catrina.
“I’m not leaving you,” he told her.
Meghan lost her breath, her eyes wide with horror.
This wasn’t just a set up, this was a grand scale attack. The Grosvenor wanted Colin’s powers. And it was six against two, plus a Catawitch.
“Whoever stabs him gets to keep his power,” Fazendiin spoke to the six figures.
Excited grunts escaped the faceless figures; their dark robes hanging low over their heads.
Meghan spun back around to Catrina. “Don’t suppose you have any ideas how to escape this prison?”
“I tried using magic from in here, but nothing I did made any difference. I don’t think my powers alone are strong enough to break through.”
Meghan heard Nona say, “I think we need help.”
“Yes!” agreed Meghan. She cast a blue flame down to the ground, careful not to hit any pieces of straw. The last thing they needed was a real fire to fight. “Hurry, Nona!” The Catawitch jumped into the flame and disappeared.
“Catrina, you try breaking it down from the inside and I’ll try from the outside... wait, you might get hurt if that works. This isn’t helping,” she panicked.
Freyne Rothrock’s hideous laughter filtered into Colin’s brain like a drill. He faced the six approaching figures with nothing but focused hatred in his eyes. First, he’d kill each of them, and then he was going to destroy Freyne. Piece by piece.
Colin’s guard dropped a little, his mind opening to Meghan... his focus completely on the desire spreading throughout his entire being. She sensed the outrage coursing through his veins, taking control of every part of him, bit by bit pushing the Colin Jacoby she knew and loved deeper and deeper into a dark place.
She forced the mind-block back in place.
She could not watch her brother’s demise into darkness.
And she had no way to stop him other than to free Catrina.
##
Nona burst out of the first flame she could find in the banished camp. A young woman jumped back, startled.
“Maria,” said Nona, recognizing her.
“Hi-hi,” stammered Maria. “You’re Nona, right?”
“Yes. Sorry. No time! I need Ivan and Sebastien. Do you know where they are?”
“I’m sorry. They’re not here. They joined the forces going to confront Fazendiin hours ago.”
“Do you know where that is?”
“Yes. But I don’t know as I can explain where.”
“You don’t need to. Just think about it and touch my back.”
Maria gulped.
“It doesn’t hurt, I promise.”
Maria nodded, lean
ed forward, and grabbed hold of Nona’s back. She felt her body falling into the flames as if being sucked into them. Nona was right, though. It did not hurt, although it was an odd sensation as the flames licked at her skin, pulling her towards their destination.
A moment later, Nona startled a group of soldiers as she popped out of a fire they were standing around to warm themselves.
Maria let go of Nona, steadying herself.
“Hi,” she said to the soldiers, giving them a timid wave.
Nona bounded off in search of Ivan and Sebastien.
Maria followed.
Nona came to a skidding halt when she saw the Immortality Stone just sitting in a meadow. “No time to ask,” she said, eyeing her targets. They were standing to the right side of the Stone, speaking to Sebastien’s father.
Maria caught up, letting out an exclamation of shock when she saw the Stone. It was loud enough that it turned heads.
“Maria?” called out Ivan, upon seeing her. He dashed over, catching a glimpse of Nona.
Sebastien followed.
Before anyone could ask anything, delaying her, Nona bellowed, “Ivan, Sebastien, Meghan needs you, you must come!”
They tossed each other looks of grave concern, following without question.
Ivan caught Maria’s gaze as he ran by her. It was the shortest of moments but they exchanged a look that felt like an entire conversation.
He left her feeling as though she had embraced him, sending him off with armor protecting his entire soul.
He vowed he would be fine and she shouldn’t worry. He would return and he knew she would be safe here.
Nona bounded back to the fire, Ivan and Sebastien in tow, diving into the flames.
Sparks and embers popped as their bodies disappeared.
Billie approached Maria. “What on earth was that all about?”
Noah, Maura, Nashua, Milo, Kanda and Arnon joined her.
Maria replied, “I honestly have no idea. Nona just appeared in my fireplace screaming for Ivan and Sebastien. I brought her here. And then, well, you saw the rest.”
The group huddled in discussion.
Maria did not join them, her stunned gaze giving way to worry.
Maura grasped Maria’s shoulder, giving her a caring pat.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Maria asked. Maura knew she spoke only of Ivan. Maria seemed to realize her mistake and rephrased, “I mean all of them, of course.”
“You don’t have to explain to me, honey,” Maura returned. “And yes, from what I’ve heard about Ivan, I’m sure he’ll be just fine. He’s a strong lad. And he’s lucky to have someone like you care about him.”
The words of comfort didn’t help Maria feel any better; what Maura said was true, though. She hadn’t fully admitted it until just then, but she did care for Ivan. She didn’t see how he could care for her in return. She was a simple girl with no extraordinary magical gifts or duty to fulfill. She wasn’t exciting. She wasn’t part of any grand scheme. Ivan was neck deep in things she couldn’t even begin to comprehend. What could she offer someone leading such a thrilling life?
Billie shook her head, her eyes staring into the fire pit where Nona, Ivan and Sebastien had just disappeared into. “What are those kids up to?” she asked no one in particular.
“They’re not kids anymore,” said Milo, just a few feet away. He didn’t want to believe his own words, but they were true. They were not kids anymore. He just hoped Sebastien returned before they left for the banished camp. He dreaded the idea of returning home and telling his wife, Kay, that Sebastien had left again.
Arnon finally located his ability to speak, having lost it the moment Nona had explained that Meghan was in trouble, and said the words everyone had wanted to say, but had not dared.
“What if this is the reason Fazendiin’s not here? What if we are the decoy for whatever they are doing, right now?”
Kanda grasped his hand.
Arnon lost his capability of speaking again. Helplessness. It’s all he felt anymore.
##
Nona jumped out of the flame Meghan had left for her in the barn, followed by Ivan and Sebastien. They entered a chaotic scene.
Colin was holding out his palm creating a defensive barrier between himself, Meghan, and Catrina, fighting off blast after blast from six robed figures. The spells ricocheted off his barrier, flying into various parts of the barn. Wood splintered. Hay flew through the air. Old tools clanged together.
Meghan had her back to Colin, shooting flames towards Catrina. The flames were not reaching her, seeming to be blocked by some invisible barrier between them. Ivan and Sebastien assumed this was the bone-dust wall created by Freyne.
Ivan shot off a spell. It hit the Grosvenor closest to him, at Colin’s right. It caught the Grosvenor off guard, knocking him back a few steps, but didn’t do any significant damage.
Colin didn’t take his eyes off the other five, ignoring the arrival of Ivan and Sebastien. They gave a shudder. Something in Colin’s eyes frightened them.
Sebastien saw Meghan and ran to her side. “What happened to Freyne freeing her?”
“Isn’t is obvious,” she shouted back. “Sorry. I’m getting nowhere! I can’t figure out how to break her out of here.”
“We’re here,” Sebastien told her, reminding her she was not alone. “We’ll get her out.”
Ivan sidled up next to Sebastien. “Maybe if we all try, together?”
“We just need to be careful we don’t hit Catrina in the process,” said Meghan. “There’s no place for her to hide if our spells cut through.”
They heard a high-pitched scream and turned to see Nona on top of one of the Grosvenor’s heads. She had torn the hood off a female Grosvenor, and was clawing viciously at her face.
“Go Nona,” said Sebastien. “Remind me never to get on her bad side.”
They turned back to Catrina.
“Let’s try to blast it,” suggested Ivan. “We’ll aim sideways. Catrina, stay to the left corner,” he ordered.
Catrina darted into the left corner, cowering and covering her face.
Ivan, Sebastien, and Meghan held out their palms and shot off a blasting spell. The three of them together should have been strong enough to blast through just about anything; but again, nothing happened. The spell hit the nearly invisible bone-dust wall and fizzled.
Meghan doubled over, suddenly feeling immense pain. “Nona,” she cried out.
Ivan spun around and saw Nona’s lifeless body strewn on a hay bale.
Sebastien leaned down and helped Meghan back up.
Nona’s body didn’t stay motionless for long. In mere seconds, the breath of life lifted the Catawitch’s belly. She got up, shook herself off and raced to Meghan, her claws still covered in bloodied skin from her attack on the Grosvenor.
“Nona, don’t ever do that again!” ordered Meghan.
“Sorry. I did lots of damage though,” she added with a vicious snarl.
“You might have nine lives,” said Meghan, “but that’s no reason to waste them all today!”
“I’ll be careful,” insisted Nona.
They went back to blasting at Catrina’s prison, hoping to weaken whatever spell had been cast to keep her inside.
Colin groaned under the pressure as he focused on the defensive spell in one part of his mind, allowing a second part of his mind to focus on attacking the Grosvenor. They could not just stay on the defensive. They needed to attack, too.
He pictured the three robbed targets nearest him, each one flying backwards in a different direction.
The first flew back slamming into the barn wall, crashing through it. Colin caught a glimpse of the moon rising outside.
The second one landed onto its back, skidding across the hay-covered floor, narrowly missing a collision with a rusty pitchfork.
The third flew up into the air, landing high overhead in a loft.
Colin tried desperately to get the protective cloak to work again, k
nowing he could just hide them all, giving them a chance to catch their breath and figure out some way to free Catrina.
His brain refused to cooperate with him. Between worrying about Catrina, and everyone trying to free her, defending them all against a foe nearly impossible to hurt, never mind kill, he could not calm himself enough to think straight and get the magic to work. And underneath it all, a dark thought kept foraging its way around his mind, that all of this was nothing compared to what he wanted to do to Freyne.
“We’re getting nowhere,” exclaimed Meghan. “I thought I wasn’t strong enough to break down the wall alone, but nothing we do is even making a mark.”
Colin overheard her. Panic stalled his mind from working and the defensive shield weakened. One of the Grosvenor saw the opportunity and lunged forward, thrusting its body into the magic shield, attempting to penetrate it. Colin pushed back, his mind furiously focusing on reforming the defensive shield.
Nona looked up, seeing something moving overhead.
The Grosvenor which Colin had blasted into the loft was jumping from beam to beam. “Look out,” she warned Colin, once she realized what was about to happen, but it was too late.
The Grosvenor leapt down, landing behind Colin, thrusting his dagger into Colin’s back before anyone could react.
Catrina screamed, rushing forward, only to come to an abrupt stop at the point where the dust-bone wall stopped her.
Meghan froze, feeling like someone might as well have stabbed her too.
Colin slumped forward, his magic shield vanishing, leaving them all vulnerable.
The Grosvenor withdrew the knife, now stained red with Colin’s blood.
Colin rolled over, gasping.
The remaining Grosvenor remade their line and marched as one, ready to plunge their daggers into Colin’s body.
The Grosvenor, which had already stabbed Colin, stared at the bloody dagger. Something wasn’t right. Where was the power surge? He felt nothing.
The five advanced on Colin, leaning in as they did, lifting their arms, ready to stab.
In the next moment, three things happened in quick succession.
Colin’s body rose from the floor, stiff and straight, as if he had a board underneath his body.
Control (The Blood Vision, The Immortality Stone, and The Woman in Glass) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 7) Page 21
