“Give me five minutes and I can get it from him.”
Timothy turned to look at Aidan for the first time. Horror filled Aidan’s chest when he saw his friend. Where his pupils, whites, and irises should have been was a massive pit of black and flame. And the power that leaked from him was dark and tainted. It felt so wrong.
“Timothy, what happened to you?”
“It’s a long story,” Timothy said, drawing a sword swirling with black and purple energy. “I’ll tell you later. Where should I start first on him? I think I’ll take off his other hand.”
Ferrow grimaced.
“You’re right,” he said. “I would probably give you the cure with enough torture, after which the Angel would kill me. So there is only one way to ensure that wretched amogh finally dies.”
Before anyone could react, the wizard reached over and ripped the knife out of Aaliyah’s arm, then plunged it into his chest. He smiled, and then his eyes went cold.
Aidan dropped down next to Aaliyah. Her breathing was starting to get heavier.
“We need to get you out of here,” he said. “I know some elves who can fix this.”
The amogh coughed, and Aidan was alarmed to see red in her spittle.
“Elves won’t help,” she gasped. “I’m dying.”
“No,” Aidan said. “Aaliyah you can’t leave me. I need you.”
The new warlock felt like a gaping hole was opening in his chest, and everything he loved was slowly falling into it.
Aaliyah smiled. “No Aidan, you don’t. We … we were never meant to be.”
The amogh turned to Kyra. “Take care of him for me, will you? He’s like a big lost puppy dog without someone to keep him in check.”
Aidan felt tears sting his eyes.
“Please hang on,” he said.
Aaliyah put his hand over her heart, beating in sync with his.
“Aidan,” she said. “I feel chained. It’s time to let me go.”
She closed her eyes and slipped into unconsciousness. Aidan could feel their heartbeat slowing.
“No,” Timothy said. “I won’t let another friend die today. Aidan, can you think of anyone, anywhere who could help her?”’
“I … I don’t know.” The young warlock replied. “Maybe my father. He’s the last Ancient. But he’s on the other side of the mountain where Wyvern’s Roost is, you’ll never make it in–”
Timothy unsheathed his sword and slashed a hole in the air itself. The new Dark Angel leapt through the portal and disappeared. A moment later he came back, dragging Matthias by the arm.
“Unhand me you fool! What is the meaning of–oh.”
The Ancient ran to Aaliyah. Aidan could only watch.
“Is there anything you can do?” he asked his father.
“Yes,” the Ancient said. “The people of Terra have technology and healing powers far beyond anything we have here. If your friend here can cut a hole far enough forward in time, they may be able to save her.”
“I was already there,” Timothy said. “Executioner says the hole should be intact.”
“Very well. Aidan, just so you are aware, if I do this you can never see her again. Also, it will use the last of my magic and my arror. I will die. I am not afraid of death, I have avoided it for far too long. But you must understand this will be the last time I can help you.”
The words of the prophecy came to Aidan’s mind. The Demon will be the King’s demise.
“Do it,” the boy said. “She doesn’t deserve to die.”
Matthias nodded. “She’ll need a protector in the new world, but I can’t send another human. There would be too much complication.”
A growl sounded from behind a pile of rubble, and The Black Dog stepped out into the light. It truly wasn’t that impressive when not hiding in the darkness.
“Perfect,” the Ancient said.
Aidan’s father closed his eyes and put his hands on Aaliyah’s shoulders. He began to chant in a language that Aidan had never heard before. It sounded a little bit like the Sorcerer’s tongue, but it was definitely not the same.
When he turned to look at Aidan.
“Goodbye son,” he said.
Then Aaliyah, Matthias, and the Black Dog vanished.
Without warning, Aidan’s chest felt like it exploded. He screamed and fell to the ground. Everything was pain, and then nothing.
***
As soon as Aidan started screaming, Kyra knew what was wrong. She had noticed a connection between him and Aaliyah since the beginning, and her witch’s book had a lot of information on heartsoul links. Now, if she had understood the magic correctly, that link was being stretched across an infinite band of time and space, and with it, Aidan’s soul. When he passed out, the witch assumed the link had snapped. She unshouldered her pack, and pulled out her witch’s book.
She flipped to the pages on links and started reading a very, very complex spell. She saw the problem. Aidan’s soul was indeed slightly torn, and desperately searching for Aaliyah’s. Kyra knew what she had to do.
She began to talk to the soul. Sing to it. She didn’t force it, as Aidan had when he had merged with Aaliyah. She gently requested that it come closer, until his soul and hers were almost touching. She could feel it trying to hide from her, especially some of the darker parts. But she let her soul caress his wounded one, and it slowly stopped resisting.
To finish, the witch needed a lot of power. She glanced around the room. Her witch’s sack was almost empty. Timothy had lots of magic, but trying to combine souls with the power of the Dark Angel was probably a bad idea.
Then Kyra glanced down at Aidan. Sitting in his pocket was the egg she had stolen from him. Whatever they had planned to use it for, this was more important.
For a moment she hesitated. If she did this, there was no going back. She would be bound to him forever. But she could see his soul now, who he truly was. Perhaps being connected wasn’t such a bad thing. Even if he was a sorcerer, and she was a witch. And besides, if she didn’t do this he would die.
She sucked the power up from the egg and channeled it into her soul. Aidan’s naturally moved towards the nearest source of strength, and entwined with hers, sealing the hole that Aaliyah had left.
Her heart skipped a beat, then adjusted to be in sync with Aidan’s.
Several loud booming noises interrupted the quiet of the room. Soldiers come to Ferrow’s aid no doubt. It was too late, but of course they couldn’t know that. The door was blocked by rubble, but if soldiers were trying to get in they would find a way.
Timothy said something in his language. Kyra got the idea. They needed to leave now.
She was about to put down the egg to try to shake Aidan awake when she felt something in her hand. Something tiny, but vastly magical. She looked down. Two small cracks ran across the top of the eggshell.
The phoenix egg was hatching.
***
It was immense power that woke Aidan up. He felt … different. Empty, but at the same time full. He slowly sat up. Kyra sat in front of him, holding the phoenix egg in her hands.
“By the dragon’s breath,” Aidan said. “It’s hatching.”
It came to him then what his father had said, about two souls of Avalon combining to hatch a phoenix egg. The pieces began to fit together in his mind. He and Kyra both carried the mark, but they also had more than that. Kyra was carrying a piece of Tara’s soul, and Aidan was holding some of his father’s. It was enough.
The tiny phoenix pushed with all its might, and the shell shattered. Aidan smiled as the little bird fell into Kyra’s hands. Unlike most birds, it already had some downy feathers. They were all completely white, not a speck of red.
“This is incredible, but we need to go now,” Timothy said. I can get out of here, but I don’t have enough energy to take more than myself.”
“I know what to do,” Kyra said. “The roc. Call the roc.”
“Right,” Aidan replied. “Azeo!”
It took h
im a few seconds to realize that he had understood Kyra. He turned to stare at her. Apparently she had noticed it too.
“The languages were already similar,” she said, “So when we bound together …”
“What are you guys saying?” Timothy asked. “I’m only understanding half the words and none of it makes sense.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Aidan said. He was pretty sure he was speaking his own language again. “If that roc doesn’t get here soon we need to be ready to fight. They can’t get the phoenix.”
Timothy nodded and unsheathed his sword, but there was no need. A massive shadow blocked out the sun.
I only have two feet, Azeo said. I will take you out in two trips.
“That’s okay,” Timothy said. “I can get out on my own.”
“We’ll pick you up outside,” Aidan said.
Timothy shook his head. “No mate, I’m staying here. There are still twelve members of that council that I need to find, and Aranumis needs to be freed. Go back to Sortiledge. I’ll come to you when I’m finished here.”
“I can’t do that,” Aidan said. “You’re my friend.”
Timothy grabbed his arm. “I need to avenge Eleanor, Aidan. Let me do that.”
The older warlock blinked. There was something about the fire in his friend’s eyes that made Aidan very, very uneasy.
“I’ll see you soon, mate,” Timothy said. Then he cut a hole in the air and disappeared.
Kyra handed Aidan the phoenix and grabbed her pack. Aidan didn’t have time to grab his before a massive foot encircled each of them. Aidan covered the phoenix in his hand.
I assume you wish for me to take you all the way home, Azeo said.
“I did save your life,” Aidan replied.
The roc laughed. You’ve grown stronger, little one. When we find a place to land I shall put you on my back, unless you prefer to be carried the whole way.
“We’ll take the top,” Kyra answered.
Aidan smiled. It was a smile of both sadness and happiness. Eleanor was gone, but Aaliyah was alive. He and Kyra were safe, and Timothy probably was too. And best of all, they were finally going home.
17
“And that’s it,” Aidan said. “After the fort, Azeo brought us here. It only took one night; he’s a lot faster than a griffin.”
He and Kyra sat on the deck of Lennox Ashdown’s boat, surrounded by the king and his closest cabinet members. The phoenix sat in his lap, staring up at him with big, intelligent eyes.
“Azeo said this phoenix is different, since it was made from two human souls. It will probably always be mute and very small. Oh, and it’s a she. Azeo said we should feed her fish, along with magic.”
The group sat in silence for a few moments, then Lief clasped his hands.
“The Good Demon and the Dark Angel,” the young king said. “If we survive this war, this story will certainly be going on my round table.”
“I know we are evacuating, but what is the plan?” Aidan asked. “How are we going to defend Allenna until we can get everyone out?”
The young warlock saw several hostile glances and looks of shame.
“We’re not,” Bartemus said. “A quarter of the city will be left behind. Volunteers.”
Aidan felt anger rise up in his gut, but it wasn’t the uncontrollable rage he normally felt. No, this was righteous anger.
“So, we leave our bravest people to be slaughtered?” he asked.
Lief put his head in his hands. “Perhaps if the city is undefended Malcommer will let them go. If you have a better idea I would love to hear it.”
Aidan shook his head. “Malcommer might let them live, but I know his council and what they did to Eleanor. They’ll kill those people just for fun. And yes, I have an idea. If volunteers are staying, then I volunteer.”
“No,” Bartemus said. “Aidan, you’re far too valuable. And you know nothing about tactics.”
“I do,” Jeremiah Gerang said.
Aidan had been avoiding the guard’s gaze the entire meeting. He didn’t know how to look into those deep, sad eyes.
“My wife and I have talked it over. Both of our children have been killed by this war. We would be honored to fall with them. If Aidan is truly as strong as Malcommer, then we can stage a defense. At the very least, it will buy you some time.”
“And Master,” Aidan said. “Aaliyah told me about some of the conversations you had with her. I’ve seen what it’s like to be a killer. I’ll do what needs to be done, but I’ll never be the weapon you wanted me to be.”
Bartemus’s eyes narrowed. “She was foolish to speak to you of such things. If you all will excuse me, I must be going. We need to prepare to set sail soon.”
“You have my permission to stay, Aidan,” Lief said. “If you can keep the armies occupied, even for a few weeks, it will give us time to build of fortifications in the southern cities. Now Aidan, I believe there is someone who wants to see you.”
“Mom?” Aidan asked. “Where is she?”
Lennox Ashdown’s face flushed red.
“She’s, uh … in my quarters, I believe. Having some boys move a table in there. She insisted on it before she would dine with me. She wanted to see you privately, not in a group like this.”
Aidan nodded. He took Kyra’s hand and led her to the back of the ship. The little phoenix kept hopping from his shoulder to hers, and back again. They’d found it easier to stay close to one another so the little creature didn’t have quite so far to travel. She couldn’t seem to decide which person she liked more.
Rose Rune was indeed inside the captain’s quarters, instructing some boys to nail a table to the floor.
“Hey mom,” Aidan said.
“Aidan?” she asked.
She ran forward and hugged him. The phoenix would have been squished if it hadn’t leapt to Kyra’s shoulder at the last second.
As she gripped him, Aidan felt his old anger and resentment wash away. Yes, she had lied to him. But she had loved him dearly, and he loved her as well. In her place, he probably would have done the same thing.
“Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet,” he said. “This is Kyra Elderborn.”
The witch shyly stuck out her hand.
“Are you the one who saved my son’s life?” Rose asked.
Aidan translated and Kyra nodded. For the second time the phoenix had to make a daring jump to avoid being smashed.
“Thank you,” Rose whispered as she almost suffocated Kyra. “Thank you so much.”
Aidan smiled. Everything was going to be okay.
***
Aidan and Kyra sat together on Allenna’s wall as the sun rose over the horizon. Both of them had cups of water and a chunk of bread. Food would have to be closely rationed while Allenna was under siege. To the south, the last of the sails were disappearing. To the north, the first of Malcommer’s army had just begun to show.
“You know, you don’t have to stay with me,” Aidan said. “We could try to find a way to get you home.”
“What home?” Kyra said. “Mine was destroyed. The children who were left have new homes, better than anything I could provide them. I’m a criminal in Aranumis, now. Besides, I made a promise that I would take care of you.”
Aidan smiled. It was weird hearing Kyra talk so clearly. She had a cute little accent that he was learning to love. And her heartbeat was comforting in his chest. He didn’t feel like they were constantly fighting for control.
“Thank you,” he said. “I owe you everything.”
She looked into his eyes, and their heartbeat sped up just the tiniest bit.
“You’ll pay me back later,” she said.
Aidan smiled and looked out at the approaching army. They would have to go inside soon and start preparing in earnest for the battle to come.
The young sorcerer glanced down at his cup of water and slipped his ring off. As he concentrated, a small fire slowly blazed to life in the middle of the cold liquid.
I’m read
y, Malcommer, he thought. It’s time the Ancients go to war.
Epilogue
Malcommer sat in what had once been Edwin’s quarters at Fort Phoenix. He had to admit, the fat old warlock had nice taste in furniture before Aidan offed him. All part of the plan, of course.
A young mage ran into the room, breathing hard.
“Have the reports come back from our spies?” Malcommer asked.
“Yes sir,” she said.
“And everything was as expected?”
“Not quite,” the mage answered. “Sir, they have a phoenix. A white phoenix.”
Malcommer blinked. He honestly hadn’t been expecting that.
How did they–of course. The witch. That girl is impossible to predict. It would be so much easier if she were a sorcerer.
“Also, the new Dark Angel stayed in Aranumis. He says he is going to free the people there. He has killed two council members.”
Malcommer sighed. “I had desperately hoped that Aidan would be the one to kill Garret. Oh well, the plan will remain the same.”
“If I may ask sir, what plan?”
For a moment Malcommer hesitated. But then he shrugged. What did it matter? He would have to kill this mage anyway. The council members could not know that they were being hunted by a Dark Angel. Not yet.
“There’s a disease, spreading through this land,” Malcommer said. “A disease that kills hundreds of people every year. But it never kills those who have it. It kills everyone around them. I plan to do whatever it takes to end this disease.”
As he spoke, he slowly walked towards the young mage.
“What’s the disease called, sir?”
Malcommer pressed a button on his cane and the top slid out, revealing a Rakka steel sword. He stabbed the young girl twice before she could react.
“Magic,” he said, as her body dropped to the floor. “I’m going to destroy magic.”
Acknowledgements
I have a lot of people to be grateful to at the end of this book. First I would like to thank my family, who have now supported me through many caffeine fueled all-nighters and two books. I would like to thank my friends for their ideas and encouragement. And I would like to acknowledge you, readers. Without you Aidan’s story would have ended at the Battle of The Isle. So truly, from the depths of my heart, thank you.
The Phoenix King: The Thunderheart Chronicles Book 2 Page 24
