Playing With Fire (Power of Four Book 2)

by SF Mazhar

  Kyran straightened up. “The last thing you want is to get involved in this war.” Piercing green eyes held Aaron to the spot. “The minute you touch that sword, your life will never be the same again.”

  Aaron’s heart jolted with surprise. “How did you know that’s what I’m here for?”

  Kyran smiled. “There isn’t a corner of this realm that’s hidden from my father,” he said. “We know what’s going on, what Neriah is up to. But trust me, he can get all of Aric’s Blades, he’s still not going to win.”

  “So you’ve come to threaten me?” Aaron asked.

  Kyran chuckled. “No, Ace. I came to warn you.”

  Silence settled between the two boys. Aaron couldn’t figure Kyran out. His words weren’t what he expected from him, neither was his behaviour. He had thought if he ever faced the Scorcher again, they would be hurling jolts of power at each other, not standing around talking.

  Aaron opened his mouth to speak when he heard a shout muffled by the wind. Faint as it was, Kyran had heard it too. Aaron turned around as his uncle Mike’s call echoed in the air. He was looking for him, yelling his name. Aaron turned back to Kyran. If Michael saw him...

  “Go,” Aaron said. “Before someone finds you.”

  “You do realise you’re giving up the perfect opportunity to turn me in,” Kyran smirked.

  Aaron glared at him. “You saved my life,” he said. “I’m repaying the debt. From now on, we’re even. I don’t owe you a thing.” He could hear Michael’s shouts getting louder. “We’re done.”

  Kyran chuckled as he backed away, letting the dark shadows greedily swallow him up. “Not even close, Ace,” he said. “Not even close.”

  He was gone by the time a worried Michael found Aaron, standing alone in the middle of the dark forest.

  13

  Foiled Plans

  By daybreak, Neriah and his group had awakened, finished breakfast and left to carry on their journey. They trekked through more woods, with Neriah and Ella leading the way, Kate and Michael behind them, and Aaron and the twins following. Skyler was trailing after them, his gun in hand.

  Aaron barely noticed. He walked with his head lowered, his mind replaying the conversation he’d had with Kyran the previous night. If he had slept at all, he would have thought he’d dreamt the entire encounter.

  When Michael found Aaron standing alone in the forest in the middle of the night, he had demanded to know what was going on. Aaron brushed it off as a simple, couldn’t-sleep-so-went-for-a-walk excuse. It was partly true. But he kept the bit about meeting the Scorcher to himself.

  Michael had guided Aaron back to the hut and didn’t say any more on the subject, but Aaron knew Michael didn’t believe him. Aaron could tell by the way his uncle kept looking at him, his blue eyes narrowed and lips pressed into a line. But Michael didn’t speak, didn’t ask any questions. He only gave Aaron another long look before turning around to carry on walking.

  A warm hand slipped into Aaron’s, snapping him out of his thoughts.

  “You okay?” Rose asked. “You look tired.”

  Aaron shook his head. “I’m fine.”

  He wasn’t planning on telling anyone about his talk with Kyran last night, not even his best friends. After days, Rose was somewhat normal again. He didn’t want to tell her Kyran had tracked them down. He knew it would only upset her. And Sam would just get angry if he found out Aaron had stood around talking instead of throwing the whole forest at him. Aaron was confused enough about what he should have done to Kyran; he didn’t need his friends weighing in.

  “Aaron?” Rose called, her eyes and voice full of concern.

  “I’m fine,” Aaron repeated. “Just didn’t get much sleep.”

  “I slept like a baby,” Sam said, a bounce in his step and a grin on his face.

  “Meaning you were up every other hour, crying and wanting to be fed?” Rose teased.

  “Whatever, Rose.” Sam’s good mood was not to be deterred it seemed.

  Rose threw a look at Ella before asking, “Aren’t you worried things are going to be awkward with Ella now?”

  “Why would things be awkward?” Sam frowned.

  “Well, Ella knows you have a thing for her,” Rose said.

  “What?” Sam came to a stop.

  “You gave her a waiting bloom. That’s probably the most romantic thing in this realm,” Rose pointed out.

  Sam was stunned. He looked ahead at Ella, who was walking alongside Neriah, seemingly deep in conversation. “But I played it cool. I told her I gave her the thing ’cause the story reminded me of her, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, because that’s totally believable,” Rose said. “She’s not daft, Sam.”

  “Aaron?” Kate called.

  Aaron turned to see his mum and uncle standing ahead of him, staring. Aaron felt his heart plummet. Had his uncle told his mum about the forest? Is that why she looked annoyed? Did they somehow figure out what had happened? Whom he had talked to? But wait, that was impossible. How could they work that out?

  “Hurry up,” Kate said. “You don’t want to fall behind.”

  Aaron breathed out a sigh. She had only called to him because he and Rose had stopped to talk with Sam. He nodded at his mum. “Okay.”

  They started their slow walk behind Kate and Michael again.

  “What should I do?” Sam was asking. “Should I say something? To clear the air?”

  “I think you’ve said enough,” Rose smirked. “Let her bring it up. Don’t you say anything.”

  “You reckon?” Sam asked, clearly nervous. “What do you think, Aaron?”

  Aaron didn’t reply.

  “Aaron? Hey?” Sam shook his shoulder and Aaron looked up at him.

  “What?” Aaron asked.

  “What’s up with you?” Sam frowned. “You’ve not woken up this morning.”

  “You look like something’s bothering you,” Rose said. “What is it?”

  Aaron caught Michael turning to look at him again. Aaron fixed his gaze to the ground to avoid eye contact and hoisted his bag higher on his shoulder. “Nothing. I’m fine, Rose.”

  They walked in silence until they crested the top of a hill, where Neriah was waiting with Ella.

  “We nearly there?” Aaron asked.

  “Almost,” Neriah replied, searching the area.

  They just stood there, with Neriah scanning the grounds.

  “What are we waiting for?” Aaron frowned.

  Before Neriah could answer, a shimmer ran through the forest and just a few metres in front of them, a portal opened up. Aric’s mark glittered in the sunlight, sitting proud and tall.

  “I thought you said we weren’t going to take any portals?” Aaron said.

  “This isn’t for us,” Neriah replied. He turned to his niece. “Ella, please take Samuel and Rosalyn Mason to Salvador and wait there for us.”

  Aaron wasn’t expecting that.

  “What?” Sam stepped forward with a frown. “I thought we were staying with Aaron.”

  “You said we could go with him,” Rose added.

  “I’m afraid, this is as far as you can come,” Neriah said. “From this point onwards, it will be only myself, Skyler and Aaron’s mother and uncle who will accompany him to retrieve the Blade.”

  “Why?” Aaron asked and all eyes turned to him.

  “Because from this point onwards, you no longer need a mask,” Neriah replied.

  “A what?” Aaron frowned.

  Neriah smiled. “You resemble your father, an Elemental who is well known throughout the realm.” He glanced at Kate and Michael. “The rest of your family aren’t quite as famous. And when you have two Shattereds on either side,” he looked to Sam and Rose, “most would be forgiven for assuming you are also a Shattered, simply on your way to be relocated.”

  Realisation dawned on Aaron. “That’s why you let my friends come with me,” he said. “For cover.”

  “I needed to hide you,” Neriah said. “And the best w
ay is in plain sight.” Neriah nodded to the portal. “Scott is waiting, Ella.”

  Ella didn’t say a word and strode forward. From her tight jaw and stormy grey eyes, it looked like even she wasn’t privy to this plan, and she didn’t approve of it. Aaron turned to look at Sam and Rose, who looked just as annoyed as Ella.

  “I’ll see you soon,” he said, before his friends started arguing.

  The twins weren’t happy at being used and discarded, but they didn’t put up a fight. They reluctantly followed behind Ella, before stepping into the shimmering portal. In a flash, the glowing symbol vanished, taking them to Salvador.

  “Come on,” Neriah said. He began walking down the hill, leading the way forward.

  Aaron watched him go for a moment as the others followed after him. A flicker of doubt passed through his mind. Was Neriah as righteous as he thought? Or did the leader of the mages have a side that no one was willing to see? The way he had just used Sam and Rose for his purpose and then got rid of them was downright devious, not befitting for a man who claimed to be fighting the good fight.

  As much as Aaron didn’t want to hear them, Kyran’s words from the night before came rushing back to him.

  You weren’t brought up with Neriah’s lies. You haven’t lived your life blaming everything that goes wrong on Hadrian and his Scorcher. You have a chance to see things for what they really are.

  Skyler nudged his shoulder and jutted his chin forward, cold blue eyes instructing him to follow. Aaron started walking. Kyran was right about one thing – Aaron could see things for what they were. He just wasn’t sure he liked what he saw.

  ***

  Aaron walked in silence for what felt like hours. His mum and uncle Mike had moved behind him, to protect him should anyone, or anything, creep up on them. Skyler walked alongside Neriah, leading the way. Before Aaron realised it, Neriah had slowed down to fall into step with him.

  “I sense you’re annoyed with me,” Neriah said.

  Aaron was surprised. He didn’t think Neriah would care either way. “Is that one of your powers?” he asked sarcastically. “You have a someone-is-mad-at-me sensor?”

  Neriah chuckled. “That would come in handy,” he said.

  Aaron looked around at him. “I don’t like you using my friends,” he said bluntly.

  “I don’t like it either,” Neriah replied. “But I will do whatever is necessary to ensure your safety.”

  Aaron looked away and shifted his bag higher on his shoulder. “My safety shouldn’t be your concern,” he said. “I can take care of myself.”

  “My concern is everyone’s safety,” Neriah corrected. “I am the oldest Elemental. It’s my duty to protect my own.”

  Aaron didn’t say anything. Little by little, his annoyance at Neriah ebbed away.

  “I meant to ask you something,” Aaron started. “Only the Elementals can be legacy holders, right?”

  Neriah nodded. “Right.”

  “So is that why Elementals rule the realm?” Aaron asked. “Because they have the most powerful weapons?”

  “You could see it like that,” Neriah said. “I like to think of it as Elementals ruling the realm because they have the means to protect it, by using the most powerful weapons.”

  “It’s a good thing legacy holders are born with the right to wield the Blades of Aric,” Aaron said. “I can imagine others wanting to steal the legacies, so they can use the swords.”

  “Our legacies can’t be taken from us by force,” Neriah explained. “There is nothing anyone could do to make you give them your legacy. Our legacies sit in our cores and our core is our life. To give someone your legacy is to literally give them your life. It’s only by free will that we can give our life to another.”

  Aaron remembered Neriah saying that when the time came he would give Ella his legacy. That’s what he meant, Aaron realised – he was planning to give her the legacy at his deathbed.

  “I thought you said it’s the legacy that chooses the core?” Aaron said.

  Neriah nodded. “It does.”

  “But you’re going to give Ella your legacy.”

  “I know Ella’s core is strong enough,” Neriah said. “The legacy will choose her.”

  “And if it doesn’t?” Aaron asked.

  Neriah looked at him. “It will.”

  Aaron held his gaze. “I know Ella’s powerful,” he said. “I’m only asking what would happen if, theoretically, it doesn’t.”

  “Ella is the last Afton,” Neriah replied. “The legacy has nowhere else to go. But I know how strong Ella’s core is.” He smiled at Aaron. “There is nothing to worry about. My legacy has a great successor.”

  Aaron fell quiet and turned to look ahead. He watched Skyler move steadily onwards. The rays of sun caught the studded silver spiral on the back of his ivory coat. It made the mark glisten like crystal. Aaron looked back to Neriah, noting his plain clothes.

  “Don’t you have a coat like that?” he asked, nodding at Skyler.

  Neriah smiled. “I do.”

  “But you don’t wear it?”

  “I don’t need to.”

  Aaron frowned at him.

  “Everyone knows who I am,” Neriah explained.

  “That’s what the coats are for?” he asked. “To show that you are an Elemental?”

  Aaron had seen in a flesh memory that his dad used to wear a similar coat, only it was green and had the mark for Earth on the back. He didn’t want to think about Kyran’s red one with the silver inverted V.

  “Actually, it’s to show you are the legacy holder,” Neriah replied.

  Aaron turned to him with shock. “I thought legacy holders were targeted?”

  “They are,” Neriah said. At Aaron’s confused look, he elaborated. “It used to be a custom. Once a legacy holder was fully trained and able to protect themselves, they were presented with their Elemental coat. But after the Lycans started targeting the Elementals, looking for the legacy holders, the coats were deemed too dangerous.” He looked ahead, his violet eyes gleaming. “By the time my generation came to be, we were sick of hiding. All of us, myself, your dad, James and Hadrian, we all used to wear our coats, especially in battles. It made the Lycans crazy, to have their targets before their eyes, but not be able to kill them.” He went quiet and the small smile that had come to his face slipped away. “After Hadrian killed James and your dad left, I stopped wearing mine. What was the point? Everyone knew who I was – the only Elemental of my generation left.” He looked to Skyler ahead of him. “Skyler insisted on his coat. I presented it to him when his core awoke. He lost his entire family at the hands of Lycans. He’s anything but afraid of them.”

  “I gathered,” Aaron said. “Seems like Skyler’s not afraid of anything.”

  “Everyone is afraid of something,” Neriah replied.

  He came to a sudden stop. Ahead of him, Skyler did the same. Neriah held on to the pendant dangling from his neck. His violet eyes widened, darting to all corners of the dense forest.

  “Where?” he asked.

  Whatever was Scott’s reply, Aaron didn’t know, but he saw the colour drain from Neriah’s face. He spun around and his gun was already clutched in his hand. He made a gesture with his free hand and in a flurry of movement, Aaron found his mum and uncle by his side.

  “Go,” Neriah commanded, pushing Aaron into Kate and Michael’s hands. “Scott’s opened the portal again. Get out of here.”

  Aaron was pulled into a run by his mum and uncle. Aaron twisted around, just in time to see countless dark shapes emerge from the shadows. There were too many to fight, even for Elementals like Neriah and Skyler. Aaron caught a glimpse of the dark-furred beasts, hunched on all fours as they moved forward, their fangs and claws ready.

  Lycans.

  Skyler, Aaron saw, was aiming his gun at the slowly approaching beasts.

  “Skyler!” Neriah warned, as he backed away.

  Before Aaron could process the fear completely, his mum and uncle had drag
ged him around the corner. They raced back the way they had come until they arrived at the spot Rose and Sam had left with Ella. The portal was back again, sitting open and ready for them. Aaron turned to look behind him when he heard heavy footsteps and saw Neriah and Skyler.

  Kate and Michael didn’t wait for them. With a firm grip on Aaron, they darted to the portal, leaving the demon-infested forest and arriving on the Gateway to the City of Marwa. No more than twenty seconds later, Neriah and Skyler appeared on the Gateway too. They looked unnerved, and furious.

  “What just happened?” Michael asked.

  “Lycans,” Neriah growled. “Sons of demons got in here too.”

  Skyler, Aaron noted, was so angry that pink spots had appeared in his cheeks. Aaron could sense how badly Skyler had wanted to fight. He was fuming, pacing the Gateway with white-knuckled fists at his sides. But Neriah had done the right thing. There were far too many Lycans. Neriah had forced Skyler back before anyone had got hurt.

  “Neriah,” Kate stepped forward. “How are they doing it? That’s two different zones they’ve sneaked into and crossed your path. Raoul can’t be tearing the barrier in so many places, it’s impossible.”

  “That word has no meaning,” Neriah said. “Demons are capable of more than you can imagine.”

  He let out an angry sigh before stepping past them and touching the Gate they were standing before. He didn’t even have to state his name. The Gate slid open and the city of Marwa stood waiting for them.

  “Until I can ensure a safe journey to retrieve the Blade, I want you to stay here,” he instructed Aaron.

  Aaron could practically feel his mum’s relief. She took Aaron’s hand and quickly pulled him past the threshold. Aaron went with her, having not much of a choice in the matter. Michael followed them but Skyler remained on the Gateway, and Neriah at the threshold.

  They were halfway down the street when Aaron saw the front door of their house open. Chris appeared from inside, looking pale and a little thin. A rush of emotion hit Aaron. He hadn’t seen his dad for a few days but somehow it felt longer. Chris hurried towards them and embraced Kate first, holding her close, before turning to Aaron. He didn’t speak but his joy was clear to see. Aaron felt his eyes prick. A lump grew at the back of his throat and Aaron had to mentally shake himself.