Smoke and Ruin

by Tiffany Daune

  Halen wasn’t buying it. The coincided was too convenient. Plus, he was good friends with Nelia; had they planned this together? “Did Nelia send you here?”

  “What—no?” His eye stopped blinking. “Why would you think that. Is she here too?”

  “No, but she sent me to the lake.” She crossed her arms.

  “I don’t know why she would.” Catch ran his hand over his bald head. “Pyramid Lake used to be part of the inland sea. It's a well-known portal—I swear.”

  “He’s telling the truth,” Luke said. “It’s one reason so many sirens are in Nevada, or they used to be until the Hunters built their fortress here. They liked the easy hunting grounds.”

  “That’s sick,” Halen said.

  “My friend, Desmond, lives nearby. I came to be with him,” Catch said.

  His explanation still didn’t add up in Halen’s mind. “But how? You can’t be on land long.”

  “We’ve always made it work.” His eye blinked. “That is until Danik found us. I had a choice—Desmond’s life or mine. I couldn’t lose anyone else. I’ve been here, working, sharing my knowledge of potions and magick. What little I know. I couldn’t believe when they brought Dax in. You should leave—all of you.”

  “He’s right,” Boris chimed in from behind.

  “I can’t leave without Dax.” She looked to Luke. She wasn’t sure about Catch’s story. It was plausible he had a friend in the desert, but she also remembered he had been banned from coming to earth. This person would have to be pretty special for Catch to risk his life and yet, he had never mentioned him before.

  “How do we get him out of there?” Luke’s brow scrunched when he looked at Dax.

  Catch touched a lily bloom; the flower growled and snapped shut. “You can’t take him without a trade. The Water Babies can tame the flowers, but they will want something in return.” His twitchy gaze darted to Halen. “I’m sure they would settle for some of your blood.”

  “Don’t do it,” Lacelle warned.

  “I hear voices,” Boris’s voice came out as a growl. “I think someone’s coming.”

  Faisal and Harry widened their stances, blocking the entrance.

  If this was a trap, she would need magick to save them. She needed coral and bone. “Do you have elixir?”

  “I can make some.” Catch grabbed another needle. “I don’t have any coral though, so it might burn like hell going down.

  “Dax took my magick to some pretty dark places. I need the elixir from my car.”

  “Danik has it. Though, I don’t know how much is left.”

  “Whoever it was turned the other way, but it doesn’t mean another owl won’t show up any minute.” Boris joined Faisal and Harry at the entrance. “Whatever you’re going to do, do it now.”

  “I’ll make the trade with the Water Babies.” Halen thrust out her arm.

  “No.” Lacelle yanked her back from the water.

  “I’ve been through worse. A little blood for my Guardian is a fair trade.” She pushed up her sleeve. “Also, extract the marrow.” She turned to Catch. “I can’t afford to be any weaker, and we need to get you out of here too.” She pointed to the chain. “I can’t break it without magick.”

  “Just take Dax.” Catch wriggled the chain. “I won’t survive the desert. Desmond’s probably far away by now. At least I hope so.”

  “We have an Elosian mother,” Luke said. “We’ll take you to safety.”

  Halen glanced up at Luke. “Thank you.”

  “Extract some marrow.” Halen nodded to Catch. Dax might drag her to the dark side, but she knew for sure he wouldn’t want them to die in this wretched place.

  “Are you sure?” Orca asked.

  “I need my magick,” Halen said. “I’m too weak to fight without it.”

  “We can fight. We know spells.” Lacelle said.

  “You haven’t been able to get out so far. What makes you think you can fight Danik and Pria now?”

  “She’s right,” Catch said. “I don’t like the idea of giving her Dax’s marrow either. Especially when I don’t’ have the coral to balance it, but this may be your only way out of here. We need to hurry.”

  Orca looked to Luke shaking his head and the fish tail flopped side to side. “I see death.”

  Luke looked to the others.

  Boris spoke, “Do it now. We’ve already wasted too much time.”

  Luke nodded. “If you turn on us. I will have to strike back.”

  “I understand,” Halen said. “Catch, extract the marrow.” When she dipped her hand in the water her finger pricked. “Ouch.” She withdrew her hand clasping it to her chest.

  A chubby round face appeared. The Water Baby’s eyes glowed, but she dared not look it straight on, fearful of Lacelle's warning. “You had a taste, if you want more, you need to let my Guardian go.”

  The baby giggled.

  “Do we have a deal?”

  Little bald heads popped up from the water. A hiss filled the air, when they bore their fangs.

  Luke grasped her shoulder pulling her back. “We’ll find another way.”

  “Catch?” Halen looked to her friend extracting the full needle.

  “I’ve got enough.” He stepped to the ledge of the water, stretching the links of the chain as far as they allowed.

  She thrust her arm out, the needle hovered, when a high-pitched screech sent his already shaky hand into spasms. Catch dropped the needle in the water and the Water Babies, dived capturing the marrow.

  Another screech cut through air, and Faisal and Harry stepped to the sides of the entrance, flattening their backs against the rock. Danik appeared at the opening. His head bobbed from side to side, as he studied the scene before him. “What, what, what-t-t-t is this?”

  “They’re escaping, you fool.” Pria stood at his back.

  She didn’t even see Boris as he slipped in behind her. He pulled Pria against his chest, brandishing a blade at her throat.

  Pria thrust him back. He hit the wall, and she twisted in his grip.

  Danik grabbed a bottle from his waist. He ripped the top off with his teeth and blew. A rich indigo powder swarmed the air.

  Faisal and Harry covered their mouths with the crooks of their elbows. Lacelle ran to her brother and buried her face against Luke’s chest.

  Orca ran for Danik. He shoved him to the ground, hopped on top of him and dug his fingers deep inside Danik’s eye socket. “Give it back!” He ripped out Danik’s eye, clutching it in his fist and shoved it in his pocket. When he grasped the fish tail, he tugged until a long sleek serpent appeared. The creature writhed in the boy’s hands, and when it spotted the empty eye socket, the serpent slipped free from his grip and dived.

  “No, no, no, nooo!” Danik shouted.

  Orca fell back as Danik kicked, fighting the beast burrowing into his skull.

  Harry ran to Orca’s side and scooped the boy from the ground, while the beating sound of wings grew louder.

  “We need to leave now,” Lacelle shouted. She crouched by Halen, pointing. “There’s one behind your friend. Give it your blood and let’s get out of here before the others come.”

  “It’s the only way,” Catch said. “Hurry.”

  “You want my blood?” She wriggled her finger in the murky pond drawing the Water Baby’s attention.

  The baby nodded.

  She offered her arm, extending it over the water. Her eyes widened, when its gums sprouted with a two rows of needle pointed teeth. “Come on,” Halen beckoned the baby despite her fear.

  The infant clasped her arm, its chubby hands like ice. Closing its eyes, the baby bit sinking its teeth in her flesh. She cried out as the baby suckled her wrist. The demon baby’s skin warmed with her blood. Halen’s energy waned and her head spun.

  “Enough!” Catch grabbed the baby by its ankle, dragging it away. “Free the Guardian.”

  The Water Baby gnawed the lily bindings, and Dax floated free.

  “Free him too.” H
alen pointed to Catch.

  The baby released a loud belch, and Catch’s chains fell to dust. The infant dived back under as owls streamed in, beating the indigo dust with their wings.

  “Halen,” Catch shouted, “you need to dive in.” He broke a vial and waved it over his head, releasing a putrid odor.

  Halen slapped her hand over her mouth and nose, wondering what in the world he had done, when the owls froze midair.

  “You have thirty seconds, tops.” Catch gathered needles and potion bottles up in his arms. “Go now.”

  “I’m not going in there.” Lacelle searched for another way out, but the owls blocked the tunnel exit.

  “It’s the only way,” Catch said.

  Luke scooped his sister with one arm and tossed her in. Lacelle screamed, batting the water.

  Harry dived in with Orca, who now had a shiny gold eye in his socket. “It is the way.” Orca swam to Lacelle. “I can see the way out clearly. Follow me.” He disappeared beneath the dark water.

  “Orca!” Lacelle followed him.

  Faisal, his skin scratched from shoulder to foot, jumped in the pond and dived with Harry.

  “Let’s go.” Halen set one foot on the ledge.

  “Uncle Boris!” Luke called out while searching between the blue dust and feathers. Across the cavern his uncle lay, his flesh picked away from the bones.

  “Go!” Boris shouted.

  “Go with the others.” Luke’s voice cut with desperation. “I can’t leave him.”

  Halen should leave. Bound to the curse sealing Tarius, her life mattered the most. At least that was what Jae or Asair would argue. But she had left Asair in the forest to fend for himself, and she wished every second she had stayed to fight. Already, she admired Luke’s allegiance to the others. Perhaps, if sirens fought together there would be less to fear. “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll get your uncle together.” She stepped down from the ledge and the owls screeched back to life, batting the air with dizzied flight.

  Luke’s face turned with a frown as he shielded his head. “No, take your Guardian and get the hell out of here. I know what your life means to us—to Etlis.”

  “I can’t leave you here.” Halen ducked, dodging an owl. “I won’t.”

  His eyes widened. “Get back.” He dragged her away from the pond, pulling her against his chest.

  She turned. “Oh, hell no.”

  Silver fins flashed in the black water, slipping in and out of the spinning current. Halen’s sparks ripped along her skin. The water gurgled as black smoke rose in the air, and the owls screeched louder.

  “What the hell is that?” Luke hugged her tighter.

  Halen turned away as a fin slapped the water sending a wave across the cavern. “Mermaids.”

  HER SPARKS ROSE as the fins churned the water. Drained from the Water Baby suckling and without elixir, her magick fizzled with each breath. "Find your uncle." She pushed against Luke’s chest.

  “We stick together.” Luke widened his stance.

  She feared his whole ride or die attitude would end up in the latter. “You can’t fight the mermaids. You need to run.”

  Talons curled up from the water and the mermaid snagged Dax by the ankle.

  “No.” Halen stumbled to the water. She fell with her chin inches above the murky pond. A face, marred with black veins rose to greet her. Two mermaids surfaced behind; the deadly trio focused on her.

  An owl swooped overhead, drawing the attention of one mermaid. With a snap of her fingers, the water rose, coating the ceiling, dripping down the walls, and surrounding them in a bubble. The owls cried out as their feathers soaked, dragging them to the ground. With another click of the mermaid’s fingers, the water cascaded, flooding the cavern.

  Boris lay on the other side; he clutched his chest as he rolled in the water.

  Luke navigated the bird chaos, running for his uncle. Two mermaids rushed through the water, plucking the thrashing owls.

  “Shift!” Pria commanded.

  The owls transformed; men and women crawled to their knees, but the mermaids were an unforgiving storm no one would survive.

  "Fight," Pria squawked.

  A shifter man opened his mouth with a plea for mercy. Black talons hooked his jaw, tearing his mandible from his face. His tortured gaze found Halen before she slid into the rising water.

  What magick lingered in her veins now forced its way to Halen’s fingertips, guided by the threat of survival. She fought for breath as the sparks utilized her strength, ripping and tearing at her cells, sucking the marrow from her bones—if life existed inside her worn body, her magick sought it now.

  As sparks spread to her hands, she commanded the water, collecting the droplets and

  spinning them into finger-long spindles to rip the mermaid away from Luke. Her limbs shook with the magnitude of the force pulling and yanking at her nerves as the magick tore through her. She waded through the water, when a boney grip tightened on her shoulder stopping her in place.

  An icy chill pricked her skin, as talons pressed deep in her flesh drawing blood. She called out with a piercing cry. Her gaze darted to the whirling orb of a portal spreading open below.

  "Leave me alone!" Halen swatted the air, shoving the mermaid away.

  The mermaid hissed between dagger pointed teeth. With a whip of her tail the mermaid lunged. She rolled her shoulders back, tucking her webbed arms to her sides. "I told him you were trouble." With a sweep of her hand she grabbed Halen in her clawed grip.

  Halen kicked, punched, wriggled, but she couldn’t free herself from the mermaid’s grip.

  Danik slumped to the ground. He clasped his severed arm as blood spurt from his bicep. Bloodied shifters lined the ground: arms, legs, and heads attached only by tendons and bone. Pria dragged her brother to the safety of the tunnels.

  A mermaid rushed the shifters, snapping a woman's neck; the other shifters didn’t even turn as they bolted for the tunnel. One by one the sea witches plucked their victims from the ground like weeds. One shifter spun back to an owl. He flapped his wings, clawing the mermaid’s eyes.

  The mermaid cried out with rage. She grasped the owl and slammed the bird down. Somehow, he wriggled free and, despite his wing dangling limp by his side, fluttered toward the tunnel. The mermaid’s tail fanned, and she thrust him underwater, pinning him while his body jerked.

  A surge of sparks jolted through Halen, ripping her inside out. Though the pain cut

  deep with blinding agony, she shoved the mermaid away from the struggling owl. But her effort was too late; its broken body crushed in the mermaid’s scaled fist. She smiled, meeting Halen’s gaze as she sunk her fangs in the bird’s chest.

  Halen waved her hand, but her magick missed, hitting the wall instead. The mermaid

  grabbed Halen by the hair and jerked her into the portal, dragging her into a spinning hell. The portal swirled with an undulating current. The water tugged her flesh, pulling at her

  arms, her legs. Above, Dax's limp body spun round and round. Below, the two mermaids rushed toward her, their black lips stained red with murder.

  Halen fought to break free, but the more she struggled, the faster the portal spun. The

  mermaid gripped her hair in her fist, pulling her against her scaled chest, while Dax and the other mermaids drifted in the opposite direction. The night air slapped her face; the stars peered from above, a prime seat to witness the battle below.

  Halen paddled away. The mermaid splayed her fins, and with a slap of her tail, shoved her back under. She drifted

  down

  down

  down.

  Halen clamoured to the surface each stroke a stabbing sword, weakening her magick. With the shore in her sight, she kicked harder. If she could just make it to land…

  Lacelle guided Boris from the water. Harry and Faisal waded in the lake and dragged him to safety. But despite Lacelle screaming for her brother to follow, Luke swam toward Halen.

  “Don’t,” Halen
yelled. “Go back.”

  The mermaid raced beside Halen. "I don't know what Asair sees in you."

  Confusion washed over her. She stopped swimming. "Asair?" She couldn't believe the mermaid had spoken his name. She scooted against the water, gaining a few feet of distance. "Do you know where he is?"

  "One dead siren won't open Etlis." The mermaid cast her gaze skyward and her eyes glowed with moonlight.

  The water crackled as ice formed around Halen.

  "No, please!" Halen shook her hand hoping to ignite her magick. "Etlis will open. You can't kill me. You can't let the fires burn through earth again. Earth needs water and so do you."

  "Asair's heart is mine." The mermaid hissed, and smoke escaped her lips.

  “Halen,” Luke shouted.

  The mermaid’s attention shifted to him. Her lips spread with a grin. She raised her fist out of the water and a brilliant red light shimmered from between her fingers.

  “Don’t touch him.” Halen summoned the last of her sparks and kicked. Her foot slipped over scales and flesh, but from the heat in her heal, she knew she had hit bone. The red orb dropped in the water melting the ice.

  "We’re done here." The mermaid rushed inches from her. She grabbed Halen by the throat.

  "We’re connected.” Halen sputtered her words between choked breath. “If you care about Asair, you won’t hurt me. He’ll hate you.”

  Her sharp gaze narrowed. "He already does." Smoke spewed from her lips rushing Halen.

  The force hit hard, ripping her inside out as if every fiber of her split with the burning smoke. Halen held her hand out to block the next blow, when the mermaid grabbed her arm, snapping the bone from wrist to elbow. Halen screamed, but the mermaid tightened her grip. How long would the mermaid play with her prey? She didn’t know, but without the elixir, she was helpless to her captor.

  The mermaid cried out and she released her hold on Halen. Behind her, Luke floated with a water baton secured in his fist. The weapon rippled in his grip with the energy of the lake. He rose up and struck the mermaid across her shoulder.

  The mermaid wailed with a deafening cry.

  Luke spread his fingers and the water baton dripped into the lake. He caught Halen by the hand, pulled her against him and rolled her to his back. “Hold on.”