Smoke and Ruin

by Tiffany Daune

  Venting wouldn’t gain her the Hunters’ trust, but with them sitting so calmly, she just wanted to scream. She didn’t understand how Asair and Natalie supressed their magick. She wanted to blow the room to smithereens.

  Natalie tugged her down to her seat. "If Jae doesn’t see your friends on her next scan, we’ll use a locator spell.”

  “No magick.” Vita wagged her finger. “We don’t want unwelcomed guests.”

  “A locator spell is simple,” Natalie said. “I’ll do it to put everyone’s mind at ease. Please, Vita.”

  “Fine, but not more than one spell for your friend, Catch. Besides, if he’s running with sirens and my brothers and sister are tracking, I’m afraid they’re already dead.”

  Halen clenched her fists beneath the table, fighting back the sparks as Vita’s stern accusing stare cut through her, the gold arrow not far from her thoughts. She turned to Natalie. “Please try.”

  “I’ll do the spell if you tame your magick,” Natalie said.

  “I will. Just please find them.”

  “Stay away from dark magick.” Asair shot Halen a pointed stare even though he spoke to Natalie.

  “Then you should stay away from the mermaids.” Halen fought the sparks rising with frustration. “They’re dangerous.”

  “They aren’t the only ones.” Asair’s gaze slid to her locks of inky black hair trailing her shoulders.

  "It must be terrible." Vita held her goblet out for the server to refill. "To be bound to a monster."

  Halen's hot gaze fell with Asair. "You have no idea."

  HER WORDS HURT, but he deserved her scorn. He was a monster for hiding, for not being strong enough to face Tarius. Halen stood once more, her furious gaze burning through him.

  "Thank you for dinner, but I'm not feeling as well as I thought." She spoke between gritted teeth. He knew how she ground the left side harder than the right; he recalled every detail of being in her body. He woke some nights feeling as if his soul were still inside her, and the feeling lasted until he met Quinn’s rugged reflection.

  "I'll come with you." Natalie wheeled back from the table.

  "No." She placed her hand on her sister's shoulder. "I can find my way. I'm fine, really. I just need to rest."

  When she walked past him, her magick sparked, and he felt the punch in his gut. He didn't dare glance her way, fearing he would follow—sealing her fate with Selene.

  "You didn't have to be such a jerk." Natalie shot him one of her death ray glares.

  He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I have to get them out of here—now."

  "The mermaids?" Emil sipped his wine.

  He waited for the server to finish clearing the plates and set the desserts before them before he continued. Even with his blood coursing through the young man’s system, he couldn't trust anyone right now. "Selene’s restless. She’s jealous of Halen."

  "We should leave." Vita played with her chocolate mousse, dragging her spoon across her dessert. "We can go after Rania. We'll resolve two problems at once. Jae will come too."

  "We can't leave the fortress vulnerable." Emil glanced at Natalie, his gaze filled with longing.

  Natalie touched Emil's cheek. "Together, Halen and I are unstoppable. You know what I can do—she can do ten times more with the stone."

  "That’s what I’m afraid of. Is no one going to mention her hair? We all know what it means. She can’t be trusted with Dax roaming around her seam.” Emil pushed his dessert aside.

  “It might not all be his fault. We’ve all done something horrible at one time or another to survive.” Natalie dropped her hands to her lap. “Halen was alone. She’s right, her magick protected her, and that’s all that’s important.”

  “If she comes face to face with darkness—real darkness, she will embrace it.” Emil shook his head. “I see death in her eyes. She’s no different than us now.” He turned to Vita. “I'm staying here with Natalie."

  Vita nodded. "I would expect you to, brother." She turned to Asair. “When do you want to leave?”

  "Tonight. The mermaids are ready." Asair stood. “But I need to prepare a few things first. I’ll meet you at the reservoir.”

  Vita nodded. “I can be ready in an hour.”

  He turned to Natalie. "Please tell Halen goodbye for me." His voice cracked.

  "You should tell her yourself. Don’t leave her like this. You’ll just make things worse."

  "The less time I spend near Halen, the better,” Asair said. “Selene is too unpredictable. I don’t know what she’d do…”

  "Fine, I'll let her know," Natalie said. “But she won’t be happy.”

  "Wait until I’m gone. It will be easier this way."

  She nodded. "Stay safe."

  He turned without another word. As he made his way to the reservoir, he shed his thoughts of Halen. She would hate him, but he was a fool to think she could ever forgive him.

  He strode down the hall, his pace slow, not ready to face Selene and her sisters. He turned toward his bedroom, when his steps froze him in place. His breath quickened, his pulse raced as his gaze landed with the girl lingering in the library.

  Halen stood with her back to him, her head tilted toward the sky of flowers painted on the domed ceiling of the library. It was strange to be so close to her, yet so far away, and it stirred memories of watching her from his dimension. Only then, she was just a girl. Now she was a young woman with a world of magick at her fingertips. Though slight in stature, her body was a glorious conduit of magick—a force of nature—both calm and tumultuous. She reminded him of the artic poppy; a flower that blossomed with soft yellow petals always turning toward the sun, thriving, even when blustery winds and permafrost threatened to rip it from the earth. Though rooted in turmoil, Halen blossomed. He leaned against the wall remembering how alive he made her feel seeing the world through her eyes, her optimism, her forgiveness, how easily her heart loved.

  "It's not polite to stare." She bowed her head but did not turn to face him.

  "I was just heading to my quarters."

  Her silence stung.

  "Well, goodnight then." He placed his hand on the doorknob. With her so close, his magick flecked his skin with goosebumps. If they were standing in front of Selene now, the witch would snap her bones. Halen wasn’t safe with him near. He opened the door, and no sooner it slammed shut in his face, shoving him back.

  Her angered gaze fell with him. He swallowed hard as she stepped forward.

  "I used magick in ways I’m not proud of, but I was being hunted. Do you how many shifters I’ve murdered?" Her gaze narrowed, the green glinting with her sparks. "I used magick all right, and it almost killed me; it’s tearing me up inside."

  He parted his lips to speak when she rushed toward him, her movements so quick he didn't even see her feet move. The idea she could be this in control of her magick both excited and terrified him.

  "You don't know what it’s been like for me. You have no idea!" She grew more beautiful with each angered breath, like a perfect storm before the first drop of rain.

  This is how he should leave her: furious with him, so angry she would welcome his departure, but he couldn’t hurt her anymore. "I’m so sorry. I hid in the fortress when I should have been out there looking for you." He should stop now. Close his mouth and go, but he couldn’t leave without her forgiveness. "If I could rewind the past, I would have faced Tarius. Then you would be free."

  The camera rotated to face them.

  She glanced up, and with a flick of her finger, she opened the door, edging him inside his room. With another wave of her hand, the door slammed behind her. Sparks lingered in her fingertips and she closed her fist.

  His pulse raced. “Please forgive me.”

  “Forgive you.” She guffawed. “I’m the one who needs forgiving.” She bowed her head. “I’m the monster now.”

  “We’re all the same.” He brushed her cheek, then slipping his hand to the nape of her neck, he tugged her closer. Her
hands flattened on his chest; her electric sparks wound through his heart, connecting with his pulse.

  She stepped back. “Everything is so messed up. I was stupid to think that driving away from the ocean, none of this would follow me.” She laughed. “You know, for a moment, I thought I could put everything behind me and start over. I wish I could wake up and be someone else—someone without blood on her hands.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you?” The anger returned to her voice. She held her hands to the air, the bluish tinge of dark magick stained her palms. “Every minute I think of the shifters I killed. Every second I crave the power I harnessed that night. I’m starving, and the only way to feed the hunger is more death.”

  “This is not you. It’s Dax. Jae will find a way to separate you.” He glanced at her silver birthmark, noticing the dozens of slash marks.

  “That’s right. That’s all of them—every soul I took.” She pushed her sleeve down. “It might be too late for Jae to help me. Even if she finds a way to separate Dax, my magick is different.”

  “You’re the same girl. I feel it in here.” He thumped his chest. “Jae will find a way. Don’t give up hope.”

  “I need you,” she said, her eyes pleading. “I need you and Natalie by my side. I can’t do this alone. You know what it’s like to be caught up in the Guardian bond. You also know what it’s like to be free.”

  He cast his gaze to the floor, not sure how to tell her he was leaving.

  “Asair! Promise me—we stick together this time—we fight side by side."

  "I will always do what's best for you." He forced a smile to his face.

  "No." She met his gaze, her stare penetrating. "Promise me."

  "I can't." He stepped away, taking her hand. He led her to the edge of the bed, pulling her by his side. "I have to leave."

  "What?" She stood. "Not without me. What are you talking about?"

  As he glanced at her cast, thoughts of Selene snaked into his mind. He shouldn't be here now. "I have to go with the mermaids. Rania’s close. We’ll stop her. Isn’t that what you wanted? I can look for your friends."

  "And you think I can't help?"

  "We can't take the risk. Together we’re a target. Natalie and I had some close calls as well." He rubbed his arm where a lion shifter had sunk its teeth before he summoned the mermaids. “It hasn’t been all puff pastry and chocolate mousse.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I went off at dinner. I’m not the only one who wants to forget.” She sat back down, running her fingers along his scar. “What happened here?”

  "We were chased from the forest and stayed the night in a city dumpster.”

  “Now I’m really sorry for what I said.” Her face broke with a soft smile, and the ache in his heart eased.

  “A shifter found us and tried to eat my arm."

  "Shifter bites hurt. It’s like they have fire in their teeth." The scar warmed with her touch. “Under my cast is a nasty bite wound from a coyote.”

  "We've all lost so much. I don't plan on losing you,” he said. “I want this to be over. I want you to have the life you should have had."

  "You still think I'm this scared little girl. I'm not afraid anymore."

  "That's what frightens me." Without fear, she had no boundaries. No measure to pull her away from darkness. Being fearless, Halen wandered both sides of her seam, but with Dax guiding her, the shadows would comfort her like home.

  “You think I’m dangerous, then?” Her eyebrows rose.

  “I know with Dax as your Guardian, your magick in unpredictable. I understand this more than anyone.”

  “Because of Elizabeth.”

  “Yes. After her head injury, she played with my magick. I did some horrible things too.”

  “Then wait. You said Jae can take the silver out.” She waved her arm. “At least wait until I’m free of him. Then we’ll fight together.”

  He wanted nothing more, but he owed Selene. "I need to leave with the mermaids."

  "Stay with me." Her voice held no tone of desperation. Her plea sounded more like a demand than a request.

  "We need to think of the realms. The mermaids will protect me. Natalie will guide you through.” His fingertips sparked as he slid his hand over hers; his magick a wave crashing to her shore.

  The ceiling crackled with fissures, beaming with a charge of white light. The cracks spread, washing them in a rain of plaster.

  She shoved him back. “Run!” She jumped off the bed, thrusting her hand toward the splitting ceiling.

  His sparks surged as water pipes burst, popping and squealing with the release of pressure while a murky gray swirling circle spread across the ceiling.

  Selene's vengeful hiss filled the bedroom. "What are you doing with her?"

  "You need to leave." He pushed Halen toward the door, but she held fast.

  "Asair’s staying." Halen widened her stance.

  Selene giggled. Kye and Diya appeared by her side. "It's time to go Asair. Choose, or we’ll decide for you." Selene shot a whirling ball of smoke toward Halen.

  To his surprise, Halen thrust her hand outward catching the smoke orb, then hurled it back before it exploded.

  "Well, you're feeling better." Selene cocked her head.

  Asair stepped in front of Halen. "Leave her alone. We have a deal."

  "And it looks to me like you've broken your promise." She pointed to the bed; flames shot from her fingertips, igniting the bedding.

  He spun, blowing out with a forced breath and extinguishing the inferno. "I’ll go with you."

  "No!" Halen grabbed his arm, her magick hot on his skin. "We can fight them."

  He grasped her by the shoulders. "We need the mermaids. Let them stop Rania. Keeping Etlis sealed is our duty." Her face flushed with rage, tears streaming down cheeks. "I'm so sorry." He kissed her forehead.

  Selene reached down, grabbing him in her bony fist.

  "Asair!" Halen screamed. The mirrors cracked and the walls split with her anguish. "Don't do this."

  He'd sworn when he found her he'd never leave her side again, but this was the only way to protect her. The mermaids would always want his heart. This was the price of his spell; a karmic debt in need of repayment. He nodded to Selene, and with a snap of her webbed fingers, the portal shut, leaving Halen and his heart in ruin.

  "ASAIR!" HALEN SHOUTED at the ceiling where only moments ago a swirling portal filled the center.

  Emil shoved open the bedroom door, waving his dagger. "What happened?" He scanned the wreckage: the burned bed, the cracked room, the broken girl.

  "He's gone!" Halen shook her fist. "Asair left with the mermaids."

  Natalie pushed past Emil and wheeled beside her. "He knows what he's doing."

  "He thinks I need protection. I can handle the mermaids."

  Natalie's gaze drifted to her cast.

  "That was different. I used a great deal of magick to…” Repeating the events of the massacre and the attack on the owls out loud ripped open too many stitches. “I didn't have elixir. I was vulnerable."

  "And it could happen again." Emil sheathed his blade at his hip.

  He grasped her shoulder, his touch sending a shiver through her. "You need to gain control. This is exactly what Asair was talking about. This is why you need to stay here."

  She didn't trust the Hunter. Her sister may love him, but they were capable of horrible crimes. For all she knew, he would take her soul while she slept.

  She shrugged off his hand. “I'm going after Asair. He can't take Rania on by himself."

  "It's too dangerous." Emil's concerned gaze fell to Natalie.

  "She's right." Natalie shrugged. "We can't hide here forever. Now that the mermaids are gone, your brothers and sister will come. So will the shifters."

  "I'll speak with Jae. We need a stronger spell over the fortress." He kissed the top of Natalie's head. "I need to let Vita know Asair left." Emil nodded toward Halen and then departed.

  Halen follo
wed him into the hallway searching for the direction to her room. She stared at the library where Asair had found her standing beneath the canopy of painted flowers. She wished now she had fought the mermaids harder. Casting dark magick had to be better than this emptiness consuming her now. But Asair didn’t want her to follow. No one trusted her powers and that hurt just as much.

  "I know you care for Asair," Natalie broke the silence, "but listen to me very carefully; the other Hunters will use him to get to you. You have to let him go."

  "Like I said at dinner, the three of us can stop Rania—together."

  "Then what?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "It doesn’t stop with Rania. We’ll be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives. What if you die? You're the only one who can really get to Tarius. You’re the one he wants. Galadia is his weakness. Right now, he's locked away, and he’ll remain that way as long as our souls live. We need to consider our options; the Hunters might be right."

  "What are saying?" She spun to meet her.

  "The portal will never open if our souls are in the Hunters’ arrows. Galadia’s soul, your soul, will always be safe."

  "You can't be serious. Is this what Emil wants?” After witnessing Natalie’s magick, she couldn’t believe she would give it all away and to a Hunter no less. “I knew they couldn't be trusted."

  "Emil never wanted immortality. He would love the curse broken, but he also loves this realm. Let me show you something." She headed into the library.

  “I need to find Asair.” Halen inhaled the smoky residue of the mermaid spell. His departure fuelled the rage rolling along her seam.

  “Come with me first. This won’t take long.” Natalie crossed the library and through another entranceway.

  Halen followed, though she knew nothing Natalie showed her would persuade her to let a Hunter capture her soul.

  The hall narrowed, the ornate molding giving way to bare concrete. At the end of the hall, Natalie stopped at a service elevator. She pushed a round yellow button. When the doors slid open, she entered.