Smoke and Ruin

by Tiffany Daune

  "Jae says we have about eleven hours to get her soul back in her body before her magick completely diminishes. But if Tarius makes her say some crazy vows, then she’s lost to us forever."

  "We’re heading to the airport," Vita said. "Ask Emil to call ahead—have the pilot prepare a plane."

  "That will take too long. Help is already on the way. Where are you?"

  "We're on the highway now." Vita leaned forward searching for a sign. “Track the phone.”

  “We’re tracking your scent.”

  A heavy thud pounded the roof of the car. Asair raised his hand to strike with magick as the car lifted into the air.

  Vita grasped his wrist. "Don't!"

  Talons ripped through the roof piercing the metal. “Jae’s got us now. Let Emil know we’re on our way.” Vita nodded to Lina and she ended the call.

  Asair pressed the button lowering the window and peered out. Above Jae's wings beat the night air; the flaming city below a reminder of the girl trapped in a burning realm. He punched the dash, screaming out his anger. Below, windows burst from house frames, sidewalks split, and car alarms wailed with the echo of his tortured cry.

  I'M HERE, DARLING.

  Halen rolled to her side. Asair stood by her bed. His shirt streaked with soot, and his pants frayed from outrunning Etlis' relentless flames.

  I knew you’d come back. Get me out of here. She reached for his hand.

  You're not coming with me. In his fist, she caught the glint of a dagger.

  What the hell?

  He stepped toward her, his gaze unwavering as he lifted the blade.

  Asair stop!

  The dagger swung downward and with swooping jab, he plugged the blade deep into her heart.

  The pain seared her blood; the betrayal crushed her breath. She grasped the hilt as the blood oozed from the wound, her gaze never leaving his. Why? Her words were but a whisper.

  His face blurred in and out of her vision as she reached out to him sobbing. Tears rolled her gut, waking her at once.

  She jolted up clutching her heaving chest.

  Tarius sat at her side, his feet propped up on the stone alter.

  "Bad dreams?" When he cocked his head, the few remaining locks, fell to the side, revealing an open hole where his ear should be.

  Though his appearance repulsed her, his spirit turned her stomach. She couldn’t get his words out of her mind, Galadia had a thirst for blood. It’s what I loved the most about her. She sat with the flats of her hands on the alter, the stone warm against her palms. "How did I get here?"

  "You passed out. A siren soul in a shifter body,will take time to adjust, and I assume your sister is trying to bring you back."

  "I will go back." She had to go back. At least she hoped there was a way.

  "At what cost? Do you know what your death and Asair's death have done to Earth?"

  "The spell is bound in three."

  He shrugged. "And two of you are dead."

  As much as she wanted to slap him once more for reminding her, she shoved her grief aside. She wouldn’t allow Asair’s death to take root. "You said I still had time to get my body back, which means I’m not fully dead."

  He glanced away.

  “I’m not dead,” she said. “Am I?”

  "Even if you reconnect with your body, unless you embrace your past life you won’t be able to save Etlis. The powers of the water stone belong to Galadia. Unless….” He peeked up meeting her gaze. “You give it to me.”

  "You can’t touch it.”

  “There is a way.” His mouth lifted with a sickening grin.

  As she bit back her lip, a tooth popped out. She slapped her hand over her mouth watching the tooth roll along the floor.

  “I could always keep you safe in there.” He nodded to the glass cage.

  “Absolutely, not.” She shuddered. No way would she be his prisoner. She would never be anyone’s prisoner again, but she had to find a way out and quickly before her shifter body disintegrated. “Why do you want the stone?” She shifted the subject of her incarceration.

  "Darkness is the only way they will see.”

  “Who?”

  “Humans, shifters, Elosians always search for more, striving so hard for perfection, when they are already born perfect.” He sighed. “But as much sunshine as you shove down their throats, they still doubt. So why not just give in? Why is it so hard to be good? Because it is not natural, evil is nature’s call—answer."

  She huffed, glancing out the window. Her thoughts spun with the pleasure of killing; the sight of blood called to the dark magick, but the guilt of taking another’s life always tugged her back. If she answered the call of evil, she feared she may never return. "You think everyone wants to die in flames?"

  "No, everyone just wants to stop trying so hard to be something they are not. No one needs to hide in the shadows of their true self if darkness reigns.”

  "You're nuts, absolutely batshit crazy."

  "Then consider the alternative." His face contorted with a twisted smirk, which reached his gleaming eyes. "I will allow your sister to live, if you say the vows."

  "We are not negotiating."

  “Saying the vows is the only way to save Etlis. The fires will cease, and your shifter friends can return home. That is what you want—isn’t it? To save the world.” His tone held a mocking ring to it.

  “I will stop the fires,” she said.

  "Then you’ll renew your vows to me and stay?" His mouth spread with a wide grin.

  "What? I didn't say that." She scooted away from him. She thought she had been quite clear with her intentions.

  "Conflict doesn't need to exist. If you just love me…” Pain flecked his eyes; an open wound that had bled for over a hundred years. “Why is that so hard for you? Is it because of this body? Do wish for the old me?"

  "I could never love you.” She poured salt into his emotional wound.

  He stood, his fists clenched by his sided. "When you shed this Halen Windspeare girl, then your soul will see. Come.” He dragged her from the alter and across the room. For such a frail body, his strength was overwhelming. He shoved her against the open window frame. “Do you want earth to suffer this fate? You put too much faith in your kind. They will crave darkness—they will welcome me."

  She thought of the Hunters’ garden; life sprouting out of ashes. The Hunters prepared, but first death would come. Millions would die because she couldn't love this demon. Did she have faith in humans? She had travelled to the dark parts of her seam, the temptation so easy to accept. Earth didn't need an extra shove toward the darkness, they needed a fighting chance.

  "Just accept me. Renew Galadia's vows and bring back the wand. As long as you are by my side, I will never use my magick against Earth. Your sister will live."

  She turned facing him, loathing every inch of his rotting flesh and dark soul, yet the mention of the water stone peaked her interest. It wasn't in Etlis, so she would have to leave to retrieve Galadia's wand. Did he have a way out? If she could get to her sister, together they had the strength to destroy him. She had to take the chance Galadia never returned to him because she stopped loving him. She had to believe her heart would never want him again. She would say the words Tarius wanted to hear, knowing Halen Windspeare’s heart would never bend to his will.

  *

  “WHERE IS SHE?” Asair brushed past Natalie, bumping her wheelchair.

  “Slow down.” She grasped his hand. “You don’t want to see her like this.”

  “I have to.” He didn’t have time to argue with her. “She’s part of me—she’s part of you.”

  Natalie bowed her head. “She’s in Jae’s quarters. But you need to know something...”

  “No, I don’t.” He called over his shoulder, taking off down the hall. “I just need to see her.” He quickened his pace to a sprint, his magick surging with each step. After holding his magick back and then letting loose at the ocean, the air charged around him, his senses livened
; he tasted the smoke of Jae’s quarters on his tongue before he even reached the door. But what he didn’t expect when he passed the next room was to find Dax sitting on the leather sofa.

  Magick electrified in his cells. Jae stepped from the room blocking his view of Dax. She placed her hand over his racing heart.

  “He’s awake?” He glanced up at her.

  Her dark gaze met his. “There were complications.” She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled. “But we can fix this. I can bring Halen back.”

  “What is he doing here?” He peered around the towering woman. The Guardian birthmark glittered in the dim light, bruises blotched his arm, his clothes covered in the same silver. “Did you get it out of her?”

  She shook her head. “We can’t remove the silver.”

  Asair pushed past Jae, using the force of magick to throw her off balance. “He doesn’t need to live. He doesn’t deserve to live.”

  He thrust his hand outward; the sofa burst into flames and Dax leapt to his feet.

  “Asair!” Dax’s voice came out as a growl. “I’m still bound to her.”

  “And I will unbind you.” He needed to feel his pulse wane in his grip. He rushed Dax, shoving him to the ground.

  “Let him go.” Jae was at his back, but he spun the curtains around her, yanking her back and binding her in the velvet’s grip. “Asair!” She screamed his name, warning him to stop, but Dax squirming beneath him called to the magick craving revenge.

  “As much as I loved Elizabeth, Guardians should be killed at birth as far as I’m concerned. You think you have so much control.”

  A few warbled words broke through Dax’s lips, but Asair didn’t want to hear excuses. He tightened his grip on his throat.

  Dax kicked, jabbing his back with his knee. The pain cut, but he was done playing Guardian games. He loosened his fist, allowing the snake one last breath before he sucked the life out of him.

  Natalie rushed into the room. She wheeled beside him, thrusting her hand out. “Stop! You can’t hurt him. He’s still connected to Halen.”

  Dax’s face reddened, but Asair didn’t budge.

  “I can see her.” Dax sputtered. “I can reach her seam.” His gaze darted to Natalie. “I can bring her out.”

  Jae untangled herself from the tomb of fabric. Domolo. She pointed her finger.

  Asair skidded across the floor away from Dax. He hit the wall hard. The moulding digging into his wounds.

  She ran her hand over her bald head. “What’s the matter with you?”

  “We can’t trust him.” He winced with the pain.

  Natalie spoke, “We don’t have a choice.”

  “I don’t want to die.” Dax stood, rubbing his neck where already a finger long bruise formed. “I didn’t expect Huron would sacrifice me to Tarius. That was never the plan.”

  “You didn’t think releasing a demon came with consequences? You’re an idiot.” Asair stood.

  “Yeah, I am.” Dax rubbed his throat.

  Tasar snorted with laughter. “At least he’s being honest for once.”

  Lina punched her brother’s arm, shooting him a pointed stare.

  “You manipulated her magick—many lives were lost.” Asair pumped his fists by his sides.

  “Would you prefer I let her die? She never would have killed on her own. She needed a shove. I saved her life. I’m her Guardian—not you.”

  Natalie wheeled beside Asair. “He’s our best shot at bringing her out.” She touched his arm, absorbing some of his rage.

  His mind reeled with thoughts of Halen. “I’m not done with you.” He pointed at Dax, as he stepped around Natalie.

  Jae followed him out of the room, her breath at his back. “That moron can’t bring her back. He thought by shoving her into the darkness he was saving her? Thank heavens the owls hid the water stone, or he would have destroyed us all.” His voice rose with his frustration. “Dax can’t help Halen now. He’s pushed her too far. She’s not innocent anymore, and Tarius will try to harness her dark powers. I don’t how you could let his happen.”

  Jae shoved him against the wall. “You need to pull yourself together. Blame will only fuel your rage, and when she brings Tarius out, he will use all our anger against us.

  “She wouldn’t bring him out. I know this about her. She would sooner rot in his hell than hurt any of us.”

  “She’s not going to have a choice.” Jae removed her arm from his chest.

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re going to open the door.” Her eyes gleamed.

  He knew this look. This devilish stare that proceeded her sending a dragon after his Guardian Elizabeth. “You can’t kill her. I won’t allow it.” He pushed her aside, stopping at the door. Beyond the oak barrier lay her body. Only, her body he reminded himself. Halen was still alive.

  “I would never hurt her.” Jae’s tone softened. “There’s another way.”

  His hand trembled on the doorknob.

  “Calm yourself before you go in. Remember her soul is out there.”

  When he opened the door, the scent of forest rain overwhelmed him. Water dripped from the ceiling, pooling in a basin and sliding back up a recycled fountain. In the center of the water lay Halen. Her skin was blotched black and blue with stiches across her cheek. “What did you do to her?” He rushed toward her, only to be stopped abruptly by the pressure of the water. “What is this?” he turned back to Jae.

  “Just a spell I cast to keep her safe.”

  As he reached out, the force of the water shoved him back. “Remove it!” His hands balled to fists, with his frustration. “Please.” His voice cracked with tears.

  Aquakiniumas. The water barrier collapsed to the floor washing their feet. He ran toward her, scooping Halen’s limp body up in his arms. Her head lolled to the side and he cradled the back of her neck, pushing her hair off her forehead. “I’m so sorry. I never should have left.” He buried his head against her sticky flesh, the familiar scent of pine heavy on her skin—the scent of death. “You prepared her body for burial?”

  “I only coated her in pine to preserve her body. Her magick is waning. We must reach her before it’s too late.” Jae placed her hand on his shoulder. He leaned into her. Tears shook him as he rocked Halen.

  “Dax has a way in.”

  He brushed the tears from his face. “We can’t trust him. Look at her. She’s been poisoned by his darkness.”

  “My dear one, this is the only way. I’ve tried everything, but Tarius is strong. If she says the vows…” Jae sighed. “Once the words pass her lips, Tarius will have permission to her soul. Galadia's fate was sealed many years ago."

  "Galadia has lived many lives since then. Halen's soul is wise. She won't say the vows."

  "She's just a girl."

  "She's a blue moon siren. She has the powers of two realms. Have a little faith. She didn't let me take over when I was inside her. She resisted my charms."

  Jae slipped her hand beneath Halen’s head and gently guided her body away from him. “Tarius will come for the stone. We need to prepare.”

  “She won’t say the words.”

  “When you were inside her you saw everything. Every life time,” Jae said.

  He nodded.

  “Then you know how much Galadia loved Tarius.”

  Again, he nodded. Her soul spent lifetimes searching for another bond like the one she had lost; always failing at matters of the heart and never finding the one she loved more than Tarius. Perhaps forbidden love was the hardest for the heart to forget.

  “Tarius needs her magick to touch the stone, all of it,” Jae said. “Dax has seen her. She’s confused. This is Tarius’ charm. He’s told her you’re dead, but she doesn’t believe it. She thinks Natalie is in danger. Tarius will use fear to control her. Dax is willing to help if we spare his life.”

  “No way. What happens after she’s out? Already, Dax wants the water stone—he’ll hand it right to Tarius.”

  Jae leaned in close.
“Let me handle Dax.”

  He turned to read her face. From the years Quinn spent with Jae, Asair knew from his memories exactly what she would do to Dax and he couldn’t be happier. “Fine. Let’s bring her back.” He kissed Halen’s forehead, her skin so cool against his lips. “Stay strong. We’re coming for you.”

  "STOP THE TRUCK. It's here." Emil cut the engine and Asair hopped out of the SUV. He scanned the open dessert. Sand stretched for miles, the heat pulling at his insides. Though half of him belonged to earth, his Elosian side craved the water. This was no place for a siren. The owls had been clever to hide the stone here.

  Jae stepped from the truck with Tasar, Lina, and Emil by her side.

  “This is where I felt it too,” Jae said. “I think it’s buried there.” She pointed to a dip in the landscape.

  Asair crouched. Flattening his hand to the warm desert sand, the grains danced beneath his palm.

  Natalie unrolled her window. "I hear it now. Let me out of the car. I can find it."

  "Shhh." Asair, stood then stepped a few yards away from them; their heartbeats and breath all a distraction. Connected in the circle of three, the pull of magick, like a thread stitched in his soul tugged him toward Galadia’s wand.

  Drawn by a resonating hum, he titled his head to the ground, following as the vibration increased with each step. Slowly, the sand spun at his feet and with each step the force increased. He pulled the yoke of his T-shirt up over his mouth and nose and shielded his eyes in the crook of his elbow as he pushed through the sand cloud. Jae spoke words of magick trying to part the grains, but no spell could stop the force as the stone called to his blue moon siren soul. He drew back from the heat prickling his skin. "It’s right under my feet."

  "Are you sure?" Jae crouched beside him.

  He nodded. “Oh yeah, it’s sparking my magick.”

  "Then this is where we do it." She clapped her hands.

  "We should take the stone back to the fortress." Emil glanced back at the truck, where Natalie peered out the open window with binoculars. “If it’s still in her car, then we can tow it.”