She growled softly then drew a shallow breath.
“One of your kind already attacked the roahn-ami during this battle, wounding them, from what I’m told.”
“Killing them would have been better.” Rigo broke in.
“This is what I’m talking about.” Annaia extended her arm towards Rigo. “You know the nay-chi and the serahn always hit a wall when we try and work together. I will not tolerate violence. This is our territory. The royals are ours to protect.” She insisted.
Drago drew a very deep breath and straightened his shoulders.
“Well then I guess we’re just going to have to find a way to work together this time, because Annaia, the royals may be yours to protect, but this is our realm.”
She looked visibly slapped by his words and took a step back.
“It doesn’t need to come to this.” Wraithe finally felt the need to step in. “Annaia, sit down… please.” He waited a moment until she started to move, then he turned to Drago. “Do you mind?” He motioned at the room, asking permission to speak.
Even though, technically, this was his home turf and therefore he could do anything he bloody well pleased, thousands of years of living had taught him that diplomacy was always a good first choice.
Drago smiled and sat down between Jaylen and Bayeen.
Wraithe turned to address the room and noticed his brother wink at him in a show of love and support.
“The nay-chi and the serahn are both ancient races, created as protectors and guides. The serahn brings peace and comfort with their beauty, prayer, and ritual, while the nay-chi protects with their strength, courage, and ways of the mystic. We each know the truths of things that most around us never will. We know of underworld creatures like the roahn-ami, the grouncers, even the demons. We know of the witches, the vampire, and the dampier. We know of the dire warnings of the Vraigor, of the prophecies… Even still, we can be as blind as the humans when it comes to putting our differences aside and working together. If we are to fulfill our purpose here, we have to learn to lean on one another in these times, not fight one another.
“I think, for too long now, we’ve grown complacent. Where there were once hard lines drawn between acceptable and not, there is now only a sea of grey. Where we once had strong allies and clear enemies, we now have loyalty and betrayal available to the highest bidder.
“The nay-chi were once a proud race, here to protect the human realm. Now… It feels as if we’re killing time.
“Maybe it’s watching the humans constantly trying to bring about their own annihilation, or knowing the Marrow has gone dark. Maybe it’s the isolation, or the lack of any strong tribal connections any longer, but something has to change. Why not now?
“I’m disheartened the same as most. I’ve experienced things in this realm I never expected to. But look at Bala and Zhen.” He gestured to the two women, sitting side by side, holding hands. “The only two female royals left in this realm. They must be terrified, but they’re sitting here quietly counting on us to pull our heads out of our asses, to work together, and to bring those princesses home!” He ended on a roar, checked himself and smiled.
The room erupted into approval and he waited for it to quiet before continuing.
“We each know the prophecies. We each have our legends. What we know for certain is that all our fates are intertwined. It therefore serves none of us to isolate. Drago, you’re best used on the Key, continuing to monitor the supernatural activity. I think we should let Rigo and Hayden head up two teams to follow any trail to find these women. Annaia, lead your people in prayer and ritual, and Ivin…” He looked at his friend sitting beside Zhen in the front, her wild purple and magenta hair hanging loose over both shoulders. “Will you ask your sister witches what they know about the roahn-ami and what may be happening here? They would have the best readings on the darker energy, outside of Drago.”
“Of course, Wraithe. You can always count on me for anything.” She offered her devotion as he knew she would.
“Thank you.”
He gave her a simple nod of acknowledgement before moving on to the only known human in the room.
“Kane, I’m guessing you’re wondering why you’re here at this point?”
Kane stood and adjusted his cuff links, looking slightly bored.
“Of course I’m not. You need my club. You need my contacts. You need my discretion.” He shrugged. “You know they are always at your disposal.”
With that he sat back down. The conversation was finished.
Wraithe smiled appreciation, for the ease of getting what he wanted, and for the friendship.
“We have to come together, people. The princesses are counting on us, the Marrow is counting on us, Earth is counting on us… I dare say all of creation is counting on us. That may sound rather arrogant, but as Kane always says, it isn’t arrogant if it’s true.”
He chuckled to himself, knowing that statement would ruffle the serahn, and bemused that he had a place to actually use that statement.
“Each of us sitting in this room know the dark is rising.” He continued. “And we each know this disappearance of the princesses is only the beginning. We must stop this now before we lose everything. I have taken an oath to protect this realm and the humans. I will honor that oath. I have sacrificed too much to this call not to see it through.”
“Wraithe…” Briya, the only female nay-chi present, spoke up. “I think we should check in with the vampire and the dampier.”
She held up a hand to stop his protest before it even started. “I know. I know. But I have alliances in both camps. Even Drago has allies in the dampier. If anyone knows dark, it would be the vampires.”
She didn’t need his permission, but she was clearly showing him respect by asking.
“You know the vampires cannot be trusted under any circumstance. While I will give you that they most likely have some of the answers we seek, I cannot imagine any one of them actually helping us. And what if they send you on a wild chase just for fun? We don’t have the luxury of time here. The roahn-ami most likely removed all the souls of those women… assuming they didn’t kill the bodies already, a body without a soul will only sustain itself a limited amount of time, and the entire while it’s exceptionally vulnerable to other supernatural forces.”
His concerns voiced, he waited to hear how she would respond. He looked to the room to see if any of the others had an opinion. Most looked uncomfortable, at best.
Of all the races and sects he’d come across over the millennia, the vampire were nothing if not consistent, and they did not help the humans for any reason.
“Just let me try. I won’t waste much time on it.”
He shrugged. “So be it.”
Anything else we need to coordinate can be done so here in Elethiya, at my residence. We’ll stay in constant contact. Drago, Annaia, Thornton and myself will see to it that everyone stays in the loop.” He looked directly at Zhen and Bala. “We’ll keep you both safe, and we’ll find the others. I promise you both.”
He never promised lightly, but the way he saw it, if he broke this promise, they were all pretty much doomed anyway. The princesses being taken was simply a first wave. The plain truth was none of them knew what might happen next, but the dark was clearly upon them. There could be no loss here, not even a small one, or all of humanity would pay the cost.
Chapter Three
Bala watched the flicker of firelight dissolve into the black fur of her beloved wolf. He was her companion, protector, and friend, and there wasn’t a day that went by when she wasn’t blessed by the gift of him in her life. She placed a kiss to the top of his head, and ran her hands across his thick coat as he lay beside her on the floor, the motion always soothing. Her heart was heavy with thoughts of the day, and fear for what was happening.
“Balaja, my darling, come back to bed.” Luxe stood in the doorway between their cozy living room and luxurious bedroom.
Even now, all these years
later, his deep black hair and dark amber eyes captured her. The cleft in his chin made him appear adorably wicked and he was undeniably handsome. For just a split second she remembered the first time she ever saw him. It was in the courtyard behind the back kitchen of his castle in Bella Sol, one of the seven kingdoms of what was once the Great Marrow before the dark overtook it.
Obsidian stood as she rose from the floor and took guard beside her.
Luxe pet the wolf’s head and motioned for him to go lay down which he immediately did.
Bala turned to face the fire in the hopes Luxe would not see the fear in her eyes tonight.
“Darling.”
Luxe came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her body, filling her with his warmth, his essence, and for just a moment she relaxed.
Obsidian whined.
“I can’t sleep.” Her voice was tense to match her mood.
He ran his hand over her hair, just barely touching the side of her face, then kissed her temple as he squeezed her tighter in his arms.
Their home was small, some would say tiny, just a few scant rooms. Nothing near the palace he came from, but it wasn’t so different from the home she grew up in. Stone walls, wood floors, the difference was this home they made together held warmth and love, something she’d never known before meeting him.
“You know I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She lost control of the first few tears. They ran down her cheeks as she pulled away and turned to face him.
“No. What I know is that you’ll die trying to keep that promise. I don’t want to be safe in a world that doesn’t contain you!” The tears flowed in a mad rush now.
Luxe stepped closer and pulled her back into his arms. Obsidian lay down, but she felt his gaze constantly on her. He, of course, trusted Luxe. But his duty was always to her above everything.
“Nothing will happen to either of us.”
He could promise no such thing and they both knew it. Ever since the meeting this morning, she’d been unable to get warm. Everything in her was alerted to the threat, the danger to their world and to this one, but Luxe, god help her, that’s what she cared about most.
She pulled back to look up into his eyes.
“I cannot lose you, Luxe. You are my heart, my soul, my great love. I would die without you.” She growled softly at herself and paced a few steps away. “I know how that sounds. I do, but I don’t care. My heart and yours…”
He came to her, took her hand and placed it on his chest atop where his heart beat strongly.
“They are the same, my love. I do not think you weak because you cannot bear to think of life without me. If I did, what then would I think of myself?” He smiled softly down at her.
For a small moment, she felt lighter. His sexy smile, his kind eyes, his strength, they all gave her butterflies, but it was his heart that she fell in love with and that she fought to restore to him. Now in a strange land, they were in danger of losing it all, and she couldn’t bear the thought.
“The serahn and the nay-chi, they do not work well together. They are too focused on their differences and you know it. The roahn-ami will exploit that!”
He placed his palm against her cheek.
“They are our friends, brave warriors each. I trust them, Bala. We will figure this out. We will fight for our realm and the realm we’ve come to know, and we will be the victors. We have the light on our side, how can we not win?”
She drew a breath to hold back another bout of tears.
“Don’t you see? We can lose. Unlike Wraithe, Rodrigo and Thornton, we are not immortal. We may not be aging in this realm, but it doesn’t mean we can’t die.” The fear shook her so deep she could barely breathe for it.
She had to get control of herself. She truly hadn’t wanted him to see just how scared she was, but here they were, and she could no longer hide it from him.
“The light will never win if those of us who fight for it give in to the fear of the dark.” His tone no longer spoke of love and affection. It was the King of Bella Sol she stood before now. A king once transformed by the dark, he knew better than any of them why they had to fight. “You know I cannot desert my people, my beliefs, my faith… not even for you, my dearest love.”
He pulled her body to his and pressed his lips to the top of her head.
“Therefore I will not allow you to give up, either.” He smiled down at her once more. “We will stand with our allies here, and we will figure this out.”
She had no response for him, but luckily she was saved from trying as a pounding started at their door and startled both of them.
Obsidian stood, every ounce of him at attention.
“What in the world?” Luxe laughed softly and moved towards the door.
“No, wait.” She reached for him.
“Darling.” He assured her with his tone and his gaze.
She had to pull herself together. This fear was unlike her. She couldn’t make sense of it, but ever since the meeting she had felt the dark shadow of fear slicing into her soul, and nothing she did seemed to stop it.
She knelt again beside her beloved pet, dropping her forehead to his. She rubbed the scruff on both sides of his neck and breathed softly.
“Darling, Rodrigo is here to see you.” Luxe led him into the small living room.
She stood and directed Obsidian to go lie down.
“I’m so sorry to come so late, but this was my first opportunity.” He kissed her cheek and acknowledged Obsidian, who gave one bark in return.
He returned his focus to her and stared at her so intensely a chill snuck up her spine.
“This truly is urgent, and it is the first opportunity I’ve had today to get here.”
She drew a breath and straightened her spine. Fear be damned, she was the Queen of Bella Sol. She would stand beside her King and do what was needed to restore their kingdom and to save the people of the realm she’d called home ever since the exile.
“You are always welcome. Can I make tea?” She offered.
“No, I won’t stay.” He looked to each of them, then back to Bala before reaching behind his body and bringing out four distinct skulls that most would have dismissed for an amusement park trinket.
Oh but she knew better. She felt the power on each, the resonance of light and dark. She immediately grabbed two pine cones from the basket on the table before her, waved them above the skulls then threw the cones in the fire. Their scent burst open into the space, but she still felt the darkness.
“Why have you brought those here?” Everything in her stilled, but the fear still tugged at her heart. She took a step away.
“It was either you or the demons, and I thought you the better choice. I assume one of these is empty, the one the beast was trying to contain Fa Zhen in. Hell, they may all be empty, but I couldn’t just leave them behind. I thought if there are souls in here, they deserve something more than to stay locked in here for all eternity.”
“What makes you think Bala can help you with this?” Luxe stepped behind her and placed one protective arm around her waist.
“She’s a seer of the light. She is their best chance. I thought you could ask Ivin if there was…” He sighed. “I just couldn’t leave them.”
She stared at the skulls dangling from his hand and her mind flashed back on her life. She may have made an extraordinary change from who she’d always been. It still felt all too new, though, and there was much about her power she didn’t yet understand. The worst part was that without Solomon to guide her any longer, she feared she’d never know.
“You have a good heart Rodrigo. I can’t fault you for that.” She moved to the fire and used the hook to pull out the cauldron hanging inside. “Place them here.”
He walked over and did as she instructed.
For a brief moment she closed her eyes and drew her power, then directed it through her palms at the cauldron. A white light extended from her hands to the black pot. When the energy hit the ca
uldron, the entire thing began to glow a pale yellow-green before the energy sealed at the top.
“They’ll be safe there until I can consult with Ivin. She is the kindest witch I know. She shares your heart. If there is a way to help these poor souls, she and I will find it.” She smiled, feeling honestly confident for a moment.
“Thank you, Bala.” He reached out, took both her hands and squeezed them. “There is something else.”
She laughed. “Of course there is. Would you like to rethink that tea?”
“You two talk. I will go get us some bread and ale.” Luxe offered.
“Darling, I don’t want…” She began to protest.
“And tea for you, my darling.” He chuckled and left the room.
“He’s the most gracious king I’ve ever met.” Rigo chuckled.
“We are so strange aren’t we?” She rubbed her hands in the heat of the fire for a moment, then turned away from it.
“Everyone is strange in Elethiya, Bala. I don’t think anyone thinks otherwise.”
She gestured for him to take a seat on the small floral sofa, and she took a spot in a pale green wing chair, pushing the ottoman aside with her foot.
“We are a land of strangelings from all over creation. Here because we’ve been cursed, or exiled, or are on a mission, assigned as protectors.”
She thought about his words, about the people she’d come to know since coming to Elethiya. “Aye, you’re so right.”
She smiled, feeling warm and content.
“Honestly, Bala, this is what I wanted to talk to you about. How much did Solomon teach you about the planets and the zodiac of this realm?”
She shook her head. Of all the things she thought he may want to discuss with her, that never even crossed her mind.
“Uh… that they are the gate keepers. The planets. Sentient souls holding the balance between realms. The zodiac sections are actually gates to the twelve realms of the universe. We didn’t spend too much time on this, but the reason we came here was because he told me Earth was pivotal in the balance of light and dark, because it was the only place where all the other realms connected. When the spell was cast to bring all the royals out of the Marrow as she fell to the dark, it was decided Earth because of that connection. It’s central to everything. And, of course, Elethiya was chosen because of the portal and the falls.” She was confused as to why he wanted to know about any of this, and frustrated that she didn’t know more.
The Failsafe Prophecies Page 3
