Withhold

by Andrea Pearson

  Murmurs filled the clearing as the guardians looked at each other in confusion.

  Lasia turned her glare on the people around her. “You beasts,” she spit out. “Able to breed so easily. Able to have children! My people are dying, and there’s nothing I can do about it!” Her frown deepened, and the vines pressed against her as they sensed she had more to say. She blurted, “Keitus promised he’d mate with me.”

  Bile flowed up from Nicole’s stomach, making her taste bitterness at the back of her mouth. Why would anyone want to mate with him?

  Lasia continued. “Fire Pulsers live longer than humans—our children would outlive him. My children would rule the worlds.”

  Onyev shook his head. “Lasia, you do realize that Keitus is already dead, do you not? If he isn’t stopped, he will reign forever. Nothing will outlast him.”

  Lasia grounded her teeth. “He promised me Shonlin.”

  Onyev closed his eyes. He didn’t respond for a moment. “You have placed countless people in jeopardy, and that is unpardonable. Keitus never would have granted those wishes. He doesn’t share power, not even with his most loved and trusted associates.”

  The Makalo patriarch looked out at the guardians. “Even with Lasia’s confession, our laws still demand testimony from any and all witnesses. We only have one. Nicole. Come, tell us what happened.”

  Nicole got to her feet and stepped forward to stand before Onyev. She quickly summed up her experiences with Lasia, how the Fire Pulser had attacked her every time she tried to find the final talisman.

  “How did she handle being removed from the forest?” Onyev asked.

  “She was definitely angry, and she didn’t want me to stop her. She openly told me that Keitus had offered more than I or anyone else could give her. And she did everything in her power to destroy me. Once I’d gotten rid of the rope keeping her in place, she made sure I know she was irritated.” Nicole lifted the back of her shirt, where the burns and scratches she’d received from being dragged across the forest were still healing. “I got these when I helped rid the forest of Lasia.”

  Onyev looked at the other guardians. “Does anyone feel the need to defend Lasia?”

  Those present fell completely silent. All eyes were on Onyev.

  “Guardians,” Onyev said, “converse amongst yourselves.”

  Nicole gasped as a sudden vision entered her mind. She and the other guardians were alone, standing in a tranquil meadow near a brook. No one said anything for several moments. Apparently, everyone was just as surprised, and no wonder—this had never happened before.

  The current guardian stepped into the center, getting the others’ attention. “It is my will that Nicole take charge of our debate. She is the current living guardian, and it is she who defeated Lasia.”

  Nicole flushed as the other guardians agreed and turned toward her. She wasn’t sure what to do. This meeting within a meeting felt unnecessary. Perhaps it would be needed, in cases where there were witnesses voicing belief in the person accused.

  “Well, we’ve all heard Lasia’s account,” Nicole said. “And Onyev obviously feels she’s guilty.” She took a breath, thinking. “Maybe I should ask if anyone thinks Lasia is innocent?”

  No one raised a hand.

  “Who believes that what she did was wrong?”

  Every hand went up—there wasn’t a doubt in the group about Lasia’s guilt. As soon as that thought went through Nicole’s mind, the vision ended, and they were back in the clearing with Onyev and the Fire Pulser.

  Onyev looked across his guardians, and Nicole felt a brief touch of his mind on hers.

  “The verdict has been reached.” He looked at Lasia, no emotion on his face. “Lasia, you are guilty. I strip you of your access to Shonlin. I strip your memory of everything you learned about the magical items protected there. I strip from your mind the knowledge of the locations of any magical item not contained within Shonlin. You are forthwith banned from interacting with guardians or anyone who owns or has the power to create a magical item.”

  Nicole sensed it when her bond with the Fire Pulser—a bond she didn’t even know existed—was destroyed. Onyev reached outwardly and closed his eyes. The roots that held Lasia in place covered her completely, and with a swirling of wind and magic, Lasia disappeared. The vines that covered her fell to the ground, dead.

  Onyev looked at his guardians again. “Lasia has been sent to another dimension—a prison dimension where she’ll remain for the rest of eternity, or until her soul is destroyed.” He took a breath. “I am grateful to say that no one else will betray Shonlin. It is incredibly heart-wrenching to know that even one of my beloved guardians turned against us.”

  Instead of excusing everyone as Nicole expected, Onyev turned to her. “As a thank you for what you’ve done for Shonlin, Nicole, I permanently seal to you the Kona Sphere.”

  Something burned lightly in Nicole’s hand. She looked down, raising it. A little marble-shaped object was glowing bright gold in her palm.

  “The Kona Sphere will never part from you, and it will always appear when you need it.”

  The ball blinked brighter gold, then became translucent and started floating. Nicole watched in wonder as it hovered in front of her face.

  “Dismiss the sphere,” Onyev said. “You can do so in your thoughts—it hears you.”

  Nicole asked the little ball to go away, and it disappeared.

  “It will always be with you—just call it when you need it.”

  Nicole wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t even know what the sphere would do.

  Onyev smiled, probably sensing her thoughts. It was the first happy look she’d seen on his face the entire time she’d been in that meadow. “The Kona Sphere is a replica of Shonlin. Among other things, it grants you access to information about magical items still there, without you having to travel to the library. It only works with items sealed there—to find objects not in the library, you will still need to visit the Shonlin forest.”

  He continued. “Even if you die, the Kona Sphere will stay with you. It will accompany you to the spirit world.”

  Nicole raised her eyebrows. That was pretty awesome. She suspected that she would probably end up in the bone dimension—no one had told her so, but it made sense, as other Aretes had gone there after death. Having the sphere with her would be pretty awesome.

  “Thank you so much.”

  “You definitely deserve it,” Onyev said. He glanced over everyone. “You’re all excused.”

  Nicole turned to leave, but Onyev motioned for her to wait. She joined him as the other guardians left the forest. Once they were alone, Onyev said, “I’ve never gifted this to anyone for a fairly large reason. I’m stronger than any who could guard it, but I sense that will be changing soon as you come to your powers. I’m no longer able to keep it safe—my magic wanes as I age. After everything you’ve done, I know you’re trustworthy. The amount of power the Kona Sphere gives its owner is high—many would let it go to their heads.

  “The sphere will never leave you, but it’s also tied to you and to Shonlin. If you’re ever compromised, Shonlin will be weakened.”

  “You mean, if I ever betray Shonlin?”

  He shook his head. “No—the sphere will sense betrayal and return to me. As it hasn’t returned to a future version of myself, I know you won’t do that. What I mean is that if you’re ill, magically, Shonlin will be ill. The sphere draws on its carrier’s powers. When you’re compromised, so is Shonlin because the sphere is a bridge between it and you. So, take care of yourself—keep your magic strong, keep your body strong. And do not allow yourself to become compromised.”

  Chapter Eight

  As Nicole left the meadow, her mind reeled with the final words Onyev had spoken. She vowed to herself not to let him down—as much as it was in her power.

  The moment she stepped out of the forest, the scenery around her disappeared, and she was suddenly back with Austin in the bone dimension.


  Nicole blinked, looking around. “How long was I gone?”

  “A couple of hours,” Austin said from where he leaned against the building’s wall, a Michael Crichton novel in hand.

  He jumped to his feet and hugged her. She pressed her face into his neck, relaxing in his arms. She wanted to tell him about the sphere, but would that be appropriate? Onyev hadn’t given instructions about letting other people know. Not wanting to hide it from him, and wanting to see better, Nicole turned in his arms until her back was against his chest. She rested her head on his shoulder, and once comfortable, she wondered how to call the sphere.

  The moment she thought about it coming to her, the sphere appeared in her hand. “Wow, that’s pretty cool,” she said, lifting it.

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s called the Kona Sphere,” Nicole said. “Onyev gave it to me as a gift for kicking Lasia out of Shonlin.”

  Austin straightened, turning her so he could see her face. “Wow, really? He gave it to you? I read all about it while hanging out in the castle’s library back when you had your blood sucked out by that bird. I can’t believe it’s yours now. That’s so awesome, Nicole.”

  For a moment, Nicole sensed a little bit of jealousy, but she knew it wouldn’t stay around long. Austin was a good guy and wouldn’t begrudge her. Besides, if they were getting married, he would have access to it too.

  Speaking of getting married . . . Nicole put her arms around his neck and gave him a quick peck on the mouth. “Can we . . . go back to our earlier discussion?”

  “Yes, please. So, do you want to marry me?”

  A smile tickled Nicole’s lips, but she tried to hide it. She wasn’t successful. “Is this you officially asking?”

  “Yes.” He hesitated, and a stricken expression crossed his face. “But I don’t have a ring yet.”

  Nicole chuckled. “I guess I can’t marry you, then.” She poked his stomach to show she was teasing, then said, “If it makes you feel better, we can ‘officialize’ it once I have the ring, but yes, I definitely want to marry you.”

  A slow smile started across Austin’s face, growing deeper, and the joy that entered his eyes made Nicole squeeze him tighter.

  “Awesome,” he said. “When? Where?”

  Nicole’s heart started beating fast. She was getting married! “When—as soon as possible, of course. Before Keitus takes over everything. And as to where, I’ve always wanted to get married in a chapel.” She hesitated. “What do you think is going to happen now that we know we can’t stop Helen?”

  Austin rubbed his face. “I don’t know—no one knows.”

  “We’ll have to approach the Great Ones.” Even the thought of it made Nicole’s knees weak and her stomach upset. But she saw no other alternative.

  Austin shook his head, a frown appearing between his eyebrows. “No, we won’t. Absolutely not. There has to be another way.” He got even more agitated as he continued, “I’m not letting you near them, Nicole. Don’t you remember what they said last time?”

  Nicole put a finger to his lips. “We’ll explore every avenue, I promise.”

  Even as she said the words, she knew she couldn’t fully believe them. They didn’t have time to “explore every avenue.” And something told her she would be approaching the Great Ones—her gut instinct, which Onyev had told her to listen to and trust.

  She needed to distract Austin. “When do you want to get married?”

  Austin glanced away, worrying the inside of his cheek, a troubled expression on his face. Finally, he looked back at her. The worry lines had disappeared as he’d turned his thoughts to her question. “This weekend.”

  Nicole gasped. “Are you serious? How could we possibly pull it off so quickly?”

  Austin took her hands. “We don’t need something big.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, then closed it. She’d always wanted a big wedding. But there was quite a bit of merit to getting it finished as soon as possible, especially with the possible destruction of the world hanging over them. “Well, first let’s see who can come. I want my brothers there. And Lizzie’s family—definitely Lizzie’s family.” She paused, feeling a bit of sadness as she thought about her friends. It wasn’t a very big list. “And Jacob’s family and the Coolidges . . . Honestly, there aren’t many I’d invite, but I do want to have the people I love there.”

  Austin agreed. “How about this—we tentatively set the wedding for this weekend, and if the majority can’t come, we give them alternative days to choose from. Are you okay with that?”

  Nicole kissed him on the cheek, fingering the hair at the nape of his neck. “That sounds great.” Her heart fluttered as she thought about it again. She was getting married to Austin!

  The door opened, and Jacob stepped out. “Are you guys done talking yet?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye. He raised his hands defensively. “Don’t worry—I didn’t listen to what you were saying. At least, I tried not to.”

  Austin and Nicole both nodded. “Yes, we’re done,” Austin said.

  Jacob turned to her. “Nicole, I’m glad to see you back. And just in time—my dad and Azuriah want you to go to Shonlin to see where the talismans are now so we can know where Keitus is.” He hesitated. “Oh, and I get to be the first to congratulate you. I’m sure my parents will definitely want to attend your wedding this weekend.”

  Nicole and Austin thanked him, chuckling.

  “So much for not listening to what we were talking about,” Austin said, still laughing.

  Nicole gave Austin a quick kiss before grabbing Jacob’s hand so he could take her to the past and then to Shonlin in the present time. After a few flashes of light, they appeared in the library.

  She knew she was safe—there weren’t any more Shonlin traitors to surprise attack her—but still, her body wasn’t quite ready to believe what her mind knew. Her stomach hurt, her hands began sweating, and a faint headache pulsed behind her left ear.

  Pushing these new symptoms—and the old ones from her last visit here—aside, she ran up the stairs. This would be her first real experience with Shonlin in a very long time. The first few times she’d come, she hadn’t completely known how to “operate” the forest. Soon after she’d learned what to do, she’d been attacked by Lasia.

  Nicole couldn’t wait to have a truly positive and fully enlightening experience.

  She walked into the fifth-floor room and waved at the current guardian. His eyes were closed and he didn’t respond, but Nicole didn’t expect him to. She picked up the lantern and entered Shonlin. She sensed the hundreds of eyes that filled the forest on her. Waves of positive feelings cascaded over her in the form of their gratitude and pleasure at seeing her. Her heart and cheeks warmed, and she gave a little wave to acknowledge their thanks.

  Nicole concentrated on the talismans, and several glowing orbs appeared in the forest about fifteen to twenty feet in front of her. She approached cautiously, not forgetting the last time she’d done this.

  The moment Nicole raised her hand to the closest circle, visions entered her mind. She saw Keitus with several people near a table that had been set up in a forest. He had all four talismans and a skeleton out on the table. A spirit—Nicole frowned. It was Helen—hovered nearby. Keitus was doing something with the talismans, fumbling with them and the amulet Nicole had tried to prevent him from creating. He seemed a little frustrated.

  Helen was eager, excited. Her hands visibly shook with anticipation, and the radiance and happiness that emanated not only from her face but her entire body made Nicole’s eyes tear up. The poor woman had been through so much.

  The minions that surrounded them were equally eager, but obviously for different reasons. Their lord and master was about to become far more powerful than anything they had ever served before. Nicole shook her head in disgust. It never ceased to amaze her how low desperate people would stoop.

  Keitus, finally happy with what he’d been doing, looked up at Helen. “I’m ready.” In
his fist now was one magical item—the talismans had accepted the amulet, and they lined up seamlessly.

  Helen nodded and said, “I grant you permission to inhabit my body. Take it—it’s yours. I grant you permission to inhabit my body. Take it—it’s yours.” She continued mumbling those words and a few others Nicole didn’t understand over and over again.

  Keitus put on the talisman like a necklace, then picked up the skeleton. He also began mumbling a chant that Nicole couldn’t understand at all.

  She had to stop them! Could she do something from here? She tried reaching through the link, but couldn’t get past the orb. It filled her mind and blocked her vision every time she tried.

  Nicole froze, watching as Keitus and the skeleton began glowing. Swirling winds blew around them. The trees and underbrush also started glowing, then exploded, the wind snatching the hurtling pieces from the air, spinning them around Keitus and the skeleton in his arms.

  And then Keitus disappeared.

  The skeleton he’d been holding disappeared a split second later. Everything, including the leaves, dirt, rocks and wood converged on that one point where Keitus had been. A body, a mass—something—formed in the middle of the whirlwind.

  Nicole had expected a man like Keitus or a woman like Helen. What she hadn’t expected was something not even human.

  The thing that was forming was swollen, bulbous, and disgusting. Pus and blood leaked from multiple cracks on the thing’s skin, visible through the whirlwind, which was now dying down. All of the objects and material that had been swirling in the wind were gone, having helped form the body. Nicole couldn’t stop staring at it.

  This thing, this creature that stood before Helen’s spirit wasn’t alive—it had to be dead. Had it formed correctly? Was this how Keitus had envisioned himself once he’d achieved his desires? Was this what happened when the wrong body was united with the wrong spirit through magic?

  The creature opened its mouth and screamed, “I am free!” Huge hands raised to a face that Nicole couldn’t see. The beast explored those hands, turning them over. They were large and swollen, like the rest of the body. Warts lined the knuckles of fingers that were several inches around.