Their voices raised in a child-like chorus, “Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero.”
A soft glow began in my chest that quickly grew and spread over my entire body. With it came the most excruciating pain I’d ever experienced. My back arched off the table and a gut-wrenching wail tore from my throat. The intensity of the pressure made it feel my insides were about to burst through my skin. If this was my powers being forcibly ripped out of me then it seemed the very fibers of my being weren’t letting go without a fight. I felt the strength leaving my body, being sucked out of me like dust up a vacuum. Life itself slipped from my grasp, along with my powers. At this rate the gnomes would snuff me out in a matter of seconds. The fight left my body and I slammed down on the table reduced to nothing but dead weight. My vision swam out of focus. The room spun and churned in a fun house effect. I tried to extend my fingers but couldn’t budge them from their claw-like position.
“Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero. Contraho. Illustro. Recolligo. Aufero.”
The pain that I thought couldn’t get any worse amplified to a whole new level. I gaped down sure a dagger had plunged into my rib cage and sawed through my core. There was nothing there but a bright light gushing out of me.
I closed my eyes as tears streamed down my cheeks and soaked my face. In a breath of a whisper, words found their way to my lips before I thought to question them. “Daddy, help me.”
My eyes snapped open and I watched in awe as my pointer finger slowly extended out. If I was controlling it, I really didn’t know how. The rest of my body remained paralyzed. But if this was the last chance I was going to get, I sure as heck wasn’t going to waste it.
I locked my unfocused gaze on the bowl and attempted a mind push. Nothing. The blue globe began to glow bright neon blue. I fought back panic that I was too late and my powers were already gone—that didn’t matter because I was nowhere near ready to give up. Evil little men only three apples high would not best me. One deep breath then I gritted my teeth and tried again. I pointed my lone working finger at the bowl and jerked it in the direction of the scepter.
The gnome gave a squeal of surprise as the bowl tore from his hands. Bowl and scepter connected in a loud crack and blinding explosion of light. I shielded my head in the crook of my arm as chunks of bronze and bits of opalescent glass showered the room.
My powers slammed back into me with the force of juiced up defibrillator paddles as the spell broke. The six-panel door splintered under Big Mike’s boot as he kicked it open. Gabe and Terin followed him and rushed to my side.
Gnomes scurried and scampered to the far corner of the room. In perfect choreographed synchronization a dozen of them planted their feet while others climbed on their shoulders, then another layer, and another, until they were standing about ten gnomes high. Bernard was the cherry on top. He swung his cane over his head, uttered a few undecipherable words, and BAM! All the little men melted together and grew into one gigantic gnome. It filled half the room with its monstrous presence, yet still maintained the rosy cheeks and cute little upturned button nose that fooled people into finding them adorable.
“And you thought it was a stupid phobia!” I yelled at the slack jawed cavalry.
CHAPTER Thirty-one
“Grab the girl! I’ll get the big guy,” Big Mike ripped off his black t-shirt like it was nothing more than tissue paper. The muscles of his arms bulged as he rolled his shoulders to release his wings. Reaching over his head he unsheathed the sword strapped to his back and leapt into battle. The blade whirled and twirled around him at a blinding speed.
The giant gnome raised its hand and shot a lightning bolt out of its palm aimed directly for Big Mike’s heart. The fast flying blade deflected it in mid-swing and our avenger pressed on.
Terin got to work freeing me while Gabe stood guard.
“Hold still.” Flame arced from her finger and slowly melted a section of the metal away. The heat blistered and scorched my skin, but it’d be far worse if I moved.
Instead, I held painfully still and muttered through clenched teeth, “Where’s Kendall?” Her healing feathers sounded more appealing than a warm bubble bath.
Gabe’s chest shook in a steady growl as he kept his feline eyes locked on the fight. “Sophia’s death hit her hard. Kendall blames herself for running off.”
My head snapped to the side so hard I scraped my cheek against the tabletop. “What?”
Clad only in a pair of mesh shorts, Gabe glanced my way over his bare broad shoulder. The deep lines etched into his forehead reflected his sorrow. “We lost her, Cee. I’m so sorry.”
Terin finished with one cuff and rounded the table to do the other.
A pit of despair grew in my stomach and bile rose in my throat. Since all this began none of the members of my team had fallen. Sophia was the first. My friend. My co-worker. My muse.
“I should’ve been able to protect her,” I muttered. Tears filled my eyes that I dared not spill in the middle of a battle. “She counted on me to keep her safe.”
“No!” Terin snapped. Flames burned bright in the irises of her eyes, adding a supernatural intensity to her declaration. “She counted on you to save the world. We are at war, Conduit of the Gryphon. Never forget that. Do your job so her death wasn’t in vain.”
I wanted to have myself a nice little breakdown, but Terin was right. It needed to wait. Once we all got out of here alive I could sob and snot my brains out.
Without warning Gabe leapt over the table in a cat-like bound. He shoved Gnome-zilla away a second before it crashed down on me. Big Mike stood waiting. As soon as the gnome was back in play, he spun with the sword over his head and brought it down with enough force to sever the beast’s arm. Not a drop of blood spilled, nor did Gigan-gnome cry out in pain. Instead it gave a jovial grin as the severed limb reverted back into 25 normal-sized gnomes that pounced on Big Mike in a wave of tiny boots and pointy hats.
Our rough and tumble biker dude muttered a quick, “Ah, hell,” before gnomes covered him.
The little men latched on to him biting, clawing, and scratching anything—and I do mean anything—they could grasp. Big Mike knocked some off with his wings, and flung others away. Airborne gnomes emitted high-pitched squeeees as they flew through the air, but they hit the ground and scurried right back to rejoin the fight.
Unfortunately, Big Mike no longer drew Big Daddy Gnome’s attention away from me. He turned my way with a jolly grin that was downright terrifying.
“Cee? All those times I razzed you for being freaked out by these things?” Gabe’s voice dropped to an inhumane growl as his muzzle swelled from his face. “I take it back.”
Metal clanged and the cuff fell away from my wrist. I sat up and rubbed the tender flesh. Free from the shackles my speed healing was once again active. The angry red skin instantly softened to pink.
“Gabe!” Terin yelled from behind me. “Get Celeste out of here. Now.”
I expected Gabe to argue. He hated being sidelined for a fight. But when he glanced in Terin’s direction his feline eyes widened and he hustled to usher me off the table.
“What are you doing?” I demanded as he hooked his furry arm around my waist and scooped me up. “We can’t leave them here! Come on! We’ve gotta rally our forces and all that crap!”
“Trust me, our forces have got this.” Gabe’s mane twitched as he jerked his chin in Terin’s direction. “We’ve got our own girl on fire, and I don’t mean Katniss.”
I whipped my head around and my jaw swung open. I’m the warrior to mankind but I suddenly felt … insignificant. I’d gone head to head with the Titans of Fire, but even they paled in comparison to the power and elegance that Terin exuded. Her curvaceous frame raised and lengthened until she stood almost as tall as Gnome-zilla. Fiery wings grew from her arms. Flam
es emanated from every inch of her.
Eyes of smoldering ember blinked and focused on us. Through lips that snapped and hissed with licking flames she warned, “Now would be a good time to run.”
Gabe held me tight and leapt across the room and out of the way. Terin lifted into the air with one flap of her sizzling wings and soared straight for the giant gnome. She caught it in a deadly hug and cocooned it in her embrace as her blaze flared high enough to scorch the ceiling. We saw or heard nothing within that wall of flame, but knew a terrible fate consumed Bernard and his accomplices. The gnomes attacking Big Mike immediately halted and vanished in a blink to save themselves. Big Mike swiped his sword from the ground and slid it back in its leather sheath.
Physical and emotional exhaustion took its toll. I let my head lull against Gabe’s shoulder and watched as ash covered the room like a heavy snow.
CHAPTER Thirty-two
Ah, life as the Conduit. One minute I’m shampooing gnome ash out of my hair, the next sliding into formal wear.
Without argument, Rowan was a gigantic tool, but he did have great taste in clothing. Gone was the pink monstrosity Kendall tried to force on me. It went to ugly dress heaven when the hall blew up. This soft taupe empire-waist dress was much more my style. I turned one way and then the other as I admired my reflection in the full-length mirror. The fabric of the bodice and capped sleeves was gathered. At the waist the material flowed to the floor but parted in the middle to reveal layers of airy ivory fabric beneath. A ribbon embroidered with shades of light blue, ivory, and gold around the neckline, under the bust and down the split in the material added an elegant touch.
I cocked my head to the side and traced my finger across the ribboned neckline. The gorgeous garment, straight out of the 17th century, would thrill Alaina. This was a shockingly thoughtful gesture from a sociopath whose self-serving motives were always shrouded in darkness and mystery. Rowan really was a walking question mark, and now that he had vanished without a trace he probably always would be. A knock on the door signaled the arrival of the hair and make-up team—here to transform this average looking girl into an average looking girl with flowers in her hair and more make-up on than she’s comfortable wearing.
An hour later I was primped, primed, and hunkered in the gold décor bridal suite with my mom, Kendall, and Grams awaiting Alaina’s appearance and the kick-off of the wedding festivities. I peered across the room at Kendall and bit my cheek to stifle a laugh. While Kendall’s dress was identical to mine that was where our similarities ended. If the hair and make-up team had been allowed entry into Keni’s room she must’ve severely ticked them off somehow. Her inky black hair stuck up off her head in a mess of knots and spikes. Dramatic black eyeliner made her icy blue eyes severe and startling. The black lipstick she wore made it look like a pen exploded in her mouth. For the first time in my life I felt like the more attractive Garrett sister. I sat up a little straighter and smiled to myself.
Mom refused to accept this new ‘tude of Keni’s. First she tried catering to Keni’s whims to snap her out of it. When that proved pointless she decided to alter her approach and attempt conversation.
“Keni, honey, are you sure there’s nothing you want to talk about?” she asked for the fifth time.
“O.M.G., Mom! As if you could even comprehend the depth of my feelings!” Keni huffed and stomped across the room to brood in a corner.
“This phase is even more annoying than her Hannah Montana phase,” I muttered after her dramatic storm off.
Mom’s eyebrows and finger raised in unison. “Nothing is more annoying than the Hannah Montana phase.”
I nodded my agreement and shuddered at the memory.
Grams sauntered in from the sitting room, carrying a giant gift bag with a three-tiered wedding cake on the side. “All the wedding gifts are in here and this one was opened … kind of. You’ve gotta see it.” She set the bag on the end table and extracted a water pitcher in the shape of a giant rooster. “Hah! All the phallic jokes that go along with that just boggle the mind, don’t they?”
Mom’s nose crinkled in distaste. “That has to be a re-gift. No one would spend their money on that.”
“This is Alaina’s wedding.” Kendall tsked with an exaggerated eyeroll. “She may have actually registered for it.”
“Well, when the time comes she can just give it away,” Grams said with a shrug of her black sequin clad shoulder and deposited the colorful rooster back in his bag.
The impact of those words hit me with a jolt. An echo of them rang through my mind like the faint melody of a familiar song.
When the time comes, give it away.
Cold dread tiptoed up my spine. I tried—and failed—to remember where I heard those words, but the foreboding nature of them forced me to wipe my suddenly sweaty palms on the nearest tablecloth.
A welcome distraction came when the bathroom door squeaked open and Alaina made her grand entrance. Everyone except Kendall gasped. (Apparently teenage angst prevents any and all expressions of awe or wonderment.) Her gown featured the same empire waist with the material split down the front as the bridesmaids’ dresses. Rich ivory fabric flowed to the floor and extended behind her in a small train. A thick band of embroidered gold with tiny scalloped red roses capped the neckline, the end of her long, belled sleeves, and trailed along the parted fabric. A thicker band of it cinched her tiny waist. Layer after layer of antique lace peeked out from the slit in the material was layer after layer of antique lace. Her long auburn hair fell in waves down her back in a curtain made all the more lovely by the gold and diamond tiara atop her head and a veil dotted with crystals that skimmed the floor with each step.
Unlike in the bridal shop, with this dress she exhibited no doubt or hesitation. Her moss green eyes brimmed with glee and a rosy hue filled her cheeks. “I’m ready. Let’s go get me married!”
The heels of Grams black bling-tastic mules thumped across the floor as she strode to the door and threw it open wide. “Heck yeah! My groove thang is ready to shake it up at your reception!” She shimmied her hips in a preview no one wanted to see.
Mom’s porcelain skin turned beet red and her hand fluttered up to her mouth. “Oh my!” She glanced at the floor, ceiling, anywhere but at gyrating Grams. “Well, there that is.”
White chairs formed perfect lines on either side of the white aisle runner. At the end of the runner sat two enormous planters with sprays of bright orange flowers exploding out of them. Old fashioned light posts adorned with orange, plum, white, and yellow blooms lined the path to the altar. The ceremony that forever bound my brother to our former Spirit Guide took place under an archway that dripped with flowers of the same color scheme, ivy and other assorted greenery.
The framed picture of my father—and one Alaina added of Caleb—graced a small table next to the alter. That familiar ache returned as my gaze lingered on Caleb’s gorgeous smile while I listened to Gabe and Alaina recite their vows. Happiness radiated off the couple. Love resided here today; its presence undeniable. We all served as witnesses that happy endings really do happen. Joy that my big brother found his happily ever flooded my heart. Somehow, someday I would describe this event to Caleb in precise detail. That resolute vow made to myself eased the void inside me in a truer and more real way than Rowan’s power ever could.
Not a tear or quivering lip came from the bride or groom, exchanged blissful smiles, and spoke the words that bound their souls together forever. As soon as the minister presented them as Mr. and Mrs. Gabe and Alaina Garrett, Gabe grabbed Alaina by the waist and hoisted her to his eye level. She wrapped her arms around his thick neck and laid a huge kiss on him. The crowd went wild with applause. In true Grams fashion she rang her cowbell.
As I entered the tent for the reception, I struggled not to go all slack-jawed yokel. Nothing I ever envisioned compared to the opulence of a Biltmore-style backyard tent reception. Crystal chandeliers hung from th
e canvas ceiling. A raised dance floor, that lit up in rhythm to each song played, took up the far end of the tent. The DJ’s booth was positioned right beside it. Pristine white linens covered the tables. Crystal bowls filled one quarter full with black rocks sat perfectly positioned in the center of each table. Water lilies floated on top of the water that reached each bowl’s rim. This place was so extravagant I was afraid to touch anything for fear of bringing the whole thing tumbling down.
For safety sake I positioned myself by the hors d’oeuvre table and made it my own personal goal to see how many crab cakes I could eat before I burst. I had just mashed number fourteen in my mouth when the Grand Councilwoman strode up flanked by Big Mike and Terin.
The Grand Councilwoman spoke through pursed lips, her normal haughty air in full effect. “Sophia’s funeral will be held on the Spirit Plane. You will be required to attend. At which time a new Spirit Guide will be appointed to you.”
“You suck at small talk. Do you know that about yourself?” I asked and licked the flaky crumbs from my fingers.
The previous night I cried until I ran out of tears over Sophia’s death. When the last of the sobs wrenched from my trembling body I stared into the night and thought about her life. As a muse she inspired others to live life to the fullest. As my friend, she wouldn’t want me to mourn her. She’d want me to remember her fondly and keep living, especially since my calling came with no guarantee of a long life expectancy. In her honor, I decided to embrace life as fully as possible. Starting with reveling in a hobby I had truly come to love … harassing the Grand Councilwoman. Making her squirm brought me great joy.
She squinted as though she either didn’t get my humor or wanted to pinch my head off, hard to tell which.
“Is Alaina going to be reinstated?”
A hint of a smile twitched at the corners of Big Mike’s mouth.
Sacrifice (The Gryphon Series Book 3) Page 19
