by Linsey Hall
But Ares was quick. His vampire speed was a blur as he punched them both in the face. Like cartoons, they stood still for the briefest moment, then keeled backward.
I gave him a thumbs-up. “Nice job.”
“Better unconscious than dead.” He flexed his hand. “No need to kill the guards.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” I knelt and conjured two gags and ropes to bind their limbs. Ares and I made quick work of trussing them up, then we left them propped against the wall and headed toward the entrance to Hider’s Haven.
My dragon sense went wild as we neared the archway. Ademius was here somewhere. I could feel it.
Since confidence made a person look like they belonged, I sauntered through the archway like I was the quarterback walking through the doors of the high school.
The space within took my breath away. It was like the central courtyard of a European village. Except that it had been built right into a mountain. The room was large, at least the size of a football field. Vaulted ceilings were streaked with golden ore. Light glittered off the ore, illuminating the space with warmth. Holes in the ceiling had to be vents for fresh air. Magically enchanted to encourage airflow, I’d bet.
All around the courtyard, shops and cafes were built into the mountain. They were small, but impressive all the same. The space was full of people, sitting on benches and at tables, chatting and playing cards. Though Hider’s Haven was charming in the extreme, most of the inhabitants had a dubious air about them. The kind that spelled trouble in their past. Which made sense, considering they were hiding out.
But they couldn’t be all bad, considering that there was greenery in the courtyard. Several oak trees grew right out of the ground.
“I’d like a gander at that irrigation system,” I said. “And the light situation…”
“You like plants?” Ares asked.
“You could say that.”
A woman nearby turned, her keen eyes on us. She was about sixty, with a face that said she’d done it all and seen it all and wouldn’t put up with any BS. Her magic smelled like an old shoe that a wet ferret had chosen for a house.
“You’re not from around here,” she said.
“New,” I said.
Her green eyes narrowed. “The Council never said anything about that.”
Shit. We did not need to be caught as outsiders.
“They should have,” I bluffed, heart pounding. “We were invited by my ancestor, Ademius.”
She studied me, clearly debating whether or not to buy my story. “Hmm. Then you won’t mind if I tell him you are here.”
I jumped on it. “Yeah, take us right to him. That’d be perfect.”
“If there’s one inkling of Ademius not wanting you here, you’re going in the pit. Immediately.”
“Uh, the pit?” I swallowed hard and looked at Ares. “That sounds bad.”
“Oh, it is.” She grinned, revealing teeth sharpened into points. Fangs. Suddenly, the charming atmosphere of this place became obvious for what it was—a thin veneer. The people here were hardcore badasses and most likely criminals. “The pit is full of sand vipers. It’s where we put intruders. It’s perfect, you see, because the vipers will devour the body and leave nothing for us to clean up.”
“Whew.” I mimed wiping the sweat off of my brow. “Good thing Grandad Ademius is looking forward to seeing us again.”
Her eyes flashed with skepticism, but she just turned. “Follow me.”
“Laying it on a little thick there, aren’t you?” Ares said.
“Maybe.” Sweat trickled down my back when Fangs, as I’d started to think of her, waved a hand and several creepy people joined our little party. She was getting backup. To throw us in the pit.
I really hoped Ademius would recognize me now that I was an adult.
“If this goes to crap, we’re screwed,” I whispered to Ares. Maybe, just maybe, we could fight our way out of here, but I had my doubts. We almost hadn’t made it in. With this lot after us…
Fangs led us through the main courtyard. The magical signatures of the inhabitants battered me from all sides. Dark and light, good and bad. These folks were a mixed bag—some violent criminals, some just hiding from whatever hunted them.
I shuddered, praying that I never ended up in a place like this.
We passed through the courtyard and went down a narrow passage. Doors dotted the way. Some were propped open to reveal small houses, though most were tightly closed.
Fangs stopped in front of one and grinned creepily at us. “The moment of truth.”
Considering that there were now about two-dozen makeshift guards surrounding us, things were looking iffy. These folks were serious about protecting their own. Not to mention, they were also probably bored and looking for a scuffle.
I prayed to fate that Ademius would realize who I was.
Fangs knocked on the door. I held my breath. After an endless moment, it creaked open.
An old man peered out, mussed white hair sticking up in all directions. He looked the same as always, with my mother’s eyes and his wooden cane.
A thrill rushed through me to see him again.
“Ademius, there’s someone here for you,” Fangs said.
Fear widened his eyes and he stiffened.
Shit.
Fangs turned to me, her gaze triumphant. Into the pit with you.
“Uh, Great Grandad Ademius?” I said. “I’m Phoenix Knight. I mean, Lividius. Do you remember me? I’m here to see you about something you made long ago.”
His gaze darted to me, confusion flaring only briefly before understanding dawned. It was followed by awe. “You’re here.”
Tears welled in my eyes. “I missed you.”
Fangs grunted, clearly disappointed, but I ignored her. She stepped back from the door and I passed by her.
“Don’t you step a toe out of line,” Fangs said.
I thumbs-upped her, which I didn’t think she liked, then stepped into Ademius’s small home. Ares followed. Once he was in, I shut the door, grateful to put something between me and Fangs.
I turned to Ademius. Unable to help myself any longer, I threw my arms around him. “I can’t believe I’m seeing you again.”
He hugged me. “How you’ve grown.”
I pulled back, wiping my eyes. What an embarrassment of riches my family life had turned out to be.
“Welcome,” Ademius said.
His home was small but cozy, with stone furniture built into the wall and colorful fabric cushions making it more comfortable. It looked well lived in, like he’d been here since he’d left me in the forest.
“You’ve learned you are the chosen one,” Ademius said.
“So we’re getting straight into it?”
“You don’t have a lot of time.”
“I don’t.” But I also didn’t love hearing the label Chosen One. Didn’t they always die at the end of the movie?
Ares stepped forward, hand outstretched. “I’m Ares Warhaven.”
Ademius shook his hand. “Quite a name.”
“I know.”
“Come, sit.” Ademius gestured us over to a small table pressed against the wall. There were three chairs.
We each took one. I opened my mouth to explain why we were here, but Ademius spoke. “Have you been well these last ten years? Practicing your magic with your garden?”
I smiled at the reminder of how much he’d loved my garden. Now I knew why. “I haven’t practiced as much as I should. I lost my memory for a long time. I’ve just now learned of my plant magic.”
Worry creased Ademius’s features. “It’s more than plant magic.”
“I know. I just don’t know the extent of it. Do you?”
He shook his head. “I do not. But you must learn. Fast.”
“I will.”
“So you’re here about the Vessel of Truth.”
“I am.”
He sighed. “I made that so long ago. One of my first tasks as a Wizard.”
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“It was beautiful.”
“It was, yes. Not a Ming Vase or a Faberge Egg, but beautiful in its own way.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “That was a different time. A simpler time. I didn’t know until later why I felt compelled to make the Vessel of Truth, but I’ve since learned.”
“Because I would need it?”
“Yes. I didn’t know that when I visited you. I have the slightest bit of seer blood. Not enough to see the future, but enough to get inklings. I knew only that you were important to me and the future. So I came to see you. And I liked you. I still would, I imagine.” He frowned. “If only I’d known then that you would need the Vessel of Truth. It would have saved so much misery.”
“Oh no.” My stomach dropped. “It was Drakon, wasn’t it?”
His gaze darkened, fingers stilling. “It was. The man you fight, Drakon, found me last week. He made it clear what he needed. As soon as I saw you at my door, I realized what you’d come for.”
Dread curled in my belly. “Did he hurt you?”
“Enough.”
Tears pricked my eyes. I’d failed Ademius. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry, dear.” Ademius tutted. “I’m thousands of years old. I’ve experienced worse.”
“Whatever it was, it was bad enough to make you give him the recipe for the potion that will ignite the Vessel of Truth.”
“All true.” He shuddered. “But it is over. I escaped. He didn’t have me for long. And you will defeat him. But you must be prepared. His evil… It is incredible. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
I was grateful he didn’t go into the details of his time with Drakon. But my soul burned for vengeance.
Ademius stood, retrieving some paper and a pen. “You are here for the recipe, correct?”
“Yes, and to see you. I’m so happy you’re still alive. When you disappeared all those years ago, I was devastated.”
“I’m sorry dear. It was unavoidable. But you’re here now. And I can give you the recipe. In all my years, I’ve never forgotten it. Complex, but manageable.”
Ademius scratched out a list of ingredients, and then a short note that I couldn’t read from across the table. He pushed the paper toward me. “I hope you have a skilled potion master for this. One wrong move, and the potion will obliterate the Vessel.”
“Yikes.”
“That’s one way of putting it.”
Ares spoke for the first time. “Would you be able to take us to the place where Drakon held you captive?”
“No.” Ademius’s voice whipped out. “Absolutely not.”
My heart tore at the fear in Ademius’s voice.
“We need to find him,” Ares pressed. “It’s the only way to stop him, and you’re our only lead.”
Ares was right. And I was desperately glad that he was asking this question. I could not have done it.
“I cannot.” Ademius shook his head. “I have done my part, the part fated since I was born. I am done now.”
“Please.” Ares’s voice softened, gentler than I’d ever heard it. “Lives are at risk. Thousands of them.”
Ademius sighed. “I cannot go back. But I can direct you to a man who can help. He found me while I was trying to escape and helped me.”
I jumped at it. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. There is no easy way to access Drakon. But Torus hates him even more than I do. He lives at the edge of Drakon’s land. Perhaps he can help you sneak in. Though it won’t be easy.”
Yeah, it’d probably be a giant pain in the butt. Death Valley style. “That’s okay. I’m not expecting easy. I just need a clue. Something to help me find him.”
“Then you’ll have one.” He held out his hand, nodding toward the piece of paper he’d given me that contained the recipe for the potion. I handed it over. He scribbled something on it—a name and a place, it looked like—then handed it back to me. “There. He is a thin man with dark hair and eyes. He loves horses, so I imagine you’ll find him at the stable. Godspeed, Phoenix. I always enjoyed our time together.”
I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “We’ll tell you when we’ve defeated them. Then you’ll be free to leave here.”
“It will not matter. Now that you have the information you need, my part is finished.” He sighed, both contented and a bit sad. “I will cross over.”
“Cross over?” Dread filled my chest.
His tired gaze met mine. “I’m thousands of years old, Phoenix. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I’m ready for the next phase.”
Death. I swallowed hard.
“No. Please don’t,” I said. This is what he’d meant when he’d said he couldn’t help us find Drakon. His time was up. “Please.”
Ademius smiled. “I must, child. The magic that made me immortal is linked to you. It allowed me to wait for you. But now that my role is done, the magic will fade.”
Tears pricked my eyes. I’d only had him back for a short time. I’d gotten cocky, crowing about all the family I had.
Fate didn’t like that.
“Don’t be sad for me, Phoenix.” Ademius smiled. “I’m happy to go. I want to see old friends and family.”
“You will?” I didn’t know what happened in the afterlife, but that sounded great. And Ademius sounded so happy about it.
“I will. I don’t know everything, but I do know that.”
I gave a watery smile. His contentment radiated from him. As much as the idea of his passing tore at my soul, I couldn’t help but appreciate that.
“I’ll miss you.” My voice broke.
“I’ll miss you, too. But you’ll see me again.”
Tears pricked my eyes. His voice was so final. But at peace. I hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me briefly, then stepped back.
“It is time for you to go now,” he said.
I nodded, somehow hating the words even though I knew he was right. It was time to go. Time to go and face my fate.
Chapter Eleven
We were escorted out of Hider’s Haven and told never to return. I was okay with that, especially once I stepped out of the tunnel and back into the open air of Death Valley. Even though this place was deadly as a six-headed rattlesnake, at least we were free out here. Out in the open. Not trapped like rats in a sewer, hiding from the daylight.
“I’ll miss him.” I reached for Ares’s hand.
He took it and squeezed. “I know.”
A sob tore through my chest. I let it out, then sucked in a breath and held it. I wouldn’t cry. Later, maybe. Definitely. But for now, I couldn’t mourn Ademius. He’d helped me. In my youth, and now. I had to honor that by succeeding.
I drew in a shuddery breath and turned to Ares. “Okay. I’m good.”
Sadness glinted in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Nix.”
I smiled, the corners of my mouth trembling. “Thanks. But it’s fine. Just getting my parents back was huge. Getting to even see Ademius again was a gift. I need to focus on that. Count my blessings.”
“You’re one tough FireSoul.”
“Thanks.” I looked out over the desert. “Now let’s get out of here. Could you try to transport us? Maybe it’ll work since we’re at the edge of the valley.”
“I can try.”
I crossed my fingers, praying that Ares’s transportation ability would work.
Of course, it didn’t.
“Damn it,” Ares said.
I looked up the mountain. It looked safer than trying to get across the valley. “We need to climb out.”
“Lead on.”
We began to hike, scrambling up the mountainside. The recipe in my pocket burned. I’d memorized it on the walk out of the tunnel just in case something happened to it. Now, we just had to get home so Connor could whip it up. If anyone could whip it up, it was the gifted potion maker.
Within minutes, sweat dripped down my spine. Though the sun was inching toward the horizon, the late afternoon was still hot as Ares w
ith his shirt off. My muscles ached and my breath came fast as we climbed.
Finally, after what felt like ages, we reached the summit. It was more of a ridge then a point, and we crested it.
“Damn.” Ares raked a hand through his hair.
I gazed out at more mountains. We were going to have to go up and down, up and down to reach the edge of the range. “Damn is right.”
“Hopefully Death Valley’s magic will fade out before the mountains do.” Ares started down the other side. I followed, hurrying to keep up.
Halfway down, he reached for my hand. “Let’s try again.”
It didn’t work, but fortunately, one ridge later, it finally did. The ether sucked me in, throwing me through space alongside Ares.
We stumbled out onto the main sidewalk in front of Ancient Magic. The cool winter air was a shocking change from the heat of Death Valley. The sun was setting behind the trees.
“Holy fates.” I shivered. “Let’s get out of the cold.”
My stomach grumbled as if it agreed.
“And let’s get you something to eat,” Ares said.
“Ha. You can’t say you’re not hungry, too.” We hadn’t eaten since earlier this morning.
As we hurried toward P&P, my dragon sense tugged me back toward my apartment and my trove. A visit sounded really good right about now, but we needed to eat and hand this potion recipe over to Connor.
As we made our way down the sidewalk, I kept my eyes peeled for any of Drakon’s minions. Though they couldn’t track me because of my mother’s bracelet, they knew I lived here.
Across the road, there was a flash of movement. I stiffened, calling upon my magic.
Ares touched my arm. “It’s okay.”
“There’s someone there.” I pointed to a large tree. A man leaned against the base, his body braced for battle.
“He’s one of mine.”
I glanced at Ares, confused. “A vampire?”
“I set several guards along the street. They’ve orders to wait for Drakon’s men to show and take a prisoner if possible.”
Though I appreciated the sentiment, I didn’t like the secrecy. “You didn’t think to mention this to me?”
