The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  “Wait—”

  He ignored me and stepped outside the mountain. I looked out over the land and shuddered.

  The sanguine light from the glowing embers made the fissure’s swill look like blood.

  Malachi stood at the base of the mountain staring into the chasm of hell. Black clouds billowed over the land. Lightning streaked across the sky in fury. Onyx silhouettes writhed from its depths, crawling to the rim. Their sheer numbers made it seem as if the ground had come to life. Hundreds of almond eyes and yellow teeth took on an eerie glow.

  Malachi outstretched his arms, gripping his staff in his right hand. The demons froze; fear rippled through the masses. He looked to the heavens. The clouds parted, and the Dokkalfar charged, baring their teeth in carnal vengeance.

  With a sweep of his staff, a mighty wind came from the north. The air rose to a gale force, fanning the embers and blowing several of the Dokkalfar into the night’s pyre. White-noise screams pierced the air as they burst into flame. Some demons burned where they stood, but the rest soon fell to their hands and knees, crawling beneath the force of the wind, slithering toward the mountain like demonic serpents.

  Malachi raised his staff overhead, and great winged creatures flew from afar, their mass revealed by the moon’s full light. They were few in number, but even at this distance, I could see they were colossal in size. As they drew near, their wingspan looked to be the size of a small plane, and talons as long as bayonets opened in anticipation of battle. The Kestrels screeched, hovering above the fissure, clawing and ripping at the darkness. Their mighty wings stirred the ash of the cedar trees, creating a plume of soot.

  Malachi grinned, his eyes lit to an astral glow, his brow furrowed in concentration as he bid the Kestrels closer. The magnificent birds of prey overpowered the enemy, their talons crushing the Dokkalfar instantly. But then the darkness churned again.

  Six demons came from the fissure, each wielding a sword. They stood on the edge, ordering the others to fight. The Kestrels swooped, aiming for the leaders. But the one closest to the fissure drew his blade, piercing through the black liquid into shallow banks below. The surface quivered; a muffled buzz gradually turned into a constant drone. As he sliced the sword through the surface, a swarm of locust exploded from beneath. Sharp spikes stood along their backs; their legs were honed like needles. They took flight, blackening the moonlit sky as they headed toward the great birds. Shrieks of pain breached the air as white feathers became shrouded in darkness. The birds dipped and rolled, trying to shake them off. Limbs of cedar fell as they smacked their wings against the petrified wood. But soon, blood streamed from beneath their feathers, splattering the trees in red. Malachi swept his hand away, commanding them to retreat. The Kestrels flew higher and back into the night, followed by a cloud of living pestilence.

  The leaders commanded their troops to dispose of the injured and dead, and flames rose for the third time as the Dokkalfar tossed their own in the fires. Their evil knew no bounds as they rejoiced in their suffering, taking the energy from the dying. Malachi once again was covered in a sadistic red glow. The leaders pointed toward him, and Dokkalfar charged in droves. He dodged and whipped, beheading them with hand and staff until a rim of carcasses lay at his feet. They seemed to be toying with him, trying to deplete his energy with a constant barrage of smaller groups instead of charging all at once. Malachi stumbled, and I started toward him, but he glanced back, his eyes still lit like stars in the sky. He shook his head, and I stopped just feet from mountain’s protection.

  The demons crept to the edge of the sand, growing closer, hissing and spitting at the ground by his feet. Malachi waited until they surrounded him. He brought his staff overhead, and with a mighty blow struck the base of the mountain. Above, a great rumble started in the distance, shaking the caves below. I stumbled, holding the side of the entrance. Screams of terror rose as rocks and boulders careened, tumbling from the mountainside, crushing everything in their path. As soon as they hit the abyss, they ignited in flames, glowing like the fires of hell before melting into the darkness.

  Malachi leaned against the mountain. His shoulders slumped, his face pulled in pain. I took a step forward again, but his hand shook as he held it up, imploring me to stay. The charging Dokkalfar slowed, coming to a halt. The fissure stirred.

  This time, only one came from the pit.

  Her skin shone black as sackcloth; patches of greasy hair streamed down her back. Her arms were not disproportionate to her body, as the other Dokkalfar. The light faded from Malachi’s eyes, dimming as they became round and vulnerable. He turned and faced the mountain, his eyes boring into mine.

  “Keep your vow,” he muttered.

  The demon walked through the kneeling masses until she stood just a few feet from Malachi. Horror knifed through me as shallow ice-blue eyes looked up.

  “Mia, what have you done?” Malachi’s voice barely sounded. He leaned against his staff, his breath became labored.

  “I’ve become a Princess, as I was raised to be.” Her raspy tone was dark. She smiled, taking a step toward him. “And a far more powerful being than that pathetic excuse for a human the Prince chose as a mate.” She spat on the ground. The others laughed. “You seem perplexed.” She appraised him. “Surely you knew when I escaped through the portal the Dokkalfar would be there? The Prince in his vengeance forced me to flee, and Jakkar was waiting with open arms.”

  “No one forced you to do anything.” Malachi’s voice grew stronger. “You decided to choose selfishness over forgiveness, your choice to despair. You were solely responsible for attempting to take the Princess’ life.” He leaned on his staff, inching toward the mountain. “Come now, Mia. If you were honest with yourself, you would see you are no victim of circumstance. You are a victim of your own choosing.”

  Mia’s eyes narrowed. “How convenient it is you so easily discount my years of devotion to Lera and her son.”

  “I discount nothing. I find it hypocritical, though, that you discount the adoration lavished on you, even before your father passed. The Queen loved you as her own.”

  Her smile turned malicious. “Yes, well, I’ve been told Kailmeyra would be mine since the day I was born, and I’ve come for my inheritance. The Prince is gone. The Queen is in despair. It won’t be long until the land is rightfully mine.” Mia paced just a few feet away, her eyes menacing.

  “Kailmeyra was never yours.” Malachi’s voice became raspy. “Your inheritance now lies in hell.”

  Her eyes turned to slits, her smile slid into a frown. She stood just inches from him.

  “If you value your life you’ll not lay a hand on me.” Malachi softly warned.

  “Really.” She grabbed his arm, savoring his reaction. “Obviously I have grown stronger than you think. In fact, the light does not affect me as it does Jakkar. It’s a shame I’ve not had time to teach him this trick.” She pushed Malachi to his knees, pulling his head back and exposing his neck. “But never fear. Once Kailmeyra is mine, I’m sure desecrating the land should help him tremendously.”

  Malachi struggled, but Mia kicked his staff from his hand.

  “Where is the light that unlocks the power of love?” She drew a knife from behind her back, “where is your faith?”

  The tip of the blade pierced the side of his neck. Blood trickled down his throat.

  Rage ran through me, and I could stand no more.

  Chapter 26

  Betrayal

  “NOT YET.” MALACHI PLEADED; his crystal eyes bore into mine. Mia followed his gaze, seeing nothing more than the gray mountainside.

  “You beg?” She grinned, looking back at Malachi. “I never thought I’d hear the Ancient One beg.” The others laughed, prodding her on. “This is most entertaining. Come now. Let us hear why I should spare your life.”

  “It’s not too late for you, Mia. There still is hope.”

  For a moment, her eyes flashed with emotion, and then she snarled.

  “You naive fool.�
�� Her voice shook with despair. “Hope for what? My life was stolen from me. A useless human put in my place. You believe I chose this? I chose nothing.”

  The knife embedded itself a little further. Malachi winced, and rage ran through me, fresh and horrible. I stepped from the mountain’s protection.

  Shock and fear flashed across her face, and she stumbled. As soon as she released Malachi, I concentrated the energy around him. She cowered, backing away. Malachi placed his palm over his neck, the wound dwindling to an angry jagged line.

  “Kill her!” Mia shrieked. The amulet warmed as the Dokkalfar lunged. As soon as they hit the barrier, they exploded in flame. Mia turned for the fissure.

  “Where are you going?” I smiled, creating a second barrier stopping her in her tracks. Her eyes rounded in panic; she froze. Obsidian demons charged again, and soon dozens of charred bodies lay around the perimeter. The Dokkalfar crouched, waiting, ready to pounce.

  Mia stopped just feet from me and snarled. Malachi stumbled to find his footing.

  “Why do you still exist?” Mia shrieked over the hum of energy. “We killed your source the night we took him.” Her eyes smiled with malicious satisfaction as she saw my reaction.

  Ice squeezed my heart, but I concentrated all six streams on the land—glossy mahogany waves and the scent of spring rain—I focused on Siana. She would have a future. Malachi’s hand gently tugged on the back of my shirt, and we inched toward the mountain.

  “Have you learned nothing?” My voice became rough. “Do you think the love of a mate is the only love bestowed by the Maker? Or have you been so focused on yourself, your wants and needs, that you really don’t understand the power of sacrifice?”

  Confusion flashed across her face.

  “Here is what your decisions have cost. Here is what you missed.” The wild child dominated my mind and the barrier standing between us took on a silver hue. My heart jolted, as the color of Gavin’s health enveloped me. Joy swelled; Mia grimaced. The remaining Dokkalfar backed toward the badlands.

  One stream of thought focused on a few weeks ago, and faint images bled through the silver, creating flashing pictures of an unforgettable dream.

  Mia’s laughter rang across the courtyard.

  “Nora, come look!” she said, her ice-blue eyes smiling, her raven hair swinging down her back, shining in the sunlight. She ran toward the pavilion, which had been decorated for her wedding day. Her voice shook as she twirled around. “I know I should be getting ready, but I can’t believe the ceremony’s tomorrow night!”

  She took my hand and placed it on her arm. Wyn and a now much older Siana made their way out of the castle, and I smiled and waved.

  Wyn pulled on Mia’s other arm, her eyes danced with mischief.

  “Mia, really. You’re supposed to be in seclusion.

  Mia’s expression became desperate, vulnerable.

  “You had a chance to love and be loved in a way you’ve never known, in a way Gavin never could. Blessings beyond your wildest imagination could have been yours, had you chosen differently. This is what you missed.” I hissed through clenched teeth. The energy surging through the amulet made me aware that I couldn’t keep this up much longer.

  Mia fell to her knees. “That is impossible.”

  “No, it isn’t. Your heart was only opened to what you wanted. You bound your future to selfish dreams, never having faith the right path would be made clear. You’ll never know true love.”

  My throat constricted as visions of a life with Gavin unraveled my concentration. The Dokkalfar started forward, but Mia stopped them with a silent command.

  “You’re as big of a fool as he.” She jerked her head toward Malachi. “Do you really think I care about such trivialities as love?” Her eyes met mine. “Still, it would be interesting to see.” She straightened her shoulders, reminding me of Lera. “Show me your vision of my mate,” she demanded.

  “Why?” My voice shook, “if you don’t care, what does it matter?” My calves screamed in protest, knotting beneath my weight. “And I won’t allow you to mock him.”

  Gavin’s amulet cooled, but the one around my neck still heated the skin above my heart. Malachi’s fingers gripped my waist.

  Mia’s loathing poured out, and I tried to remember Rena and Tark, the grove, the land, Siana, but hatred smothered purpose, and ice-blue eyes gleamed with recognition as she felt the energy weaken.

  With a ferocious snarl, Mia lunged, her knife pointing straight at my heart.

  “No!” Malachi yelled, wrapping his arm around me, throwing me behind him. The sickening sound of metal hitting bone crunched as we tumbled to the ground. Malachi fell on top of me, and I struggled beneath his weight. The Dokkalfar screamed in euphoria and started running toward their Queen.

  Mia stared at Malachi struggling to breathe. Our eyes collided, locked in tragic understanding, and I saw the Mia that Gavin knew, the one that was his childhood source.

  “Will this be your legacy, daughter of Troy? The destruction of the land your father died to defend?” Malachi gasped.

  The last of the energy poured from the amulet as I gave everything I had trying to protect him. Mia’s expression became open, vulnerable ... torn. She growled, startling me and then ran back to the fissure, her flight sending the others into a state of panic. I took advantage of the confusion and dragged Malachi the last few feet through the mountain’s protection.

  “Malachi?” Shivering, I strained to see in the limited light. Grabbing Edna’s quilt next to the entrance, I laid it over him. His body eased into its warmth. “I’m going to pull the knife out, all right?”

  “It makes no difference. It is time,” he whispered.

  I shook my head. “Don’t talk like that. You can’t leave me now. You’re all I have left.” My hands trembled as I grasped the handle of the knife. Part of me wondered if it would be better to wait. What if it had struck an artery? He’d bleed to death before anyone could get here and help. But there was no one coming, was there? And I had no way of calling for Rena or Rune anyway. My knuckles whitened as I gripped the hilt and heaved, pulling the blade from his breastbone. He closed his eyes in pain. Blood poured from the wound, saturating his shirt. He exhaled in a guttural groan.

  “Please. Stay with me.” My voice shook as I tucked the quilt around him to keep him warm. Crimson stained the Appalachian star, and I pressed my hand over the wound trying to make the bleeding stop.

  Malachi’s eyes fought to focus. He reached for my face, resting his palm against my cheek. “Light, we never learned the lesson of balance.”

  “Save your strength.” Tears filled my eyes as I used every ounce of energy I had, trying to heal him. The only thing I managed to do was stem the blood flow to a trickle.

  “Hold still.” I scrambled to pull the blanket away, wondering if I should strip off his shirt and place my hand over the wound directly.

  “Please do not.” A cough rumbled in Malachi’s chest; blood trickled from his mouth. He rested his other hand on mine in an attempt to stop me. “Nora, there is something you must know.”

  “What is it?” I whispered.

  “Despite what the others think, Ester is not the enemy. She remains loyal ... to you, anyway.” He coughed, struggling for breath but determined to finish his thought. “She lined the batting of your quilt with the material made from the Sfera. It will grow stronger in time.”

  “I don’t want to talk about Ester or any of this,” I whispered. “I need to get you back to the energy field.”

  “No, my Light.” He weakly shook his head. Not a hint of health remained around him. His skin was ashen gray and seemed papery thin.

  “I can’t do this alone.” My shoulders slumped.

  Malachi’s fingers nudged my chin from my chest, and I looked into the diamonds that meant so much to me.

  “Surely you know you are truly never alone.” His voice, tender, and kind trailed away. He sadly smiled as the light dimmed in his eyes. His last breath expell
ed from his body.

  Icy grief ached through me, and I wasn’t strong enough to repress it. I openly sobbed. I held his hand with both of mine, pulling it to my chest, rocking back and forth. The last of my energy gave way; the walls muted to black, plunging me into darkness. Only the light from the abyss was left. Hundreds of Dokkalfar stood just feet away, frantically gathering crude tools to try to chip through the mountain. I turned my back to them.

  The Ancient One was wrong. I was alone. Gavin was gone and now Malachi too. Elias’ fear that I wouldn’t be able to contact anyone came true. I had no way of reaching Rena and Tark or Elias and Elaine. No way of knowing if they were even alive. Who knew if the codes were working? Had the troops died because of me?

  Every pain that I had ever known welled within me. My father’s betrayal, Edna’s death, Gavin, ... Malachi. My body seethed with it. Visions of Kailmeyra in ruins tortured my mind. This was to be my beloved land’s fate. And it was all because of me.

  The loss and defeat were too much, and for the first time since Gavin claimed my body, my thoughts went blank. My mind was as dark as the tunnels surrounding me, and I reveled in the feel of nothingness. It was as if my subconscious understood that I was at the breaking point and took over.

  But the wild child still whispered ...

  I had no one, but that did not mean I had nothing. I was born with power given to me by my ancestry. I was fated to find the one that could unlock it. I was the only human that had ever made it into this realm. And I still had the power to choose.

  My mind came back with sharp clarity, but instead of fighting the pain, I gave into it, letting it fill every last part of me.

  I would use this loss. If no other hope remained, I would still make my way to the badlands. I would throw everything I had into the fissure, and I would eradicate the only way the Dokkalfar had of getting here.

  Malachi’s skin grew cold beneath my touch, and I arranged his hands over his heart. Muted light from the abyss cast his face in a ruddy glow. I gently closed his eyes. Even in death his features still held a calm determination. A conviction that he would do whatever was necessary to assure Kailmeyra survived. Malachi had lived for countless years waiting for me. He knew what his fate was, and yet his undying love for Kailmeyra never failed.