by Jaymin Eve
"We need to go now," I reminded them, already reaching for Justice.
Her mom got a hand on her other arm before I could pull her closer. "No! If you take her back and the lines are destroyed, she’ll never be able to return."
Justice looked between us. "Is that true?"
None of us would return, because there’d be nowhere to return to, but before I could remind everyone of that, Jepati did. "I'm not sure either world could survive the loss of that power. As Jacob said, the balance would be thrown out."
"We can't let that happen," Justice said in a rush. "I must return and fight against whatever is happening. Otherwise all will be lost."
Her mother sobbed, a dramatic cry, before she pulled herself together. "Yes, yes. You have to be the hero. You are my hero, baby girl, and I will not hold you back from your destiny."
Justice was crying too as she hugged her mother hard, and I felt a renewed determination to fix this so I could get her back here.
Grace hurried off to say goodbye to her family as well, but Tyson remained with me, face somber. "The explosions are from a disturbance along that great ley line that connects the worlds?" he asked Jepati.
The ruby king nodded, looking equally as grim. "I'm afraid so. It’s the only explanation for so much magical instability. I hope you figure out what’s causing it and quickly. Otherwise all is lost."
Stepping closer, he hugged his daughter, heartbreak on both of their faces, as if this was the last time they’d see each other. After having only had one month together, it was a cruel sort of punishment.
"We’ll fix this," I said, determined. "Earth and Faerie need each other, and I will not allow whatever is happening to end these worlds."
Deloria looked at me fully, for what might have been the first time. "If you can fix this and return our daughter to us, I will understand why you’re worthy to be her true mate."
Justice met my gaze, and there was a slight eyeroll at her mother's dramatics.
"Sure, no pressure there," Tyson quipped from beside me. When everyone looked at him, he shrugged. "What? My brother is worthy without having to do one damn thing. We've saved the worlds multiple times already, and you'd do well to remember that."
I'd been trying not to force the issue, hoping they'd come around on their own—the best solution for Justice. Tyson clearly didn't feel the same way, and since it was second nature to defend our pack, I didn’t fault him for having my back.
"Thanks, bro," I said, slapping him on the shoulder. "Ready to save the world one more time?"
He nodded. "Fuck yes I am. We got this."
He turned to where Grace was hurrying back, having said her goodbyes, and took her into his arms. His magic swelled around us. "I can't open a portal," he said a moment later. "I'm trying, but nothing is happening."
"Are we too late?" Justice asked, voice hoarse.
Tyson reached out to me, grabbing my shoulder. "Power me up, Jake."
Our bond snapped into place, echoes of Braxton and Maximus tearing along the connection as well. Tyson's already impressive power surged even further and there was a stirring of energy, but not enough to bring the step-through to life.
"Maybe we should try," Grace said when Tyson looked ready to lose his shit. No doubt she could hear him cursing through their bond, just as I could.
She stepped over to Justice, the two of them holding hands as swirls of their icy jeweled power washed over everyone nearby. Conversations stopped as the fey turned to see what was happening, and when they realized it was their princesses performing their unique brand of linked magic, awe descended over them.
I was one lucky fey to have her as my true mate.
Truthfully, I’d half loved this prickly, snarky, sexy-as-fuck chick long before I knew she was fey. I wanted her when I thought she was human.
I was not losing her now.
28
Justice Winter
I'd only just recently come into control of my power by bonding properly with the jewels. Problem was, that recent meant that I was next to useless in knowing how to use my powers in a really productive way. Some worked by instinct, but a lot didn’t.
Here’s hoping instinct kicked in soon on how to open a pathway between the currently unstable worlds, otherwise everyone I loved would be destroyed. I agreed with Jacob that somehow this was the direct result of President Caine and his actions. He had plans that went far beyond what he’d put out into the world. I hadn’t known specific details to really warn the supernaturals, but the vibes were bad.
As Grace tightened her hold on my hand, we let our power mingle, the two jewels so strong that gasps rang out. I couldn’t see what they did, my eyes were closed as I focused, but I guessed it was something impressive.
"The line is hurting," Grace said, her voice loud to be heard over the energy building around us. "We need to get this portal open and stop whatever is happening."
There was nothing I wanted more than to open this damn portal, but it wasn’t working like it usually did … we were being blocked. Or maybe the line itself was just too damaged…
We were too late.
Hands touched mine, Cam and Gretley’s energy appearing in our bond, and my eyes flew open as a true cacophony of power erupted.
Screams rose from my chest, lodging in my throat as I fought the destructive powers. We were clashing against whatever was holding the ley line, and it was not going to be pretty if the two didn't find their way together. If we were rejected, the force might kill everyone here.
I met Grace's wide, panicked gaze. She knew what I was thinking and felt the same way.
Call on the jewels!
I shouted through our bond to my sisters.
We need their power if we want to live.
They all closed their eyes and I did the same, reaching deep into my source of power. A flame flickered in my chest, but it wasn't a ruby. I took a second to examine it closely, mesmerized by the familiar burn.
Jacob?
Jacob was there with me, his fire dancing through my body like it owned me. There were no words, but I felt his energy and support.
It pushed me to dig deeper.
Connecting to the gems was the only chance we had to get back home.
I dropped my head back, arms held wide as I clutched my sisters. Power shot from me in a blast of red, the other gems streaming from the princesses. Colors shot up in wide arcs, and then when they intersected high above us, gems shattered, before reforming into what was very clearly a rainbow bridge, spanning off into the horizon.
"Go!" my father shouted. "The bridge is the last pathway home. Take it now!"
It was fully formed, a plethora of color that was so much more than the four jeweled lands. The connection between us broke as we moved apart. "We'll stay here and do what we can from this side," Gretley said, her hand wrapped around Cam’s still.
I’d known for a long time that they had no plans to ever return to Earth; there was nothing back there for them. I completely understood, so all I did was hug them hard.
"Please return to us," Gretley said, as she hugged Grace as well.
“Stay safe," I choked out, before hurrying over to Jacob. As his hand settled into mine, my energy stopped rocketing around inside, relaxing as our bond jolted. It was far more developed than I would have expected without sex.
We were defying the odds, and I liked that a lot.
"Come on, Ruby," he murmured. "Let's save the world."
A sob escaped, but I stopped another from emerging. Popping up on my toes for one last kiss, I savored the seconds when my lips touched his, and then we were moving. My foot hit the edge of the rainbow, and despite its steep ascent into the sky, it was as if I was running on a flat path. A path made up of billions of shimmery lights, sparkling transparently underfoot. It looked like a rainbow but was solid.
I turned back only once to blow my parents a kiss; they returned it, my mother openly sobbing. It hurt to leave them, but I couldn't focus on that. We had
a job to do … multiple worlds to save, and that's where I’d put all of my attention.
Tyson and Grace were right behind us as we ran. "You know, in all my years of experiencing crazy shit in this world," Grace started, sounding breathlessly overwhelmed, "running across a rainbow is not something I ever expected I’d do.”
I laughed. "Imagine growing up in the human world. At some point I must have numbed myself to all the weird, because two years ago a rainbow bridge would have only existed in a fantasy story or movie. Now I barely blink as fantasy becomes reality."
My gaze slid across Jacob. "In more ways than one."
I was a total sap these days, but shit, if a girl couldn't feel all the softer emotions when she finds her true mate, parents, and a destiny that includes being a princess, then when could she feel them?
"Better than any fantasy," Jacob said, his eyes that smooth rich green that reminded me of forests and life.
"Stop distracting me with your face," I scolded him, digging deep to find the snarky fire that had gotten me through life. He was turning me into a romance-movie-watching-love-sick-fool.
And I kinda like it.
Jacob grinned, and if anything that only turned up the distraction. Bastard.
The bridge continued, keeping us occupied as we sprinted our way along it.
"Step-throughs are so much easier," Tyson complained, looking frustrated that his magic had failed him for once. Dude was way too used to being the most powerful. "If this is the old school way, then I’m not sad we’ve evolved past it."
The bridge had widened enough now that we were all running in a line, side by side.
Grace made an annoyed noise. “This is probably the very first path our ancestors took when they crossed to Earth,” she said to her mate. “The Atlanteans, and any others that made the journey. Have some respect."
"What's happening with the Atlanteans?" Jacob asked.
I knew the basic story about the earliest supes to cross to Earth, the fey magic-user hybrids that were super powerful. Many of them died when their land was sunk by the gods, but lately there had been rumors swirling about them.
"Last I heard there were signs of Atlantis rising," Tyson said shortly. "That news filtered through when we crossed to Faerie. Anything could have happened since then.”
Grace nodded. “Yeah, Louis was heading to help out with their drama. He said he’d be going between the two places to keep everything functioning.”
Tyson snorted. “Damn sorcerer. Thinks he’s so important.”
“He is,” Grace replied drily. “You might have the power, but he has power and experience.”
Tyson looked like he wanted to argue, but she shot him a look that ended with a shake of his head, and his mouth shut.
Jacob’s lips twitched as he watched his brother get shut down by the one supe who could. “Hopefully there’s no Atlantean drama,” he said to break the tension. “We haven’t even dealt with our current situation.”
“What if this ley line drama is Atlantean?” Tyson asked all of a sudden. “We just assumed president, but there’s no empirical evidence to base that on.”
Jacob shot his brother a measured stare. “You know, that’s very true. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
The Compasses just took it in their stride, one world-ending drama after another. I would never begrudge having a Compass as a true mate—I loved how strong and powerful Jacob was. I loved the close family ties and pack like bond, but they certainly came with plenty of danger.
"I don't know how your brothers do it," I said softly. "Having children and constantly dealing with end-of-the-world situations. It must be fucking terrifying."
I was terrified for their little ones, and barely even knew them.
Jacob met my gaze, his eyes sorrowful; he’d read between the lines of what I’d said. "It is scary," he said softly, reaching out a hand to grasp mine. "But they wouldn't change a thing. Compass children are born into one of the strongest packs in the world, and every single one of us would die for our young."
"Not to mention our babies are powerful on their own," Tyson added. "Pretty sure they're the next generation that will be saving the world. You know. When the time comes."
His eyes twinkled as he wiggled his eyebrows at Grace. "Wanna make a baby?"
She narrowed her gaze on him. "Timing, Ty. You got no timing."
He shrugged. "Time works for me, not the other way around."
Grace tilted her head, screwing up her face as she searched for patience, no doubt. "I just— that's not how that works, mate."
Tyson shrugged again, all suave, because he clearly wasn't afraid of anything. Cocky should have been their middle names. All of them.
Jacob squeezed my hand, drawing my attention firmly to him. "We don't have to worry about the possibility of having a child for a long time," he said softly. “We’re in no rush.”
It should have freaked me out how confident he was in our relationship, like it was inevitable, but I felt the same. When you knew, you just knew.
"We live very long lives," he continued, his musical voice soothing. "And I want to enjoy time with you during moments of peace. I think we deserve that. So, let's fight for that now and worry about the rest later."
I cleared my throat. "You’re pretty fucking good with words, Jacob Compass."
It was hard to choke out anything else as my emotions overwhelmed me.
Thankfully, we appeared to be reaching the end of our road, so there was no time for more words. The rainbow bridge was exiting into a shimmery wall, and hopefully beyond that was the one place we needed to be.
Earth.
29
Jacob Compass
Justice wasn't the best at hiding her true feelings. She thought she was, but I was learning how to read between the lines of what she said and did. I saw her, and even though she was fearful for the future, she was also ready to fight for it.
We’d fight for it together.
As the bridge ended, we found ourselves sprinting through a shimmery wall. My grip on Justice’s hand tightened.
"Wow," Grace said, when we stepped into the other side of the veil. "That rainbow bridge knew exactly where we wanted to go."
We were back in Stratford, and not on the outside of the borders—the protective shields usually stopped magic from directly entering—but near our house. Braxton and Maximus's energy hit us a second before they both appeared.
"Thank fuck," Braxton roared, half shifted into his beast form. "We thought you were trapped in Faerie. I had no idea if we could fix this without the four of us to elevate our power."
"Fix what?" Tyson asked, all business. "We don't know exactly what’s happening, just that the ley line that connects the worlds is in danger."
Maximus nodded. "Yep, it’s in big fucking danger. Louis just got back from the Supernatural Academy. He’s inside and was briefing us when you arrived.”
“We called for you yesterday,” Braxton added, “the time difference appears to be slowing between the two worlds as the line grows compromised."
I caught the worried expression dancing across Justice's face. If the time difference was slowing, something major was going on, and she had people she cared about on both sides. I still didn’t know if this was about the president, but if it was, I was going to really enjoy killing him.
We were all silent as we filed into the house; the living area was already filled with supes. Jessa and Mischa were at the back door, their kids waving goodbye from the arms of my parents. They often ended up taking them during these crises, and we were damn lucky to have them.
Tyson and I hurried over to hug Jo and Jack Compass. "Stay safe out there," my mom said fiercely, her energy dancing across her skin. She held Lily closer, like she could keep her safe with her embrace alone.
"We have faith in you all," Dad said, his eyes golden as his shifter side came out to play. "You're going to show them that they should never have messed with our family." He had the twins in
his arms, and at his side was Nash, their adopted son and our little brother.
I ruffled the young shifter’s hair, giving him a hug as well. The kid was really shooting up now, standing almost near my shoulders. He'd been through a lot in his life and deserved a break as well. Hopefully one day soon we’d just get to live a normal supe existence, one not fraught with end-of-world danger.
With final hugs and teary goodbyes from parents to children, the room got a little emptier.
Louis was front and center, his mate, Tee, at his side. Those two took the term "power couple" to an entirely new level.
"Thank fuck you made it back," Jessa said, throwing herself at Tyson and me. We caught her, hugging her close, before releasing her. "Brax said that you might not be able to break through the closing barrier, but I knew you'd get back to us."
"Our pack sticks together," Mischa added, looking more and more like her twin every day. She was confident and strong and powerful, wearing it as a cloak of armor. "And together we will win."
There were shouts around the room, many powerful members of our community were here, including Jonathon and Lienda, the twins’ parents.
Louis cleared his throat, bringing all attention back to him. "I'm going to quickly run over the basics of what I found out again, catch up our new arrivals who just got through the closing barrier from Faerie.” His eyes caught mine. “They'll be able to tell us what was happening from their side."
Those who could find a place to sit did; the rest of us stood around and waited for the information.
"A few months ago we signed a treaty with the president of the united states," Louis started, and we finally had our confirmation that this was about that bastard. "He found out our secret from when I was not in my sound mind, and threatened to expose us if we didn't form an agreement with him."
Energy rose in the room, draping across us like a second skin. Louis was literally shedding his power in his rage, and I hoped that he didn't lose control.
