by Marta Szemik
“What do you want?” William asked. I knew he’d sensed the change the same way I had.
Aseret focused on him. “You’re taking my prisonersss,” he scolded.
“They’re no longer your prisoners. They should have never been.” William’s tone firmed, fists clenched. He and the siblings showed no sign of fear. I was afraid, but only for my family.
“Hmm . . . That, I cannot accept, but I am willing to compromissse.” Aseret’s cunning voice began to dance with persuasion.
I stiffened.
Aseret pointed to William and me. “You two, for them—all of them. Their safety isss in yourrr handsss.”
It was not a request; there would be no bargain. No matter what was decided, I knew Aseret wouldn’t spare our family. William and I could read body language and facial expressions better than anyone. Aseret’s eyes and tone were clear. He mocked us for his amusement, to see whether we’d give in.
“Over my dead body!” William said.
“That can be arranged!” Aseret threw his hands out, launching a fiery red beam toward us. I jumped away in time to avoid falling through the hole the ray burned in the floor. A river of lava flowed within the opening.
Atram and Ekim stepped in front of Willow, who needed most protection.
“I don’t missss often,” Aseret warned. “Think about it—you can work with me, or die here. There’sss no otherrr choice. I will get what I want.”
“And that is?” I stepped forward.
“You’ve been holding out on me, Ssarahhh,” Aseret drawled. Each word swam hypnotically out of his mouth. It had no effect on me, though, and I saw the frustration on his face. “Silly, Sarah. I’ve known about your powersss for a long time; I just had to figure out how best to ussse them, how to make them mine.”
I didn’t like him calling me silly or wanting any more power than he already had. “Even if we could, there’s no way we’d give them up—especially to you.”
“There’s alwaysss a way, Sarah! What makes you more human makesss you weak. All you have to do is agree and I’ll extrrract them from you, and your friendsss will be safe.” His nose twitched. He was lying.
Aseret gestured for the seekers to surround us. Those present spread, joined by more seekers who streamed through the other four entrances. There seemed no end to the line of orange glowing eyes in front of us.
How are we going to get out of here?
But he hadn’t killed us yet. Aseret would not have missed unintentionally—he wanted to scare us, not kill us. He wanted the powers—or did he? He was already strong and had an army of demons with abilities greater than ours. What did he want?
What makes us more human makes us weak . . . the serums?
“We’ll never give them up!” I said to Aseret.
“Neverrr say neverrr.” He laughed, almost gurgling as he tilted his head back. The hood slid off his bald head.
“Sarah, take my hand,” William whispered. I placed my palm in his and felt Castall’s crystal. A rush of energy flowed from William to me and from me to him. A new force rejuvenated our bodies and transferred the strength and power we each had to the other, multiplying our abilities. Light from the crystal shone from between our palms, but everyone seemed oblivious to our glowing palms.
I took a breath in, felt new vigour, felt our power magnify. For the first time, I saw through William’s eyes—the concealed pain and suffering—everyone’s worst fears. The phobias varied for each demon, though some repeated. From burning alive, to being torched by Aseret’s hands, to long hours in a dark cell full of rats slowly nibbling at their weak bodies, the terrors made me cringe. There were many, so many I couldn’t think, and I wondered how William dealt with this all the time. It must have taken a toll on his mind. My fears of small critters seemed insignificant.
William’s eyes rolled back, then he closed them, and I knew he saw my visions. No one was aware of the exchange between William and me, an exchange that took seconds to complete.
I heard William’s thoughts as clearly as if he were speaking to me. Just don’t think about their fear. If you do, they’ll manifest into reality.
I forced my thoughts toward bugs and critters. I preferred those over the nightmares.
“What do you fear, Aseret?” William taunted. “Us taking over? Vampires ruling the world? Losing your powers? Death?”
Aseret’s face twitched and trembled faintly as he fought to keep his fears hidden. We saw horrible things as he tried to weave past what really scared him. In one phobia, Aseret was imprisoned, guarded by vampires. Then he appeared, amongst human beings, lost, unable to find his way, unable to ask for help.
“What do you fear, Aseret?” William demanded again, the echo of his voice vibrated through the hall.
Aseret struggled, hissing when he failed to block the first image. The power of the crystal combined our abilities and wrestled a clear picture from him: William stood behind me, his arms wrapped around me.
He fears us?
Aseret still fought and the vision faded out of focus.
“You’re afraid of us!” William taunted, and laughed.
The image of our figures slowly turned clockwise, and we saw the secret fear Aseret had been struggling to keep hidden. William was hugging me—a nearly nine months pregnant me.
He fears our child, William whispered in his mind.
My knees almost buckled. A child! Our child!
Sarah, don’t think about it. It can’t happen here. Not now, and not this way. His mental voice was clear and firm.
Not now, and not this way. Hiding my happiness became a task in itself. My eyes closed for a moment, and William and I privately shared a premonition of a little boy, playing in a sandbox. He looked just like William. Blue overalls hung on his shoulders, over a white T-shirt. Giggling, he waved his hand in front of his, nose saying, “Thop, pheese.” Then a girl! She wore pink overalls and a wide smile that split her freckled face and showed off two little white teeth. Laughing at her brother, she waved a yellow daisy in front of the boy’s nose. Twins!
William, they’re beautiful!
A sudden burst of adrenaline shot through my body as the need to protect my future family grew. I soaked in the energy from the hot lava below us, from the thousands of lit candles, from the strength the demons were preparing to use. William did the same. Together, we became one dominant force which, through the crystal’s power, created a protective shield around us, one we knew could not be penetrated, at least for a while.
We have to help them, I said to William as our family prepared for the approaching demons.
He nodded, taking a step back to include them under our shield. We can’t stay here with them. We have to fight Aseret or he’ll find a way to break through the shield.
Aseret’s gaze flew from our family to us, and back, probably setting up a plan to kill us, and I doubted the protective shield could stop him. William, can we leave the shield here?
We can try. Think of your biggest fear as not having the shield and walk forward.
I thought of what it would be like to face Aseret without the shield’s protection. I thought how vulnerable our human bodies would be. I thought about my family sizzling under the hot paws of hundreds of demons and shivered. Could I ever survive if I lost them? Would my life be emptied? I was the reason they’re here! I couldn’t let them die.
William nudged me forward. It’s working. Let’s go.
We left the shield behind us. I don’t think it will hold for long, but it will help.
“Last chance!” Aseret shrieked, beginning to sound like his frenzied demons.
“Aseret, you will never lay your hands on my family! You should fear us—all of us!” William threw his shoulders proudly back.
“Harum sei mola tum!” Aseret ordered.
The demons lunged forward, but bounced back just as quickly, repelled by the shield. Each attack weakened the barrier. They tried to break through, placing their hot palms against it and singing l
ayer after layer. With each break they made in the shield, a red circle appeared on my body, stinging like a fresh mosquito bite. The stronger seekers who passed through fought against Ekim, Atram, Mira, Xander, and Alex, all protecting Willow in their midst.
Mira and Xander vanished, then reappeared behind a demon and tore its head off. They shifted lightning fast, the body of a hawk blending into a wolf, then a mountain lion, bear, and even a small rodent.
“You are mine!”Aseret’s eyes glowed brighter as each demon lost a fight, shining with greater intensity than any of the demons’ orange orbs.
“Let us go if you want to live!” I threatened with all the rage I could muster as my cheeks tightened and joints locked and ready. The disks in my neck cracked, and its tendons stiffened. The veins in my face pulsed as I felt it shifted to a vampire.
Aseret stretched his arms and shot a new stream of magical fire. This time it wasn’t meant to miss. The blow flew at me and William, and we sprang in the air before it hit us. We seemed to glide up in slow motion, and the blast drilled a hole where we’d stood. Two things I knew for sure—we couldn’t fly, and the only way back down was into the river of molten rock Aseret’s blast had opened in the floor.
Sarah, grab the chandelier, William thought as we reached the apex of our jump.
Still gripping his hand, I reached for the light fixture with my right hand, trying not to think of the fiery magma below us or the intensifying fight as the shield weakened under the demons’ powers. The red spots on our bodies continued to multiply as if we’d been exposed to a plague.
Mira and Xander shifted so quickly they couldn’t be out manoeuvred by any demon. Their powerful blows grounded their attackers.
Look! I pointed to a grinning Aseret. He wiggled his fingers gathering energy into his palm. The electricity weaved around his hand. A new fire ball formed as he prepared to strike us again.
Swing the chandelier, Sarah. Maybe we can make it to the staircase.
We rocked our bodies and swung our legs forward, then back. The chandelier did not move. Hot wax dripped onto our shoulders.
Swing harder! Use your strength! There’s much more in you, I can feel it! William encouraged.
My focus turned to the energy around us, especially on the warm crystal. The chandelier started to rock. I pushed forward. It swayed more. In seconds, we swung back and forth, as if hanging on to a large pendulum.
“I didn’t want it to end this way. We could have worked together!” Aseret released another beam of energy toward us.
Let go! William yelled.
But Aseret had calculated our trajectory and sent another fire stream where we would touch down.
I braced to take the hit but landed on the ground. “What the—”
William stared and I followed his gaze to a new, blue stream of light, which came Castall’s palms to intercept Aseret’s. He stood at the opposite end of the hall, close to our family. The continuous flow of magical light from both the warlock and the demon connected in the middle. My earlier premonition was playing itself out.
A flash of bright light grew between them, just above the fire pit, as they shifted to direct the energy toward each other. Castall’s blue stream radiated cold through the hall, but he controlled the power. The two ribbons of light created a dangerous display of fireworks where they connected. I fed on that energy, remembering what my father had said.
Palms trembling, Aseret shrieked, then threw his head back in laughter. Castall’s hands maintained their dominating patience as he yelled. “Run, now!”
“We won’t be able to get through all of them.” William pointed to the demons blocking our way.
“Jump—it’s quicker.” I said.
“On three.”
“One—two—three!” we counted in unison, then flexed our legs and leaped over the crater in the floor.
One of the seekers ripped a velvet curtain from a doorway and threw it in our path to block our jump before we reached the edge. We slammed into the cliff of the opening as the curtain fluttered down, bursting into flames before it touched the lava. Bits of black ash wafted up.
Gravity pulled me down. We were next! Sliding, I scrabbled vainly for a handhold.
William grabbed my wrist and squeezed it tight. He held onto the edge of the cavity with his other hand. The crystal had landed on the brink of the hole. “Hold on!” he yelled, then hurled me up to the floor with one arm. A moment later, he jolted himself up, and we scrambled to our feet.
Four seekers came at me, two from each side. Their orange eyes glowed with malice. With a hiss, I showed my fangs. I threw one punch, then another, and a third with such velocity I didn’t see my arm move. The demons fell into the open lava pit, taking a few others with them.
William fought beside me and took three down with one swing.
More came my way, so many I couldn’t count them. They blocked the second entrance to the dungeon as we tried to fight through.
“Hold my hand!” William yelled. “Let’s make a way.”
I reached for William and he swung me up; I kicked as I flew in a circle, sending more demons into the burning hole. They shrieked and yelped as the lava scorched and burst them into flames before they submerged. The seekers may have been used to heat, but fire defeated them.
When I landed on my feet, William arced over the demons as I had, and more attackers fell to their death. Together, we created a passage to the dungeon for our family. One by one, they escaped while we held back hundreds of demons.
Before I headed down the stairs, I looked back at the warlock. Castall swung one palm away from Aseret and pointed at the crystal still lying at the edge of the crater. The beam of blue light reflected from the crystal in countless directions, sending out a powerful sound wave that disintegrated the demons on contact.
Aseret fell to his knees. “You will not win! I will rebuild!” he yelled before throwing a fistful of dirt down to the floor like a ninja. He disappeared.
Castall focused on me. “Keep running! He may try to get you himself!” Then he vanished the same way as Aseret.
William pulled me forward, following our family and friends. The echo of a wicked laugh bounced off the walls. A laugh I hadn’t heard before.
Chapter 20
A sunsetting world welcomed us. The long rays quickly warmed our bodies. I took a deep breath in, savouring the crisp evening air. Pine and damp leaves.
We were free. With my arms stretched out, I let out a long breath. The sky glowed in pinkish and orange tones. Birds sang their evening song, ruffling their feathers. A balmy November wind whistled between the trees.
Ekim and Atram had stolen demon robes to cover from the sun and stayed in the long shadows of the trees. No one spoke at first, all enjoying the freedom, the first breath of fresh air after coming face to face with death. I expanded my lungs with another deep inhalation of the forest’s fragrance. The smell of sulphur hung in the air, not as strong as it had been underground.
Xander sniffed and looked to Mira and my father. “Grand Teton Mountains. We’re close to the hill. We can seek shelter there.”
The battle in the underworld and what I learned about the prophecy gave me new strength. The thought of a family with William vibrated my insides, but I also feared for the lives of our unborn children. Fighting against Aseret and combining my powers with William’s opened new doorways that had been locked for a long time, doorways that would restore peace among three species. I liked the new me.
My existence was no longer in question. Those surrounding me were more than allies; they were a family who loved me dearly. Unwilling to release William’s hand, I pressed my other fist to my chest.
“I hear a stream. Let me go see if the water is accessible,” Willow volunteered.
“I’ll go with you.” Atram tottered toward his wife.
“No. Go hunt with Ekim and the kids,” she replied.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go with her, Atram.” Alex timid voice shook
as she moved her eyes warily from side to side, her shoulders hunched, hands folded across her ample chest.
“Yes, we’ll be fine,” Willow assured. “The stream is not far.”
“And we’ll gather some food for you.” Mira said to Willow as she stepped between Xander and Alex.
“The hill is not far. Aseret may try to find you,” Xander said to William and me, scanning the surrounding woods, then sniffing the air. “We shouldn’t stay here.”
“We won’t be long.” Alex took Willow’s hand; their backs were already turned before anyone could protest.
We hunted in haste Ekim and Atram caught four rabbits and two mountain lions. Their hunger was stronger than any fear. Even at their weakest, it didn’t take much effort to overpower the mammals. William and I took down a few deer.
“It’s all right, Sarah.” Xander, collecting berries for Willow and Alex nearby, watched as I carefully wiped excess blood from the corners of my mouth. “You don’t have to feel ashamed.”
“I’m not ashamed. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, and I’ve never done this in front of anyone,” I explained.
“It doesn’t hurt us. We understand who you are.”
Mira walked toward us. “What Xander means is that we hope you’ll accept us the way we accept you.”
I punched Xander in the arm.
“Ouch, what was that for?”
“You sent a bear after me? Seriously?”
“I didn’t let him hurt you.” He rubbed his arm.
“Oh please.” I rolled my eyes.
“Hah. Told you she’d figure it out.” Mira laughed.
“I wish—” A purple mist appeared, glowing and widening, within the branches of a pine beside Ekim and Atram. “Look out!” I warned as the lilac-smelling mist enveloped a tree.
Castall stepped out of the glow, and I sighed in relief.
“Are you all right?” He placed his hands on Ekim’s and Atram’s shoulders.
“Yes. Thank you for your help, my friend.” Ekim patted him on the back.
