He sighed, snatched a key card from the desk, and headed out the door. She should have been nicer to him. He could have taken off as soon as they returned from Elosia, but since she woke from her trance, he was always but a whisper away. Perhaps, if the world wasn’t in flames, she would want more from him. Then again, death had an obsession with those closest to her. He was safer if her heart shut him out.
The spell. She had to stay focused. She spread out the rocks, tossing aside the ones with little or no quartz. If Halen wasn’t going to talk, then she would handle it her way. She felt a little guilty lying about the protection spell. She didn’t have any of the elements to pull one off anyway. Maybe she was wrong about Halen, but her instincts had never let her down. She had to cast this spell, no matter how ticked off the others would be. They would thank her later. If Asair gained control of Halen’s powers, Tage couldn’t let him walk out the door.
The door lock chirped. When Ezra opened the door, he had a bucket of ice, three candy bars, and a bag of chips under his arm.
Her eyebrows rose.
“What?” he shrugged. “If I have only a few days to live, a little junk food won’t hurt.” He set the bucket beside Tage and crouched next to her. “You want one?” He offered her a candy bar.
She shook her head. “Sugar’s the last thing I need.”
He leaned in closer, hovering over her. “This spell gonna work?” He peeled back a candy wrapper.
“It has to.”
A knock on the door startled her already-unraveled nerves.
“Room service,” a man said from the other side of the door.
“That was fast.” Tage twisted the clock to face her. “Dax ordered like twenty minutes ago.”
“Too fast.” Dax stepped inside the living room.
Tage jumped up and headed him off. “Stand guard outside Halen’s bathroom.”
“Can’t you do the spell before we open the door?” Ezra asked.
“Tage needs the poppy seeds,” Dax said. “The bagels are with the food order.”
“I've got this.” Ezra shooed her to the coffee table and headed toward the door. Tage sat and dumped the ice, spreading it in a circle at the base of the rock tower she had formed with the pebbles.
Ezra peered out the peephole. “Leave the cart.”
“I need a signature sir,” the man said.
“Let me get dressed first!” Ezra shouted.
Tage shot him a pointed stare.
“What?” He shrugged. “I'm buying you some time.”
“Now he’s going to think we were… Ugh, forget it.” What did it matter what anyone thought? She returned her attention to the spell. Waving her hands in small circles, she chanted, “Zipsolium, volinium, osangi mori.”
The center burned with a soft glow and as the ice melted away, the rocks melded, forming into one solid piece. She still needed the poppy seeds, if she didn’t want Dax, to know she had changed the spell.
“Open the door, just a crack,” she said. “Sign the bill and take the cart. Do not let him set foot in here.”
Ezra wedged the door open and thrust his arm out. “Hand me the bill. I can’t find my pants. Wild afternoon, you know.” He glanced back, a broad grin smothering his face.
“You wish,” she mouthed.
The black bill folder passed through the door.
“Hurry,” Tage whispered.
He scribbled his name on the sheet and handed the bill folder back. “Just leave the cart.”
When the server didn’t budge, Tage’s panic swelled. Had she placed them at risk, just to cover her ass? She leaped up, sprinted across the room and slammed the door between the suites. She held her breath with the click of Dax bolting the two rooms off from each other.
“Seriously, dude, you don’t want to see me in the buff. Not pretty.” Ezra stripped off his shirt and kicked his pants to the side.
“What the hell are you doing?” Her jaw dropped as he scooted out of his boxers, then slid the chain bolt from the lock.
“No!” she shouted. “Stop!”
Ignoring her frantic plea, he opened the door. A server stood on the other side, his face flushing six shades of red when Ezra grabbed the cart. Ezra turned his bare ass to the server, rolled the cart inside and slammed the door shut. “No danger. Just food.” He grinned.
Averting her curious gaze from the cross tattoo inked over his hip bone, she grabbed a robe off the hook and tossed it to him. “You moron! That could have gone so wrong.”
“But it didn’t.” He slipped the robe on, securing the tie at his waist.
“How did you know he wasn’t here for Halen? You don’t get it.” She stepped toward him; the hairs along her arms rose, not from the danger of the situation, but with the thought of the little cross nestled above his hip. Ezra had a way with her she couldn’t deny, but distraction like this would get them killed. “If some shifters believe Asair is still alive, it won’t be long before the Hunters and the Elosians know. Word will spread fast. The Tari can’t protect all of us. I don’t even know if they will.”
“Are you worried something might happen to me, Tage Summerfield?” When his deep eyes searched hers, her composure dissolved like sugar in boiling water. Dammit. The more danger he put himself in, the more she cared about what happened to him. “You could have gotten an arrow in your ass.” She broke free from his taunting stare and knocked on the door to the adjoining suite. “It’s okay. It was just the food. Go figure; the world would have to end to get faster room service.”
Dax opened the door. His questioning gaze fell on Ezra’s robe.
Tage held up her hand. “Don’t even ask.”
Dax choked back the laughter. “I’m sure it’s interesting.”
“Is Halen out of the shower yet?” Tage eyed her spell faintly glowing on the table.
“No, the water's still running. I thought I better give her some time.”
“Not too much time.” Tage didn’t care for the idea of Halen being alone. “Are you getting any weird vibes from her?”
Dax shrugged. “I don’t feel anything.”
Her bones didn’t ache with his reply. Had Halen fooled him too? “What the hell is that supposed to mean? How can you not feel anything? You’re her freaking Guardian!”
“I dunno,” Dax said. “She’s sort of blank right now.”
“And this isn’t concerning to you?” Tage couldn’t believe he wasn’t losing his mind over this. He knew the dangers of not having a connection with Halen. “After what happened with Natalie?”
“This has nothing to do with Natalie. I felt all of her emotions. With Halen, I feel nothing.”
“Exactly!” Tage wagged her finger. “I’m not picking up anything either. Not sadness, happiness… Even after the dragon cracked the glass, she should have been terrified. Don’t you think that’s strange?”
“Maybe she’s numb,” Ezra said. “She’s been through a lot. You know what it’s like.” He met her gaze. “To feel so much you feel nothing.”
Tage knew all too well. After months of grieving the loss of her parents, her lips would lift with false smiles; her throat deceived her with laughter. She was nothing inside. “Yeah, I get it.”
“Give her some space.” Ezra flicked on the television.
“Another fire ignited along the Indian Ocean. The Navy has evacuated all ships,” a television reporter spewed.
“I need to call my grandmother.” Ezra’s face paled.
Dax tossed him the cell phone. “Make it quick. My dad will be here any minute. He’s going to call if there’s trouble.”
Ezra sat on the end on the couch, his back to them. He spoke low, but Tage could make out Japanese. He could have been with his grandmother, but had chosen to stay with her. She shook her head. Fool.
“You changed the spell—why?” Dax nodded toward the table. The tower of rocks glowed with a brilliant orange hue, illuminating the carpet beneath the glass tabletop.
Damn it, she forgot the poppy s
eed decoy. “What?” She sidestepped blocking her enchantment.
“I know a few spells, remember? We learned them from the same person. I know a restriction spell when I see one.”
“Please don’t tell Halen. I don’t want her freaking out. It’s better to be safe.”
“You have nothing to worry about. Halen just needs the Etlins to strip out Asair’s memories. She’ll be fine.”
“And what about Etlis?”
“If Halen has access to Asair’s memories, she might discover how to break the spell. She just needs a little time,” he said.
“I didn’t think of that.” Why hadn’t she? Because she had been so hell-bent on assuming Asair possessed Halen. “Do you really think it’s possible?”
Dax ran his finger along the cracked window. “I think she can open Etlis.”
Doubt still tugged Tage’s thoughts. “What if we're the fools and Asair is tricking us? What if Halen is already gone?”
“Then she would have annihilated us by now,” Dax said. “Stop worrying.”
Ezra ended his call and handed Dax the cell phone. “No fires in Japan, but my grandmother is taking my cat, Mittens, and going inland to some relatives as a precaution.” His skin tone took on that I’m-going-to-puke pallor.
Tage braced her hands on his shoulders. “We’ll go see her after this is over.”
“If we still have a planet.” His Adam’s apple bobbed.
Nothing she could say would comfort him. Right now, their lives hinged on Asair. Dead or alive, their fate still lay in the demon’s hands.
“ARE YOU THERE?” Halen asked again as she stepped out of the bathtub. She had asked this several times while showering, but Asair was silent. She feared she may have dismissed their only chance at saving the realms. Still, if he thought for one minute she would surrender her powers to him… Securing a towel around her chest, she grabbed another and ran it over her damp hair, being careful to avoid the stitches along her ear where Tage had sewn a neat row. The cut from dodging a Hunter’s arrow had healed, but the thread remained. She tugged the suture thread while studying the bruise along her eyebrow. What had her life become? Insanity, madness and absurd popped into her thoughts.
More like inconvenient, Asair answered.
She clutched the towel. “You are there. You’re listening to my thoughts!”
You might want to answer with thoughts, so the others don’t try to commit you to an institution. Of course, they may have to once your mother is through with you. And yes, I can hear each and every one of your thoughts.
“That’s not right, you know?” Halen lowered her voice to almost a whisper.
Listening to your thoughts or you going insane?
“Neither one, dammit!”
Her hand unwillingly swiped the steam from the mirror. Asair’s dark eyes shadowed her own.
Look at you. His voice simmered through her mind. You’re letting them decide your fate once more. You’re better than that. You’re stronger. You’re the one who faced me, not them.
Her arm swung to the side, finger outstretched toward the door.
Why do you let them decide what is best for you?
Her heart tripped with fear knowing he had that much control over her body. She forced her arm down by her side. “Because what they want is best for me—for all of us. Why won’t you just release Etlis? The fires will destroy everything; there will be nothing left to rule. What would Elizabeth have wanted? What would she think of what you’ve done?”
He snorted and her stomach filled with the roll of laughter. I suppose she would think I was a monster.
Halen could almost see the coy smile playing on his lips.
“You don’t have to be a monster.”
Blue moon sirens don’t belong in any realm. We’re an abomination. Have you had a good look at yourself lately?
She wouldn’t accept his challenge. “I make my own choices.”
Really? Did you always dream of being an assassin?
She swallowed hard. He was right, and she hated herself more. The Tari used her as their weapon. She braced her hands on the counter as her mind filled with the Tari’s sickening plot. Without even considering the consequences, she willingly unleashed her magick at their command, leaving her with the wreckage of guilt. How could she have given so much of herself?
That’s right, darling. They convinced you I was a demon and you believed them. When you held my lifeless body, I felt very little remorse inside you. Guilt, yes, for what you had done, but you were relieved when you thought I was dead.
“How should I have felt?” Her voice came out with a hiss. “You taunted me! You lured me into your bedroom and then attacked me! I had to defend myself.” She shook her head. “You of all people should have known, once I unleashed my magick, I couldn’t turn back.”
“Halen, the food is here!” Dax shouted from the other side of the door.
She jumped, clutching the towel tighter, and shifted the conversation to her thoughts. I have a Guardian, don’t forget.
Dax knocked three times.
Yes, that is unfortunate. I have a plan for him.
Don’t touch him! She slammed her free fist on the counter.
“Are you all right in there?” Dax’s voice rose.
Best to keep our conversation a secret.
I can trust Dax.
Can you? How well do you know your Guardian?
“Halen?” Dax’s knock turned to heavy pounding.
“I’m good. I’ll be out in minute.” When she caught her reflection, she half expected Asair to be staring back, but he was gone. For now, anyway. She rubbed the bruise around her eye once more. Hoping for a little concealer, she scanned the counter and the bag of clothes—nothing. Who needed makeup when the world was ending anyway? She quickly towel-dried her hair and changed while Asair’s words lingered in her mind. She had just met Dax, but he had given his life for the Tari. Sure, he may have kept a few secrets, but Dax’s lies protected all of them. Asair was playing another one of his games. This time, she wasn’t falling for his tricks.
Dax’s pounding grew louder. When she opened the door, he all but shouted at her. “You can’t do that! I need to know what’s going on with you at all times.”
“Relax.” She patted his chest and ducked under his arm. His hovering not only made her claustrophobic, but she had to be extra cautious in guarding her secret. She would tell him about Asair if she had to, but first she needed to speak to her mom. If her mom could purge Asair, then Dax wouldn’t need to know the truth.
She followed the scent of delicious greasy french fries into the other room. Tage and Ezra hovered over the cart, shoveling food in their mouths.
“Care to join us at the apocalypse buffet?” Ezra waved his hand over the cart.
Tage elbowed him.
Halen snagged a french fry off one of the plates. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flickering orange glow. At once she dropped the fry. Waving her hand, she aimed. Dax caught her wrist mid-swing.
“Tage’s spell.” He lowered her arm.
A rock spire jutted from the center of the glass coffee table; the fiery glow cast shadows along the wall. “I thought it was a fire. Sorry, I almost put out the protection spell.”
Tage’s gaze darted to the table and then to Dax. She nibbled her bagel without saying a word.
“Why don’t you eat?” Dax stepped beside her.
Okay…they were giving off some pretty weird vibes. Normally, she would pry, but her secret was bigger; the less she pushed Tage, the better. “Any word from my mom or your dad?” she asked Dax.
“No, not yet. No news is good news—right?”
“Definitely.” Ezra dipped several fries in ketchup. “Because the news sucks big-time right now.” He nodded toward the television, where the news anchor sat behind his desk, stiff as a mannequin.
Halen turned her attention back to the cart. She lifted one of the silver lids covering the plates. She frowned at the mountain of
leafy greens topped with candied salmon chunks. “You’ve got to be kidding. Ezra gets a burger and fries, Tage bagels, and you ordered me low carb? We really need to work on this Guardian connection thing if you’re going to be ordering food for me.”
Dax’s lopsided grin widened as he removed the silver dome from the last plate. A tower of french fries toppled to the edges of the plate. “Double order, milady. The salad is for me.”
She flushed. “Um, thanks.” Grabbing the fries, she stuffed two in her mouth at once. “Sorry, I’m a little hangry.”
Ezra grunted. “Good thing you’re magick’s tame right now or you might have burst Dax into flames.”
“Yeah, I’m not getting pulverized over lettuce.” Dax laughed.
“I apologized. I’m not good without food.” She slurped back a big sip of her shake, her attention sifting to the news anchor. He spoke with some guy outfitted in a flak jacket, camouflage pants, and combat boots. “Take the mute off.”
Burger in hand, Ezra hit the remote with his pinky finger.
“We are speaking with Billy Hanover, well-known prepper and survivalist. Mr. Hanover is Skyping us from his underground bunker where he and his family have been sealed off since the first reported ring of fire. Can you hear us, Mr. Hanover?”
“Yes, I can hear you just fine.” He rapped on the side of the green structure. “End of the world-proof and I still have Wi-Fi.”
The news anchor cleared his throat. “So, is this the end?”
Mr. Hanover removed his ball cap and held it over his chest. The camera zoomed into his face. “I pity the fool who didn’t prepare.”
Dead air hit the studio. No amount of bronzer could hide the news anchor’s fear.
“I bet the reporter wishes he had a bed in that bunker,” Ezra said. “Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.”
“Turn it off.” Tage marched to the television and pressed the power button. “How can they even let that paranoid doofus on TV? I mean, come on…”
Halen dropped her fries and shoved the plate away. “I’m not hungry anymore.”
Tage shoved it back. “News is only meant to scare people. Eat. I know food triggers emotions in you. It’s a siren thing. And if I remember correctly, this plate of greasy potatoes is going to give you a little bit of happiness. And trust me, we need all the happy we can get.”
Curses and Ash Page 3
