Curses and Ash

by Tiffany Daune

  Halen smiled. Her sister did have a heart.

  “Stop looking at me like that.” Natalie averted her gaze to the ground.

  “Like what?” Halen’s smirk widened.

  “Like you’re going hug me.”

  “I just might.” Halen nudged her side.

  “Hugs later, maiming first.” Natalie’s eyebrows rose. “We have the Krull to face.”

  “Let’s go then, ladies.” Asair stepped forward.

  “You need to stay behind us.” The spell was still only bound to Asair. “They’ll kill you, just to see if the portal opens. Natalie and I will distract them, you get to the pond.”

  She marched forward, and he yanked her back. The water stone shifted in her hand, but she caught it before it dropped. She met his gaze and for the first time she noticed flecks of jade. Like one of her butterflies, he was morphing.

  “Butterflies,” she whispered. They had exactly what they needed to get out. “Can you control your yellow jackets?” She turned to her sister.

  “Of course.”

  “Then you go first.”

  Natalie’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “Stay behind me and keep sleepyhead there out of the way.” She nodded to Dax. “We wouldn’t want him to get stung, now would we?” She smiled and then ran ahead. “Try to keep up.”

  Halen bolted after her with Asair on her heels.

  Ahead, the buzz of wasps flooded the air. As they breached the cavern, a yellow and black sea swarmed the battleground.

  A Krull mutant dropped its axe mid-swing to bat away the angry horde of yellow jackets circling his head. Natalie waved her arms, a conductor commanding her flying army, while Halen darted toward the pond with the stone.

  Asair plunged Dax’s body into the dark water, and then jumped in after him.

  “Come on!” Asair waved.

  As the next swarm of yellow jackets flew from the center of Natalie’s palms, she faltered stumbling back.

  Halen ran back to her sister. “That’s enough!” Natalie collapsed in her arms. She dragged her to the ledge, and then unfastened the elixir from around her necklace.

  “I don’t want it.” Natalie batted the coral and bone away. “I’m almost free of him.”

  “You won’t make it out of here unless you take it.”

  She pursed her lips. Her head rolled to the side, and her yellow jacket army flew out of control. Halen slapped her face but, she would not wake.

  “Screw it.” She parted her lips and poured the elixir down her throat.

  Her eyes fluttered opened and her hand went to her throat.

  “I’m sorry, but I’m not losing you now.” Halen shoved her sister in the water. With the water stone tucked securely under her arm, Halen dove. She kicked, but was dragged back by her ankles.

  Huron swam before her; his sharp gaze cut through the water. She kicked his chest with her free foot. When her heel made contact, her sparks surged. She scanned the water for signs of the others, but she was alone with him; she could take the revenge she craved and no one would ever know. Her silvery flesh glistened with a red sheen, reflecting Daspar’s stolen gem. Huron didn’t care about anyone—ever. He lived his life for Tarius, and with that thought, she realized her revenge was not here, but at the portal. She would pierce him straight through the heart by taking away what he cherished most—Tarius.

  She shifted the stone around to her chest, then thrust it out in front of her. Sure, she could blast him with a wall of water, but seeing him terrified of the one thing he had protected for so long was kind of perfect. Huron back-paddled and she thrust the stone forward. Just a tiny singe. She twisted around and shoved the stone against his forearm. His mouth filled with water as he screamed, and when he darted for the surface, Halen swam away.

  Tari and Krull floated overhead, their arms outstretched in the crimson pond. She shut her eyes and kicked hard. When the water cooled around her, she opened her eyes once more to find Asair by her side. Natalie swam ahead, Dax drifting beside her as if being pulled by an invisible rope. She kicked, spreading the cool water with her free hand; the water stone nestled in her other.

  They swam side by side, water gliding along their bodies, when the silver beneath her flesh rippled. Her arms shone with brilliant light and she knew instinctively the portal was ahead. Her body drifted toward the swirling water. Asair followed. Dax too shimmered with sparkling silver as they neared.

  They swam through the portal, kicking downward, only to find they were surfacing. Halen inhaled the musty sweet scent of pine. Earth. She smiled, but when she opened her eyes, her joy vanished.

  Along the water’s edge stood eight Hunters with their bows drawn—their gold arrows shone like the Grim Reaper’s sickle.

  Aurelia trained her steely gaze on Asair. Next to the Huntress stood Ezra, his bow tight and his hand steady. The necklace Halen had given him hung loose around his neck. She wanted to shout at him for what he had done, but what good would it do now? Ezra was gone—forever.

  Natalie jumped out of the water. “We weren’t followed.” The Hunters lowered their bows, though Aurelia kept hers aimed on Asair. “If you kill him, the portal opens and you die,” Natalie said at her back.

  Aurelia lowered her weapon.

  “We have the stone.” Natalie fell into Emil’s embrace. “We have to hurry. Take him.” With a wave, Natalie floated Dax to the shoreline. “He’s the Guardian. We need him alive.”

  Two Hunters dragged his body to the forest ground.

  “I don’t like this,” Halen said to Asair as she braced her hands on the edge of the pond and hoisted herself out of the water.

  “You’re safe,” the Huntress who stood next to Ezra said. “I’m Vita.” She nodded. “You have my word; no harm will come to you or your companions.”

  “Did you make this promise to my mother?” Halen rose to her feet. She stood face to face with Vita, ignoring the gold arrow still in her hand.

  “Your mother was not a siren.” Aurelia answered for Vita. “Her soul was no use to me.”

  “Back down.” Emil pulled her back.

  “Then which one of you did it?” Halen’s anger swelled and the trees swayed with alarm.

  Vita glanced skyward. “She died due to injuries in the hotel room. We couldn’t save her.”

  “Injuries that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t burst into our hotel room in the first place.”

  Natalie grasped her shoulder. “Calm down.”

  But Halen couldn’t stop. “And Tage? Where is she?”

  “She inflicted her own wounds.” Vita’s dark gaze fell with Halen. “Her blood was tainted with mermaid venom; we couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

  Halen looked to Ezra, but he wouldn't meet her stare. “But the spell; you promised Ezra you would keep Tage alive.”

  “There isn’t a spell that can bring back the dead.” Vita shook her head. “I’m sorry my sister concocted a story to get what she wanted. The girl died. And to be clear, we haven’t harmed your mother’s body. Aurelia’s just very good with illusions. She used her powers to manipulate the siren boy. We will take you to her when the portal to Etlis is rebound.”

  “You’re saying Ezra did this for nothing! Tage is dead and he’s stuck with Otho—forever.” Halen’s sparks spun.

  “He has free will.” The boy she once knew as Ezra stepped forward. “He can speak anytime he wants. He’s chosen not to.”

  “Ezra?” Halen searched his deep brown eyes. “Can you hear me?”

  Asair pulled her back. “Let him go.”

  “You don’t understand. He did this for Tage. He wouldn’t have done it if they hadn’t lied.”

  “We can’t change what happened,” Asair said.

  “That’s the problem. Horrible things keep happening and we have no control over it. It doesn’t matter how much magick is on our side.” Halen shook her fist. “Until Tarius’ spirit is vanquished, we're going to lose more.”

  Aurelia raised her bow. “You bind the sp
ell, or you die now.”

  “Relax.” Natalie stepped next to Halen, her arm brushing hers. Her skin flecked with sparks responding to her sister’s magick. “The last thing Halen wants is for Etlis to open. We’re on the same side.”

  Aurelia, however, was not convinced. The string of her bow remained taut against her cheek.

  Halen stood firm, when the remaining seven Hunters raised their bows. Halen raised her hand to strike when Aurelia shifted her aim toward the pond.

  She turned at once. The water gurgled, bubbling with black ooze. Pale dots floated to the surface, and when Halen leaned closer, she noticed the fleshy tips of Krull fingers.

  A hand stretched from the water. Emil released his arrow. The rod shot through the center of the hand, just as six Krull clawed through the black water.

  “We have to do it now!” Asair shouted.

  “Where’s the portal?” Natalie asked as she joined his side.

  “There!” Halen pointed between two large oak trees.

  “I don’t see a thing.” Natalie squinted. “Are you sure?”

  Halen lifted her arm and the silver marks flowed like water along her skin.

  Natalie’s eyes widened. “Yeah, okay, you’re sure.”

  They ran toward the two trees while the Hunters kept the Krull at bay.

  As they neared the portal, Halen’s skin electrified. “Stop!” She skidded to a halt. “We can’t go any closer. Don’t you feel the heat?”

  Natalie shook her head, but she stepped back.

  Halen swiped her forehead as beads of sweat trickled down her cheeks. “It’s so hot.”

  “I don’t feel it.” Natalie turned to Asair. “Do you?”

  “No.”

  Halen clutched the water stone as the heat permeated her skin. Between the trees, Halen caught a flicker of white and a glint of gold. Heat flashed through every cell of her body and her magick surged. The water stone vibrated; she fought to hold on. She scanned the forest, searching, when she spotted the stag through the branches.

  “What’s she looking at?” She could hear her sister’s voice, shadowed by the thunder echoing through her mind.

  Grabbing her shoulders, Asair blocked her view of the portal. Even with his body in front of hers, heat blazed through her. “Look at me.”

  The fiery heat increased, sweltering. “He’s jealous.” She gasped for breath. She swayed in Asair’s grip. “You have to let me go.”

  “Drop the stone!” Asair shook her hard.

  As the water stone slipped from her grip, a cool breeze rushed around her, extinguishing the fiery heat inside her.

  She fell against Asair’s chest. “Give Tarius what he wants. We can’t seal the portal anyway; we don’t have an immortal soul.”

  “We will.” Asair tilted his chin toward the sky and released a call, which shook Halen to the core.

  She followed his stare, when an arrow shot past.

  Natalie crouched, ready to strike, when another arrow sailed through the air.

  A growling moan gripped Halen, and when she turned, a black jaguar lay a few feet away with an arrow through its chest.

  “Shifters.” Asair’s heart raced against her hands. “We need to hurry.”

  Halen spotted a ruddy red-furred bear. “Tasar!”

  The bear bounded through the woods, colliding with a lion. He swatted the beast to the ground. The two tumbled, rolling, but Tasar had the lion by the neck. His teeth ripped through the lion’s flesh.

  In the distance, the Hunters sprinted through the forest, fighting both Krull and shifters heading their way.

  Halen closed her eyes, focusing solely on the dry soil beneath her bare feet. She envisioned a cage, and the dirt swirled up around them.

  “Nice.” Natalie grabbed her hand and the dirt spun faster.

  Asair tilted his head toward the sky once more. Wings beat from above; the leathery flesh shimmered like diamonds against the gray sky. Halen broke free from Natalie and stretched up on her tiptoes. She reached for the dragon. When her fingertips brushed the horned wing, her finger pricked with blood. She bit back the pain searing up her arm.

  Natalie raised her hands; a milky glow emanated from her palms.

  “No!” Asair shoved her hands down. “Let her land. She won’t hurt us.”

  The dragon descended.

  “Widen the circle.” Asair motioned and the three parted.

  With a twirl of Halen’s finger, the wind picked up twigs and branches, binding them together until a dense cage of forest thicket enclosed around them.

  When the dragon landed, the beast’s wings folded and the wind ceased. Its glassy golden eyes reflected Halen’s pale face. She recognized the beast from Asair’s memories—the dragon had sent for Elizabeth’s life.

  A hard pop cracked the air, sounding like a gunshot. Halen startled, shutting her eyes. When the resonating ring died, Halen opened her eyes once more. A woman stood before her, her dark skin sparkling with black scales, her wings no more than a cloak on her broad shoulders.

  “Jae?” Halen’s breath hitched.

  “I was told you are in need of an immortal soul.” She smiled, her sharp teeth puncturing her lower lip. She swiped the blood away with the back of her hand.

  “You’ll die,” Halen said.

  “One day, but I’ll willingly trade my immortality to keep Tarius away from the other realms.”

  Shouting ripped through their thatched covering, and flames flickered along the roof.

  “They set us on fire!” Natalie blew out. Cool air rushed from her lips and a shield of ice lined the branch cage. “Do it now!” She grasped Halen’s hand and held her other hand out for Asair to take.

  He took Natalie’s hand and then laced his fingers with Halen’s. “Ready?”

  She nodded.

  Jae stood in the center. The fire smoldered, melting the ice shield. Asair chanted words of magick in a singsong rhythm; Lamantos, vitti, galamentia… Halen had heard these words in his memories when he first bound the spell. She gripped his hand tighter. Their circle swayed.

  Jae arched back, her chest exploding with light. She screamed and the wind howled.

  Lamantos! Asair competed with the winds and Jae’s tortured cries.

  “I have to help her!” Halen lunged forward, but a jolt ripped through their circle forcing her back. An electrifying charge surged with their magick; Halen’s sparks joined Natalie’s and Asair’s with hers until the force shook them apart. They flew back against the branches, crumbling the remnants of the cage. Jae collapsed to her knees, and her wings protectively draped her body. Halen reached out to her.

  “She’ll be all right.” Asair crouched beside her.

  Jae nodded. “I feel a little woozy, that’s all.”

  A soft glow drew Halen’s attention; the water stone shone by her side. She picked up the stone, searching the forest for signs of the stag. “Do you think it worked?”

  “I do. I can feel the spell running through you.” Asair traced her arm and her sparks danced along her flesh.

  “Wow.” She smiled.

  “Ahem.” Natalie cleared her throat. She stood over them with her hands on her hips. “I can feel this too, so please keep your touchy feelies down to a minimum. Or I’m seriously going to puke.”

  Halen stood at once. She set the stone at her feet and then flung her arms around Natalie and squeezed her so tightly.

  Natalie went rigid in her arms.

  “You better get used to it.” Halen didn’t let go and when she felt Natalie’s arms around her, she smiled.

  “We should go.” Asair guided Jae to her feet. “We need a place to hide until the news spreads.”

  “I have a safe place,” Jae said.

  Halen loosened her grip on Natalie and stepped back, yet she kept her hands on her arms, not ready to let go.

  Natalie’s smile reached her bright green eyes, when her lips parted with a sharp gasp. She clutched Halen, her nails digging in. She fell against her with a gold ar
row stuck fast in her back.

  “No, no, no!” Halen’s fingers trembled along the rod, her hand washing with blood.

  Asair flattened his palms against the air. Another arrow sailed through the air, but Asair diverted it.

  “I thought the Hunters were on our side!” Halen fought the sinking weight of her sister.

  Jae rushed to her side. “Now that the portal is sealed, they want our souls.” Asair thrust his hand outward; branches snapped from the trees. “We never should have trusted them.”

  “Run!” Blood sputtered from Natalie’s lips.

  “No way!” Halen guided her to the ground.

  Jae crouched. She wrapped her wing over Natalie’s body. “My wings are impenetrable. She'll be okay.” She nodded toward the water stone. “You have the heart of Ranastil—be brave. You must protect Galadia’s wand.”

  With her sister shielded, Halen picked up the glowing stone and stood by Asair’s side.

  “Get out of here!” He turned, his gaze flashing with rage.

  “No! We fight together.” She raised her hand.

  He shoved her arm down and his sparks surged through her. “Leave or I swear, I’ll strike you with magick.”

  “I won’t leave you!” Tears choked her throat.

  “Please.” His voice strained. “You have to find Dax. You need his marrow. You need to get that stone out of here.”

  She shook her head furiously.

  “We’ll find you—I promise.” Asair whipped around as a grizzly bear bounded toward them. “Go!”

  The stone warmed in her hand at once. She could stay and fight, but this would not be the end—the deaths would never stop unless she destroyed Tarius. No matter how much she struggled with leaving, she knew Asair was right.

  Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’ll be waiting.”

  With guilt weighting heavy in her heart, she turned away and ran, never looking back. The water stone sang the call of her destiny. Tarius awaits. His outstretched hand flashed through her thoughts. She would accept Tarius once more, but next time she would be prepared to fight.

  Acknowledgements

  A very special and long overdue thank you to the talented Tara Spruit, for her incredible illustrations in book one. I still sit and stare at the gorgeousness. Thank you Eight Little Pages aka Claire Lucas for the stunning cover. Thank you to my my incredible editor Jill Benson for her amazing insight and kind words of encouragement. If you love book two, it's because she's the Wonder Woman of editors. Hug her if you see her! Mad love and thanks to Ben Alderson and my Oftomes family, for all the magic they do behind the scenes and for all the love they've showered me and the series with. And a heartfelt thank you to my readers. Some writing days seem impossible, but your kind messages are my fuel. I’m forever grateful. Thank you for loving book one. I hope you adore this one just as much. Hugs!