“Maybe Foster’s the duck since he’s the only one that can fly.” Rain shrugged, as a group of familiar faces came into view from some underground trap door that Jewel hadn’t even noticed as it had appeared to be just another portion of the forest floor.
One by one, several members of Jewel’s group showed up, but it wasn’t the welcoming committee that Jewel had expected. Their faces were stoic, and unreadable as they formed a line in front of Jewel and her group. Even Skye, in all her glittery glory, had yet to crack a smile, although she had sent a few wary glances in Galadriel’s direction, maybe trying to determine if he was real.
“Uh. Hey, guys.” Jewel said, attempting to break up the awkwardness of the reunion. “Glad to see you guys too. Oh, us? We’re fine, thanks for asking. Just literally went through some place akin to Hell, and arrived here to some nonsense, but thanks for the warm welcome. Guess the balloons and cake are somewhere else.” She said cheekily, while also noticing how lean everyone had become. Even Dream and Lyric looked much more toned and as though they could punch someone’s lights out with one hit. They could probably run up and down the stairs without even being winded at this point.
Jewel kept waiting for someone to say something, but no one was talking. Ambrosia had a sneer on her face that looked completely out of place as she was looking directly at Sage. Teagan had shifted into his large, black wolf form as soon as everyone was out of the secret trap door- the silver stripes taut as the muscles in his four legs were wound up tighter than a snake ready to strike, and Storm looked like he was ready to drop hail from the sky which was the opposite of his whimsical ‘Easy Breezy’ shirt.
“Well, I don’t know whether to be offended or not, Spitfire.” Rain frowned. “They really don’t seem to think that it’s us.”
“Apparently not.” Jewel muttered as Storm narrowed his eyes in Steele’s direction and spoke to the man in uniform that had first blocked the way through the forest.
“We were just attacked.” Storm said. “By a group that very much resembles this one. All except for Steele, who couldn’t possibly be Steele, because Steele is frozen.”
“She doesn’t have the necklace on.” Ambrosia said, her fangs showing.
Jewel rolled her eyes. “Here we go again.”
“You can’t blame her, Gem.” Frost interjected. “I thought the same thing.”
“Yeah, you did. As a matter of fact, I’m still not sure I’m over that.” Jewel said, her eyebrow raising.
“They look different than the group we just fought.” Lyric said, her violet eyes narrowing.
“Yep. But that doesn’t mean anything.” Dream responded. “They could have more than one group of fake Jewels’, scattered around. This could be a trap.”
“Chocolate covered snookerberries.” Rain said exasperatedly as she glanced at Zephyr, Sage, and Frost. “Are you all seriously just going to stand there and try and figure out who we are.” She took a step forward, but quickly jumped back when Teagan, in wolf form, growled and snapped in her direction- his sapphire eyes glowing and giving a clear warning that Rain wasn’t ignoring.
“Now what?” Rain asked Jewel.
“This is ridiculous.” Jewel began. “I can see that you’re all on edge, but someone ask me something that only I would know. Like something personal or something that has to do with a memory that these Transmuters wouldn’t know, and then let’s get somewhere away from just being out in the open.”
“Fine.” Ambrosia stepped forward. “If you are truly you, where did we meet?”
“Too easy.” Storm interjected before Jewel could even answer. “Here’s one that’s a bit harder.” He paused. “What did I feel for Winter?” He said, causing Jewel to be confused and based on the baffled expressions around the group, she wasn’t the only one.
“What do you mean?” Jewel asked.
“Ask me how I felt about Winter and then tell me what my aura says. Read my mind and thoughts and tell me what she meant to me.” Storm said seriously.
Jewel looked at Rain who merely shrugged and then looked back at Storm. “What were your feelings about Winter?”
Storm’s aura turned bright red and the whitest color white she had ever experienced. It was almost blinding in nature, screaming the pain he was experiencing through its color. But it was what Jewel found in his mind that solidified what she had suspected when Winter died. He had been in love with Winter his whole life. They had grown up together and had been the best of friends. But Winter had met Rain’s dad and Storm had given up hope until Rain’s dad was killed in the line of duty- which Rain had never mentioned. Their relationship, even though they were both Protectors, had started to get more serious when Winter had been captured and imprisoned by Shade and then there had been no time to really see where things could go because of everything going on in the worlds around them. And then, then Winter had died.
The pain that Storm was feeling and the rage that was pent up was nothing short of a category 5 hurricane ready to tear everything in its path apart. Flashes of memories appeared in Storm’s mind like a movie reel, making Jewel gasp and grip her chest as she watched them fly by. She had always suspected that their relationship was perhaps a little pleasure mixed with business, but the pure, unadulterated sense of love and loss that was coursing through Storm had Jewel almost on her knees. She felt what he was feeling, and that on top of her own sense of loss when it came to Winter was almost enough to overwhelm her.
Jewel allowed her mind to disconnect from Storm’s, a lump in her throat and silent tears running down her cheeks, as she stepped towards him.
“I had no idea. I’m so sorry. I should have stayed in Charmed Rock like Gertrude told me to. I should never have gone for that free beignet and she would still be alive.” Jewel said, her head dropping ever so slightly as grief and illogical guilt threatened to overrun her mind.
Storm stepped forward, his expression softening just a bit, but his face still holding a determined expression. “What did you see?” He asked simply, all business.
Jewel had to shrug off the sense of shock she felt at the coldness from Storm. If she were in his shoes, she would be doing the same thing. “You loved her. You always did, and you still do. You didn’t care that it was breaking the rules to pursue a relationship with a fellow Protector. You didn’t care about anything or anyone- but her.”
“And what am I feeling now?” Storm asked, his jaw twitching slightly.
“Guilt. Fear. Rage. And grief that is threatening to overtake you every second of every day.” Jewel answered softly.
Storm looked in Jewel’s direction, and visibly relaxed. “Welcome back, Jewel. You’ve been missed.”
“I’m still not convinced.” Ambrosia said, her lavender eyes peering at Jewel as though she could somehow pierce through her soul.
“Then how am I supposed to convince you, Ambrosia? Because in all honesty, we just don’t have time for this.” Jewel said, her irritation getting the best of her, and shooting Rain a look before saying, “And why is it that you never told me about your Dad, Raindrop? I thought we were like sisters, so why did I have to learn about him from reading someone else’s mind?”
Rain’s eyes went wide as saucers and her jaw visibly dropped, but Jewel didn’t even give her a chance to reply. Turning back to Ambrosia, she took a few steps in her direction, her gaze never wavering from the Vampiress’. “You know me. You know I am who I say I am.”
“I thought I knew so too, but the imposter that looks like Sage tricked me, and it almost got us killed. I just can’t trust myself to know the difference.” Ambrosia admitted, a look in her eyes, pleading with Jewel to understand.
“How can we convince you?” Sage asked, appearing next to Jewel. “How can we prove it?”
Ambrosia took a deep breath before answering. “I don’t think you can.” She said before taking a step back, but Sage was quicker and he pulled Ambrosia into an embrace, kissing her without hesitation and without apology. It brought a smile to J
ewel’s face as she looked upon what could only be described as a romantic movie moment.
It only took seconds for Ambrosia to throw her arms around Sage’s neck, and Jewel knew there was no longer any confusion as to whether they were the real deal or the imposters.
Lyric and Dream ran to Jewel and pulled her into a vice-like hug; Skye rushed over to Galadriel, fussing and looking him over to check for any injuries; Ambrosia walked hand in hand with Sage over to Foster and Teagan, who had shifted back into his Human form. It was a reunion filled with tears, laughter, and relief- and like most happy moments in Jewel’s world, too short lived.
Out of the corner of Jewel’s eye, she saw a flash of orange-ish red hair, and then standing in front of Ambrosia was a very frazzled Ember Flint. The same Ember Flint that had been so evil and rude to Jewel during her short stint at Elemental Academy.
“They know Jewel’s here. The real Jewel. They know, and they’ve called in for reinforcements.” Ember said, completely out of breath and a look of terror plastered on her face.
“We have to move.” Ambrosia said to everyone. “Now!” She ordered as she flung open the trap door. One by one, soldiers began dropping into the hole and Jewel could hear the pounding of footsteps as they immediately ran to wherever they were going. Lyric, Dream, Jade, Foster, and Teagan also wasted no time getting away, but Jewel on the other hand, felt frozen to the spot.
“What is she doing here?” Jewel said, pointing at Ember. “She hates us. How can you trust her?”
“Because she has proven herself to be an ally to us. She’s been spying for us for weeks and has been bringing food and supplies as well. Which we definitely wouldn’t have been able to survive very long without considering the weather here changes like Sage’s wardrobe.” Ambrosia answered, smiling at Sage, before turning back to Jewel. “She’s changed Girlie. Or maybe not, but the fact remains that she has shown herself to truly be on our side.”
“It’s true.” Ember stated as she flipped her sunrise colored hair over her shoulder. “I mean, don’t get me wrong- I’ll never be besties with you, Hybrid and not even with you, Rainstop, but what my parents are involved in is just wrong, and I won’t stand by and just let it happen. And Malum, don’t even get me started on how bad things will get if he’s in charge of anything but Malum Mansion.” She shuddered.
The ring Galadriel gave Jewel showed no immediate signs of danger, and when Jewel felt the truth stone for any signs of deception, it only felt wonderfully warm which was both weird and relieving at the same time. Ember’s aura was a canary yellow and seeing the panic build in her chocolate brown eyes was enough for Jewel, at least for the moment. “I still don’t completely trust you, but we will have to talk more about that later.” She said, glancing around. “Now, who’s coming, and how long do we have until they get here?” She asked, but it was too late. Her ring began to glow and vibrate with an intensity that had her whole arm shaking.
“Oh, I’d say you don’t have too long, my dear.” A disembodied voice answered Jewel, followed by a laugh that sounded like the tinkling chimes of death. And then Manti appeared, her triangular face split into an evil grin and her ridiculously long arms hanging like stilts by her side.
Ember slammed the trap door shut, trying to hide it from view but it was too late.
“So that’s where the hidey hole is.” Manti grinned crazily. “So nice of you to lead us here, Ember dear.” She chuckled maniacally.
Ember turned to Ambrosia, “I swear I didn’t. You’ve got to believe me. I had no idea she followed me here.”
The truth stone remained a nice warm temperature, and although it pained Jewel to help Ember, she couldn’t allow Ambrosia to think she was lying.
“She’s telling the truth.” Jewel announced.
“Does she now, Jewel?” Manti said mockingly. “Are you sure, because we both know you aren’t a very good judge of character.”
Jewel shrugged. “Eh. Well, what can I say- you taught me a valuable lesson, Insect.” And without wasting another second, Jewel used her Keeper of Tempus powers to freeze Manti to the spot, delving into her mind at the same time to see if she could find anything useful and to wipe her memories of having ever seen them or the trap door.
There was a jumbled mess within her mind, emotions flying around along with memories that Jewel had no time to peruse, but the one feeling that stood out beyond anything else was a love for a man that kept creeping into Manti’s thoughts. He was gorgeous, like model/movie star gorgeous. Almost too pretty to be a man, but still holding on to his manliness somehow. He had dark, wavy hair, show-stopping almond-shaped turquoise eyes, a muscular build, and cherubic features that were somehow both sharp and soft. He stood with a regality befitting a king and when he smiled, his bright white teeth only made his flawless, tanned skin pop even more.
Jewel didn’t know who it was but based on the myriad of memories and thoughts surrounding him, it was obvious that Manti was obsessed with him.
Unlucky guy, Jewel thought to herself as she started wiping Manti’s mind of any memory of seeing Jewel, the others, or the trap door. Anyone that Manti had that much interest in needed to run as fast as they could for the hills, because she was a whole lotta crazy wrapped in a whole lotta ugly. Definitely not a good combo.
“Spitfire!” Rain called out just as Jewel was finishing up with disconnecting her mind from Manti’s. Jewel looked over at her friend who was waving wildly at her to follow quickly. Manti was blinking as though she wasn’t entirely sure what had happened, and Jewel had no intentions of letting her figure it out, so she quickly used her telekinesis to send Manti careening into a tree, effectively knocking her out in the process.
Jewel ducked down behind some bushes and saw that most everyone was already there. Ambrosia had somehow managed to climb a tree and seemingly disappear into its greenery, but from the angle they were at, Jewel could see that she was situated on a branch, looking every bit like a panther about to pounce. Only Ember hadn’t managed to hide, which was unfortunate for her, because she had definitely been spotted by some unknown but eerily familiar voices.
Here we go, Jewel thought to herself as the theme song to Rocky randomly popped into her head, making her adrenaline rise and her heart pound faster. Here we go.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Descent of Darkness
“And just where do you think you’re going?” An unknown voice asked Ember.
“No-n-n-nowhere. Just you know, uh, taking a walk.” Ember answered, obviously intimidated by whoever it was that had appeared.
“Is that so?” The unknown, yet familiar voice said back with an amused tone.
Jewel crouched down behind the bush, low enough to see who was talking and when she did, she had to stifle a gasp. She was looking upon the stupid Transmuters that had parading around and causing havoc wherever they went. Jewel started to get up, wanting nothing more than to confront the imposters, but Frost grabbed her arm and shook his head. Jewel turned to her other side and saw Sage and Galadriel also shaking their heads. Jewel silently huffed, but she didn’t argue as she crouched back down to see what was going on.
“Uh oh, weakling.” Imposter Rain began as she grabbed Manti’s arm and dragged her a few inches from the tree before dropping her like a sad sack of sweet potatoes. “What happened here?” She said, a sneer unlike anything Rain had ever donned appearing on her face.
“I, I-I don’t know. I swear. I just came for a walk.” Ember said, her chocolate brown eyes wide as saucers and her voice trembling slightly.
The six imposters, looking like Jewel, Rain, Frost, Galadriel, Sage, and Zephyr all chuckled at Ember’s fear. It was the strangest twilight zone moment of Jewel’s life. The imposters looked and sounded just like Jewel and her friends, but the evil vibes coming from them were unlike anything that Jewel had ever experienced before. Sure, Gertrude was evil, as was Manti, but these Transmuters were filled with a darkness that Jewel had never faced before, and it made her feel a level of d
isgust she hadn’t known possible.
“I think you were out here meeting some of your old buddies, weakling.” Imposter Jewel said as she slid a finger down Ember’s cheek creepily.
“No. I wasn’t. And Jewel was never what I would have considered to be a buddy. I just came for a walk. You have to believe me.” Ember pleaded.
“We don’t have to believe anything.” Imposter Galadriel stated, a smirk forming on his face that was filled with a promise of horrible things to come. “And who ever said anything about Jewel?”
Ember took a few involuntary steps backwards as she realized her mistake too late.
“I know I sure didn’t.” Imposter Frost said with Imposter Rain shocking everyone hiding by pulling Imposter Frost in close and kissing him long and hard. It was not a pretty picture and even though Jewel knew they weren’t really Rain and Frost, it still left a bitter taste in her mouth and based on the low growl that escaped Zephyr’s- he wasn’t a big fan either.
“Should we call her parents so they can watch what happens when someone betrays us?” Imposter Sage asked.
“Or should we just call Gertrude and Shade?” Imposter Frost inquired, a smile plastered on his face that was both unnerving and unfitting.
Imposter Jewel’s eyebrow shot up, and she cocked her head to the side. “Why choose when we can have all four?” She finished with a wrinkle of her nose and a scary smile- obviously delighting in the turn of events.
“I like how you think, Sis.” Imposter Rain stated as she pressed down on the center stone in a beautiful bracelet. “We have the traitor. Send her parents and let Gertrude and Shade know as well.” She said into the piece of jewelry.
“Any last words?” Imposter Frost asked with that creepy smile still in place and as he pulled Imposter Rain closer.
Ember straightened up her back, her aura fading from yellow to black in less than five seconds. She took a breath before speaking, but when she did, her voice no longer wavered. “I have nothing to say to the likes of you. But darkness will never snuff out the light. You may win today. You may even win tomorrow, but the end for you is coming, and I for one can find peace knowing that I played a small part in making that happen.”
The Council Page 39
