by Simone Pond
I gave a slight nod to Isabella. She sent forth a mighty blast from her petite and slender fingers that disintegrated the operative into a pile of ash. I guess not everyone wants to be redeemed.
Isabella ran over and deactivated the mage-cage, pulling me into her arms. “Sorry we got here so late!” she cried.
I screeched from the violent pain ripping apart my nerve endings, then collapsed to the dirt. The shock of seeing Isabella in the Confederated Six, along with the agony from my damaged shoulder, was too much.
“We?” I muttered.
“CeeCee and I didn’t go through the portal. We came back for you and Benjamin.”
“CeeCee,” I whispered just as I slipped away into liquid blackness …
CHAPTER SEVEN
From the deepest sleep, I woke up to find our group tucked behind the boulders, hidden in the same nook where Benjamin, Nils, and I had camped the previous night. Had it not been for Isabella sitting next to Benjamin, or CeeCee leaning up against a giant rock looking as though she’d just run a marathon, I would’ve thought I’d dreamed everything. But all of it happened. The trip to the top of the mountain to see my father. The new assignment from the Ancient One. And that surprise attack that would’ve ended all three of us if these two ladies hadn’t shown up when they did.
Nils slept by my side with his head resting near my hip. His chest moved softly up and down with each breath. The blood on his shirt had dried up to create a stiff shield of armor in front of where the stomach wound used to be. I glanced to my right shoulder. My jacket had a huge hole, but my wound was completely healed. The pain was gone and my arm was firmly attached to my body.
I sat up slowly and looked over at CeeCee. “Thanks,” I said.
Her usual bright smile was a faded veneer and she barely managed to get out, “Sure thing.”
“She’ll be okay,” said Isabella. “Like you, she just needs to recharge.”
I looked at Benjamin. “How’s the wing? Was it the same one?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but I’m good. Don’t plan on doing any flying anyway. I think the Ancient One has made that clear.”
“You think he had something to do with the attack?” I asked.
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” said Benjamin. “But let’s just stick to on foot to play it safe. How’s the shoulder?”
I moved it around in a circle and not an inkling of pain lingered. Except for the memory of how that fire felt ripping through my flesh. I hoped to keep that feeling to a minimum in the future, preferably zero.
“I’m good,” I said, smiling, then addressed CeeCee. “How long do we need to wait?”
“At least an hour,” she said.
I reached for the knapsack and pulled out a bottle of water, accidentally waking up Nils in the process.
“Hey!” he shouted, sitting up quickly and reaching for something, which I assumed to be the rod. He scoped the nook, his blue eyes wide as he took in the scene. “What happened?”
“CeeCee and Isabella saved our asses,” said Benjamin.
I pointed to his side next to the boulder. “Your rod is right there.”
Nils grabbed the rod and used it to help himself up. “I thought you said they went through the portal.”
“I thought they had. But they jumped ship and came back for me and Benjamin. Tracked us down by going to the safe place first. Found Lily there and she told them where we’d gone.”
Benjamin gave Isabella a soft peck on the cheek. “And thank the Ancient One they came, otherwise you and I would’ve bled out and boss lady would be on her way to Magnus.”
We held our silence while Nils absorbed all this. Though I didn’t say anything, I also knew it was the love Benjamin and Isabella had for one another that refused to keep them separated. Unlike Matthias and me. But maybe we weren’t meant to be? Our love hadn’t been strong enough to endure the final test. Now he was safe in Shteim'esrei with the other Ancients while I was stuck here in the Confederated Six.
“He wanted to come,” said Isabella.
“Hey! What have I told you about reading my thoughts?” I snapped.
“I don’t need to read your mind to know what you’re thinking. You wear your heart on your sleeve, Jordan Temple.” She smiled and cocked her head. “Matthias had to stay with Daniel. He couldn’t leave his younger brother all alone.”
That made sense. Especially since it was my fault their father, my friend Haggai, had been offed by Magnus. They needed to stick together. Family needed one another … But still, my heart felt as though it had shriveled down a few sizes.
“We’ll get back there,” said Isabella.
“That’s not a guarantee,” I said.
Nils joined the conversation. “And we have a pretty big job to do first and foremost.”
I chuffed. “Yeah, somehow we need to convince everyone inside the Confederated Six to stop worshiping Ashtar.”
Nils’s lips spread in his infamous grin. “Well … not everyone, Jordy.”
“Fair enough,” I said.
Benjamin added, “Don’t forget you’ll also need to convince them to come with us to the Madlands and go into battle against every evil force. Gotta love the Ancient One’s penchant for stacking the odds.”
We all laughed. Even CeeCee found some strength to pull up a smile, filling the nook up with some much-needed radiant light and a sense of hope.
“Nothing’s impossible, I suppose,” I said.
“That’s right,” said Benjamin. “Remember, this little enchantress had a change of heart.” He playfully nudged Isabella.
“As did Lily,” said Nils.
Benjamin stood up and rested his hands on his waist, his perfectly sculpted chest glistening like a golden-brown god. “And let’s not forget about me, redeemed shifter, now fighting for the Ancient One.”
A feeling of warmth spread across my chest, causing my heart to beat faster and tears of joy to well up through me. I felt a deep satisfaction, sensing we were on our way to witnessing something miraculous.
“I know what this is about,” I told them. “In the beginning everyone lived in the original city with the Ancient One, but when they began to worship Ashtar they got scattered. Now it’s time to find those lost souls who long to return and bring them home.”
Nils picked up his knapsack. “That’s right. We just have to get through the Madlands and make our way to Alexandria. I’m assuming we can take a boat across the river since none of us can walk on water …”
“I’m sure that’ll be fine.” I laughed.
Nils and I assisted CeeCee over the boulders, and the five of us headed into the forest. That part would be the easiest. It was the trek through the scorching desert that concerned me. We’d have to pass by the factories again, then make our way back through the core of the city. By the time we got there, it’d be late and the freaks and fiends would be roving about. I took the golden star out of my pocket and brandished it in plain sight just in case … though I could use it only at the anointed time, our enemies didn’t know that.
***
Night had come over the Madlands, and the five of us hustled the last mile through the desert, past the drug factories and to the safe place. Lily greeted us at the warehouse, where we made a pitstop to pull together supplies and weapons. The squeal of delight that came from her lips was startling. Apparently, Lily and Isabella had known each other in Endor.
“Small confederation,” I muttered under my breath, heading straight to the weapons wall to get suited up for our pilgrimage.
Though we’d have CeeCee and Isabella traveling with us, I wanted to take extra precautions to ensure during one of my flying-off-the-handle moments I wouldn’t haphazardly use one of the rod’s seven charges or the last golden star. I took down a .44 Colt, which gave me a sense of security, even if it was false. We’d always have the guiding star watching over us, but in some cities it was difficult to break through the heavy veil that Ashtar created to keep the residents of the Conf
ederated Six in the dark, so to speak
“You’re sure we have to start in Alexandria?” asked CeeCee. She still hadn’t told me the details of what had happened during her time there, but the worry lines spreading across her forehead weren’t a good sign.
“That was the Ancient One’s direction,” I said.
She rested her head of soft snow-white curls in her hands against the wall, distraught. “Of all places …”
I meandered over and told her, “It’ll be okay. Whatever happened to you is in the past. This is about the future. It’s about change. Your return will show the city’s leaders that change is possible. You can be their inspiration.”
My speech sounded a bit fluffy, and CeeCee gave me the side-eye, smirking a bit. “Is that right?”
I nodded half-heartedly. “Look at you. You’re a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who sees you will shudder. There’s no need to be afraid.”
She laughed, then faced the weapons wall. “I’m not afraid for me, Chosen One.”
“Oh …”
I watched her take down the most impressive of all the weapons—a silver samurai sword. She fastened it over her shoulder and patted it against her side, then glanced over at me with a twinkling smile.
Nils approached CeeCee. “This isn’t a revenge tour.”
“I know. But I also know Claudius a lot better than any of you. And he’s a beast. The man approves of the enslavement of children and watching them fight to their death—for sport. His Colosseum is a ritualistic bloodbath-house. For the entertainment of the masses and sacrifice for Ashtar. One of their favorite events is watching his cage fighters decide which family members to save. It’s … abhorrent.” Tears slid down her pale cheeks and they glistened like diamonds catching sunlight. But after a few moments, she placed the sword back on the wall and walked away.
I didn’t push, nor did I need to hear any more details. I could get the gist of what she had been through. I understood on a minuscule scale: the struggle of having to choose between Haggai and Daniel. I couldn’t imagine what it must’ve been like having to decide between family members. The residents of Alexandria sounded warped and it seemed unlikely that any of them would want to join us.
I stood before the wall of weapons and took down a large dagger. Nils reached for my hand, taking the knife and placing it back in its spot on the wall. Then he removed the .44 Colt from my holster. “You don’t need these, Jordy.”
Before I could protest, the skin on my hand tingled with a pleasant warmth where he’d touched me. I stared down at my palm, looking for evidence of why such a thing would happen. We’d been working side by side for the last three years, so why would I have felt anything different? He turned back around to face me and elbowed me gently.
“What’s going on in that head of yours, partner?”
“You’re right. I don’t need those things, partner.”
Partner … Nils was my partner. What was I doing getting emotional and weird? I needed to keep my head on straight. I was a trained professional and the Chosen One for Ancients’ sake. Not some silly girl who lets hormones get the best of her. Nothing was going to whittle away at my focus. We were going to complete this final assignment and bring this ancient prophecy to fulfillment.
“So anyone know how we’re getting across that river?” Benjamin’s voice was a nice interruption to the ramblings in my head.
“I know a way.” Lily perked up from where she stood by the kitchen packing bags of food supplies.
I shook my head. “Who said you’re coming?”
“I told her,” said Nils.
“Why would you do that?”
“Have you already forgotten the purpose of this mission? Come on, Jordy. You’re better than this.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I know. It’s just … I have a problem trusting people who were plotting to kill me.”
CeeCee smiled. “Like you said, Chosen One, that’s the past. This journey is all about the future.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
We left for Alexandria that night so we could arrive in the city at dawn. Suited up and fully equipped with supplies, we tromped down the rickety metal staircase to the front door of the warehouse and prepared to step out into the Madlands.
I paused before opening the door and turned to the group. “I’d like to say it’s an honor to take this journey with all of you. Two enchantresses, a shifter, a double-agent … and an orphan. We’re quite a crew. But it just goes to show that anything is possible. Let’s try to remember that throughout the trials. I’m saying this mostly for myself. I want to do right by the Ancient One. I really want to fulfill this prophecy and see the demise of all evil.”
No more words were spoken as I unlocked the door and led the team outside into the mayhem of the Madlands. Already the trash barrels were ablaze with tall flames and all sorts of scraggly creatures were dancing around in circles. Howls came from the alleyways, along with murderous shrieks and wailing. My ears cringed, wanting to close shut and block out the surrounding noises. We started walking east toward the River Elin, where we’d meet up with one of Lily’s former colleagues who’d charter us across the river on his boat.
The screech of a screaming child stopped me in my tracks. We were supposed to continue forward, no stopping, no distractions, just keep going onward—no matter what. But that sound. I couldn’t just ignore the cries. I turned around to see a young boy wriggling around in the arms of an old woman. She called out some strange gibberish as she shuffled around the trash barrel, circling closer and closer to the flames. The boy writhed and kicked, fighting to get out of her grip. No. No. No. She was going to sacrifice the boy. I spun on my heels and began speed-walking over toward the woman, but Nils grabbed my shoulder.
“No distractions,” he said.
I yanked myself away and sprinted across the road and without a second thought I tackled the old woman to the ground. When her back slammed against the cement, she lost her grip on the boy. I pulled him up and tossed him toward my group. He stood there staring at me.
“Run!” I yelled.
“Watch out,” he whispered.
A force came down on me like an anvil, and I dropped to the cement, scraping my chin up pretty badly. My magic shield wasn’t working, which meant there were some serious binding spells being thrown at me. It felt like my entire jaw had snapped off and was dangling from my skull. I was pulling myself up when another blow hit the base of my spine. I slammed face first to the ground again. Blood filled my mouth and formed a huge puddle on the road. If I didn’t get up, she was going to finish me off.
“Jordy!” Nils’s voice sounded like a faraway echo bouncing off cavern walls.
I rolled over to my side and saw him aiming his iron rod in my direction. Was I supposed to catch that thing? I could barely pick up my head. Behind me the old hag’s cackle filled the air as the fire roared. The heat from the flames scorched my back. I patted my pocket for my golden star, crawling until I came into a hunched-over position that slightly resembled standing. I started to hurl the star at the bag of bones, but my arm couldn’t move. She stood in front of me laughing hysterically. Powerful sorceress.
“Jordan!” Nils shouted again.
I turned to face him just as he catapulted the rod in my direction. I forced myself with every bit of focus to raise my hand, catching the rod just in time. The solid iron settled into my grip as though it belonged there. It was a perfect fit. A force of energy reverberated through my hand and up my arm, then through my body. My nerve endings caught on fire and exploded from my pores like golden light. The sorceress stopped laughing.
“You were gonna sacrifice him?” I trudged toward her, aiming the rod like a spear; blood oozed from the sides of my mouth.
“That’s not your business, girl!” she crowed.
“It’s the Ancient One’s …” I paused to spit out a clump of blood and what I prayed wasn’t any of my teeth. “And since I work for him, it is my business.”
She held up her
hands, ready to throw some wicked magic my way, but I held up my free hand. “Wait.”
“For you to kill me? I don’t think so!”
“Giving you a choice …” Another bloody spitball to the pavement. “Turn away from this hateful life and return to the Ancient One …”
“Or?” she asked, keeping her knotted hands still raised and ready to throw down.
“Or … die.”
She cackled so loudly it ripped into my brain like icepicks, jarring me to my core. Clearly, she had made her choice.
“Screw you, girl. You can’t kill me!”
She aimed her hands and shot a blaze of orange fire at me. I held up the rod and positioned it so that the flames hit in the exact spot to make them ricochet directly back to her. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what was happening. The split second before she ignited, she called out for Ashtar. Foolish all the way to the end. The other witches who had been dancing around the trash fire scattered like cockroaches into the shadows. I dropped the iron rod and as it clanged to the cement, my knees buckled and I went down.
“Stand back a minute!” CeeCee’s ethereal glow spread over me like a silk blanket of warmth. I lay still, letting her healing hands do their magic on my jaw and lower back. I must’ve been messed up because she spent a while mending my broken bones.
“Thank you,” I muttered, sitting up slowly.
Nils stretched out his hand and helped me up. “Weren’t you the one who said to keep walking no matter what?”
“Yeah, well. I wasn’t about to watch a kid die,” I said.
The boy shouldered his way through the group and tugged on my shirt and hugged my leg.
I patted his blond hair. “It was nothing, kid. You’re okay now.” I rubbed my blood-covered jaw. “Anyone have something to clean this mess?”
Lily handed me some gauze pads dipped in antiseptic and I wiped away the blood while they watched me.
