“Son of a bitch!” Aidan spat, kicking a rock into the forest in his frustration. “Do you have to look at her like that?”
“Sorry … I’ll just be in the barn.” Darius reluctantly left them alone.
She sensed Aidan step up behind her, his arms wrapping around her. The empty echo in her mind was a reminder that it was up to her to keep him safe—even if it meant revealing the darkest part of herself to everyone here.
“I don’t like this. Any of it.” His breath brushed the top of her head. “I don’t like whatever this is with you and my brother and I don’t like you blocking me.”
“Me either.” She turned toward him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “I don’t like the separation from you, but I need to focus tonight.” She could feel Darius in her blood, the thump of his heart beside hers––the sense of calm and reassurance it gave her.
“Be safe, Alexis Ann. I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.”
“I will be fine. Aidan Loukas.” She gripped his jacket in her fists. “You have to promise me you won’t do anything stupid. I can’t lose you now.”
“We’ve got this, babe.” He took her hand as they moved closer to the trees nearest the path down to the beach.
Allie reached to turn her headset on. “Everyone with me?” She heard the echoing replies of all her friends. “Good luck.”
Allie would gladly give up her immortality to see this thing not happen, but she didn’t have that luxury. Her peripheral vision went green and she took it to mean she was choosing the right path.
“How are we doing Chlo?” Allie asked over the headset.
“As good as can be expected.”
“Should we try to get closer to the beach or stay here?”
“Stay where you are. You're in the best spot for reacting quickly when this thing reaches us.”
Gregg and the others were lying in wait up at the house. Everyone was as prepared as they could be, given the fact that Allie still saw so many dark spots. But at least they had numbers this time. She’d never forget the dreams. The slaughter was branded into her mind forever, but this time, they would all have a chance.
God, please let this work.
She could sense Darius approach, crouching just behind her. It was like she could feel his every move without looking. He was part of her now.
“I see movement toward the orchard in all directions,” Graham’s voice echoed in her ear. “Everyone get ready for this.”
Allie heard the first sounds of battle in the growing darkness. The enemy wasn’t prepared for their quick reaction and mobilization.
“There are more than I anticipated.” Allie chewed her bottom lip. Dark figures swarmed the sandy dunes below. Allie watched as the people she loved made their way to the beach. Several shadowy figures followed in hot pursuit. But they weren’t prepared to find Emma and Jin waiting there as backup.
“Do not let me out of your sight, Lex,” Aidan said softly. “We’re doing this together.”
“You too,” she managed in a strangled whisper as they stood.
“I’ve got your back, killer,” Darius said. “You just tell us what needs to happen and when.”
Allie nodded, gripping her mother’s sai, aching to hear them sing. The sound felt like her mother’s presence and she needed all the inner strength she could muster tonight.
As their family came up the steep path, Allie, Aidan, and Darius crouched among the bushes, waiting to join the battle. Gregg and Emma streaked past them, unaware, while Naeemah and Jin followed. Their quick reaction seamlessly split Naeemah from her Complement in such a subtle way that Allie doubted those following even realized.
“Where are Aide and Hélène?” Allie asked desperately. “They were supposed to be with them!”
“Looks like Aide and Gen are coming down the path from the gates with ... shit! My great-grandparents are with them.” Graham said.
Ju Long and Lu Li were Ming Lao's ancient parents. Allie had never seen any version of her visions with them in it. She felt like it was a bad omen that they were here now.
“And Lucien and Hélène just came up through the tunnels,” Chloe added. “I think everyone is accounted for so far.”
At the top of the path, Gregg and the others turned to meet their attackers. Allie lunged after the last figure, taking him by surprise. She fought to fully incapacitate her Immortal opponents and to only maim the mortals she faced. Now wasn’t the time to be squeamish, and Allie had come a long way these last months.
One of Sasha’s lodestone arrows zipped past her to fell an oncoming assault. Allie moved with speed, scanning the small clearing, looking for the dark spots, the information she was missing.
She heard Gregg’s growl of irritation when he realized Aidan and Sasha were there, but there was no time for that now.
Hélène and Lucien burst through the barn with Ming and Daniel behind them. Imogen and Aide were coming down the path through the woods that led to the gates with Liam and George right behind them. Everyone was present now—almost everyone. She still hadn’t seen Quinn yet. Just as she planned, the fight was coming to them in the orchard. The first step was a success. The orchard swarmed with Coalition and Immortals she didn’t recognize—more than she ever saw in her dreams. But she spotted familiar faces, too. Dean and Erin were with Greyson, and Naomi fought with an Immortal man Allie didn’t recognize. They had friends here. Their numbers were good.
“We can do this,” Allie murmured.
“Allie, you need to decide now. Move or stay where you are, but do it now,” Chloe said.
“Come on.” Allie darted along the rocky path back to the orchard. Aidan and Darius followed, fighting furiously at her side, keeping her free to observe. She saw familiar sights; events were unfolding in their favor, but she needed to know—needed to understand the cause of her blind spot.
“Go right, Allie, back toward the barn and across the orchard,” Chloe’s voice crackled over their connection. “She won’t see you.”
Allie followed Chloe’s advice, and then she saw her, standing at the end of the orchard. “It is Livia.” She exhaled in a rush as the missing information began to fill in. Allie understood more of what she’d witnessed in her dreams and visions now. Livia had been blocking her all this time.
Livia was caught up in a battle with Ming Lao and Daniel. She was outmatched. Ming was ruthless, but Allie knew it wouldn’t go well for her. Somehow, what was about to happen would affect Jin, who was across the battlefield fighting beside Naeemah.
To her utter horror, Allie saw Quinn, fighting alongside Livia, oblivious of his family’s presence. He didn’t seem to realize he fought against his own father—he was too far gone.
“He’s broken,” Allie realized. Had he seen Sasha yet?
When Livia disappeared, slithering away to appear again just out of Ming’s reach, Allie understood. She was using Quinn’s gift. She’d latched onto him like a parasite. That was how she’d escaped with him last spring.
“What do you see?” Aidan panted as he regrouped at her side. Sasha’s arrow sailed right through the eye of an approaching enemy. He hit the ground hard, buying them time to get away.
“Sasha, go!” Allie cried as they scrambled through the rows of apple trees.
“It’s Livia. She’s my blind spot. She’s blocking me somehow. That’s why I could never see who Quinn was talking to in my dreams—she’s using him, using his gifts. I don’t think he’s even aware any of this is happening.”
“Erin!” Darius shouted.
“I’m so sorry, Darius.” Allie turned away. She didn’t want to watch him try to save Erin, but she had to leave the decision up to him. If he did, he was lost—better off dead, some would say. She wasn’t sure she would survive losing him like that so soon after their bond.
She heard Erin’s screech and couldn’t hold back her sobs, but she needed to keep moving. She didn’t want Livia’s attention just yet.
Sasha’s arrows
stopped. Allie turned to find Quinn standing with his sword drawn against Ming, his own grandmother, a grimace of confusion on his face as Daniel tried to talk him down.
“Quinnton Greggory Loukas!” Sasha screamed his name. She stood at the center of the orchard, hair crazy, eyes blazing. “Snap the hell out of it!” She pointed her dagger at him, glaring so fiercely, Allie thought she would stare a hole right through his chest. Something unspoken passed between them. But it worked. It was enough to bring Quinn back to himself. He dropped his sword to his side and stumbled away from Livia.
Livia, still battling Ming Lao, hissed in fury at Sasha’s interference.
Jin Jing’s sudden roar of agony cut right through Allie. “It’s happened!” She searched frantically for Chloe. Her parents needed her now.
“Go Chloe!” Graham called through the headset.
Ming was failing in her attack. Livia had done something to rend her nearly catatonic. She fell to her knees as Jin streaked across the orchard to her side.
With an anguished cry, Daniel took up the fight against Livia, shoving Quinn behind him and toward Ju Long and Lu Li.
“Ming?” Jin sobbed. The two regarded each other, completely heartbroken.
“She … broke their bond.” Aidan gasped, shaking his head in utter disbelief.
Allie could see it too. Their Complement bond was destroyed, like something that lay shattered at their feet. Their heartache was palpable. Ming dropped her sword, clutching her chest like she’d lost the will to live.
“Where is Chloe? They need her. They need something to hold them together until we can figure this out.”
“Mom!” Chloe burst out of the barn and through the trees, flinging herself between her parents, boldly standing between them and Livia. It was enough to snap them out of their torment. The reminder of the blood family they shared was enough for now.
“Chloe?” Daniel roared in surprise to see his little sister there.
With a sickening thud, Livia’s sword came crashing down, sending Daniel’s hand and his sword to the dusty ground. He stumbled, holding the bloody stump of his arm, trying to stay on his feet. He would heal, but it would be slow and agonizing. The injury was enough to incapacitate him. Livia shoved him down with the toe of her boot.
Her laughter rang out across the bloody grove. “You send their child to distract them? Very clever, girl. Where are you hiding?”
Livia's cold gaze sought Allie. Ming and Jin eased away from Livia, clutching their daughter between them. Allie shook with relief.
“It worked!” Allie called across the distance separating them.
“Oh, but I can do much worse, my dear Alexis,” she taunted. “You’ve done them an unkindness. How can they live knowing they are no longer Complements?”
“Liv, don’t do this,” Quinn begged. “Please. We’ll come back with you.” He struggled against his great-grandfather's grip, but Ju Long held him steady.
Rage swelled within her core as Allie took a step forward.
“No!” Chloe shrieked when Livia lunged toward Jin.
Allie watched as Jin shoved his daughter behind him. Livia’s sword flashed silver and Allie’s scream caught in her throat. No longer Complements? What did that even mean? Their Immortality lay within the Complement bond. If that bond no longer existed.…
“Stop her!” Allie darted along the path between the trees. But Livia’s sword arched toward Jin’s chest. She was going to kill him and Allie wouldn’t get there in time.
Allie scrambled for the gun she had tucked in her belt, grateful for Carson’s insistence that she bring it. She fired off a shot, striking Livia in the chest, but it was too late. She watched helplessly as Ming Lao slumped to the ground. She’d jumped in front of her husband, taking the strike that would end her Immortal life.
“Momma!” Chloe shrieked, dropping to the ground beside her.
“It is best that one of them not survive this, child,” Livia said, ruffling Chloe’s hair before she turned, gripping her shoulder where Allie’s shot found purchase, and set off across the orchard. Her minions swarmed up around their injured leader, taking anyone they could get their hands on.
“We have to go, Lex.” Aidan pulled her away as Chloe’s mournful shrieks cut right through her. The fury Allie had struggled to keep at bay for so long was about to overwhelm her. She needed to get out of there. Allie turned, the rage burned, scorching hot inside her now. She fled Livia’s pursuit, just as Dean, George, and Emma moved in to intercept Livia. Everyone would do their part to get through this. Some would make it, some wouldn’t. She felt a pang of regret when both Aidan and Darius let Dean pass, leaving the boy’s fate to play out.
“Ming,” Allie choked. She couldn’t seem to wrap her mind around her death—actual for-real death. They ran along the path that led to the gates, but Allie had trouble focusing and that would spell disaster for them all. She would have to mourn for Ming later.
“She’s dead?” Aidan struggled to get the question out.
Allie nodded. “But Jin will survive.” She felt bile rise in her throat.
“He’ll wish he hadn’t,” Darius said.
What have I done? In her desire to see them all survive, she never anticipated this outcome. But she didn’t have time to dwell on her mistakes. It was time to make sure Gregg and Naeemah made it out alive. Saving them had cost Ming Lao her life and Allie was more determined than ever not to fail. But that meant risking Aidan’s future. She knew he would never forgive her if she didn’t try. She would never forgive herself if her actions cost even more lives.
They scrambled along the path through the woods, the battle growing distant behind them, smoke drifting along the path in front of them.
“What’s next?” Aidan asked.
“We have to find your mom.”
“Naeemah is up by the gates with Gregg and Liam,” Graham said, his voice lifeless and flat after witnessing his grandmother’s murder.
Allie needed Gregg and Liam; they would react quickly when they saw. But first, Naeemah needed her.
When they reached the sloping green lawns, Allie stopped along the tree line where Naeemah and Liam fought against a man twice their combined size. Greyson battled three men with Gregg at his side.
The fires burned out of control here. Churning black smoke filled the sky as the clang of weapons crashed like thunder. Allie took a step away from Aidan’s side, long enough to grasp Naeemah’s wrist, wrenching her away from the blow that would have brought Gregg in to defend her—which would have been a grievous mistake for both Naeemah and Greyson. Now Allie had to convince her to leave. Emma needed her.
Naeemah turned, her eyes widening in fear when she saw Allie and her youngest son in the thick of it. Darius flew to Liam’s side, helping him fell the huge Immortal giant.
“What are you doing here?” Naeemah raged at them.
“Emma needs you. They have Quinn. Go now, please.” Allie sobbed, shoving her toward the path.
“Come with me, both of you.” Her gift commanded them to obey.
“No!” Allie broke the spell. “We are needed here.”
With a nod, she turned and fled along the path. Allie knew it took everything Naeemah had to leave her son.
The Immortal giant let out a loud roar and turned to dash through the open gates, trailing a nearly severed arm behind him.
“Allie?” Liam panted as he checked her over for injuries.
“I’m fine, but stay close, please?” She turned, grateful to have her brother near.
“What do you need us to do?” Gregg asked. He had full confidence in her and she was grateful for it.
“I, I don’t know. I need a minute.” She turned around, searching for clues. She was missing something.
“Where’s Aidan? Graham, where’s Aidan?” But only static sounded in response. She flung the useless thing aside.
“He was just here,” Darius said.
“No … It’s still happening.” Allie trembled, unsure of how to
react. She was on her own now. She’d seen just enough of this to know it was bad, but the flickering visions of the last hours never gave her enough to truly understand it.
The blood moon broke through the clouds to flood the sloping lawn with light. “Gonna need that distraction we talked about, Dare!” she called over her shoulder as she frantically searched for Aidan. “I’ll need you to get me out of here in a minute, Liam. And Gregg, you need to make sure there aren’t any witnesses. I’m not sure what state I will be in. Liam, don’t let Gregg interfere. Aidan will be fine. We just need to find him … now,” she roared, feeling the desperation of her rage fighting for release.
An ear-splitting shriek sounded behind them along the path back to the orchard. Darius’s distraction. As she surveyed her surroundings, there were few witnesses, and even fewer who would realize….
She saw him then. The veil of smoke lifted and a tall, muscular man grappled with Aidan at the edge of the forest near the gates. When had he left her side?
This was it. Her rage boiled over as the man overwhelmed him, drawing Aidan’s blood with a dagger to his side.
It was the sight of his blood that made her snap.
Aidan was somewhere else. He wasn’t in the zone. If that was the case, he would be winning. With a peaceful smile on his face, Aidan slumped to the ground, blood oozing from his side. The man held his head in a vise grip. She was too far away to stop it—they all were.
Aidan! She tried to reach him through their connection, but he was blocking her.
“Aidan!” Gregg cried, but Liam held him back. The world grew quiet and everything slowed. Allie saw it all again, only this time she understood. She experienced what Aidan’s life would be like without his gift of healing. The man was strong and he would overpower Aidan, but he wouldn’t drain him. Still, it would be enough to ruin him. He would never recover, never forgive himself when he couldn’t save someone who needed him. He would still love her, but he would never be the same. He would be forever scarred by this event. If she let it happen. He would be a healer no more. If she let it happen, things might go better for them all; she might keep her power in check and no one would ever know. They were winning—despite the horrifying loss of Ming Lao’s life. If she let it happen, other lives could be spared.
Emerge: The Judgment: (Book 2) Page 25
