“How?” Peter asked.
“They call it Operation Twilight,” Fraser replied.
That made sense. “It’s a reference to the Twilight of the Gods,” I said. “When the giants and the Norse gods fought for control of the world.”
Fraser nodded. “The giants plan to use the god elixir to make themselves more powerful.” He paused. “To gain complete control. An insurgency.”
“We know,” I said, stroking his arm. “That’s why they needed the peento tree from Urania, isn’t it?”
“An essential ingredient,” Fraser confirmed. “Immortality.” Fraser closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Must. Stop. Them.” He clutched his abdomen and suppressed a whimper.
“We need to get him to a healer,” I said, alarmed. The vision of the torture rack flashed in my mind and I felt nauseous all over again.
“Peter,” Fraser said softly.
“He’s right here,” I said. “Don’t worry, Professor. We’ll get you help.”
Peter met my gaze. “I can do it.”
I blinked in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“Have you forgotten who I am, princess? I’m much more than a handsome sidekick.” He rubbed his hands together and began to chant. A golden light emanated from his palms.
“No,” Fraser objected. “Save…your magic for someone more deserving.” He began to sweat profusely.
“You’re a good man, Grantham Fraser,” Peter said firmly. He crouched beside the older wizard.
“But I gave them the elixir,” Fraser said.
“You put them off as long as you could,” Peter countered. “You never would’ve done it willingly. I know you.” His face hardened. “We all have our lines we refuse to cross.”
Fraser winced. “I should have died first. I was a coward.”
Peter lifted the wizard’s torn shirt and placed his hands over the gaping wound. It was a gnarly sight—red and angry with blisters. No wonder Fraser was in such distress.
“Try to relax,” Peter said in a soothing tone. “I can take care of this, but I need your positive energy to help me. Negative energy makes it harder.”
“I know,” Fraser whispered. “I remember.”
“If it weren’t for your resistance, we wouldn’t have had time to figure out Naira’s plan,” I said. “You could’ve just accepted the money when they offered it and went on your merry way, but you didn’t.”
“I gave in,” Fraser said.
“They tortured you,” Peter said heatedly. “Do you think I could’ve withstood that kind of pressure? Or Dani?”
I squeezed Peter’s shoulder in an effort to calm him. If he needed positive energy to heal Fraser, then he had to relax too. The tension slowly eased from his body. I watched in awe as his hands traveled back and forth over the wound. Peter didn’t even touch him. As the light filtered through the wound, the blood dissipated and the blisters returned to healthy flesh.
Peter dropped onto his bottom, drained of energy. “How does it look?” he asked.
“I don’t even need to look,” Fraser said. “I feel like myself again.” His voice was strong and the complexion already greatly improved.
“That’s amazing, Peter,” I said quietly.
Peter managed a proud smile. “I forget how good it feels.”
Fraser clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ve been working too hard to forget yourself, my boy. I’ve told you that many a time. You chose not to listen.”
“Your daughter is very worried about you,” I said. “She’ll be so happy to see you alive and well.”
Peter offered a hand to the older wizard and, together, they rose to their feet. “We need to find Naira and quickly. Can you help us?”
“You need recovery time,” Fraser said. “You’ll be in no shape to go into battle. Call the AMF. Have them send wardens.”
“We will,” I promised, “but it sounds like we might be out of time.”
Fraser gave a sad nod of acknowledgement. “They’re planning to distribute the elixir to as many giants as they can. They mentioned Hellside Canyon on a regular basis. I suspect that’s where they’ve been operating from.”
Peter’s jaw set. “I’ve been there. Not a pleasant place.”
“I think that’s implied in the name,” I said.
“There’s a long bridge to access the higher ground,” Peter began.
“Yes, Baldar Bridge,” Fraser said.
“Why do we need to access the higher ground?” I asked.
Peter’s expression darkened. “Because everything below the bridge is a fiery hellhole,” he said.
Fire didn’t hold the same fear for me that it held for others. That being said, I wasn’t impervious to its dangers. It would just take more than a few flames to kill me.
“Let’s get you to safety,” Peter told the wizard. “Then Dani and I will figure out a plan.”
“Not alone,” Fraser said. “It will be too difficult on your own.”
Peter met my gaze. “No, not alone, Fraser. Not anymore.”
We dispatched Fraser at his house and went straight to Warden Armitage, who immediately summoned Gray, while I gathered my roommates. We assembled in the warden’s office at the academy and discussed our possible strategies.
“If Naira and her crew are holed up in Hellside Canyon, that’s going to be tricky,” Warden Armitage said. “There are far too many natural threats, not to mention whatever security they have in place.”
“We need to get there before they’ve distributed the god elixir,” I said. “Maybe we can handle one giant with superpowers, but a whole team?”
“It’s suicide,” Gray agreed.
Peter eyed the warden closely. “Gee, thanks for the pep talk. Now I’m really excited to confront our insurgent friends.”
Warden Armitage began to pace the floor. “We can’t go charging in there. As talented as you all are, it’s too dangerous. We should wait for the AMF.”
“You said the AMF wants to confirm that a god elixir even exists,” I said. Apparently, they weren’t convinced it was possible to recreate it and wanted proof before they were willing to act. They didn’t want to upset relations with the giant community unnecessarily. They had no idea how bad things were about to get.
“So we’re making it up?” Peter asked, aghast. “For what purpose? A practical joke?”
Gray leveled a gaze at the druid. “The AMF thinks it could be an attempt to make them look bad. They go charging in and there’s no real threat, then the victims cry foul. Then they get public support for the release of their prisoners.”
“The AMF still thinks it’s about the political prisoners?” Bryn asked, appalled. “That’s a pretty narrow view of the situation, given the evidence.”
“I’ll send Fraser to the AMF,” Peter said. “He’ll convince them.”
“Good idea,” I said, “but that will still take time.” Time we didn’t have. “We need to go now.”
“I’m ready,” Mia said, waving her wand.
“Me, too,” Cerys added.
Warden Armitage rubbed his jaw. “Two wardens, four trainees and a smuggler? I don’t love these odds.”
“Baggage?” Peter repeated. He edged closer to Armitage, puffing out his manly chest. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“He can turn into a giant,” I said. “And I saw him heal Professor Fraser. It was incredible.”
Peter winked. “If you think that was incredible, princess, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
Bryn groaned. “Just stop and kiss her already.”
Peter winked. “What makes you think I haven’t?”
Warden Armitage conjured a map and used his wand to point to the glowing red area. “Hellside Canyon is known for its treacherous terrain. Fire giants. Lava demons. Steaming springs. A host of other nasty obstacles.”
“I can see why the giants chose it as their fortress,” Gray said. “Much more effective than my parents’ moat.”
“Your paren
ts don’t need lava demons,” Bryn said. “They’re scary enough all by themselves.”
Gray planted a quick kiss on his girlfriend’s lips. “Yet you’ve handled yourself nicely.”
“Naira is the leader,” I said. “She’s the one we need to get to. Without a leader, it may be easier to stop the revolt.”
Warden Armitage examined the map. “Don’t get stuck on the other side of that bridge. If the bridge goes, it’s going to be literal hell to get back across.”
“We need a buddy system,” Mia said. “At least two of us together at all times.”
“There’s an odd number of us,” I said.
“What about Robin?” Mia suggested.
“No, absolutely not,” Bryn said. “You know he’s not cut out for fieldwork. He’ll end up the Red Shirt.”
Peter chuckled. “No one else gets that, do they?”
Bryn shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
“I don’t need a buddy,” Peter said. “I’m used to working alone.”
“So am I,” Gray said. “Years of experience.”
“Okay, this isn’t a competition to see which of you is the loneliest wolf,” Bryn said. “We’ll have one group of three. Simple solution.”
“Now that we have that part sorted,” Warden Armitage began, “let’s discuss our plan.”
Chapter Eighteen
Unfortunately, Hellside Canyon was exactly as described.
“This looks like hell on earth,” Cerys said. We stood at the edge of Baldar Bridge, surveying the fire and brimstone ahead of us. In the distance, I could see a group of giants gathered on the rocky island at the opposite end of the bridge. Even from here, they were impossible to miss.
“The whole world will be hell on earth if we don’t stop these giants,” Warden Armitage said, his jaw set.
We’d decided that the fastest and quietest way across this bridge was to turn it into ice and slide across in a prostrate position to avoid detection. We didn’t want to alert them to our presence until the last possible moment.
As our resident water witch, Bryn was chosen to perform the spell. She kneeled at the end of the bridge and placed her palms flat on the surface. Streaks of blue magic flowed from her hands and we watched as the bridge became covered in an icy sheen from beginning to end.
Warden Armitage used a manifestation spell to conjure multiple sleds. “Lay flat,” he advised. “The closer to the surface we are, the better chance we have of catching them off guard.”
“It’ll be like luging,” Bryn said. “Awesome.”
One by one, we shot across the bridge at high speed. It was such an exhilarating sensation that I forgot all about the terrors that lurked beneath the bridge. About halfway across the bridge, the voice of a giant reached my ears. She seemed to giving a rousing speech. It had to be Naira. I hoped this was a pre-elixir speech rather than post.
“From the depths of despair and the ruins of this ancient world, a new, better world will be born,” the leader of the rebellion cried. “And we, the descendants of the most revered giants in history, will have created a new generation of gods to worship.”
The giants responded with the expected excitement. Something we didn’t consider.
They stomped their approval.
The pounding of giant feet sent shockwaves from the rocky island straight to Baldar Bridge, causing the ice to crack. The runner of my sled hit one of the fissures and tipped to the side, spilling me onto the bridge. My pants were torn at the knee where my leg had caught on a section of jagged ice. Blood trickled down my shin.
“Spell’s Bells,” I muttered. I remained on my bottom and scanned the bridge for my companions.
Uh oh.
Warden Armitage had almost reached the island when his sled flipped over. He was too close to the giants to go unnoticed.
“May as well stand up, princess,” Peter said, appearing beside me. “We’ve been spotted.”
My backside felt wet and I glanced down to see that the ice was melting. “What’s going on?” I jumped to my feet and they were immediately immersed in a shallow puddle.
Peter inclined his head. “Looks like the downstairs neighbors have woken up.” He peered over the side of the bridge. “Yep. I think this bridge is about to experience its first ever traffic jam.”
Naira stood at the edge of the bridge, observing us with a satisfied expression. She seemed to know what was coming and—whatever it was—it didn’t bode well for us. Warden Armitage had scrambled back toward us. There were too many giants standing with Naira. He clearly knew he couldn’t take them on alone.
“That’s a lot of company,” Peter said, gazing in the direction of the giants.
Flames erupted from the fractured ground as fire giants appeared on the bridge around us.
“More company?” Peter quipped. “I don’t think we have enough place settings, princess.”
“This is what happens when I leave you in charge of the china,” I replied.
Peter grinned at me. “Things are about to get ugly. You ready?”
I swallowed hard, refusing to let my nerves show. “I’m Danielle Montrose Degraff. I was born ready.”
Peter winked. “Ladies first.”
“Langston,” Naira yelled, and a giant pushed his friends aside to join her. He was holding two beakers.
“No, no, no,” I whispered.
“We don’t know what to expect,” Peter said. “Thunderbolts?”
I gathered my will and pulled my magic toward me. “I’m not waiting to find out.” Magical energy crackled around me as I summoned my will—tiny bits of light that exploded like miniature iridescent bombs.
“Baby, you’re a firework,” Peter said in awe.
“Thanks,” I said. “Everybody out of the way!” Flames streaked from my fingertips. I didn’t go for the fire giants. My fire magic would only serve to increase their strength. Instead, I aimed for Naira and her groupies and sent a wave of flames to meet them.
“Dear gods. What is that?” Bryn asked. Barreling down on us was an enormous wolf with fire spurting from its eyes and nostrils. Blood dripped from its gaping jaw.
“A fire demon,” Gray said. His fists clenched. “Who wants dibs?”
“I’ll take it,” Warden Armitage said. “I have a spell I like to use for this very occasion.” He quickly conjured a lasso and twirled the thick golden rope over his head. “Give me a little space.”
The wolf bounded toward us, ready to pounce. Armitage tossed the lasso at the wolf and encircled its neck. Then he yanked—hard. The wolf went sailing over the side of the bridge, howling the whole way.
The earth quaked as two giants emerged from the hot springs below. To say they looked fiercely unhappy was an understatement.
My friends began to weave spells against them, but the water giants seemed impervious to their attacks. If we couldn’t defeat them, we’d never get across the bridge to Naira.
A memory seized me. “Neither gods nor mortals can kill those with Poseidon’s blessing,” I murmured.
“What’s that, princess?” Peter asked.
I gestured to the two water giants. “Remember I told you about the strange witch in my grandmother’s bedroom. Mira.”
“The prophecy,” Peter said, remembering.
“I think she meant these two.”
Peter’s eyes widened. “You think they can’t be killed because they drank elixir? The whole immortality thing?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Don’t you think this might hit the mark, though? Poseidon’s blessing could mean two giants who drank elixir that invoked Poseidon, right?”
Just then, a golden trident appeared in the hand of each of the giants. Peter gaped at them. “I think we have our answer.”
“That’s not meant for fishing, is it?” I asked, knowing perfectly well that the trident was also Poseidon’s weapon. One toss of that trident in our direction and we were forked.
Peter scrutinized the water giants on either side of the bridg
e. “If they can’t be killed, what are the options? Let them kill us? Because I’m not feeling enthusiastic about that particular plan.”
Water began to whirl around them like a burgeoning typhoon. If anything could defeat my fire power, it was these two.
“Bryn, they’re water giants,” Gray said. “Can’t you control them?”
Bryn’s body shook with effort. “I’m trying, but nothing’s working. They’re too strong.”
With one giant on the right side of the bridge and one on the left, there was no way across the bridge to get to Naira.
“We need to get past those giants,” I said. Otherwise, Naira was going to win. They were going to storm every authority in the Western Quadrant and seize control. Paranormals would end up in the pits—a centuries’ old revenge.
“I’m open to suggestions,” Bryn said. “We’re throwing everything we’ve got at them, but they’re not weakening.”
She was right.
“If they can’t be killed by gods or mortals, maybe they can just be knocked unconscious long enough for us to capture them,” Peter said.
“And then what?” I said. “Drag them back across the bridge and the way to prison?” Where’d they be sure to fight their way out with their god powers when they awoke.
“Morrow, can you put them on ice?” Warden Armitage said.
“They have the power of Poseidon,” Bryn said. “They can easily deflect my spell.”
“If they can’t be killed by gods or mortals, then we’re going to have to find a workaround,” Warden Armitage said.
His statement triggered an idea. “Funny thing about prophecies,” I said. “There’s always a catch.”
Peter cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
In that moment, I knew what I had to do. “Don’t cover me,” I said firmly. “I’m going in.”
Peter glanced at me with a baffled expression. “Don’t cover you? Is it Opposite Day and no one told me? Because that would explain a lot.”
“I mean it, Peter,” I said. “I have a plan and that involves no one distracting them from me. Hold your fire. Let them come at me.”
“Are you sure, Dani?” Bryn asked. “I can do more water magic. Try and use their own powers against them.”
Outlier_Spellslingers Academy of Magic Page 17
