‘You should have accepted Yakov’s offer. Killing him was unnecessary.’
My heart started to race, knowing what came next couldn’t be good and I felt my energy swell. That ancient archaic knowledge from the very essence of the Elemental energy I held within, started to chime, shielding my body from the next blow that shattered half the stalagmites. Staggering to my feet, I grinned at Jenviet and her face twitched with barely suppressed anger, then she thrust another blow at me. It hurt but didn’t incapacitate me and now, standing only a foot away, I took the opportunity to lunge, slamming my fist into her jaw and felt the satisfying crack. She stumbled back with a cry of shock before her eyes blazed green and Loi’s stolen energy hit like a wall of granite, crushing all the bones in my chest when she slammed me to the ceiling and released. I dropped, smacking chest first against the floor. Agony didn’t start to describe the excruciating pain. I could feel the bits of broken ribs piercing my lungs and organs but couldn’t even groan, the air wheezing out my punctured chest.
‘You stupid girl!’ Jenviet, some distance from me, sounded furious, her heels tapping while she walked my way. ‘How dare you think to strike me!’
The Elemental energy claimed my body again, spreading throughout my limbs, knitting the bones together and healing the internal damage. The hum from the energy trap caught my attention and I rolled to stare at it.
The gouged open wound on his chest finally healed and Alek struggled to sit up, spotting Cat lying close to the energy trap with Jenviet stalking across the floor. With his energy humming, he reached out via their link.
Cat, watch out, she’s nearly on you.
I know.
He watched as she climbed to her feet, still doubled over. Slowly, Cat straightened up and stared defiantly at Jenviet. A dark red glow spread from the center of her chest. Molten flames moved beneath the pale skin of her throat, spreading over her face and her hair transformed into a mass of flaming tendrils. A moment later and she no longer resembled Cat at all. Now the Fire Elemental stood there, red eyes burning. The form was female but the voice that spoke had no sex, an ancient voice that rumbled through the room.
‘DeNaga,’ it snarled. ‘Your desperate desire for power makes you unworthy.’
Al.
He jolted in surprise at her voice in his mind while he gaped at the fire creature berating Jenviet.
Cat?!
As soon as I step on it, surge. I love you. I’m sorry I couldn’t rescue you.
What? Cat, DON’T!
She didn’t respond and he scrambled to his feet, feeling nauseous when he realized her intent. Jenviet stood, both hands lit with energy while she shrieked defiance at the Elemental, declaring her rights. The flaming creature laughed in that archaic voice, then Cat’s voice broke through.
‘You want this gift, Jenviet? Fine. Then feel the burn.’
The Elemental deliberately stepped onto the energy trap.
Brilliant white hot light screamed out and Alek closed his eyes as everything around him and within exploded.
*~*~*
Chapter Thirty Eight
Gredel pressed flat against the saddle while Phroma, the other griffons, and Sito, raced away from the castle.
‘Sito’s going to leap, hold on!’
Just after Phroma’s words, Gredel heard a muffled pop. It sounded deceptively small, almost innocuous but the ominous rumble that followed wasn’t.
‘Now, NOW!’ He shouted but too late.
The shockwave pulled the air out from under them, like a tsunami gathering water then slammed Phroma over and over. Gredel managed to wrap the saddle strap once around his wrist before his head cracked against the griffon’s armor and the world went black.
* * *
‘Gredel?’
Something wet and rough rasped over his head and he winced, flailing an arm at the wet thing.
‘Gredel! Are you okay?’
He cracked an eye open and groaned when the light hit like a hot poker, his head throbbing. A large shape shifted around, blocking the light and Gredel opened the other eye, squinting.
‘Phroma?’
A sense of relief came through from the griffon and she hunched close, gently fondling his head with her beak. Gredel shuddered at the raspy tongue on his hair and reached up to pat the beak.
‘I’m okay, are you?’
‘I think so.’
He sat up and groaned again when the pulsing throb rattled through his skull.
‘I have the worst headache.’
‘Not surprising. It was a rough landing.’
‘Are the others near?’
‘I haven’t heard them yet. We should go look.’
Reaching out, he braced himself against her beak and she slowly lifted him to standing. It only made the throbbing more pronounced and he hung on, waiting for the blinding pain to abate.
‘Oooh.’ He groaned aloud while clutching his head. In the distance they heard a heavy rumble and he squinted in the direction.
‘A storm?’
‘Yes. A strange one. I think the explosion may have caused it.’
The blurry vision started to clear and Gredel discovered they stood on the side of the valley, part way up one of the steep hills. He stared down the valley, feeling a sense of shock spread while his eyes searched.
‘Phroma, where is it? Why can’t I see the castle?’
The violet tinged griffon turned from peering up the hillside and looked where he did.
‘Gone. Completely gone.’
His breath whooshed out and he sat down heavily, the pain forgotten now while he stared at the true extent of the damage. The valley, already a mess of trenches thanks to Loi, now lay obliterated. All the trenches had opened up lowering the whole valley by a mile easily and the far end of the valley—totally razed. Not a trace of the five towers or even their stone foundations. The sky darkened and thick clouds rolled in, the rumble of thunder loud overhead. Gredel stared up at the sky then back out over the valley, considering their next steps.
‘Are you good to fly?’
‘I believe so.’
‘Then we better look for the others.’
Large wet drops splattered against her head and Kassie shivered with cold when she groggily came to. Damp curling tendrils of hair stuck to her cheeks and a quiet moan slipped out when she eased up off the stony river bed. Her head rang like a tuning fork, teeth humming unpleasantly and she blinked, looking around on hands and knees.
It looks like a war zone, she thought before a voice in her mind pointed out it was a war zone.
The memory of the shockwave catching them partway over the valley made Kassie moan, vaguely recollecting being flung off Kerak’s back and she pushed up to standing. Dizziness hit and she bent, bracing her hands on her knees while waiting for it to pass.
Worry for Rumal and Kerak made her straighten too soon but she bore through the spinning, squinting around, trying to see. A heavy rumble of thunder was quickly followed by the crack of lightning then rain began to pelt down. A strange pain rang through Kassie’s energy and she closed her eyes, huffing a breath out at it.
Loi.
Sorrow had been a familiar emotion since arriving on this planet, usually a reminder of a good life left behind on Earth but this cut so much deeper. Tears ran down her face mingling with the saturating rain and she went to wipe her face then stopped, eyes locked on her hands. They glowed, the beautiful citrine energy tracing its way down her arms. It reminded her of the first time she’d watched Cat change and her chest went tight with apprehension while she watched the energy spread. A moment later and no trace of her light olive skin remained, the honey gold energy fully claiming her.
The sight before him caused Rumal to forget the mangled arm hanging at his side for a moment. The shape looked like Kassie but the figure with its back to him glowed a brilliant deep orange gold. The air around the Elemental felt thick and responsive, wrapping around and swirling out. Rumal’s syren energy allowed a hint of the
ecstatic murmurs of the winds to reach his ears while they swept around Kassie, whispering greetings, and evidently informing her of his presence. The figure jerked around and he watched in awe while the energy dissolved back into her, the golden eyes changing to Kassie’s amber green shade.
The marked look of horror on her face reminded him of the arm and she rushed forward then stopped short, both hands held back while she examined the damaged limb. Before he could speak she reached up, placing a hand on the shoulder and he felt the warm spread of her gift swell out. They watched the rich gold color envelop the arm and the visible section of broken, protruding bone vanished beneath the growing skin that sealed the now healed muscles back in place. Rumal gave a hoarse gasp, the pain fleeting but intense.
‘Okay?’ she demanded in an anxious tone, face tense.
He nodded, feeling stunned while everything started to dawn on him. Reaching out, Rumal pulled Kassie close and felt her choked sob when she threw her arms around his waist.
‘Cry, love. Let it out. You’ve done well.’
He smoothed the damp curls back from her head as she sobbed, face pressed to his chest and she trembled from the exertion of it all. A screech made them both glance up and Kerak dropped beside them, the griffon shaking water from his wings while making a relieved sounding grumble.
‘I thought I’d lost you two!’
Rumal chuckled when Kerak rubbed his head affectionately against their sides, and gave the griffon a good rub over the bridge of his beak.
‘No such luck,’ he thought, then speaking aloud said, ‘It’s not over yet. Can you sense Sian?’
At Kassie’s nod he continued.
‘Great, we’ll go meet up with them and then find Gredel and Sabyn. Before looking for Alek and Cat.’
He didn’t mention Loi but felt a pang of grief for his friend’s loss and Kassie pressed close while they stood in silence. After a bit she whispered, ‘What do you think our chances of finding them alive are?’
‘I don’t know. Can you sense her?’
Tears tumbled down her cheeks when she shook her head, mouthing, ‘No.’
Rumal sighed before meeting her eyes with a pragmatic smile.
‘Who knows, last time they managed not to die.’
Kerak lowered to the ground and they climbed into the saddle.
They’d landed down one of the caverns Loi created, but the shockwave had opened it up, joining a few into what felt like an enormous bomb crater. Sian found Daron a few meters from where she’d woken. He was out cold with a nasty gash to the head and what looked like a badly broken leg. Feeling ill at the sight of the unnatural angle of the leg she decided to work on that first, hoping he might not feel it. Resting on her heels she let her mind relax and allowed the energy to wash through. Fascinated by the change in it, she undid a hand covering and wriggled the chainmail up her wrist so to see the blue flow through her veins. The energy swelled out a moment later and her full body glowed, the blue offering some peace of mind, knowing she now had the strength to do almost anything.
Heal Daron first, she thought and leaned forward, placing a hand on his chest. She closed her eyes, seeking his life flame. The faltering light she found alarmed her at first but then the Elemental energy locked onto it and his body grew warmer under her hand. Sian winced in sympathy at the shocked gasp of pain he made but kept her eyes shut, letting her energy trace throughout his body. The injured leg glowed brilliantly for a second then healed and she kept her energy there until his life flame flickered at normal strength. Opening her eyes she found Daron propped on an elbow, eyes and mouth wide while he gaped at her.
‘Pixie?’
Letting the energy drain back to its spot behind her heart, she flashed him a cheeky grin.
‘Who else?’
‘That is one awesome trick.’
Sian went to laugh but choked on it and Daron sat up just in time to catch her. Cradled in his lap, knowing they’d done it, and then feeling the full cost of it, the tears didn’t seem to want to stop. The awful, awful moment when Loi was ripped from them kept replaying in her mind. Daron pulled his knees up, hunching his body around hers and rocked her gently.
‘Come on, Pix,’ he spoke quietly after a while. ‘We need to look for Nesha and Sito.’
Helping her up they both paused once standing, looking up when lightning forked overhead. Sian squinted against the sudden heavy downpour then studied the sides of the cavern they’d fallen down.
‘Oooo,’ she muttered, exchanging a concerned glance with Daron. ‘I think we’ll need Sito to get us out of here.’
‘Let’s hope he’s down here.’
Exploring the cavern wasn’t pleasant. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, some they knew, most they didn’t, and frequently she stepped on something that lived only hours before. Though not usually squeamish, this pushed even her limits. It felt a bit like hunting a needle in a haystack, searching for Sito, the dragon’s coloring just like the rocks and fallen debris, all varying shades of tan. Daron helped her around a large boulder then climbed up on top. Waiting at the bottom she tried calling out to the dragon again.
‘Sito? Siiittttoooo, where aaarreeee you?’
Daron turned slowly on top of the boulder, occasionally pausing to stare at something. Bored of waiting at the bottom, she started to climb up.
‘Friend?’
‘SITO!’ she shouted it aloud as well as in her mind. ‘Where are you?’
The silence made her nervous and after a bit Daron, still watching her, raised both hands questioningly. She shrugged throwing her hands up and tried again.
‘Sito, come on honey, where are you?’
A tiny whimper like that of an injured dog made her go cold, stomach hitting the ground.
‘Hurts, friend,’ came the whispered reply. ‘Hurts lots.’
‘Oh no! He’s hurt!’
Daron crouched, jumping off the boulder when Sian gulped that out, her eyes huge and tragic. He clasped her shoulder with a firm hand when she twisted, looking blindly around.
‘Ask him where he is.’
‘He’s not answering!’
The panicky voice made him give her a shake.
‘Stay calm. You need to focus, Pix. Now think, can you extend your energy to find him?’
Sian’s eyes widened and she considered it, nodding.
‘Maybe.’
He let go of her when she started to shimmer, feeling a chill of awe when a moment later Sian vanished and in her place stood the Water Elemental.
Absolutely beautiful. Daron couldn’t look away, enamored by the creature before him. The eyes had Sian’s sky blue at the outer edge then darkened toward the center, blurring with the pupil and the hair that flowed down its back looked the same shade of a breaking wave and it rippled though there wasn’t a breeze. The body swirled, all shades of blue, the colors constantly moving like water currents on a flat harbor. The eyes closed and the swirling colors stilled. He waited while she searched, reaching to loosen the neck of his chainmail and pull the hood off, slowly looking around where they stood. The rain offered a sense of refreshment and kept the dust at bay, but it also seemed to sharpen the smell of death.
‘I’ve found him!’
Daron glanced back to find Sian looking like normal and she inclined her head.
‘This way. I found Kassie too, they’re coming this way.’
*~*~*
Chapter Thirty Nine
‘Why does she look so alive?’
Leseach turned from watching the elgrids moving along the track near where they sat hidden, to regard Sabyn. He’d asked the question so quietly she wondered if he wanted an answer. The blond man sat on the ground with Loi’s body in his arms, his eyes tracing her face. Tomiar lay behind him, her body pressed against his back and head near Loi’s, beak touching Sabyn’s thigh.
Ignoring the question for the current time, Leseach returned to watching the track. They’d managed a very rough landing when the shockwave hit and now hid in
the remains of the torched forest, close to the cave entrance. The shockwave laid waste to the valley, ruining it for decades to come, and most of the vegetation had burned, only the higher sections of forest—like where they now sat—had survived.
‘They must have done it,’ Leseach said in a low voice when she climbed back down beside Sabyn and Tomiar. ‘All her soldiers are leaving, even the rider-less jehyns.’
He didn’t acknowledge the comment but Tomiar made a faint hum and roll of the head, glancing Leseach’s way. The rain pattered loudly on the leaves around them and Sabyn hunched over Loi, trying to keep the water off. For the first time she could remember, Leseach felt the need to talk, to try and relieve the unpleasant sensations of grief and guilt.
‘When their gift is taken it isn’t like normal death. It preserves the body.’
She didn’t look at Sabyn, finding it hard to meet his eyes with the devastation so visible in them, and reached out to tuck the sheet back around Loi’s foot.
‘Is that how the ones in the tanks lasted so long?’
Leseach nodded, pulling her knees up while looking over the valley, eyes searching for a glimpse of the others.
‘Yes. The blue stuff helps too.’
‘Did you break the tanks?’
‘I broke the ones with Loi, Sian, and Kassie’s names. Cat’s tank was already broken.’
Leseach didn’t mention the Northerners, trying the keep the memory of her friends, her sisters, of how she’d last seen them, before they vanished. Alive, well, and looking forward to the trip to the castle in Elion, to meeting the Sorceress their teacher so greatly admired. A far more pleasant memory compared to finding them strung up in that room, the gifted ones appearing almost frozen in time like Loi.
‘I am sorry.’
Sabyn didn’t register the quiet apology at first. Everything felt slow and thick, like he sat on a different plane. Somewhere a part of him couldn’t breathe, so taken with despair while he gazed at her still face. He’d closed her eyes, the look of pain searing him to the bone, and wrapped her in the sheet they’d slept under each night on the way here. He felt strangely befuddled, staring down at her, wondering why nothing felt right and why he didn’t do something, anything.
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