by Kiersten Fay
“Kyra!” he yelled. “What’s the holdup?” He didn’t get a chance to glance her way. Two gnarled creatures leapt on him. The first sank its fangs into his shoulder, clinging to him with lengthy limbs. The other came for his jugular, but in mid-leap, the creature’s head exploded in a burst of gore. What was left of the remains fell and twitched at his feet.
Sonya snapped, “Cale, get it together!” Then she continued shooting into the crowd of Kayadon. She swung around and took out a group of Kayadon as they lunged at Marik.
Cale’s teeth gnashed together as he ripped the first creature off him and snapped its neck before tossing it away. “You get it together! That shot was a little too close to my head.”
Sonya laughed, but didn’t reply.
“What are they doing back there?” he asked.
She glanced at the Faieara. “They’re holding hands. Maybe they’re praying for a quick death.”
Just then, a blast packed with intense power catapulted him forward. For a moment, he thought a bomb had landed. Fear for Kyra engulfed him. When he hit the ground, a heavy current of air continued to push him over the rough gravel. As the windstorm eased, he lifted his head in search of Kyra, but in her place blazed a blinding light.
“What the hell is that?” Marik barked. He too had been knocked down. In fact, they all had fallen, Kayadon included. To his left, Ginn lay on his side, rendered unconscious. The thick vine-rope was still tight around his arms and torso.
Sebastian pulled himself off the ground and, for the first time, noted Ginn. He raised a quizzical brow at Cale.
“That one belongs to Kyra,” Cale informed him.
Sebastian replied with a look that said, “You have got to be kidding."
Marik noticed the light had swallowed Nadua and darted toward her, looking as though he would dive in and pull her to safety.
Cale motioned him back. “I don’t suggest getting too close to that.” He turned to where the Kayadon were slowly rising and prepared for another assault. But instead of attacking, their gazes transfixed on the sky. Cale tilted his eyes upward. His jaw dropped.
Above them, blue and white electric tendrils scatted over a massive translucent bubble that stretched out a great distance. He couldn’t tell where it touched the ground. The air became dense and difficult to breath. The total lack of a breeze was disconcerting.
Confusion swept over the Kayadon. Some of them retreated into the forest, while other stood and stared.
“What’s going on?” Sonya demanded.
They all looked at Cale as if he held the answer. He shrugged. “This is new.”
A thunderous clap rang out with a prolonged, ominous echo. The vibration moved through his bones.
Then it happened.
A nearby group of Kayadon began to disintegrate. Cale made sure to catch the look in their eyes before they were reduced to dust, relishing every second of their terror. Then a few more Kayadon were taken, and Cale enjoyed that just as much as the first.
Panic exploded through those still standing. They clamored and trampled to get away as an invisible wave swelled out to claim their lives.
For fun, Cale flung his sword into the melee and gave a triumphant shout as it speared it into the back of a fiend who was ruthlessly tossing others out of his way. His target hunched in agony just before the wave crumbled him like a delicate sand sculpture. And soon the rest of them were gone as well.
Silence reigned as everyone stared in awe. All except Cale, who spotted one last Kayadon.
Yet again, Ginn remained untouched.
Cale took a scrutinizing step forward, but paused when the air became charged with something new. Pebbles slowly rose from the ground, hovering as if weightless. He shared a look with Sebastian. They had witnessed something like this back on Extarga, when Ethan had healed Anya.
Cale sucked in a sharp breath as a haunting chill fluttered over his skin, entering his lungs with each inhalation. He began to feel lighter as the power curled inside him. The sting in his wounds eased. He looked down at his arm, watching the deep slash knit itself closed, fade, and finally disappear altogether. He could feel the same happening with his neck wound.
Ginn’s dull skin gave off a faint glow. The greyness slowly faded, changing to a deep pink, then a light tan. His bones began to move under the surface, cracking and morphing into different shapes. The sound was horrible.
Muscles formed under Ginn’s grey cloak. His shoulders broadened as his physique took on strength. The line of his nose straightened, fitting well with the new shape of his jaw. Short, dark strands of hair masked his reshaped skull.
When the transformation was complete, Ginn’s eyelids flashed open, revealing light brown irises. Blinking twice, his gaze turned incredulous and shifted to Cale.
Cale let out a harsh curse that echoed off the hills. “Guess this means I don’t get to kill you after all.”
Still bound, Ginn rocked his body to a seated position and looked down at himself. “Is this an illusion?” Even his voice was different. It no longer contained the deep rasp of broken lungs.
With a baffled expression, Rex pointed to the sky where Kayadon ships fell like meteors, breaking apart and withering into dust that sparkled as the wind caught it. All around them, fires died down, flames shrinking smaller and smaller until they were snuffed out completely. Only black scorch marks and the stench of smoke offered evidence of its existence.
Then, in the time it took Cale to let out an astonished breath, the bubble imploded. The compression knocked him forward, but he caught himself. Gusts of wind brought new air that smelled of hot metal and fuel. The radiant light that had surrounded Kyra and the others dissipated like fog.
Kyra dropped to one knee, holding her head. With a little less grace, Anya and Nadua went down as well, coming to rest on their hips. Ethan fell back, making no move to catch himself as he hit the ground.
Sonya cried his name and rushed to his side.
Cale went for Kyra, kneeling in front of her. He wanted to pull her into his embrace, but held back, unsure if she was in pain. “Are you okay?” His tone was laced with a desperation he’d never heard from himself before. Anxiety squeezed his chest, tightening with every second.
Finally, she lifted her head and her tired eyes found his. “Did it work?”
At hearing strength in her beautiful voice, emotion choked him and he could not reply. Unable to contain himself, he crushed her to his chest and buried his face in her hair. She mimicked his hold, and he pulled her closer, reveling in the rhythm of her heart.
He inhaled her scent, letting it flood his mind and ease his nerves. Then excitement exploded out of him. “That was the shit!” Cale said, lifting Kyra by the waist and twirling her to stand. “You are the most amazing woman in the universe.”
Kyra laughed at his exuberance.
“What’s wrong with Ethan?” Sonya shouted, claiming their attention. She hovered over him, feeling for a pulse.
Kyra’s smile faded. “He chose to accept all the consequences of using so much magic,” Kyra muttered.
“What?”
“Energy magic costs energy. That’s why Anya and I get so exhausted afterward. I didn’t realize it till the end, but he sacrificed himself so we wouldn’t have to.”
“You stupid son of a bitch!” Sonya screamed at Ethan’s unconscious body.
Sebastian asked, “Does he live?”
Anya, who was nestled in his arms, looked worried.
Sonya turned her head away, but Cale had caught sight of a quiver in her lip. “His pulse is faint.”
“We should move him somewhere safe.” Sebastian turned his attention to Kyra. “I’m assuming the Kayadon are no longer a problem?”
“Only those within the field have been healed or destroyed,” She replied.
With that, Ginn asked eagerly, “Others are healed?”
Kyra gasped, taking in Ginn’s new appearance. He was unrecognizable. “Most were not,” she said, pausing to read his
expression. His eyes lowered and he nodded. She continued, “But yes, like yourself, the magic chose a few to save.”
“The magic?” said Cale.
She nodded. “I let it completely free and it did…” she trailed off and scanned their surroundings. “Whatever it is it did.”
“You don’t know?”
“It was hard to keep up.” She gave a tiny smile, and he drank it in, fighting to keep from leaning in and stealing a kiss. Then she stilled. “Wait! Where’s Zoey?”
“She’s back on Marada,” Sebastian answered.
Cale’s brows shot up. “Marada wasn’t involved in the fighting?”
“The battle was a bit of a surprise. We were out searching for you when it started. I hope you have a good excuse for where you’ve been.”
Cale grumbled, “Yeah, same old shit, different planet. Ru set us up to be ambushed.”
A muscle ticked in Sebastian’s jaw. “That might explain why he went missing too.”
Cale’s fists clenched. “If he’s smart, he’s running and hiding, because when I get my hands on him—”
“Can we discuss revenge later?” Sonya snapped with a catch in her voice.
“How about we discuss it on our way back to Marada.”
Sebastian shook his head. “We can’t get back to Marada without the Serakians. When more of them arrived, they performed a more powerful cloaking spell. Once we stepped beyond the border, we lost the ability to return without their help.”
“Well, where the hell are they?”
“All I know is they were scrying for you two when the fighting started. They popped out of here and brought you back and then popped away directly after.”
“Maybe they’ll return soon,” Rex offered.
Sonya replied with irritation, “We’re not going to sit around waiting, are we? What if an army of Kayadon are on the way?”
“Let’s go to the palace,” Kyra exclaimed. “It’s not far, and we can rally my people. There might be healers there too.”
They all turned toward the aesthetic building residing just beyond their perch. It was mostly unscathed but for a few blackened walls and a crumbled tower.
“Was it cleared of Kayadon?” Cale asked.
“I…think so,” said Kyra.
“Does it matter!” Sonya barked. “If it wasn’t, it will be soon.”
“What do we do with him?” Rex spat, staring down at Ginn with malice.
Undaunted, Ginn replied. “I am no threat.” He spoke directly to Kyra. “You have done the thing I believed impossible. I owe you my life and will serve you till my last breath.”
“Lying Kayadon scum!” Sonya shriek. “You think your pretty new shell will make us trust you.”
“Bring him with us, but keep him bound,” Kyra ordered. “I’ll decide what to do with him later.”
“Whatever,” Sonya scoffed, adding, “If he even breathes wrong I will kill him.” Then her attention returned to Ethan.
“Let me stand,” Anya said to Sebastian.
Sebastian hesitated, but obeyed. Anya crossed to the edge of the cliff. She leaned over, and Sebastian grabbed her by the waist. “What are you doing?”
“The dragons are down there,” she replied, shooting Kyra a concerned expression. “They’re mourning.”
Chapter 34
At the bottom of the cliff, near smoking wreckage, the dragons stood with their heads hung. Aiden was there too, off to the side, his features twisted in sorrow. Kyra placed a palm over her mouth as a lifeless body came into view.
King Mar, twisted and broken.
She thought of Ethan’s healing magic, but Ethan had yet to wake and was slumped over Rex’s shoulder. With the circle closed, she could no longer tap his gift, but even if she could, King Mar was already gone. She could see it on their faces.
Tristan looked up, red eyed, and met her gaze. He approached with the distinct air of loss.
“I’m so sorry, Tristan,” she muttered, not knowing what else to say.
His lips thinned and morphed into a forced smile. “He died with honor. And he warned us this might happen.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The message from you father…” Tristan trailed off, unable to finish.
The message in the book, meant for Mar, had foretold his death?
“And you helped us anyway?”
He nodded. “You needed us. And father is…was…stubborn. He would no’ let us fight without him.”
There was nothing she could do to repay the sacrifice. Even if there were, their honor would not allow it. Holding back tears, she embraced Tristan, partly to console him, but mostly, selfishly, to console herself. At one time, King Mar had been dear to her.
Cale remained silent, and when Tristan released her, she moved to gauge his expression. He looked empathetic.
“Sorry,” he said to Tristan.
Tristan gave a tight nod.
“He was a great warrior,” Sebastian added.
Again, Tristan nodded before returning to where his father lay.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful,” Sebastian added. “But we can’t stay here.”
“Understood,” Tristan replied curtly, but not offended. Their location was clearly too vulnerable.
Still, they stayed for a moment of silence before the group began crafting two gurneys from broken ship parts and vines, one for Mar and one for Ethan.
As they headed for the palace, Tristan and Lear carried their father, while Rex and Sonya took command of Ethan. The others kept a look out for danger. The forest was eerily quiet. Nobody spoke. She figured both the dragons and the demons were using their supreme hearing to judge their safety. However, their own footsteps sounded loud to her ears.
She was surprised at how well they were all working together. Sebastian led the group and whenever he paused, the rest followed, tilting their heads to listen.
Finally, the trees grew sparse, revealing the city that had once thrived with her people. Many of the buildings were smoking, and some had been destroyed completely. Past the city, the palace stood tall, like an ancient statue that refused to topple.
They cautiously made their way down a main street, one Kyra remembered traveling as a child. It was a wide stone path that didn’t look its age. Bits of wood and stone littered the way and the air was thick with the smell of burnt embers. It was too silent.
Anya paused and turned her attention to a small, broken wall that had once been attached to a larger dwelling. With nothing but an expression, Sebastian asked what she sensed. In answer, Anya moved aside her hair, indicating her pointed ear. A Faieara was close.
Cale stepped closer to Kyra, ready to protect. After Ru’s betrayal, it was clear that even her own people couldn’t be trusted.
“Hello?” Anya murmured in a tone meant for youth. “You can come out. It’s safe now.”
They waited, but nothing happened. Perceiving their anxiousness, Anya lifted a finger for them to be patient. Still nothing happened. Kyra was about to say something when a small, lilac colored head peeked out.
“Hi,” Anya said sweetly.
The child ducked away.
Cale grumbled low. “Do you want me to go get it?”
Kyra swatted him in the chest. “He’s not an it.”
He shrugged while Anya corrected them both. “She.”
The child peered at them again. Kyra caught sight of her frightened eyes before she darted away. Anya called after her, but she disappeared into the rubble of the city.
“Let’s move on,” Sebastian said. “We’ll worry about rounding up survivors later.”
As they drew closer to the palace, more and more of the surrounding buildings seemed to have escaped the worst of the battle. It made sense. If the Kayadon had used the palace as a base, they wouldn’t want it destroyed.
Anya slowed her pace. “There’s more,” she whispered.
Sebastian replied, “Can you tell how many?”
“There are a lot of them.
”
From behind windows and around corners, wary eyes stole glances at them. The demons grew agitated by the attention. Sonya drew her weapon. Kyra motioned for her to stow it, but Sonya shook her head.
Cale pulled his sword and said, “We’re surrounded.”
Kyra put her hands in the air. “Stop, everyone. Just calm down. They’re probably just scared.”
“My sister is right,” Anya agreed. “I feel their fear, but there is no aggression—from them, anyway.” She shot Sebastian an accusatory look, which Sebastian ignored.
Kyra faced the palace, taking in its marbled walls and tall windows. They were close enough that she could spot shadows behind the glass, spying down at them, but the reflection kept their faces hidden.
A few whispers caught her ear. She couldn’t make out the words. “What are they saying?” she asked Cale.
“They’re speculating on who we are.”
Kyra made her tone authoritative. “Put the weapons away.”
With only a slight hesitation, Cale did as she asked, but Sonya looked to Sebastian first. He gave a nod, and she obeyed.
Kyra took a step forward and squared her shoulders. Cale followed, staying by her side. “Hello!” she called out. “I am Princess Kyralyn, daughter of King Alastair.” The whispering increased, fanning out in all directions. “With me are my sisters and allies to our people. You need not fear us.”
They waited. One heartbeat, two. A brave young soul poked his head out from behind a building, warily studying the group. “Where are the Kayadon?” he asked.
“They’re gone,” she replied. “For now.”
“They are never gone.”
“Well, they’re not here.”
An older gentleman appeared, gently urging the boy out of sight. He lifted his chin in their direction with suspicion in his eyes. Hesitantly, he stepped forward, and Cale moved to her front. She reassured him with a hand on his arm and pushed him back. He went with little resistance, only a scowl on his face.
