Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series

by Tia Silverthorne Bach

  “Nice reflexes,” Madeleine said.

  “Thanks.” A swell of pride filled her heart. Impressing Madeleine had never been easy, and hearing the compliment bolstered Reagan’s confidence.

  “Listen.” She pulled Reagan a bit off to the side. “I know how intense this can be. Just breathe. This is nothing like you’ve ever faced. Like any of us have. Plus, whatever happened earlier… are you feeling a bit amped?”

  Glad somebody addressed the white elephant, Reagan breathed out. “Yes. I can’t even explain it, but I need to… kill, for lack of a better word.” She hadn’t thought about it that way until the words spilled out. In a movie once, she’d heard the term bloodlust and wondered if that’s what she was feeling. It hadn’t been a good thing in the film, causing the person to go mad.

  “Everything’s heightened right now. It’s different than when we were defending ourselves and trying to stay safe. We have to go into this ready to do what we have to do.”

  Hearing Madeleine’s words calmed Reagan’s nerves. She’d never known someone who went into the military, much less to war, and she’d gained a whole new appreciation for the mental stress of it.

  “Are you ready to face Rafe?” Madeleine asked.

  “Yes.” Reagan reflected on how much her life had changed since Rafe came into it, but his negative impact on her life was miniscule compared to what he’d done to Madeleine. Her feelings about the day had to be intense. “You?”

  “I’ve never been more ready. I feel bad saying this, especially having just been graced by an angel, but I want nothing more than to see him dead. To end the evil that took my parents, my sister, my innocence, my best friend. It all flows through him.”

  As she spoke, Reagan nodded, not having anything to add, but empathizing with every word.

  Papa tossed some protein bars to everyone and suggested they eat, but she couldn’t stomach it after two bites. Judging by the way everyone picked at their food, nobody seemed overly eager about the sustenance.

  It wasn’t long before Papa announced it was time to move again. He warned everyone to be on guard and aware of their surroundings. “Trust your senses. If something tells you to go left, go left. We’re flying into this blind, which isn’t my preferred technique, but Rafe’s blind now, too. He knows we’re coming, though, and I have no doubt he’s bringing out everything he’s got.”

  “With faith, we fight!” Winona punched her fist above her head and left it there.

  Appreciating the perfect timing of her statement, Reagan repeated the words and gesture, and soon, everyone chimed in, one fist after another extending to the sky. She thought of Nana, grateful for all she’d taught her girls about faith, as they took the first steps of the final run to war.

  Faith had shielded them so far, and Reagan prayed hers wouldn’t falter, no matter what happened.

  When Papa announced a half hour until their destination, Reagan nearly jumped out of her skin. It had been too quiet. Not one demon wolf, or even an ominous feeling, since they stopped for their break. Too much quiet was pushing her over the edge, and her body hummed with unspent adrenaline. Why would Rafe let them get so close without more opposition? Had he really rested his entire battle strategy on Otaktay’s shoulders? Or was Rafe’s ego so massive that he didn’t give Reagan and her crew the respect they deserved?

  Answers would be forthcoming.

  Papa slowed everyone down as the sun began to set, the golden light fading in the horizon. As they approached the coordinates, they crested a slight ridge. On the other side, a wall of demon wolves stood, snarling. From one end of the field to the other, black fur and red eyes filled her vision. She wondered if she’d underestimated her opponent. For all she knew, he had an unlimited supply of the beasts, and Hell would unleash groups of them as needed. A wall of demon wolves was the last thing they needed, and God forbid the Devil himself showed up. Gulping down a lump of fear, and refusing to allow it to gain control of her psyche, she pushed the thought out of her mind. Whatever he brought, they’d face head on. There were no other options.

  Trying to pump herself up, she remembered their plan. They didn’t need to kill every demon, only Rafe. If they could find him. Just then, a voice rang out. Even though she couldn’t see him, she knew who it was, the lilting accent forever etched in her brain.

  “And so it begins,” Rafe said. “I’m impressed you got past Otaktay.”

  Everything about Reagan pulsed, as if a low electric current ran through her body.

  “Flame and night together. Although not for long.” He materialized several feet in front of Reagan, as if he’d poofed there.

  Don’t let him get in your head, she reminded herself as anger and hatred boiled to the surface. She needed a clear mind, void of emotions and her desire to see him dead. Every horrific deed he’d ever committed—those she’d seen in person and through visions of other people’s devastation—assaulted her.

  “And, my dearest Madeleine. As beautiful as ever, I must say.”

  Reagan shot a glance to her friend. Seeing the fury fly to her face, Reagan stepped forward to stop Madeleine from reacting. But, on his last word, she launched toward him. As Reagan tensed, Rowan shot into her vision and yanked Madeleine back, holding her as she struggled and growled.

  “Oh, and as feisty as ever, too, I see. Our child would have been the best of my warriors, had you given it a chance.” Rafe sneered.

  Reagan couldn’t take her eyes off Madeleine, knowing how the words wounded her. Letting Rafe continue to tear them down verbally wouldn’t benefit anyone. Wanting to make some kind of play, she scanned the area again, trying to figure out the best point of attack. Before she could decide what to do, a strange sensation caught her attention and grew in intensity, the ground rumbling. Steadying herself as it increased, she sensed something coming from behind her and whirled around, expecting to see another pack of demon wolves closing in. She brought her hand to her sword and put her weight on her heels, ready to pounce as needed.

  “Ah, I see you brought your own army. Although, I doubt your numbers match mine.”

  Reagan smiled as one wolf after another charged into the area. She dropped her hand and turned back to Rafe, who stood less erect and had scrunched up his face, which was less ominous and more contemplative.

  Reinforcements. She hadn’t realized her side had so many numbers. As she focused, she realized their army included more than just wolves. Foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions also came into view. No doubt part of the nature’s army, thanks to Ariana, Zarya, and Nina. What would normally have been a frightening sight to behold instead provided Reagan with a jolt of confidence.

  “No matter. You can bring forth the entire forest and still not defeat me.” Rafe’s voice forced her attention back to him, his body had returned to its rigid and domineering posture. “I have something I think you’ll want. Actually, more than one. Bring them in.”

  A gasp caught in her throat and her limbs went rigid as a couple of Rafe-clones stepped into view with a struggling Jessica and Mom.

  “I must commend your father. He put up one heck of a fight.”

  “No!” Reagan screamed as the words sank in. It couldn’t be true. Not her father. She still needed to mend their relationship. Shaking her head, she thrust her body. It took all her restraint not to run at him full force. “You son of the Devil.” She spit the words in his direction, her hands shaking with the increased desire to ram the angel sword deep into him for all he’d taken from her.

  “No, no, no, Reagan.” He shook his finger at her. “I don’t think you want to do that.” Grabbing Reagan’s mother, he pulled her into him, running his tongue from her temple to her mouth, crushing his lips to hers.

  Reagan leaped forward, but Rowan thrust out his arm just in time to hold her back.

  “Hit a nerve, did I?” Rafe’s body shook slightly with the chuckle that pierced the air.

  Reagan felt sick. “Let. Her. Go.”

  “You aren’t in a position to g
ive me orders, young lady. Oh, and thanks to Otaktay, I knew where your base was. Got there just after you left. Guess the warlock was good for something after all.”

  “Don’t worry about me. Focus on your destiny.” Mom’s voice floated into Reagan’s mind. Reagan locked eyes with her mom. Seeing her steely gaze and unflinching body language, Reagan took a deep breath and refocused.

  As the last of the sun’s rays disappeared from view, vampires appeared, as if out of thin air, behind Rafe.

  Reagan sent a prayer out into the universe with one simple word: Lucent.

  “Ah, I see more of my friends are here. Funny, I don’t think yours are coming.”

  Fear he knew something she didn’t, or that Lucent had changed his mind, clawed at Reagan’s throat, and she struggled for consistent air. No! She screamed at herself. Focus! Lucent wouldn’t let them down. She refused to believe it. And even if he didn’t come, she’d stop at nothing to protect her family, her pack. She pulled the sword from behind her and stepped toward Rafe.

  “Let her go. This is between you and me.” Reagan enunciated each word with a commanding tone and never let her gaze falter, boring her eyes into her enemy’s.

  A group of about ten demon wolves closed in around him and her mother. But as Reagan slid one foot slightly behind her to back away, she saw Jessica head-butt her captor and crouch to the ground, throwing her hands into the air. A pulse of pure energy, leaving ripples in the air like jet exhaust, threw the wolves back ten feet, leaving Rafe exposed.

  Not taking time to wonder what happened, Reagan screamed to her mother to duck. At full sprint, Reagan ran toward Rafe and threw a fireball at him, barely missing her mom’s lowering head.

  He swatted the flame away with his upper arm, but let go of her in the process.

  She scrambled away.

  Reagan breathed a sigh of relief to see her mom clear of Rafe. As the ground rumbled again, Reagan could feel the approach of her team behind her. “Winona!” she screamed. They had to be together, since the deed must be done by both of them.

  One demon wolf managed to get in her way, and she slapped it to the side, keeping her eyes trained on Rafe. Anger, and the angel’s earlier gift, boosted her strength. Two more wolves attacked. She rammed her shoulder into the first’s chest, knocking the wind out of it. As it fell, the second put its head down and went full force into Reagan, knocking her to the ground and landing on top of her. She managed to get her feet under its belly and send it soaring. When she stood, she saw Rafe retreating behind more wolves.

  “Coward!” She pushed forward. “Face me like a man!” How dare he hide?

  She pierced the next demon wolf in the heart. There wasn’t so much as a yelp as it fell to the ground, making a thump with its deadweight. A sharp pain scraped down her back, and she fell to her knees as a wolf flew past her from behind. She stood, sword at the ready, letting her growing anger fuel her focus as it circled back around to her. Before she could swipe at it, Jessica, in wolf form, took it out from the side.

  Reagan re-focused on Rafe, who had human figures flanking him. He no longer backtracked, standing his ground with a smirk on his face as the figures bared their teeth.

  Vampires.

  At least five more sauntered over while she watched.

  “I doubt you’ll find this challenge quiet as easy.” His laughter made her blood boil.

  “Retreat, find Winona.” Nana’s voice filled Reagan’s head.

  She slowed her pace but didn’t turn around right away, struggling with what to do. He was in her sight. Would she ever have the same opportunity? Her adrenaline pushed her forward, but she forced herself to an abrupt stop. Listening to Nana, to the angels, had gotten Reagan and her team to that point; she couldn’t afford to stop honoring their instructions with so much on the line.

  She stepped to her right and, swinging her left foot over, turned, taking in the scene. Everyone behind her was engaged with some adversary, including Winona, who Reagan saw about a hundred feet away. Trusting her gut, she took off toward her sister.

  Rafe screamed, “Get her!”

  Her speed would be no match for a vampire’s, but she had a head start. She deliberated the benefits of shifting, but the angel sword was her greatest asset, and to use that, she needed hands. As she sprinted, she hoped her accelerated human speed would be enough. Once she came within ten feet of her target, she threw herself to the ground like a runner sliding into home base, using the snow to aid her momentum.

  As she slowed, she flipped onto her back and moved the sword out in front of her again. A vampire flew through the air, and Reagan had just enough time to look up and see the branch above her. Willing it closer, she timed it perfectly. As the vampire sailed toward her, the branch moved into the space and impaled him. He poofed, and dust landed all over her.

  Sputtering to get the remains of the creature out of her mouth, she stood just as the next vampire closed in. Folklore, training, and years of movies flashed through her mind. Flame. Vampires didn’t like fire. As he approached, she dropped the sword next to her on the ground and then built the heat in her hands, rubbing them together as fast as she could, waiting for the right moment to throw the fire toward her assailant.

  Before she could, the vampire burst into flames and sped away, screaming.

  “You okay?” Winona asked.

  Torn between wanting to give her a high-five or a hug, Reagan simply said, “Thanks.”

  Taking a moment to pull herself together and grab the angel sword, she tried to get a bead on everyone and the status of the battle. Jessica stood by Sam, fighting off several demon wolves, while Papa and Rowan faced off with a few vampires. Continuing the assessment, Reagan accounted for everyone except Lucent.

  And Rafe.

  He can’t be gone! Panic sent her head jerking around as she tried to find him.

  Fighting spun out of control, and that wouldn’t work in their favor. Setting her sights on Ariana, Reagan instructed Winona to follow. They had to find Rafe before he could get away or have too much time to regroup.

  They raced toward the woman.

  Reagan needed to reset the playing field so they could focus on Rafe. In the midst of chaos, she slapped herself for being so intent on one purpose. Having blinders on does what during battle? Before she could reassess her surroundings, she felt strong hands clasp her shoulders and drag her backward. Struggling to get free, she bit at the hand and spun around, gripping the sword.

  Lucent jumped back just in time. “That’s not the greeting I expected.” He flew over her and landed on the wolf about to strike, sinking his teeth into its fur. Thrashing his head back and forth, he finally tore out the demon’s throat, and the beast fell to the ground.

  “Especially since I just saved your life.” He reached his hand out to help her get back to her feet.

  She sheathed the sword and threw herself into his arms. If anybody would’ve told her she’d be hugging a vampire, much less that one, at any point in her life, she would’ve laughed. “Thank you. I didn’t know if you were coming or not.”

  “Oh, ye of little faith.” He chuckled.

  Bristling at his comment, she stepped back and threw a hand to her hip.

  “What’s the plan?” he asked, ignoring her body language. When she hesitated, he continued, “You create a diversion, and I’ll go find Rafe and bring him to you.”

  With a flash, he disappeared.

  As she and Winona made their way toward Ariana, Reagan saw vampires flooding into the area. Lucent’s army. No time was wasted in getting to the witch, who’d just thrown a huge boulder at a demon wolf, pinning it underneath.

  “Lucent has gone after Rafe. We need to create a diversion,” Reagan said. “We should gather—”

  Ariana put two fingers in her mouth and sounded a shrill whistle.

  “Zarya and Nina will come. Now gather yours.”

  Not wanting to bring any further attention their way, Reagan called to Madeleine, Mom, and Jessica silently
. “It’s better if we keep moving, so let’s head the direction Lucent went,” Reagan suggested.

  As they pushed forward, the other women came up, one by one. Reagan rushed to her mom when she came into view, and they embraced. Remembering Rafe’s words, Reagan pulled back, hoping they weren’t true. “Dad?”

  Mom shook her head, casting her eyes toward the ground as her mouth turned down at the edges. Her shoulders quaked with the tears Reagan couldn’t see.

  “Aunt Sarah?” Reagan croaked out, barely able to summon words. She wanted to say more, to comfort her mother, but Reagan could barely swallow with the lump in her throat. Please, no more loss, she thought.

  Mom returned her eyes to Reagan’s and put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m not sure. She wasn’t in the room when we were ambushed.”

  “Ladies, we need to move!” Madeleine yelled.

  “It’s time for nature’s army,” Ariana announced. “Join hands.”

  They scrambled to get close enough to make contact. Reagan thought the animals she saw earlier were the army.

  Zarya began to chant. “All the creatures of the wood, come to us, for this battle is yours also.” She then focused her gaze on Reagan. “Focus on the animals you think we need. They’ll fight with us.”

  Remembering her many visits to the Denver zoo, Reagan conjured up images of the ones who seemed the most likely to live in the area and be aggressive. Black bears, big horned sheep, and coyotes came to mind. Not that she’d seen coyotes in the zoo, but she’d known of several killing local pets in her neighborhood.

  “It’s working,” Nina announced.

  Reagan opened her eyes and saw various animals surge into the area. In addition to the animals she’d called, she saw deer with huge antlers. One rammed its fine set into a demon wolf, piercing it in the side. Then, a huge black bear stood on its hind legs, roared, and swiped at another red-eyed beast. Nature’s full army had arrived, and they helped create the distraction the ladies had hoped for and gave Reagan a renewed sense of energy and focus.