by D. M. Sears
I drank the flask of liquid Val had given me and it tasted overly sweet, like nectar. The substance spread through my body with a chill, turning me invisible. I didn’t know how long it would last, but it would get me where we needed to be.
We bounded down the hall through rooms and to the passage. I was expecting to see Val in there, but she was gone. My heart raced in my chest as I searched for her. I jumped off Koren and he burst through the opening onto the flat rock of the mountain. He let a ferocious roar escape his lips and rushed a shadow near the edge. His large jaws snapped at the creature as he used his enormous paws to knock it off the mountain.
I saw Lex using a sword to fight off another and behind him was Val, using her spells to deflect magicks being hurled at them. I didn’t see Maiya or Gregor, but I could feel every scratch, puncture, and bite he was taking. I was frozen in place as I watched these things attack my family and friends.
My mind was blank as I watched the fight unravel. Too many shadows were here, more than seven. My family was bloodied by the creatures, leaving me angry and desperate to help them. My invisibility didn’t last long, a shade noticed me and came after me with gnashing teeth.
Lex saw it coming at me and threw a blade, barely scratching the rotting skin. “Eden, go back inside!”
That was all it took. That one second of losing his concentration was going to cost him. The shadow he was fighting off took advantage of the distraction and sunk his pointy claws into my uncle’s chest. Bright red blood flowed out of the five holes he left behind. His eyes growing large, knees buckling under him, the creature swiping his tongue across the fountain of blood set me into a brief shock.
Horrified, I looked down at him and my whole body began to tremble and burn with rage. I let the feeling engulf me, giving in to the fire burning under my skin. No one would hurt my family if I had a say. I watched the red glow pulse from my birthmark, changing my features. My hair turned vibrant white and my eyes glowed tinted with red. The shadows stopped fighting Koren and Val and turned their attention to me.
I felt free. Electricity arced in my veins, fueling my energy. “I so got this.”
I rose into the air leaving a burn mark on the rock exactly where I had been standing. In my mind, I saw the words on the page from the book, allowing the script to etch itself inside my energy. Opening my palms, I let the fire flow. The orange and blue flames poured from my fingertips like lava with a force like no other. I aimed and funneled my rage at the shades in front of me.
Shadows fell to the ground writhing from the flames, their cries assaulting to the ears. Others tried to escape down the mountainside to no avail. I screamed my fury into the dark and it resonated into the air, sending shadows flying towards the forest below. I glided through the air after them, throwing fire as I followed. When they reached the trees, I lost them. Their bodies melded into the shadows in the forest concealing them from me.
I landed just before the tree line watching some of the shadows burn. I no longer felt Gregor or heard the mental calls from Koren. I stood there on the ground that had now caught fire from my heat searching for shadows. Off into the distance I heard a maniacal laugh. Low at first, barely audible, then as it grew louder, I saw a hooded figure emerge from the trees.
“So, this is the chosen one. Funny, I wasn’t expecting a child.” The hooded figure strode around me, their arrogance tangible.
“I see you have begun with the parlor tricks. You would think someone with your power would have incinerated us all at the beginning.” He stopped in front of me and I caught a glimpse of his violet eyes from the flames burning around us. “You are nothing but a scared child playing with magicks beyond your knowhow.” The man’s snake tongue licked his cracked lips.
“I am not scared. In fact, I am really pissed off! No one hurts my family without some payback.” I was seething now; no way was I going to back down. I grounded myself in the earth and pulled the energy up into me. I let the sweet cool breeze waft around me, and I glared coolly at the hooded figure.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING! That is a wielder and not one to be taken lightly. I told you to stay inside and keep safe. You have given them exactly what they want!
I felt Gregor’s anger at me but I shut it out.
I did what I needed to do. Lex could be dead because of these things. I will end them all if I have to and no one, not even you, will keep me from doing that.
I will not let you do this.
You can’t stop me, Gregor. You are hurt and weakened; I am too powerful for you right now.
I will not stand by and watch you get hurt.
Enough.
I dropped the connection with him instantly and returned my focus on the wielder in front of me. I searched his darkened face and watched as his shades came to him, black spittle running down their mouths, white eyes glowing as they grinned at me.
“I will stop you.” I put as much venom behind my words as I could and let the flames loose once more. I watched the snake-like tendrils of fire grow towards the wielder and shades, only to see them stop as if they hit a wall. I pushed with all the power I had but the shield never gave.
“You are too weak to break my barrier, child. You can’t get to us, so give up now. My leaders want to meet you. If you come with us now, we will ensure your safety until we reach them. After that…” he laughed a short vile laugh, “your fate is your own.” His violet eyes darkened and his clown mouth turn upwards.
“She will go nowhere with you, Mica.” Gregor stood beside me, worn and ready to collapse. The wounds covering his body burned and bled, letting his lifeblood spill onto the ground.
Why did you come? I have this under control.
Yes, it seems as much. I heard the smirk in his tone.
We are with you too. Koren and Maiya flew down and changed from bird forms to their natural selves on the other side of me.
No, all of you go back. They want me; no one else has to get hurt.
We will stay as long you intend to fight, Eden. You are still learning your potential and may need us.
Maiya was still calm and collected even though I saw blood stain her leather clothes.
“Ah, Gregor, it has been long since we last met.” Mica spoke in a saccharine voice that left a sick feeling in my gut. “This may turn out to be prosperous indeed, my friend.”
“We have not been friends for many years, Mica. Leave here immediately and I will make your end swift.” Gregor planted his feet in the ground and crossed his bare arms over his chest taking in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
“You will kill me swiftly? I do not think you have the advantage here. Your little guest seems to be the bodyguard. It’s quite interesting.” His distorted smile dripped with ooze.
“ We want the girl, the rest of you are just fodder for my shades.” Mica laughed his strange, vile laugh and I saw lightning course between his fingers.
My body was faltering and my aura flickered as I stood there listening to the banter. I couldn’t wait any longer to make a move. I raised high above the others and sent a torrent of flames at the trees behind the master and his shades closing off their escape.
Mother, give me the energy I need to dispose of this vile thing.
Her answer was immediate and a new force energized my blood. I opened my hands and sent a ball of pure white energy at the barrier that had kept my fire out. I watched Mica fall backwards upon impact, but the field remained intact.
Mica got to his feet with that horrible sickening grin plastered on his face. “You are weak. You will never be able to tear my wards down.
I summoned every ounce of energy I had and took what Mother Earth offered. The energy ball was twice the size of the last and I hurled it at him once more. Gregor rushed to action. He grabbed shades on one side of Mica and began tearing them apart. Koren and Maiya had transformed into their wolves, ripping and tearing the shades, sending their pieces into the blazing inferno.
My body weakened as I watched from the sky. I h
ad to hold on a little longer. The pandemonium was almost over.
The ball of energy hit Mica’s shield with such force it shattered his ward and ignited him. He screamed as his body burnt until all that was left was a smoldering spot of tarlike ooze.
The noxious fumes of burning fetid flesh made my stomach roll and I lost concentration, falling from the sky. I hit the ground with enough force that I felt bones break. Blinding pain surged through my limbs as I lay on my side, fighting the sleepiness that was calling to me. A warm wet puddle spread out underneath me, feeding an illusion of floating in warm water.
Cool hands touched me, “Eden, do not go to sleep, stay with me.” Gregor was at my side, coaxing me from the fuzzy haze in my mind. Maiya stood over him staring down at my limp figure.
“Gregor, she has ruptured her femoral artery, she is losing too much blood. She has broken too many bones.” Maiya was crouched over me as I lay in a heap on the ground. I saw her eyes glisten and realized I was going to die right here, right now.
“Leave us.” Gregor spoke quietly. “Make sure Lex is taken care of and tell Valora, Eden will be fine.”
“Gregor, I know what you are thinking, but it is a bad idea.” Koren was now just a fuzzy spot in my vision.
“Leave us, I said!” The force behind his words made even me shudder a little. My two friends took to flight effortlessly and left me with Gregor.
“Eden, this may hurt for a moment, but it will help you.”
I used my mental connection because I was just too tired to talk.
I’m sorry I fell, the smell was… bad. I know you are angry with me. I slurred even in my mental voice. I was just too weak and tired for anything else.
Very much so. You did exactly the opposite of what I asked you to do. Do you know what I would have done had they taken you?
Be happy you don’t have to watch me anymore. I tried to laugh, but it was more of a cough.
Now is not the time to discuss this. Let me heal you.
Gregor?
Ssh. You are weak. Rest and let me do this.
I love you.
The world went black, I was falling into a void of nothingness. Save Gregor’s essence keeping me tied to the living world, I would have let go and succumbed.
Before I was completely out, I barely heard Gregor whisper, “I love you too, Eden.”
A warm, spicy, semi-metallic tasting liquid wet my parched throat. I drowned in the heat until my broken down weary body gave up on me.
Chapter Fourteen
Searing pain crept down my sides and through my muscles, waking me with an agonizing wail. I seized up as wave after wave of excruciating spasms covered me. I had no idea what was happening, I did know this feeling made me feel as if my blood was acid and my organs were melting. I stifled as much of my groans as I could, not knowing what was happening to my body.
I writhed on the ground in the dark, praying the waves would end. The precious moments between the racking pain was just long enough for me to try to reach for Gregor.
Gregor. What is happening to me?
I didn’t know this would happen. Forgive me, Eden. I couldn’t lose you.
Another wave hit me sending my limbs convulsing. Gregor. Tears were in my voice.
Eden, I am here. Relax. Let me shield you from this unpleasantness.
I felt Gregor’s essence wrap around my soul and a shield went up in my mind. My last memory was of warmth.
I woke to the soft rhythm of the earth and the faint glow of the veined mineral light on the walls. I was alone, but for how long? I was clean with fresh clothes on. Wait, these are not my clothes. I didn’t pack any large tee-shirts or boxers…these are his. Did he clean me up and change my clothes? Please say he didn’t. How embarrassing! I wracked my brain but came up empty. Fuzzy half-images swirled in my head, not making sense. I needed to find Gregor so he could fill me in.
I stretched my muscles, relieving the stiffness, taking note of new sensations. Something was different about me, nothing I could pinpoint. I could hear everything around me in surround sound; bugs chewing and crawling, underground water bubbling away. I heard it all so clearly.
I was on my feet before I even knew it. “Huh.” I thought about moving and my body reacted so fast I didn’t even have time to process it until after I was on my feet.
My movements were extremely fast, unintentionally, catching me off guard. I opened the door and walked out taking only seconds to reach the living room. No one was around. The kitchen and other rooms were vacant. Where was everyone? I went out to the mountainside where the battle had raged, hoping to see someone, anyone. Again, no one was up here. I surveyed the area noticing how normal everything looked. Someone had cleansed the whole area. The rock was free of blood and gore, the forest below had been re-grown, and the char from my fire nowhere in sight. An image of Lex lying in a pool of oozes and blood immobilized me. What had I done?
I yelled over the mountainside letting my grief float into the night. I sank to my knees realizing he might be dead.
He lives, but he is weak. Maiya and Koren have taken your family to their village. Lexington needs special treatment that is beyond Valora’s skill to heal.
She healed my arm after that shadow scratched me, how much different is it?
The shadows pointed claws hit Lex’s heart. The venom he injected made it to his blood stream and all his organs. Your aunt’s potion cannot pull that much venom out, Lex needs internal healing that the shifters can aid Valora in.
This is my fault. What if he dies? Why did I make them come here? I hung my head in my hands and felt tears well up inside me. If I had listened, maybe Lex wouldn’t be fighting for his life.
Eden, what you did was reckless and extremely dangerous. I speak for us all when I say we are very angry that you disobeyed our request. However, without you, we would have been overrun. You helped us a great deal. You saved our lives.
Not everyone is safe. To say I saved your lives is a lie. Lex is dying because I couldn’t follow simple instructions.
You did save us. I am here; Valora, Koren, and Maiya are safe because of you. Lexington will pull through.
What happened after I fell?
You broke your femur, arm, both ankles, and your spine. You severed your femoral artery and lost a lot of blood…you almost died.
Gregor’s mental voice faded at the end leaving the image of grief behind.
Oh. I don’t remember anything except pain. Waves of pain.
I didn’t remember any of that. I had a faint sensation of telling him I loved him, but my memory was clouded.
I had to give you blood to replace what you had lost. If I had not, you would not be here with us.
Where are you?
I continued to search for him but it was of no use. He was not in the mountain. I closed my eyes and reached out to him, finding the connection inside me. I felt his sorrow and shame for an unnamed boundary overstepped. It weighed on him like thick chains pulling someone under water.
Eden…I did what I did to save your life. You must understand that.
Understand what, you gave me blood and now I am fine. What is so bad about what you did?
When you woke, did you notice anything odd about yourself?
I appraised myself once again. I noticed the super-sensitive hearing, effortless movements, speed, and night vision.
There are a few things different, what about them?
You still have no idea what I am, do you? Eden, I am a child of the night, a vampire. I need blood to survive. We have supernatural speed, hearing, vision, we are exceptionally strong, and our skin is almost impenetrable. We heal faster than most and we can live far longer than the other races.
Vampire. So…
I played with the word on my tongue, grasping the reality of what it meant. It all came together as I rolled it over in my mind. His look, smell, speed, all of it clicked as I dropped to the ground in a heap.
What did you do to me?
Gre
gor was next to me in seconds. I looked in his almost black eyes and saw the fight raging inside him. Thunder rolled in a turbulent storm of confusion, anger, and sorrow swelling deep in him.
So, does this mean I am like you now? Will I need to…you know…drink blood?
I could do a lot of things, but drinking blood just wasn’t one of them.
I don’t know. I have never done anything like this before. I can give a person blood to heal them without them changing over. In fact, it takes a lot of our blood to make a conversion. I do not understand how this happened to you; I did give you a significant amount, but not enough to turn you. The only thing I can think of is that you already had these tendencies. My blood brought them to the surface.
What about the horrible pain I felt?
That was your bones knitting back together at an elevated speed.
I see.
Anger at the situation, worry over my reaction, pain of hurting me, all this etched into Gregor’s marble face.
Please forgive me for causing you pain. Had I known all these things would happen, I would have chosen another course of action.
Gregor, you did what you thought was right, kind of like I did with the fight. Both had repercussions that neither of us took into consideration. I can’t say I am not a little queasy about what this means, but I am not mad at you. You saved my life and for that, I can never repay you.
Unexpectedly, Gregor pulled me to my feet and our fervent gaze locked tight on each other.
He was so wounded and ashamed. “You owe me nothing. You are so magnificent. All the things you can do, the way you make people feel when they are around you. The way you make me feel.” Heat radiated between us and our hands began to glow as my mark tingled.
“Gregor, ever since I found you in the woods, I have thought about you. There is a pull inside me that doesn’t go away. I felt it long before our connection was created. I grabbed your essence because it was the brightest light I had ever seen. I can’t even describe the feeling that filled me when it touched me.” The heat spread through both our bodies and my stomach knotted and did that flip thing.
