Ascendant (Between Two Realms Book 2)

by Amber Flora

  He didn’t say anything else, he didn’t need to. I knew he could feel my embarrassment mixed with desire. I had enjoyed the intimacy between us and I wanted more. The only thing I could think about at the moment was the searing feeling of his lips on mine.

  Chapter 16

  Herrick decided we should take advantage of our downtime and resume our training. This time was a little different. Aside from the normal sparring and weapons training, we were now working on my special ability. He didn’t think my fire-wielding skill was a typical wizard trait. While it was true that most wizards could command the elements, it usually required a spell. I remembered when Damon had demonstrated his ability to control the wind without uttering a word — something else we had in common. The thought of sharing any trait with that man made my skin crawl. I stood in the living room desperately trying to recreate my past success to no avail.

  “I can’t do it!” I screamed in frustration.

  “Should I kiss you again?” Herrick asked with a naughty grin.

  “That was a fluke. Shrink your growing ego before your head explodes,” I huffed.

  He laughed and sat down on the couch, pulling me with him.

  “You are overthinking things, love. Relax, clear your mind.”

  I sat there with my eyes closed and face scrunched for what felt like an eternity. I opened one eye and glimpsed at my hands. Nothing. I sighed in annoyance at yet another Ashtyn failure. I began to think about my impending fate. Damon was out there somewhere, waiting for me to screw up. The spell that was blocking my dreams would wear off soon and I knew he would back when it did. All of this because of my mother's stupid prophecy. What was she thinking? Did she honestly believe that I or my child would be able to save anyone? I wondered if she knew what was in store for me. Had she seen Damon in my future? I couldn’t help but be angry with her for putting me in this position. Why me? There had to be more impures that were better suited for the job. I felt like she had sealed my fate the moment she named me. I never even got a choice.

  “Umm, love?”

  I whipped my head around to scold him.

  “What?! I’m trying,” I yelled.

  “And succeeding,” he replied, looking down at my hands.

  I followed his gaze down to my lap where I saw my fingers glowing red. Holy macaroni, I did it.

  Suddenly seeing my hands engulfed in fire scared me and I began to shake them. Fire flew from my palms and ignited the couch. Herrick jumped up and pushed me aside, running to the kitchen. I stood there in shock as he came back with a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.

  “I … I’m so …” I tried to get the words out but they weren’t coming.

  After he got the fire under control he turned to me, checking for injuries.

  “Are you OK?”

  Staring at the charred remains of Herrick’s couch and seeing the expression of concern on his face sent me into a laughing fit. I didn’t mean to make light of the situation, but it was sort of funny. I mean how many times can someone say they torched a couch with just their mind and hands?

  “I’m fine, but I think your couch is toast.”

  He glanced toward the burnt furniture.

  “It didn’t match the decor anyway.”

  I clutched my side, attempting to prevent the giggles, and put on my serious face.

  “I truly am sorry.”

  This time I was a bit more sincere.

  “It’s all right, love. You will get the hang of it, though next time I recommend we practice your pyrotechnic skills outside.”

  I nodded, searching for something to clean up the massive mess I had made. What was happening to me? When I trained with Victoria it had taken me a month to learn a few parlor tricks. Now I was setting things on fire with just a thought. I needed Mimi and my father; maybe they would be able to shed some light on my growing abilities.

  “What were you thinking about?”

  “Hmm?” I asked, reaching for a towel from the closet.

  “You looked upset right before you realized what you had done.”

  “Oh, nothing much. Just wondering why my mother was so sure I would have a hand in bringing an end to the war. It seems unfair to put so much on an unwilling participant. I mean what was she thinking, did she have an endgame or was she just playing it by ear?”

  Herrick looked at me inquisitively.

  “Interesting, it seems your emotions are the trigger. If you can find a way to bring just enough of your feelings to the surface you may be able to control it better. You need to be careful though. Too much emotion and you might set yourself on fire.”

  That sounded promising. How do I control my emotions? Maybe I should try meditating or yoga.

  “Why did you kill Grison?”

  I don’t know where that question had come from. I hadn’t thought much about it since the day I found his body, but I had never gotten the chance to ask him about his motives. If I wanted to move on from that chapter of my life, I needed closure.

  “He was a liability,” he said with a shrug.

  “For who?”

  His facial expression said he didn’t want to say anymore, but when he peeked in my direction he sighed and continued.

  “It was going to go one of two ways. Either he was going to take it too far one day or you were going to make good on your promise and kill him. Neither would have ended well.”

  “You knew how badly I wanted to get my revenge on him. Why would you take that away from me?”

  I wasn’t as upset with him as I sounded. Yes, I was mad that he took matters into his own hands, but the end result was the same. Grison could no longer hurt me and that was really all I had wanted.

  “I told you before that revenge is a slippery slope. You would always have to live with the reminder that you took a man's life out of vengeance. Aside from that I knew Damon would retaliate against you. He wouldn’t have killed you, but he wouldn’t have let it go unpunished.”

  I mulled over Herrick’s words. He was worried about me? That didn’t make sense.

  “You killed him to protect me? Why?”

  “You are a puzzle to me. I didn’t want anything to happen to you until I solved it.”

  He was such a pain in the ass. Every time I started to think he just might be a decent guy, he reminds me that he isn’t. I should have known he only did it for himself. The only reason he was helping me was because I was curiosity to him. I silently wondered what would happen when he solved the Ashtyn riddle. Would he turn on me like he did Damon? I couldn’t trust him. No matter how many times he had helped me he would always put himself first. I needed to remember whom I was hiding out with. It’s just so difficult at times, the way he acts and the things he says, they come off as someone who genuinely cares for me.

  Herrick had been sleeping on the couch ever since we concluded that I performed the dream spell correctly, but now that I had set it on fire, we were back to sharing the bed. I wasn’t keen on the idea, but given that I was the one that reduced his couch to ashes, it was the least I could do.

  I lay on my side facing away from him, attempting to clear my mind and failing miserably.

  “Are you worried about tomorrow?” I asked, turning to face him. He was lying on his back looking up at ceiling.

  “Not as much as you I'm sure. Although, I think I may be the first male in history to perform the ritual.”

  “Seriously?”

  Great, I get the newbie.

  He turned his head to face me, his gray eyes shining in the moonlight.

  “Relax, I’ve seen it done a few times. It’s just usually performed by the women. After all it’s the mother's memories that get passed down.”

  I grinned thinking about how the big bad assassin was about to do something only women had done before him.

  “Why is that? Wouldn’t the father’s memories be more useful? They are the ones that train you in fighting.”

  He went back to looking at the ceiling and I wondered if I had
said something wrong.

  “A mother has a special link to the child. While in the womb the mother will transfer any necessary memories during that time. Since vibrants do not have relationships. There are rarely any memories passed down of the father.”

  I wondered if my mother had left any memories of Algon. He said they loved one another. Did she want me to know that? Did she leave me any happy memories or just the essentials?

  “Did Jewel give you any of your father’s?”

  I bit my lower lip. I was getting personal again. I didn’t mean to be so intrusive, I was just curious about his life.

  “No, I knew nothing of him before I went to live with him.”

  My heart ached for him and all that vibrants were put through just to become ruthless killing machines. It was no wonder they shut off their emotions. It probably would have been too much to bear otherwise.

  “So what memories did she give you?”

  “The normal stuff. My ancestry, her knowledge of fighting and interrogation.”

  “Did you feel different afterward?”

  I wondered if it would change me. If the ritual actually worked, would I still be the same person or would I be a mixture of my mother and myself?

  “Not really, I felt more confident. It was almost as if they were my memories, like I had known those things all along.”

  “Do you think it will be different for me? Since I have emotions, will I feel everything she felt?”

  He rolled over on his side, facing me again. Tenderly he ran his fingers across my cheek. The gesture made my heart race even more.

  “I don’t want to lie to you. I honestly don’t know. I can say with absolute certainty that no matter what happens you will get through it. I think your superpower is resiliency.”

  I smirked at him.

  “I thought it was sarcasm.”

  He smiled and patted my head like I were a child.

  “That too. Now go to sleep. It’s late and you’re cutting into my beauty sleep.”

  I looked over his body in the dim lighting. His black hair was tousled from the pillow and his iron like chest rose and fell with each breath. That man didn't need any beauty sleep. He was perfect just as he was.

  “Can I ask one more question first?”

  He huffed and I took that as a yes.

  “Do you think it’s possible that a vibrant could feel? Have you ever known one to, I don’t know, regain their emotions?”

  The room was silent for a long time, and I wondered if he had fallen asleep.

  “Your mother managed to accomplish what only vibrants had done before her. You can wield fire with just your thoughts and you managed to escape one of the most powerful men alive. After meeting you, my dear hummingbird, I would say that anything is possible.”

  I wanted to push the issue. I wanted to ask him if he had ever experienced any emotions and if he hadn’t, would he want to, but I decided it was best if I left those questions for another day. No matter how many answers he provided, he would always be a mystery to me.

  “Try to stay on your side tonight, would you?” I mocked, bumping his shoulder as I rolled over.

  “I believe it is you who seeks me out, love.”

  I didn’t respond. I knew I couldn’t win this one. He would always have some smartass retort, and as much as the truth stung he was right. Being near him put me at ease. I should have been downright terrified of the guy. Instead it seemed as though any time I needed comforting I would turn to him. There was something that drew me to him like a moth to the flame. I knew if I got too close I would get burned, but even so I was drawn to the light that was Herrick. He was the calm in my stormy life.

  The next day was the longest of my existence. Herrick tried to keep my mind off it with a little friendly sparring match, but when I barely put up a fight and kept losing my concentration he finally gave up. We didn’t talk much, polite conversation here and there. I must have asked a hundred times what time it was because he finally handed me his watch. Luckily the darkness came quicker in Alaska, and I was thankful for that. It could have been longer. Eventually the sun fell and my anxiety was in full swing. I began pacing the cabin with force. All of my thoughts were on my mother. What memories did she leave me? Would I finally discover where she imprisoned Ser’ie? Most of all I just wanted an image of her. As selfish as it was I wanted nothing more than to see her face, to know what she looked like and if I truly did resemble her.

  “Go put on warmer clothes, we can begin shortly,” Herrick said, glancing outside.

  I hurried to the bedroom and rummaged through my new wardrobe. I threw on a red long-sleeve shirt and blue hoodie I found and hoped it would be enough. I followed Herrick outside as the bitter cold bore down on me. I shivered and wondered if I could create enough fire to warm myself without setting the whole forest on fire. I was definitely underdressed, but I didn’t care. I just wanted this all to be over and I wasn’t about to waste another minute. We made our way through the snow about thirty yards from the cabin before he stopped and turned to me.

  “Do you trust me?” he asked, searching my eyes.

  “Would you trust you?” I retorted.

  I don’t know why I said that, he was helping me. Why was I being so rude? This whole ritual thing definitely had me on edge.

  I saw a faint smile cross his face before he pulled a knife from his boot.

  “Probably not, but you don’t have many options at the moment.”

  “What’s with the knife?”

  “I have to link us. I will cut both of our palms and then connect with you through your blood.”

  Well, that’s super gross.

  “You're going first,” I said in a dead-serious tone.

  He stepped closer, so close that my body warmed a little from the heat between us. He took my chin in his hand, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

  “I don’t know how this is going to play out. You may not get the answers you seek, but you have my word I won’t abandon you.”

  I nodded and watched as he took the knife and cut into his palm. The blood trickled down his wrist and for a brief moment I considered backing out. Then I stuck my hand out and allowed him to do the same to mine. It hurt like hell and I wanted to punch him in the face. Did he have to go so deep? Then he took my hand in his and pressed his palm against mine, allowing our blood to mix. I stood there, wondering if it wasn’t working because he was a male, or maybe since my mother was not a vibrant it wouldn’t work at all. I was about to give up hope until I suddenly felt dizzy. My eyes began to blur and my legs felt weak. The last thing I could remember was Herrick’s arms holding me against him as he whispered in my ear.

  “I've got you, hummingbird, I won't let you fall.”

  Chapter 17

  I found myself alone in the bed swaddled like a baby. After I managed to free myself from my makeshift cocoon I made my way to the living room. Herrick was putting more wood in the fireplace as I approached. He looked exhausted, like he had just fought a lengthy battle.

  “Want to tell me why I was wrapped up like a mummy?” I asked, pointing toward the bedroom.

  “You were shaking uncontrollably, I wanted to keep you warm.”

  “Thanks, I guess. How long was I out?”

  “Nearly a day. Want to tell me how it went?”

  I fell back in the chair rubbing my face. Where did I start? The whole thing seemed … impossible.

  “I didn’t get what I was looking for, I still have no idea where Ser’ie is. I actually didn’t get one memory of my mother at least not in the sense I had hoped.”

  “Maybe the will come in time. We usually don’t get every memory at once, they sort of trickle in over a few days, sometimes weeks. It really just depends on how much you were left.”

  That thought made me feel a little better. I had hoped this wasn’t all she left with me with. I didn’t even know what it meant, or what I was supposed to do with the information.

  “So, are you going to tell
me what you did get? Or do we have to play twenty questions?”

  I laughed thinking about how Lori and I would play that game when we were kids. Seems like it was such a long time ago.

  “I don’t think you are going to believe me.”

  I was having a hard enough time coming to terms with the memories myself. It was such a simple memory, pages in a book, but the words on those pages could change the game forever.

  “Try me, you would be amazed at my ability to accept the unbelievable.”

  I nodded and tried to piece together my thoughts.

  “I know our origin.”

  He looked at me confused.

  “The dreamwalkers?”

  I shook my head no.

  “All of us, every race, the world as we now know it.”

  Herrick came and sat down in front of me like a kid waiting for his bedtime story. I took a deep breath and began the crazy tell.

  “In the beginning there was only one race. They called themselves the Zeotecs. Most possessed different abilities. Some could walk through dreams, others could summon the elements. Then there were those who could read emotions or hypnotize. After a couple centuries a war broke out. Those with unique abilities fought amongst each other. A council was created to try to bring peace, but they too failed. Eventually it was decided that the only way to end the fighting was to create different realms and separate the races. They felt as though it was their only option to save countless lives. They divided the races into four realms.”

  Herrick’s mouth gaped open and I giggled at the sight of him. He looked so innocent.

  “That’s how the realms were created? To separate those who had different skills?”

  “Yes, but it didn’t stop there. Those with dreamwalking abilities went to dream realm and the wizards went to magic realm. The ones with no abilities at all remained in what we now call human realm.”

  Herrick pipped up.

  “What about shadow realm?”

  “I’m getting to it,” I scolded and continued my story.