3 Minutes to Midnight: Urban Fantasy Midnight Trilogy Book 1

by L. M Hatchell

  Phoenix looked around nervously as confused murmurings echoed her own thoughts. The wind was picking up speed, and strands of red hair blew across her face, blurring her vision as it grew in strength.

  Pushing the hair roughly from her face, she turned back to voice the multitude of questions flying around her head, only to find a lifeless form lying on the ground in front of her, shrewd eyes now staring blankly at the ceiling.

  She glanced towards Ethan and the look he gave her mirrored the feeling of dread that was beginning to rise from the empty pit of her stomach.

  “What the hell …” Nate’s voice drew everyone’s attention as he pointed a shaky finger at a small vortex that was forming from the wind above the altar.

  The centre of the vortex was growing darker by the second, as if sucking away what little light filled the chamber.

  A sharp intake of breath drew Phoenix’s attention to her mother, who stood ghostly pale and stared at the blackness forming.

  Phoenix rushed to Aria’s side and grabbed her arm. “Mam? What is it?”

  “He’s done it,” Aria said, haunted eyes turning to look at her daughter. “He’s torn the fabric.”

  An icy fear washed over Phoenix, but her mind struggled to make sense of what she was seeing, and she felt a growing sense of hysteria. “I don’t understand. What do you mean he’s torn the fabric? He can’t have torn the fabric.”

  Ethan came to her side and placed a gentle hand on her back, almost as if he needed to touch her. “The talisman.” He looked at Aria for confirmation. “He’s found a way to speed up the prophecy. And when the fabric becomes weak enough, they’ll be able to get through.”

  “They –” Phoenix stopped suddenly, memories of a night not so long ago flashing through her mind. “Demons.”

  “Not just any demons,” Aria said, her voice little more than a whisper. “Darius was planning on bringing through the Horsemen.”

  Phoenix backed away, shaking her head. Her knowledge of the supernatural may have been sorely lacking, but every Supe knew of the Horsemen. They were the things that even the strongest supernatural feared; the bringers of death and destruction to all.

  The voices around them raised, panic-filled questions that blurred into one.

  “How long?”

  “What happens if they get through?”

  “How do we stop it?”

  Phoenix knew the answer because the witch had told them. Her bloodline had started this, and only her bloodline could stop it. She looked around at the people who had risked their lives to save her. People that had become her friends. Family she’d only just gotten back. The thought of something happening to them hurt her heart. The knowledge that it would be her fault almost brought her to her knees.

  But she could stop it. That was what the witch had been saying. She was the key.

  Phoenix walked closer to the blackness. Her movements went unnoticed amongst the panic. As she watched, it pulsated and expanded. What had started as small as the narrow gash on her arm, now stretched almost three feet in length, suspended in nothingness.

  The closer she got to it, the more she could feel its inexplicable pull. Darius had only used a small bit of her blood to complete the spell, but the darkness wanted more. Somehow, she knew it would take a much larger sacrifice to undo the wheels that had been set in motion.

  Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she looked around again. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. For the first time in a very long time, she had more to lose than just Abi. But even that would’ve been enough. She wouldn’t let these people die for her.

  And with that thought clear in her mind, she stepped towards the void.

  “Phoenix, no!”

  Ethan grabbed her just in time. His heart raced like a freight train in his chest as the blackness reached eager tendrils towards its willing victim. She turned to look at him, a single tear rolling down her cheek, even as she resisted his pull.

  “It’s the only way, Ethan. You have to let me go.”

  He shook his head vehemently, unable to form the words as he pulled her forcefully away from the void and into his arms. For a moment, Phoenix resisted, but then he felt her body soften and she wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his chest.

  “It’s the only way,” she repeated, words muffled against the remnants of his torn shirt.

  Ignoring her words, he held her closer and focused only on the heat of her body next to his. There had to be another way; there just had to. As the thought formed in his head, the wind began to pick up speed. A strange murky smoke trailed from the bottom of the gaping black hole, and as he watched, the edges pulsated and stretched. The smell of sulphur drifted up from the smoke that was settling on the ground around their feet. Ethan cast a worried glance towards Aria to find a similar look of concern filling her green eyes.

  “Em …” Nate cleared his throat awkwardly, “not to break up a touching moment and all that, but can I make a suggestion?”

  Reluctantly, Ethan relaxed his hold on Phoenix as she twisted in his arms to look at Nate.

  “Couldn’t we just destroy the talisman?” Nate eyed the tear warily. “The Ouroboros. I’m assuming this was why they needed it?” He waved a hand towards the growing void.

  A terrifying thread of hope surged through Ethan, but he cautiously held it in check. “Could it work?” he asked, directing the question to Lily, who stood looking uncomfortable by the stone altar.

  She fidgeted nervously, averting her gaze from his as her shoulders dropped. “I already searched the witch. I couldn’t find the talisman.” Her soft-spoken words drove home like a knife, and Ethan felt the whisper of hope bleed from him.

  “Do you mind if I check?” Aria looked in askance to Lily before moving to crouch by the witch’s frozen form.

  As she rustled about, searching every inch of the witch and the surrounding area, the smoke began to thicken. The blackness that had seemed so complete only moments before, formed shadows that brought with them terrifying possibilities.

  The bottom edge of the tear pulsed. Once. Twice. Three times. Then a black ink-like substance began to pour over the rim. It flowed and morphed in such a way that no one particular form could be discerned. He heard Phoenix’s gasp as she too noticed the movement and her grip on him tightened involuntarily.

  “Aria,” he said, urgency biting at the edges of his tone. “I don’t mean to rush you, but we seem to have a situation here.”

  A blade flew through the air, flipping handle over tip, and abruptly sliced through the inky mass, causing it to pool motionless on the ground.

  “Not anymore we don’t.” Shade shrugged nonchalantly and spat on the ground.

  But the blackness pulsed again, and yet more shadows began to slowly seep from its depths. Sinuous tendons reached out, searching the possibilities of their new surroundings.

  Aria’s face was sombre as she met his questioning look with a silent shake of her head and she looked longingly towards her daughter. Everyone began to speak over each other again, and he could feel Phoenix’s deep breath as she stared intently at the hole that was now almost five foot long.

  She’d do it. Despite her fear, and the unknown terrors beyond that void, she would sacrifice herself if there was no other way. Ethan looked around desperately. There had to be something he could do, someone he could kill. Instead, he found Marcus staring at him intently.

  It was then he noticed the subtle prodding in his mind. Almost like a politely cautious knock on the door. Something told Ethan he could choose to answer the call or not, but the sadness and regret he saw in Marcus’s eyes made him lower his defences.

  I’m sorry, Ethan, I would never use your gift like this if I had a choice, but we’re running out of time.

  Marcus’s words, although only in his head, were so clear that Ethan looked around to see if anyone else acknowledged the vampire’s statement.

  They didn’t.

  He looked back to Marcus in surprise, realising immedia
tely what gift he was referring to. His blood had created a link with the vampire, however temporary, allowing Marcus to speak to him in a manner far more intimate than was comfortable.

  The witch said bloodline, Ethan. Her bloodline is the key.

  The words registered, but it took Ethan a moment to truly understand them. He had to stop himself before he spoke aloud, suddenly conscious once more of Phoenix’s warm body still held in his arms.

  No, he thought fervently, she’ll never let you do it.

  Dark eyes met his, filled with a sadness that had no words. I know. That’s why I need your help.

  Moving silently through the shadows, Marcus grabbed a small knife and stepped closer to the tear. Ethan tensed, preparing to shout his objection, when a light touch on his shoulder turned his focus to Aria, who now stood by his side. The shake of her head was barely perceptible, but the look in her eyes spoke volumes.

  He hesitated, torn between protecting the woman in his arms and the truth that was staring them all in the face. The prophecy was coming, and if they didn’t find a way to stop it, everyone would suffer. Conflicted, he watched silently as Marcus ran the blade along the palm of his hand. Blood flowed from the wound and dripped down towards the tendrils that were eagerly pulling themselves out of the black void.

  The thick, viscous liquid hit the inky mass with a hiss, and the tendrils recoiled. Clumps fell to the ground, disintegrating in a cloud of sulphur. Marcus met his gaze for a brief moment, before turning to look at Aria. The look they shared was so full of love that Ethan almost felt like he was intruding on a private moment just by being in the same room.

  We’ve had our time, Ethan. Marcus’s voice came once more, steady and sure. It’s her time now.

  Phoenix chose that very moment to pull back from him. She squared her shoulders as she turned to face the others, oblivious to the panic that was constricting his chest.

  She will never forgive me. He clenched his fists, wanting to reach out and pull her back to him.

  The look Marcus gave him was sympathetic, but unwavering.

  She will forgive you. And in time she will understand.

  Phoenix’s throat was achingly tight as she pulled back from the comforting warmth of Ethan’s arms. The feeling of safety was just an illusion, but damn if she didn’t want to cling to it. Which was why she had to move now. Before she lost her nerve.

  Looking around, she was once again struck by the knowledge that these people had risked their lives to come for her. They knew who – and what – she was, yet they still came. She held that thought close to her and pointedly ignored the creeping tendrils and cloying smoke, turning first towards Nate.

  The sparkling humour that seemed to show in his eyes no matter how dire the situation acted as a balm to her soul and allowed her to smile past the tightness in her chest as she hugged him. Phoenix couldn’t tell if his eyes seemed just a little bit duller when she pulled back, but she quickly blocked the thought.

  Lily was next to him, still slumped against the altar. She looked as dejected and broken as the night they first met. Phoenix wanted so much to wrap the young girl in her arms and tell her it would be okay.

  But that would be a lie.

  The best she could do was hug her tightly and pray to whatever god or goddess might be listening to watch over the young witch.

  There was no hugging when it came to Shade. He simply paused his ongoing knife attack on the inky tendrils, looked her in the eye, and gave a single nod; the small gesture meaning more than words ever could.

  Her heart shattered as she turned to look at Abi, still lying unconscious against the wall. She’d never get to tell her friend how sorry she was. Never get to tell her how much her friendship meant. Kneeling by her side, Phoenix gently brushed the hair back from Abi’s sweat-soaked face. She let her forehead rest against Abi’s cheek for a brief moment, and whispered, “I love you,” before giving herself a brisk shake and rising to stand once more.

  Phoenix took a deep breath and turned to face her parents, who were now standing side by side at the altar. Tears threatened to break free of the prison that had held them for ten long years. Memories of laughter and childhood innocence brought with them a yearning so strong she almost doubled over.

  “At least this time we get to say goodbye,” she said, attempting a weak smile.

  The returning smile her mother gave her was so full of love and pride that it was almost painful to look at. She let herself fall into Aria’s open arms as a sob of pure, raw grief broke free from her throat.

  Her mother held her close, gently rocking her as Phoenix breathed in the warm scent that reminded her so much of happier times. Another set of arms surrounded them both. Broader. Stronger. She knew without looking that it was her father, and even with what was to come, she felt safe.

  “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart.” Her father smoothed back her hair and his warm voice became deeper as it strained with emotion. “So proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  At his words, the tears came. She shook her head and pressed her forehead against her mother’s shoulder as she fought to stay strong for a little longer.

  Just a little longer.

  “I failed, Dad. I couldn’t stop him.”

  Marcus turned her firmly towards him and lifted her chin to ensure she was looking him in the eye. “It wasn’t your job to stop him, Phoenix. We should’ve protected you better. We should’ve prepared you better.”

  His dark brown eyes were full of such sadness that all she could do was hug him tightly.

  Eventually he pulled back, took a deep breath, and smiled as he held her at arms-length. For a moment, he seemed to be taking in her every feature, then he turned her with a knowing nod and gentle push towards Ethan.

  The look of raw pain that met her as she raised her eyes to meet Ethan’s stole her breath away and brought the tightness back to her chest tenfold. She searched in vain for something to say, some way to let him know how much it meant that he’d come for her, but she couldn’t find the right words. She didn’t even know where to start.

  His strong arms reached for her and pulled her against the warmth of his chest. She felt small in his embrace, and for a moment, she let herself revel in the safety of the solid muscle that seemed almost contradictory in its welcoming softness.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me,” he whispered desperately, lips pressed into her hair.

  The words registered with her, but they didn’t make sense. Why was he apologising? Phoenix moved to pull away. She needed to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but as she tried to pull back, his arms locked tighter around her.

  A mild sense of panic washed over her as she pushed against the restriction, but she fought it back, understanding his desire to protect her. However pointless it might be.

  He needs to let me go. There’s no other way.

  She raised her head, ready to reason with him – plead with him, if necessary – so that he wouldn’t make this harder than it already was, but the look in his eyes stopped the words before they even left her mouth. The earlier sadness was there, but now it was overshadowed by a resolve unlike anything she’d ever seen in those rich brown eyes.

  And he wasn’t looking at her.

  It was then that Phoenix realised she’d missed something. Something important. Panic overwhelmed her as she began to struggle in earnest, twisting her neck to follow his gaze towards her parents. They stood together holding hands, looking at her with eyes filled with so much love she almost missed the subtle shadow of regret. As she watched, they stepped closer to the blackness, and the inky tendrils grasped for their legs.

  A wordless scream clawed its way up her throat as she wrenched against Ethan’s arms, her hand reaching for them. Willing them to step back towards her. Praying the look on their faces meant something other than what she feared.

  Her mother smiled, her face peaceful. “I’m so grateful we got to see you one last time, sweetheart. It was more than I ever h
oped for.”

  Marcus put one arm around his wife’s shoulders and tucked her close to his side. His other hand reached out, revealing a folded piece of paper with tattered and torn edges.

  The banshee wail began before they even moved. The sorrowful keening filled the chamber and ripped her aching soul to shreds.

  “We love you so much. Don’t ever forget that.”

  With that, they turned as one and stepped into the void.

  Her scream was swallowed in a flash of blinding light as the folded paper fell to the ground.

  Flashes of light. Snippets of conversations. It was all a blur. Phoenix had no idea how much time had passed. For all she knew, the fabric could have torn and the black void swallowed them whole.

  For all she cared.

  As the sounds started slowly filtering into her consciousness, she looked around in a daze. It seemed as if everything was moving in slow motion. The image was made even more surreal by the smoke that filled the chamber.

  She was dimly aware that Ethan’s arms still surrounded her, but she couldn’t hear any of the words he spoke. They didn’t matter anyway. There was no sign of the tear, no sign of any demons. And no sign of her parents.

  They were gone.

  A strange numbness filled her body from the knowledge, providing a detachment that was almost comforting. It was all just a sick joke. Or a bad dream. Maybe she’d never really found her parents again, and everything to this point had been the wishful imagination of a lost child.

  A fluttering movement on the ground caught her eye and pulled her out of her rambling thoughts, drawing her attention to the spot she last imagined her father standing. On shaky legs, she pushed away from Ethan. This time he let her go.

  The floor rushed up to meet her as she stumbled and fell to her knees. She pushed an unsteady hand out to grasp the yellowing piece of paper that lay on the ground. Some part of her consciousness told her it was important, but her thoughts were so jumbled that the dots weren’t connecting.