by Dean Murray
Drum beats rang out, primitive, basic and surprisingly seductive. A group of veiled dancers circled around me wearing brightly colored dresses, moving deftly to the hypnotic rhythm. I found myself swaying to the music.
The women closed the circle. My head swam so I closed my eyes for only a second. When soft fingers brushed my skin, I gasped. They hoisted me into the air, and then carried me forward. I tried to see where we were going, but the light coming from every surface blinded me.
They placed me gently on my slippered feet. The music stopped and the sea of people parted.
Tabitha stood in front of me. Her pale eyes were eerily fixed to mine. It was as though she could see me, but couldn’t. Was she blind?
I stayed where I was. She laughed the wild sound I had heard once before. Chills ran down my spine.
She danced around me, a feral thing disguised as a woman. Her white hair was piled haphazardly around her head. Dried leaves and twigs clung to the matted locks. Tendrils snaked down to her ankles. So I hadn’t been dreaming.
She inched unnervingly closer every time she circled me. I was tempted to follow her movements, but fear cemented me to the spot. I kept my face forward. She touched my hair, bringing it with her in front of me. She sniffed and released it. Her gaze shifted to mine.
Her dove gray pupils didn’t fix on anything. I was sure she was blind now.
“Is that so, Elemental? You know so much about me, do you?” She laughed her high pitched trill and snaked around me again, running her hand across my shoulders. “Poor Elemental. So far from a home that should have never been hers.”
What did she know about how or where I was raised?
A conspiratorial look crossed her delicate features. “More than you think, young one.”
Could she read my thoughts? I hoped not.
“Now you’re catching on.” She took my hand.
I yanked it away as though burned. Her gaze was like looking into a mirror, but instead of seeing a reflection, every buried secret within me came to life, reminding me of how inadequate I was.
“These are the things that define you.”
I didn’t want to be defined by my failures.
She stood in front of me. Her gaze trained on the ground. “Short-sighted. You cannot succeed without failing first.”
She snatched my hands into hers. Her grip dug into my skin. I yelped, trying to rip my fingers away. She wouldn’t let go.
“Needs a strong hand, I think.”
What was she doing?
“Too close to tell for sure.” With her eyes closed she swung her head around. “Jafan of Eldrea, come forward.”
Jett strode toward us. I trembled at his approach. No. This could not be happening. Anyone but him. I’d even take Finn at this point. Where was he anyway?
I threw myself onto the floor writhing to get away from her death-grip. I screamed at her to let go of me. I pleaded for help. No one moved. I fell silent after a few minutes, feeling foolish. The people looked at me as though I were insane.
I found Zach in the crowd. “Come get me,” I mouthed. The moment he moved forward, a group of burly men blocked his path. He stepped back but kept his gaze trained to me. Was he afraid of these men? Were they the royal guard?
Luke shouted, “She should get to choose.”
Tabitha held up her hand. Silence. Even the birds stopped chirping.
“Alithea of Eldrea, step forward,” Tabitha commanded.
A woman only a few years older than me glided nearer. I would know her anywhere. I sobbed out a silent, “Mom.” She hadn’t aged at all.
This was why she had left me with Aunt Grace. She shouldn’t be here now. How could she have had me and be here? Wasn’t that the opposite of how this was supposed to work? I had so many questions, but I didn’t dare even think any more of them. I had already revealed way too much from the look on Tabitha’s face.
The woman Tabitha had called Alithea stood by Jett, or, rather, Jafan. Her eyes scanned over me without so much as a hint of recognition.
My heart shattered. Couldn’t she see who I was? She couldn’t have missed the resemblance.
Tabitha reached out a hand toward Alithea who graciously accepted. “Jafan claims this Elemental to be your offspring. What have you to say?”
My mother bowed low then stood stoically. “That is impossible, Majesty. I have been bound these past fifty years.”
“You were absent from court during the time this child would have been born.”
“I do not deny that, All Mother. I ask you, in all reverence, how can an Elemental conceive when she is bonded? All progression is stopped.”
Tabitha seemed to consider this. She nodded. “You may leave.”
I watched my mom fade into the crowd without a backward glance. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from crying. I would not betray my own mother by being weak.
Tabitha turned toward Jafan. “This woman has made a compact with you?”
“Yes,” Jafan stated calmly. His deep brown eyes roamed over my body. “I was promised her first born in exchange for assistance. She comes from a long line of Earth Elementals, majesty.”
“What sort of assistance did you provide her?” Tabitha asked, her face serene.
Jafan shifted his weight. Could it be possible that he was nervous?
“I made a solemn pact to never disclose what was done.”
“I see,” said Tabitha. She held out her hand to Jafan. He greedily accepted.
“And you believe this girl to be that firstborn?”
“The likeness speaks for itself,” he said. His gaze and stance did not waver in the slightest.
I felt a surge of power shoot up my arm. I thought Tabitha didn’t have control over the elements? More power shot through me. I doubled over. What was happening? I groaned in pain.
“It would be a good match,” Tabitha proclaimed.
Jafan smiled. His gaze was full of smug possession.
“No!” I screeched. “I will not be bound to him.”
Tabitha twisted a wry expression at me. She squeezed my fingers until I let out a cry as my pain intensified.
When I finally wrenched my fingers from her grasp, she turned a scowl on me. “You cannot hide any longer from your fate.” She snatched my hands again quicker than I could get away.
I pleaded for the elements to aid me. Particles in every color shone all around me in that impossible cosmic storm. I felt their strength as they surged through my body. My palm glowed bright white. I yanked free of Tabitha’s grip. “I make my own fate. Not you!”
The crowd gasped. Luke looked proud. I gave him a slight nod.
“Your highness!” came an urgent cry. “Your highness, please stop this.”
I wrenched my neck around to see who it was. The movement took more effort than it should have. I was on the brink of collapsing again. I was too weak for this fight, but I wasn’t about to let anyone else know that.
Finn raced toward us, the crowd parting like the Red Sea. Cassie was on his heels. He held her hand.
Tabitha laughed. “Feandan of Ignis. I thought not to see you this go around. Am I mistaken, or have you not released your claim on this Elemental?”
Finn bowed low. He still had a hold of Cassie’s hand. I couldn’t believe she was actually here.
I ran to her and threw my arms around her. She laughed, hugging me back. Her leg was healed. It had only been a few days, hadn’t it? Tears streamed down my cheeks.
“I have, your highness,” said Finn. “It is only a formality now, but I am here for an urgent matter.”
Tabitha growled low in her throat. “Why have you brought this human amongst us? You know it is forbidden.”
Finn went pale. “I have grave news, Majesty, that requires immediate action.”
“It will keep, lord of fire. We are in the middle of the bonding ritual.”
“But—”
“I will not hear another word until this task is done.” Tabitha gave Finn a look of
exasperation. “You should know how important this girl is to our race. I have seen what has happened. We need her power to fight this plague.”
Tabitha looked over at me. Her gaze was too much to handle. She started scolding Finn. But I didn’t hear much of it because Cassie leaned into me. I wasn’t about to miss what she had to say.
“Great company you’re keeping these days.”
I shook my head. “As if I had a choice.”
“If I were you, I would stay here. Home hasn’t been a blast, either.”
I hadn’t expected that. “What happened?”
Her eyes held a suppressed pain that had never been there before. “Too much to explain now. Let’s just say that Roger Wayne has his grubby hands in a lot of things. They’re all gone, Rayla.”
“Who?”
She grimaced. “Your whole family. Castlerock has been deserted. It was the pig farm.”
“What?” I didn’t understand a thing she was saying.
“They were hiding hundreds of Elementals in the pig farm.”
“Why?”
“Exactly,” she whispered.
Tabitha had stopped berating Finn. She tapped my shoulder. I inhaled deeply, trying to control my temper.
I had to remember not to do that here. My head swam again.
Then again…I breathed in as much as I could. If I was unconscious, she couldn’t make me bond with Jafan.
“Think again, little girl,” Tabatha said, taking my arm and yanking me over to where Jafan stood.
He smirked at me. I kicked his shin. I’d forgotten I was wearing flimsy slippers. I gritted my teeth. I wasn’t about to let him see I had hurt myself far worse than him.
“Luthais, Ammon, come,” called Tabitha.
Luke and Zach stood in front of me. Neither one of them would look me in the eye. Were they really going to let this woman decide which of them could have me? Why weren’t they fighting her?
Tabitha shot me a warning look. She grabbed my hand again and reached out for Zach. As soon as his fingers touched hers, my insides exploded with pain. Tabitha laughed wildly. Was she enjoying this?
Luke was next. The same thing happened. I would die if she tested our compatibility again, which was exactly what she looked like she was about to do.
“Stop,” I pleaded. “I can’t take anymore.”
Tabitha let go of Luke and put her hands on my shoulders. “Do you have a preference, child?”
Chapter Twenty Four
“I…” I looked between Zach and Luke feeling twenty shades of conflicted. “I need more time,” I said softly.
“We don’t have that to give you.” Tabitha’s back stiffened. “You will bond with Jafan of Eldrea.”
“No!” I screamed. I backed away from everyone. The sky was the only thing behind me.
“Seize her,” screamed Ainessa. “You have not yet tested my connection to the Elemental!”
Where had she come from? I had forgotten I had to worry about her too. I glanced over the edge and back at the eager people in front of me. I shook my head. I didn’t see any good options.
I wasn’t about to let some wild woman decide who I was going to be bound to for the next few centuries. I wouldn’t.
I gave Cassie a look of goodbye. Finn would take care of her.
“What are you doing?” shouted Zach, racing toward me.
“Rayla!” cried Luke.
“I’m sorry,” I said. Zach was a finger’s breadth away from me.
A tear trickled down my cheek. I smiled at him.
Then I jumped.
My heart thudded wildly. I hoped I was right, and I wasn’t actually plummeting to my death. I called the elements to my aid. A gust of wind shot up at me then sputtered out.
I fell faster. I called water to me. I found myself drenched, but still whirling toward the wispy mist below. Why wasn’t I better at this? Fire wouldn’t help. Earth would just end my life sooner. What was I going to do?
I thought of a whirlwind, trying to visualize it lifting me out of this place. It was working. I kept my eyes closed. A gust cycloned around me. I could do it. I just had to…
“What kind of stupid trick was that?” came an unrecognizable voice.
I opened a lid. Ageless obsidian eyes gazed into mine. I screamed, but Styx was still circling me.
“What is your problem, Elemental? Have I ever harmed you?”
Was a pegasus really speaking to me? His lips hadn’t moved.
Styx grunted out a puff of purple smoke. He whirled around me again. “Open your legs wider.”
I snorted. “Like that’s going to happen.”
The irritation was hard to miss in his tone. “Just do it.”
A second later, I was straddling the beast. Heat billowed off him in thick waves.
I hugged his broad neck. “I thought I was dead for sure.” Why was I finding it so hard to say thank you?
A rich laugh rang out. Could he read my mind too? Great.
He grunted. “You would have figured it out in time, but Ammon would never forgive me if I let you test your powers any longer. I couldn’t take any more of his idle threats.”
He banked left. Holy crap, I was flying. My heart sped up. The wind raged into me. I gripped his mane tighter, trying not to fall off. It was soft, but not quite as billowy as his feathers. They tickled my legs every time he beat his wings. I giggled even though I was still terrified.
“You are a strange one,” said Styx. “Imagine the wind flowing around you.”
Look who was talking. I closed my eyes, seeing the stream part. It wasn’t as bad now.
I glanced behind me. The castle was a bright spot in the distance. Why wasn’t anyone following us? I thought Tabitha would send the royal guard to chase me down once she knew I hadn’t bit it back there. “Where are you taking me?”
“The borderlands.”
I shivered. I’d had enough of those horrible creatures the other day or whenever it was. Zach and Luke hadn’t exactly been forthcoming about how long I was actually out.
“It is a treacherous place, but I doubt that it’s any less dangerous for you than anywhere else. We cannot be detected there. They will have to search on foot if they want to find you. Tabitha is more likely to let the lords figure it out themselves now.”
I didn’t want Styx reading my thoughts. There was a reason thoughts are private.
He chuckled. “It’s one of the many gifts granted to flying demons from hell.”
I felt embarrassed for thinking about him that way, but he was freaky.
“Thanks.”
He sounded so human. “Would you stop listening to my thoughts?”
“I wish I could.”
Oh.
The land was amazing from this height. The entire planet glowed with an inner light. The patchwork quilt of plant life covered Mother Earth. Finger Lakes gleamed in the distance. Where were we anyway?
The sun was setting, bringing a chill to the air. If it weren’t for the blessed heat coming from Styx, I would have frozen to death. Why was the human realm so different?
“Do you really want to know the answer to that question, or was it rhetorical?”
I nodded, as if he could see me. Oh yeah, he didn’t have to.
“It is part of being mortal. There are many things you do not see.”
That was comforting.
“You asked.”
My first impressions of this beast were wrong. He was being rather pleasant and kind of funny. “I thought you hated me?”
“Far from it, Elemental. I have been waiting for you for millennia. I used to enjoy living here. Not so much anymore.”
“Why not?”
The beast’s muscles coiled underneath me. Anger radiated from him. “They have captured my herd.”
“Who has?”
Styx slowed to a hover. He searched the ground. Was he looking for those creatures?
“There are worse things than hellhounds in this place.”
Wond
erful news. I really didn’t need to know that.
He descended. Great puffs of dust whirled out with every flap of his wings. I coughed, shielding my face in his mane.
He touched down softly and stood still. Was I supposed to get off now?
“Up to you. You don’t weigh that much.”
“Are you going to finish what you were saying?”
He trotted over to a stream. I bounced on his back, sure I was going to fall off. I tried to tighten my thighs, but he was so wide.
He snorted.
“I wasn’t calling you fat, okay?”
Silence. Had I hurt his feelings?
His head reared back as he whinnied. He pawed at the ground then lowered his muzzle to the stream. I hopped down. I hit the ground hard and fell to my knees. Styx paid no attention to me as he guzzled the water.
“I’d like to see how you’d manage if you had to fly that distance?”
“I wasn’t trying to insult you. This telepathy thing is weird. How can you stand it? I’d hate having to listen to everyone’s inner chatter.”
He gave me a nod. That was it.
I cupped my hand and brought some water to my lips. It was icy cold and made my head hurt worse, but I gulped it down. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was.
Styx wandered over to a grassy area under the glimmering branches of a gnarled oak tree. I finished another handful of water and ran after him. The sun was almost gone now, and I didn’t know how I was supposed to stay in this place knowing what was out there. Or, worse yet, knowing that even more horrible creatures could be lurking in the darkness.
As if on cue, one of the shadows detached from a tree fifty feet away from me. My breath hitched. I readied myself to call the elements.
The beautiful beast of a man strode forward, every bit as lethal as anything else I could come across in this place. The expression on his face was unyielding.
I backed into Styx who nudged me forward. I searched for an escape, knowing there was none. I would never be free of this man, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to be.
Zach smiled, sauntering toward me as though he had all the time in the world. “A bit rash back there, don’t you think?”
