“I will always worry about you.”
“Daylan, you’re not hearing me correctly. As your Queen, I order you to get The Aura. I will protect myself, and Penelope will be at my side the entire time.”
He opened his mouth to protest but like a loyal soldier, he closed it, speechless.
He started to rise from the bed and I grabbed his hand. “Thank you—for everything.”
“Worth it.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “Get some rest.”
It was just past four in the morning when Penelope, the twins, Daylan, and I showed up at the cliff overlooking Passenger Bay. I thought about how much had changed since that night Tyler and I had sat on the balcony, how much I had changed.
That night, I had been so close to accepting my impending death when the blinding light of the portal changed everything. How beautifully fragile my life was that it could be transformed so completely by the touch of someone’s hand. I was a dying patient, and that portal and what it brought with it was like a defibrillator shocking me back to life.
I had been revived.
Some people like Tyler were born with wildness in their heart; others, like me, had to grow into it. I endured a life of pain, said goodbye to my mother, and broke the heart of the boy I loved—but through all of that, I found strength. All that suffering and change had carried me to this moment. I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
The docks rocked on the gentle waves and the moonlight reflected off the placid sea. In the distance, northern lights were beginning to dance in purposeful chaos across the sky—brilliant green ripples merging with waves of blue and purple before disappearing into the stars. I longed to reach out and run my hand through them like water—to forget for a moment why we were sitting on the cliff.
The reflection of the Aurora Borealis swirled on the water—a living watercolor painting, fleeting and for our eyes only. I had seen these lights countless times, and each time was special. When I was a little girl, I imagined angels were skating in the sky. I made a promise to myself, after all of this was over, I would ask Daylan if that was true. For now, the dancing lights across the sky were too precious to interrupt.
I stole a glance at Daylan and saw the colors reflecting in his eyes. I placed my hand on his, and he intertwined his fingers with mine. For the first time, though, there was no zap when we touched, no hum of electricity. This time, we held hands as equals.
Daylan’s magic was depleting. I was stronger, but he was weaker because of it. I hoped that one day I would be able to tell him how much I appreciated his sacrifice. But it scared me, knowing he was going into battle weaker than he had ever been before. The only thing that calmed my fear was Daylan’s words—that he had no regrets. Like Tyler, I knew Daylan would be willing to die for me. But, unlike Tyler, Daylan’s decision wasn’t just for the sake of loving me, but for his people—his world. He was a soldier, one who gave of his soul for the greater good. I was honored to have him next to me.
I reached into my front pocket, pulled out a zippo lighter, and tossed it to Ezra. He winked, and he and Fay made their way down to the beach carrying two large canisters. From my back pocket, I pulled out the photos Linda took of the three of us before the dance. If there was a time to be brave—it was now. I could feel the cold touch of The Alexander dagger against my back. In my free hand, I held onto the Slayer’s sword, my knuckles white with tension.
We followed the twins to the beach and got into position, ready to ambush Medallion when the portal opened. A part of me wished I had more time to prepare, to train, to learn more about what was to come, but another part of me was thankful for my naïveté.
The sky warmed with the approaching sunrise. We kept our backs to the rocky cliffs, and I dug my hiking boots into the ground, planting my foot in the fresh snow that dusted the sandy beach.
Ezra and Fay stood up front, where the water met the sand, their ears twitching at each noise, scanning our surroundings. The tips of the mountains on the other side of the bay were completely covered in snow, and they seemed further away than I remembered. My eyes were drawn to the aquatic hues of the ocean, there was something about the water that made me feel at peace, and I felt more connected and unified with my allies that stood next to me than ever before. The docks rocked gently with the waves, I had never seen the ocean so calm, it was almost eerie. Like it sensed that something bad was about to happen, and it was inhaling in its last breath of beauty.
Daylan remained by my side, ready to step in front of me if the situation called for it. I had to remind him several times, The Aura was more important than my safety. We had to be the one to control the portals and to do that, we needed The Aura.
Daylen knelt down, his bare chest brushing the cold snow. He took a deep breath and with a quiet cry of pain, his back arched, and his fingers dug into the snow dusted sand. Big beautiful wings emerged from the scars on his back, and I stepped back in awe.
He stood up, his wings stretching open and confident, ready to take flight. With his shirtless chest, extended wings and Slayer’s sword held effortlessly by his side, Daylan could have been a statue gloriously placed in the center of a museum.
On my right, Penelope held onto my hand, squeezing it for reassurance. Each day that passed, Penelope seemed more like a stranger to me. I kept wondering what words had been lies during our short but meaningful friendship. The only thing I couldn’t doubt was her allegiance. That would have to do.
I gripped the handle of the sword tightly when I noticed the slightest bit of fog forming along the surface of the water. The waves began to pick up and crash against the docks, and my necklace grew hot and loud whispers filled my thoughts. I touched the goddess on the necklace, wishing I could understand what she was trying to tell me. But I knew. It was a warning. Danger was approaching.
“This is it—the portal is opening,” I called.
Annora was right. It was sunrise and Medallion was coming for me. We could only hope the cave army in Empress would strike before the Slayers could follow Medallion through the portal, giving us a small but fighting chance. I braced myself for the impending flash. The fog grew in density, obscuring the approaching dawn.
“Happily ever after?” Daylan asked.
I couldn’t promise him that, but I smiled, and for a moment, I almost believed it was possible.
“You ready?” Penelope asked as she let go of my hand.
“If I die, tell him I loved him.” My words were broken, but she understood and gave an almost unnoticeable nod of agreement.
I’ll always love you, Tyler.
The sun rose behind the approaching storm—light pink rays, increasingly shrouded by dark grey clouds across an ever-darkening sky.
My eyes squinted in protest at the blinding flash of light.
This time, I noticed the deep vibration that came with it. A streak of brilliant white lit the surface of the ocean with an opening just above the dock in the shape of a diamond. The light expanded, surrounding us. I was in it—it made me feel claustrophobic and panicked. Snow lifted off the ground from the vibration. I widened my stance and pushed my boots into the beach, readying myself. I blinked against the bright almost debilitating light, looking for the imminent danger.
The flash was gone as fast as it came. Standing on the dock were a dozen figures.
In the middle was a large terrifying bird. The Tengu. It was the color of fire, and its large slack wings draped across the wood of the dock with its long tail dipping into the ocean. Its shape was almost human, but its long muscular legs were covered in feathers, and it wore armor that protected its chest and waist. The bird’s eyes seemed possessed, completely black, with blood slowly dripping from its sockets like bloody tears.
Around the neck of the Tengu was an ornate collar affixed to a chain. Tied tightly to the collar was a distinctive crystal.
“The Aura,” Penelope whispered.
A witch held the chain restraining the Tengu. I knew he was a witch bec
ause he was different than all the others with thick wild hair that fell to his shoulders and a husky dark beard that covered most of his face.
There were ten Slayers surrounding the Tengu, dressed in the same uniform as the ones who attacked us at Coast Mountain Rainforest, but these ones didn’t look as nervous. Perhaps they were better trained.
There were two other faeries not wearing a Slayers uniform. One was a muscular woman with beautiful feminine features, who reminded me of Fay. She was tall with long purple hair that was pulled back tightly into a pony tail and tattoos that covered most of her arms and chest. She kept her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to fight.
The other faerie was a bald man, who looked older than all the rest. He remained calm in his stance like this was just another day. He had a bow and arrow strapped to his back, and like Daylan, his body bore the scars of battle. I wondered for a moment if that was Medallion, but I knew deep down it wasn’t.
“Medallion isn’t here,” Daylan whispered, maintaining his warrior stance.
After everything, Medallion didn’t come for me? Our plan had failed.
“We have no quarrel with any of you,” Daylan called out to them over the crashing waves. “We only want Medallion.”
“You didn’t actually think Medallion would come, did you?” the woman with the purple hair mocked us. “He has more important things to do than kill worthless traitors.”
She nodded to the bald faerie who raised his bow, but before he could get it in position to fire, Ezra lit the Zippo and threw it with precision to the edge of the dock. At my suggestion, he and Fay had completely soaked the dock in gasoline.
The dock was immediately engulfed in flames. We heard the shrieks as Slayers and faeries alike tried to escape the conflagration.
“The Tengu, Daylan. He has The Aura!” Penelope yelled just as the Tengu was released from its chain, flying high above the flames.
Daylan hesitated for a moment. I could see the internal dilemma raging in his eyes. He wanted to stay put, but I shook my head and pointed to the sky, reminding him of his duty. Daylan jumped from the ground, his wings carrying him closer to the demon bird. For a short breath, I let myself enjoy the absurd, yet angelic moment of seeing Daylan fly before he disappeared into haze of the coming storm.
Most of the Slayers had already jumped into the water and were heading towards the beach to avoid the flames now spreading across the surface of the ocean. Penelope stood in front of me, her arms raised, chanting in Latin. Her hands move in circles in front of her, and I realized it was her causing the flames to leap unnaturally, attacking our enemies.
The bald faerie screamed in pain, the flames shrouding his body, paralyzing him, making it impossible for him to jump into the water.
I wrinkled my nose at the smell of burning flesh and lifted the heavy sword into a fighting position, squinting through the thick black smoke, searching for our enemies.
The few Slayers that made it to the beach were greeted by Ezra and Fay.
The purple haired faerie made for Fay, but Ezra was there first to stop her. I had seen him fight before, but this time he moved like he could read his opponents mind. I could see that Penelope succeeded in unlocking his abilities. Like a well-trained assassin, he was lethal, anticipating his enemy’s movements before they were able to strike.
I searched the sky for Daylan and the Tengu, but all I could see were two small figures near the horizon, spinning and darting in and out of the angry storm clouds.
The burning of the water-logged wood sent black billowy clouds into the sky and heavy smoke into my weak lungs, forcing me to cough. I tried to tune out the sounds of battle, but the screams of pain combined with the squelch of swords driving into flesh rattled my every thought.
I wanted to help, but I forced myself to stay put, stepping further back until my back was against the cliff. I told myself I was waiting for the right moment—that to be a successful leader, I needed to trust those fighting on my behalf. They were all doing their part, I thought. They were trained for this.
Or maybe I was still a coward.
Snow began to fall thick onto the beach and the wind whistled, drowning out the noise of Ezra and Fay’s battle with the Slayers. With her back to me, Penelope slowly moved towards me as the witch from the dock and three more Slayers closed in on us.
“Kill the human,” the witch ordered, nodding at me. His voice was deep and commanding.
“No, Beltane—I can’t let them do that,” Penelope said, standing in front of me protectively.
She knows him.
Beltane laughed a deep booming laugh. “Penny, you’ve wasted so many of your years playing bodyguard to this weak human. I thought you had died. I’m disappointed in you.” He shook his head, still chuckling.
“And what about you—Medallion’s puppet? What would your mother say?” Penelope shot back.
He wrinkled his nose in contempt and moved to attack when a loud shriek split the sky. My ears rang at the noise of the bird’s cry of pain, and it sent shivers up my neck giving me an instant ear ache.
I shook away the pain and looked up to see Daylan’s black wings intertwined with the red wings of the demon bird. They struggled, pushing and strangling one another as they fought high in the sky. Beltane, knowing the Tengu carried The Aura, looked momentarily vulnerable.
Then, amidst the aerial battle, something dropped to the ground, landing only a few yards away from Penelope and me.
It was The Aura.
The jagged crystal blended in with the white snow. Penelope and Beltane belted out unintelligible chants with their hands pointing at The Aura.
Penelope tried to walk towards it, but Beltane was forcing her slowly backwards with his magic, away from the crystal. He was stronger than her.
With all her magic, Penelope tried to push back, but Beltane overpowered her and sent her flying into the ridged cliffs behind us. Shards of rock fell, and I sucked in a breath at the sound of her whimper when she fell limply to the ground.
The three Slayers with Beltane began walking towards me through the smoke from the docks. I held up the Slayers sword, but it felt awkward in my hand. This was no time to learn how to fight with a new weapon. I took a deep breath, dropped the sword, and pulled out The Alexander Dagger.
The Slayer raised his sword to strike but before he could, there was a whistle of a sword slicing cleanly through his neck. He had been decapitated. There was a momentary delay, then blood spattered when his head tumbled off his body. The other Slayers next to him looked shocked while they watched their comrades headless body slump to the ground.
My heart pounded looking for my invisible savior.
“The Alexander Dagger,” a velvet voice said, deep and calm in the midst of all the chaos. Smoke swirled around him as he stepped into view, the snow on the beach crunched beneath his weight. I pushed my back harder against the cliff hoping for even an inch more of separation.
Medallion.
I knew who he was without anyone having to tell me. He was tall—the tallest person I had ever seen. Ram horns protruded from his head and his ears were slightly pointed at the ends. His hair mirrored mine, he had long white blonde hair pulled back into a braid that hung down his back. He wore little armor over his bare tattooed chest. A sign of confidence…and arrogance.
Like the twins and Daylan, Medallion’s eyes were slightly larger than a human’s eyes. His features were sharp. His jawbone was defined and his nose severe. The black symbols tattooed across his body contrasted boldly with his abnormally pale skin.
I thought of a quote on the wall of Linda’s café: “You don’t have to be pretty to be beautiful.” This was especially true for Medallion. Though frightening, there was something hauntingly beautiful about him.
Medallion stepped over the headless Slayer, his sword dripping blood.
Why would he kill his own Slayer? To protect me?
We locked eyes, and even though I wanted to, I refused to look away. He knew exact
ly who I was, his smile curled at the ends like he knew something I didn’t.
I gripped the dagger, holding both my hands up just as Daylan had taught me. Beltane held The Aura, and I recognized the familiar pattern of the portal beginning to open. The fog was already settling in and weaving with the smoke, making it difficult to see more than a foot in front of me. I could hear swords colliding as Ezra and Fay fought the remaining Slayers not far from us. Penelope was still unconscious. I thought of the cave army. If they attacked Medallion’s army of Slayers in Empress, we might have a fighting chance.
My necklace began to whisper dark angry unintelligible whispers. I fought the urge to touch it. I glanced around, looking for some kind of escape. There was another loud shriek from the sky behind the clouds, and the Tengu hit the shallow water on the beach, his beak buried in the sand. Blood pooled around him turning the ocean red. Seconds after, a blur of black feathers fell limply toward the beach, finally landing in a heap a few feet behind Medallion.
Daylan.
My heart thumped. I wanted to run to him, but Medallion stood between us. He lay unmoving, with his wings curled underneath him. Cuts from the Tengu’s claws covered his pale skin, his body looked twisted and broken.
“There is no one to protect you.” Medallion grinned, looking from Daylan’s wasted body to me.
“I don’t need protection,” I spat, sounding more confident than I felt.
I glanced over his shoulder; Daylan’s arm twitched and his chest heaved against the pain of taking a deep breath.
“Oh, she’s feisty.” Medallion chuckled. “There were rumors of Oren having an heir. I must say you look exactly like him.” He paused, looking at me curiously.
I couldn’t do anything about the length of my life—my fate had already been decided long ago. But I could do something about the way I lived my last moments. And if my last moment was killing Medallion—I would die happy. I wanted to be the one to put the dagger through his cold rotting heart.
“It’s over, Medallion.” Daylan stood up slowly, still broken from his fall. “You never had the right to call yourself the King of Empress. It is her right!” he shouted.
Empress Unveiled Page 21
