by S A Edwards
The Mage who commanded the earth stood behind him. Loreto. He held his hand up to Kyne. “Give him a minute. He can do it.”
Something else pounded on my wall.
“What about you?” I asked Loreto. “Can’t you command the earth?”
“He was caught by a Mortal Blade earlier,” Kyne said.
The Mage murmured something to Dmitri.
The ground rumbled. Loose stones clattered over the dirt.
Rock blasted from the cliffside beneath him, shot across the chasm, and merged with the opposite bank.
“A bridge,” I said.
Dmitri nodded at Kyne, his face pale, and then sidled across the narrow walkway.
Heavy breathing behind me made me turn. Chimera stood close, his musky warmth radiating on my arm.
“How did you …” I leaned against my wall, desperate to hold it. My knees trembled. “Where did you come from?”
Kyne glared at him. “Don’t you know anything? Your gifts can’t stop the Chimera getting to you.”
“You mean he just stepped through the wall?”
“Yeah.”
I fixed Chimera with a stare. “Siren?”
He nudged me and turned pointedly to the bridge. There was no sign of the Ancient over there.
“What does that mean?” I asked. He couldn’t be dead.
The Mage followed after Dmitri, pace fast, expressions wary. Tiny pieces of rock dropped from the underside of his bridge.
More Hellions reached my ice, blurs beyond the thick sheet.
Hanrel shot them a worried glance and nudged Rickson. “Speed it up.”
“How long can your ice hold them back?” Rickson asked.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “I’ve never tested it against a bunch of Hellions before.” And it hadn’t taken much for one to break it in the past. If that Hellion came upon it again, we’d all become exposed.
Something bashed the ice. Glittering fragments chipped and tumbled to the dust beside me.
“But I’m guessing not much longer.” I sent another sheet of ice over the surface.
The Mage crowded to the bridge, each eager to flee, but their haste to be next over the thin stretch of rock prevented their progress.
Kyne shoved past us.
Dmitri stood on the other side, eyes closed, hands outstretched. They trembled, but he didn’t drop his focus. Red rock extended from the ground beneath him and collided with the cliffside parallel to the first bridge.
The Mage raced onto it.
I shoved Hanrel ahead of me. He ran across, the height seemingly never entering his mind, but my breath caught in my throat. The bottom lay far below, coated in dust or sand or rock, I couldn’t tell. My legs locked, and my mind wavered from the wall.
Breathe.
Rickson touched my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
I pulled my gaze from the drop. My ice appeared black with the monsters behind it. No glimpse of white peeked through. Where was Siren? Surely the Hellion hadn’t killed him? My stomach sank at the thought, and the last of my strength faded. The wall began to crumble. Perhaps, I could sense his emotions. If I could focus….
“Clara?” Rickson glanced at the wall. “Here.” He wiggled his fingers to create fluff.
“Put it away,” I snarled.
He dropped it with wide eyes.
“Just go.” I shuffled aside, terribly aware of the drop just inches by my feet.
“I’m not leaving you.”
“I’m right behind you. Now move before I push you over the edge myself.”
He hurried on past me with a scowl. Surely, he knew the consequences of consuming his fluff? After all, he did stop the fluffball Hellion, although I wasn’t sure he used his power to do that.
Kyne stood halfway across the other bridge, his followers fleeing ahead, the last of them hasting after him.
A shadow moved overhead. More Hellions soared above us. Without the canopy to cover us, we were exposed.
“Hurry up.” I edged over the walkway with Chimera on my heels. “Go, go.”
Rickson sped up.
A giant Hellion with black flesh and yellowed slits for eyes dropped away from the flying monsters. Its mouth gaped revealing three rows of teeth. The stench of rotting victims churned my stomach.
I sent a blast of blue flames at it.
It roared and turned away.
More creatures detached from the group, soaring toward us.
Kyne stood on the opposite side, eyes black. Tarlike energy coursed from him toward the closest Hellion with tusks protruding from its nose.
Thick vines whipped from a Mage amongst the trees into the underbelly of a leaf-like creature, its edges rippling. The vines ricocheted and struck the ground, the cliff, the bridge. Rocks cracked and crumbled, falling to the ground far below. A crack zigzagged between my legs, and my heart lurched.
“Move it!” Kyne shouted.
I raced after Rickson.
A bulky creature crashed onto the bridge between us. Black, beady eyes focused on me. Another, thin, tall, and lanky, landed behind me. Pointed ears twitched, and the Hellion shot me a wicked grin. “The day is sweet when shines the sun, the Mage are out, let’s have some fun.” It cackled, and its fingers curled.
The giant Hellion behind me grunted, stepped closer, and the crack in the bridge grew wider.
Chimera leapt over me, plunging into the foe.
Blue flames burst from my palms at the lanky one.
It raised its hand. Blue fire curled around it uselessly. Its cackle rang in my ears.
The giant staggered and slumped on his bottom, grunting under the swipes of Chimera’s claws.
The crack widened, shuddering the bridge.
The lanky creature lunged, digging its razor nails into my arms.
I cried out at the pain, and my flames scattered.
Its cackle grew louder. “Oh, what a joy, the end is nigh. Better look now, dear. You’re going to die.” It cackled again.
The bridge broke.
I gasped, thrown into the air with the creature still attached to me.
The giant growled and swiped at me. It caught my shoulder, spinning me away.
“Round and round and round the bend. What a fun way to meet your end.” Its nails dug in deeper.
Pain coursed through my muscles like burning pokers. I screamed and kicked out, finding only air. Anger shuddered through me. I embraced the Beast within, but the pain intensified, shattering my concentration.
A warm, white claw grabbed me, and the scent of vanilla touched my nose. Siren’s wings beat rhythmically, drawing us higher.
The lanky creature tutted. “What a fuss, what a fuss. An Ancient now, that is a plus.” It released me and scuttled up Siren’s leg until it reached his body.
I reached for it, desperate to call my flames, my ice, anything, but spots swam before my eyes, increasing with the pain.
The Hellion grinned and plunged its nails through Siren’s scales.
Siren roared. His claw loosened.
I fell.
34
Siren whirled above me, fighting off the Hellion.
I longed to call my flames, but dizziness coursed through me.
Chimera’s black figure leapt from the cliffside and plummeted toward me. He stretched out, streamlined, catching up fast. He reached me, wrapped his paws around me, and pulled me close. Then, he twisted until I faced up, and his fur flapped against my cheeks.
*
I opened my eyes. My body ached, and my arms stung. Hot blood ran down my skin and matted with Chimera’s fur.
His paws remained around me, heavy but loose.
Hellions filled the air far above and crackles of differing gifts collided with them.
I wriggled out from under Chimera’s paws and dropped to the ground. Vertigo washed over me, but I fought to stand.
Broken rock lay around me in huge chunks. The remains of Dmitri’s bridge.
“Chimera?” I buried my hand in his
fur.
He lay still. Dust and blood covered his body.
Tears welled. He’d saved me. Again. But at what cost? Would he return once more, or had he given his last life for me?
Pain stabbed at my arms, weakness overwhelmed my muscles, and I sank to the ground.
“Clara.” Siren’s voice echoed in my mind. A moment later, he landed beside me and transformed, staggering beneath the blood covering his torso from gaping, deep cuts. He surveyed my arms as I stared at his.
“Where’s the Hellion?” I croaked.
His expression darkened.
The creature’s body slammed to the dirt behind him. Dust curled through the air around its unmoving body.
“Stay still.” He closed his eyes. Slowly, water pooled from the ground and joined in the air like threads. It curled before me in the familiar pattern of the Healers. Concentration filled his features when it slid into my wounds.
The pain increased momentarily, and then eased. The cuts closed.
He smiled at me.
“You did it,” I said. “How?”
“I’m a fast learner.”
“Hanrel?”
“He talked me through it when we were struck in your ice cell.”
“You learned when all he did was talk you through it?”
He chuckled, though pain distorted his features.
I took a deep breath and dragged water from the ground. I sensed an abundance. An underwater river?
Water curled between us, and after a moment, I directed it at his torso, pleased when his cuts closed.
A snarl sounded overhead. More Hellions dipped below the remaining bridge, rapidly advancing on us.
“Come on.” Siren yanked me to my feet.
A cave-like opening gaped in the cliff, so we raced toward it.
I twisted back. “What about Chimera?”
“Chimera will be fine.”
Hope bubbled in my chest. Could he really resurrect again? “But if he wakes up –”
“We won’t know if he does if we’re killed first.” He pulled me inside.
A huge Hellion banged to the ground and scuttled toward us. Its scaly jaws snapped.
We backed farther in.
With its enormous size, it’s snout barely fit through the opening. It clawed and clamped its jaws, leaving scratches in the rock.
I gasped, my breathing thick and fast against my growing weakness. Could I fight it off in my condition?
Stone fragments dropped from the roof.
I sent a blast of flame at the Hellion, too weak to make any lasting difference.
It snorted and retreated out of sight.
Silence fell.
I didn’t move, the marks in the rock sustaining my fear.
Chimera lay still, beyond my reach. I longed to go to him, to wait for him to wake. “Please wake,” I whispered. Three times he’d died. How many more would he have to endure? I couldn’t know. Maybe it was better to leave him behind. He could be free to live his own life. Gratitude filled me at his sacrifice, but he shouldn’t die anymore. Not for me. Assuming he woke again.
A dark tunnel led deeper into the cliff.
“Where do you think it goes?” I whispered.
Siren shook his head. “I don’t know, but we’ll find out because going back outside isn’t an option.”
“We could wait.”
“So can the Karno.” He nodded at the scratches.
“You don’t think it would move on?”
“It will wait us out. It’ll be days before it leaves.”
I frowned. Another detour before getting to Charlie. Who knew how far the tunnel extended? I rubbed my arms. Despite the fact Siren had healed my wounds, the pain still radiated in a dull ache. That shouldn’t be possible, but then, he hadn’t healed anyone before. Maybe he hadn’t done it properly.
Siren took my hands and pressed his nose against mine. The odour of vanilla made my tongue tingle. “We’ll get to Charlie,” he said.
“What if we don’t? We’re running out of time, and we’re constantly getting side-tracked.”
He pulled back. “What do you mean?”
“What?”
“How are we running out of time?”
I bit my lip. How could I have let that slip? I gritted my teeth at my foolishness. “It’s nothing.” I called my flames to my palm and started along the tunnel.
“Don’t lie to me. I know there’s something you’re keeping from me. How can I help you if you won’t talk to me?”
“Because I can’t. I barely know you. I don’t know how you’ll react.”
“And yet, I’ve known you for over a millennium. I’ve been waiting in that egg for you. For my companion.”
A rush of excitement and admiration cut through my fear. Was that how he felt about me?
“Your companion,” I said. “That’s exactly the problem. Just because some prophecy says we’re companions, doesn’t mean we are. I have to save Charlie. I can’t risk …”
“Can’t risk what? Clara.” He whirled me around.
“I can’t risk you stopping me.”
Hurt flashed across his features. “Is that really what you think of me?”
I remained silent. I couldn’t tell him what I thought of him. I wasn’t even sure myself. The way he made me feel threw me off guard. It scared me.
His expression softened then. “Oh.”
I backed away. Had he heard that? Or felt that?
“Your feelings betray your thoughts,” he said. “I know you’re troubled about Charlie, but I also know there’s more to it than him being trapped there, and I know you’re afraid of telling me.” He stepped closer and took my hands. My fire continued to burn, but he showed no discomfort. “You need not be afraid of me. Whatever it is, we will fix it. And perhaps you could use my knowledge.”
I shivered. I didn’t like the thought of fighting against an Ancient, but if he tried to stop me … “You don’t have much knowledge anymore. You said so yourself, you’re forgetting.”
“There is still a lot I know.”
I pursed my lips, unsure whether my decision would make things worse. But if he could help, it was worth a try. “He’s becoming corrupted.”
Siren’s eyes widened.
“Zantos is killing Hellions and absorbing their powers,” I said. “It’s affecting Charlie.” My voice broke.
Siren nodded. “That’s to be expected. How long does he have?”
“I don’t know, but he’s scared. Last time I saw him, his appearance was starting to change.”
“That’s why you were afraid when you saw him last?”
“Yeah. He appears to me every now and then, and each time he’s different.”
“But he can still reach out to you. That’s a good thing.” He stared through the tunnel.
“The more Zantos takes him, the harder he finds it.”
“Come on.” He took my hand and pressed on.
“What?” I asked. “What are you thinking?”
“He’s connected to you, which means he can be saved, but only if we get to him before the corruption takes over entirely.”
I sped up. “How?”
“It’s complicated, and it won’t be easy, but it can be done. We must hurry.”
35
After hours of walking in the darkness of the tunnel, we emerged into a large cave. My feet ached, and heaviness weighed on my mind, but the need to continue, to reach Charlie before he gave up, spurred me on.
Water rippled in a pool and reflected light over the rocks. Everything about the place mesmerised me.
“What danger lies here?” I wondered. It saddened me that something so beautiful should be avoided.
“Not a danger.” Lux stepped out from behind a boulder.
I jerked, startled.
Umbra sat atop the boulder, his dark cloak hanging above the water. “This is our home.”
“So, this is like the crystal cave,” I said.
They exchanged a glance.
“Except without the crystals,” Lux said.
“Well, yes.”
Umbra stood.
I raised my hands. “Look, before you try to banish me again, let me tell you my idea.”
Lux raised his eyebrow.
“Either that, or you can spend the next several hours here recovering from facing us. Again,” I said.
He scowled. “You are placing our world in danger by remaining here.”
“Not intentionally. I want nothing more than for everyone to be safe. Including Charlie.” I rubbed my arms against the ache. The farther we walked, the worse it became. Why wouldn’t it stop? Could it be that Siren hadn’t mastered his gift yet? Perhaps it hadn’t healed all the way through.
“We already told you,” Umbra said, “we cannot open the Underworld Gate. It would take too long to build up enough power to close it.”
“But see, that’s my idea. I’m a Keeper, which means I can open it. You won’t be drained, so you can close it the moment Charlie is out. And I know you said it’s too powerful, but Siren can channel my gift somehow, so if he could strengthen me –”
“Even if you could open the Gate, there isn’t time to wait for Charlie to get to the portal. Others can escape before he reaches you.”
“I can communicate with him. I can tell him to be by the Gate. He’ll be ready, the first one out. It’ll take seconds.”
“What about the Daemon possessing him?” Lux asked.
Daemon? Is that what Zantos was now? I tapped my pack. Technicalities didn’t matter here. “I’ve got that sorted.”
Lux cast me a sceptical look.
“I have a whisperleaf,” I said.
“Ah, so that is why you accompany her,” Umbra said. “To protect the leaf.”
Siren shook his head. “We are united in her cause.”
Umbra raised his eyebrows. “Even Prudens?”
“We are loyal to the Nephilium.”
“I see.”
I glanced at him. I didn’t.
“And once your Charlie has been released?” Umbra asked.
“I use the leaf to force Zantos out,” I said. “You can trap him. Then, Charlie and I will leave through the Void. To the Nephilium. To have the gift taken away, like you said.” Hopefully, they would have the strength to trap Zantos, but if I could get my hands on a Mortal Blade, they could recover their strength and he wouldn’t be a problem. For a little while, at least.
