by S A Edwards
Dark shapes blurred past us, merging with snarls and hisses.
“I’ll lead them away,” he said, his words resounding in my mind. “You keep going.” He veered up and dropped us.
I screamed.
Chimera tensed beneath me before hitting the ground with surprising agility.
Siren circled off to the left, climbing higher, drawing the Hellions away.
I slid from Chimera’s back with a wince at the ache in my legs.
More Ancients dominated the sky: crimson, orange, jade, and the familiar colours of Prudens’ gold and Della’s silver.
Chimera shoved me with his nose, reclaiming my attention.
“Right,” I said. “Let’s go.”
The prison wasn’t hard to find. The circle of light beamed ahead, lighting our way like the tower at the Might.
I sprinted over dust and jagged stone, terribly aware of the vine-choked wall in the distance. Even as I ran, the ground rumbled and the wall shifted, adding corners where there were none and a gaping entrance in my direction.
Chimera stayed on my heels, his deep breaths hot on my neck.
I rounded a boulder and plunged into a rocky wasteland. My heart hammered in memory of my previous time here.
Guttural growls broke through the pounding of my feet. A crippled, distorted creature scuttled over a rock, blocking my way.
I staggered to a stop.
It cocked its head. Its neck-bones cracked.
I thrust out my hands, calling my flames.
Nothing happened.
“No,” I growled and balled them into fists.
Chimera shoved in front of me, hair raised. His claws extended from within his paws.
The Hellion’s neck straightened, clicking back into place.
Lightning struck the creature, punching a sizzling hole through its putrid flesh, and a blue Ancient lighted before us.
It transformed at once and fixed the corpse with a glare.
“Amicus,” I said.
He shot me a smile. “No time for chit-chat. Keep it moving.”
I nodded and pressed past Chimera toward the light.
Amicus followed beside me, noting when my gaze strayed to the sky. “Don’t worry about Siren. He’s fine,” he said.
Giants moved into view ahead, stomping across a clearing between the rocks. Threads of hair lay flat on their balding heads.
I crouched behind a boulder, watching for my chance to cross. “Can you distract them?”
Amicus nodded. “Make haste. The Keepers don’t have long.”
A clearing spanned quite a distance between the covering rocks on the other side. Even with Amicus’ assistance, I wasn’t sure I’d make it without being seen. “Chimera, can you carry me again?”
He twisted and crouched low.
I climbed on with a twinge of guilt. He wasn’t something to ride on, and the journey must have taken its toll, but the need called for it. I touched the side of his neck. “Thank you.”
Amicus’ gaze fixed on Chimera. “Move fast. On my signal.”
The Ancient grew. Sapphire scales burst over his body, transforming his limbs to muscles and claws. Wings extended from his back. His face elongated. His eyes glowed. White teeth gleamed.
He took off, soaring over the ground just inches out of the giants’ reach.
They pursued, grunting in their sluggish efforts.
Lightning crackled beneath the Ancient’s outstretched wings and chest, leading them farther downwind.
I tightened my grip. “Chimera, go.”
He lurched forward, pelting across the wide field. His mane brushed flat against his neck, and a familiar ache pressed through my legs.
We reached the rocks, but he didn’t slow, winding between them like a river.
The prison light grew brighter as we came closer.
Then, the rocks ended, leaving the way open.
Hope swelled. This would work.
My pulse throbbed in my hands. Or maybe that was the magic. I couldn’t tell.
The Keepers slumped inside, gazing out through the glassy light. Umbra’s brow furrowed when he saw me, and he reached for Lux.
They struggled to their feet, hands pressed against the wall, faces pale with weakness, yet the promise of escape shone in their eyes.
Something slammed into Chimera’s side.
Bone crunched, and he flung sideways with a yelp.
My grip on his fur broke. My back hit the ground, forcing the air from my lungs. Stone scraped along my skin, stinging, burning.
Then, a Hellion stepped into view.
52
Ahideous creature with a bulbous nose and green-tinged skin stomped nearer. Warts covered its flesh, and four, thick arms flailed, knocking boulders from its path.
Chimera lay a good distance away, back rising and falling with each breath.
I battled to my feet, gritting my teeth against the fresh pain. My pack lay by the boulders, still closed. I could have kicked myself. Why didn’t I think to hide it by the lake?
Mage spread out, blocking my path to the prison and the Keepers, and between them and me, stood Kyne and Rickson.
Pink fluff spun in Rickson’s palm. He threw it to the Hellion who caught it and shoved it in its revolting mouth. Its pupils dilated.
Rickson grinned and pointed at Chimera. “Kill it.”
The Hellion pounded toward him.
“Chimera, move!” I screamed.
My protector rolled to face me, opal eyes taking in the scene.
The Hellion reached for him with clawed fingers.
He lurched out of its reach and slashed at its legs.
I couldn’t move, powerless without my gifts. “Rickson.” I staggered forward a step. “Don’t do this.”
He laughed darkly. “Don’t kill the thing that would destroy us?”
“And what if he comes back?”
He raised his hand and spun more fluff. “I’ve got it covered. Not even death can prevent the proclivitas. It’s simply a case of getting it down his throat before he resurrects. Then, your beast becomes mine.”
My attention shifted to the prison and the equally powerless Keepers. If I could just reach them, maybe they could save Chimera.
Kyne stretched out his arm, and his followers shifted, ready for me. “Why did you return?” he asked. “It would have been wiser to stay away. Or did you lose your wisdom with your memories?”
“What?” I asked.
He grinned.
“We have to release them,” I said.
He sauntered forward. “Why would I do that?”
“The Hellions are taking over. They’re destroying the land.” I backed away. “Please.”
None of his followers moved, each devoted to him, or maybe just addicted to Rickson’s fluff. Nothing was simple anymore.
“Your home,” I pressed. “You’ll never be free here with them loose. And if the Keepers die, you’ll never get the Void open.”
“Our home?” Kyne raised his hand. Black surged from his palm and bashed against my stomach.
I fell and rolled uncontrollably. Dirt coated my tongue and brought tears to my eyes.
“This isn’t our home,” he growled. “And we don’t need the Keepers to get through the Void. Not anymore.”
I stared at him. What was he planning?
Behind me, Chimera clung to the back of the Hellion, clawing and biting through its thick hide.
The Hellion’s arms battered Chimera’s body, dark veins spreading slowly across its flesh.
A crack snapped through the expanse.
Chimera roared.
Kyne advanced. Black flickered through his eyes. “I don’t care what happens to this forsaken land. It can burn. We’re going home.”
“No.” I grabbed a loose rock and threw it at him.
He blocked it with a flick of his hand. “You are powerless. Weak.” His energy struck me again, blasting me backward.
I crouched on all fours, gasping for air. W
armth trailed down my cheek.
The Hellion tore Chimera from its back and threw him across the rock. Deep gauges in the monster’s skin oozed blackened blood.
Chimera slammed against the ground, skidding across the dust. Blood marked the stone. He battled to stand on shaking legs.
I retreated in a crawl from Kyne, forced farther from the prison.
“I was going to take you back with me.” Kyne sneered. “Watch you bow with the others. But you’ve outrun your usefulness. Time’s up, Celeste.”
Another black burst collided with my chest and propelled me backward. Pain shot down my spine when I hit the ground, and my elbow struck stone.
Kyne kept coming, flashing his teeth. He would kill me, and I couldn’t stop him. And the Keepers …
They stood with their hands pressed to the wall, palms white.
There had to be a way to free them.
Something glinted in the dirt ahead of me.
A blade. The dagger Rickson had used to pierce Siren’s hand.
I shuffled forward and scooped it up, clinging to the last of my hope. “Stay away,” I wheezed and pushed to my feet.
The dagger’s point gleamed, aimed at Kyne’s chest.
He laughed. “Do you really think a mere dagger can stop me?” He opened his arms. “Look around. This place is mine. Power is mine. The Hellions obey me.”
I huffed. Hardly. They only did what he wanted because of the fluff, because of Rickson.
Of course!
“Chimera!” I screamed.
He crouched before the Hellion, nose wrinkled. He didn’t look at me.
But his ear twitched.
I tightened my grip on the blade. “Kill Rickson!”
The colour drained from Rickson’s face.
Chimera lurched forward and leapt over the Hellion.
“No!” Rickson staggered back. “Kill it!” He jabbed his finger at Chimera, focus on the Hellion. “I order you! Kill it!”
The Hellion stamped after the feline, arms thrashing.
Chimera sprang onto Rickson, driving him to the ground.
His head cracked on stone.
Chimera’s teeth sank into his neck.
I ran for Kyne, swinging the blade at his chest.
He twisted and sent another blast of energy at me, knocking me back against the ground. The blade tumbled from my grip and clattered across the dirt.
Rickson jerked, his cry smothered by Kyne’s furious shriek.
Then, he lay still.
Chimera padded backward, blood dripping from his mouth.
The Hellion stopped moving.
For a moment, everything held still, staring at the horror of Rickson’s corpse.
Then, the Hellion shook his head and roared. He flailed around, ploughing into the boulders. Each blow knocked them flying, catapulting them throughout the expanse. The creature went mad, bashing anything and everything out of its path.
Not only that Hellion. All of them. The wicked Hellion who rhymed cackled and jabbered to itself. Salmon-coloured fluffballs burst into huge carnivores. Blade Hellions with fingers like knives burst through the boulders.
Kyne’s Mage scattered.
The Ancients fought to get closer, engaged in battle with the mad Hellions on the ground and in the air.
Kyne turned on me, eyes fully black. “What have you done?”
“What I needed to. Now, what were you saying about the Hellions obeying you?”
He marched forward. His fingers dug into my throat.
I struggled, prying at his fingers, failing to gain advantage over his strength.
His energy swarmed around him like curtains, blocking the dimming light.
Spots swam in my vision.
My lungs strained.
Something barrelled into him, knocking him away.
I sat up, gulping the air. Each breath scratched my throat and stung my lungs.
Chimera faced Kyne, teeth bared, and skulked forward, snarling furiously.
Kyne yelled, unleashing his power like a black wave.
It tore through Chimera, sending fur exploding outward.
“No!” I scrambled to grab the dagger again.
Then, the energy dissipated.
Kyne lowered his hand.
Chimera stood still, frozen.
I smiled. It hadn’t worked.
Then, Chimera dropped.
53
Iwaited, watching for signs of life in Chimera. Breathing. The slightest movement.
Nothing.
Rage burned my cheeks. “You killed him.”
Kyne glared at me. “And now, I’m going to kill you. Once you’ve gotten us home.”
“You’re insane. I have no gifts! There is no going home for you. Not now. Not ever.” I stood on trembling legs. “You’ll burn here. Just like this land.”
If I could just get to the prison.
His followers spanned the field, fighting for their lives.
Hellions swarmed in, each deadlier than the last, attacking everything, Mage and land, like they were mad. Had Rickson’s death done this? Did knowledge of no more fluff send them crazy? Or was it the effect of his magic wearing off?
Perhaps the Mage would help me now, although Kyne would never let me near them.
With him on one side and Hellions on the other, the Keepers would never be saved. I’d never be allowed to touch the prison.
I gasped. The Hellion.
Kyne advanced. “You still have no idea, do you, of what I’m capable? Of what I can do.”
I laughed darkly, bracing back my fear. “For someone who claims to be my brother, neither do you.” I raced toward the nearest Hellion, gritting my teeth against the oncoming pain.
The monster slapped the rocks aside. Right. Left. Right. Left.
I just needed to time it right.
I skidded into its path.
Its hand collided with my side.
My breath caught in my throat, and I tore skyward, over the expanse and Kyne, toward the Keepers.
The light pulsed, charging up the prison wall.
My body slammed into it, meters above the ground.
Tingles sizzled through me, purging me of feeling. The clouds fell away, higher, toward space.
I hit the dirt with a painless thud. Dust curled around me, and my ears rang.
The prison wall crackled and flickered. Lightning streaks ripped across it.
Then, it died.
Lux and Umbra stood over me with taut skin stretched over their bones. Their hands trembled, but determined anger flared in their eyes.
They dropped to their knees, planting their palms firmly against the ground.
Light swirled around them, growing brighter and brighter. Their faces filled out, their jaws grew firm, and colour reappeared in their cheeks.
When they stood, their bodies glowed, pulsing with the energy of the earth.
They threw out their arms.
Power blasted from them in a wave of wind, a force stronger than any I’d felt before.
The rocks disintegrated, ploughing out of sight along with the monsters, leaving only the Ancients and Mage.
The brothers lowered their arms.
Lux staggered.
Umbra steadied him.
A white Ancient landed on the field and transformed at once. “Clara.” Siren hurried to my side.
I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Weakness overwhelmed my limbs, but I felt no pain.
“Why did you do that?” he demanded. “Surely, you knew the Hellion would break you?”
Judging by Lux’s expression, he knew what I’d done.
“It was the only way to save them.” And I would die for it. “It’s okay.” I tried to smile, and a tear slid into my hair. “It’s better this way.”
Siren stared at me. “How is this better?”
“The Herron can’t have me now.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He brushed my hair aside. “You’re not going to die. I’m a Healer, remember?�
�� He placed a hand on my chest and another on my stomach. “Besides, the peace hasn’t been restored. The Hellions are scattered throughout the land. We still have time.” He closed his eyes.
Water emerged from the earth in threads, coiling above us in a twisting ball.
Longing stabbed within me, and sorrow at the knowledge that I’d never feel a connection with the elements again.
Particles of blackened dust disconnected from the twisting ball, falling to the ground like ash. Then, he directed the water into me, covering every wound, every cut.
Coolness caressed my skin, and the ringing in my ears ceased.
He opened his eyes.
I exhaled long and slow, and gingerly sat up. “Thank you.”
“I understand why you let the Hellion hit you,” he said. “Just don’t do that again, okay?”
A laugh slipped out. “I’m not planning to.” I turned my attention to the Keepers. “What now?”
“Now, we round them up and imprison them, one by one,” Umbra said.
Lux nodded. “Sacrificing your gifts was very brave. We commend you for it.”
“It didn’t help Charlie, though.”
Pity crossed his features. “It is unfortunate. Though, I believe he was lost from the moment he arrived here.”
“Take time to recover in the Might,” Umbra said. “You will be safe there.”
I surveyed the expanse for Prudens, but he’d left. As had all the Ancients.
“Where are they?” I asked.
Siren bowed his head. “Protecting. They have a lot of work to do to help restore the peace.”
“As do we,” Lux said. “Thank you, again. Now, we must go.”
Light drew around them, and they vanished.
Siren helped me to my feet. A light scent of vanilla mixed with sweat reached my nose.
I smiled. “At least –”
Black energy shoved Siren through the air. He landed hard, skidding through the dirt.
A rough hand grabbed my hair, tearing my head back.
Something cold pressed between my lips, and a metallic taste rolled down my throat.
I choked and spluttered against the vile taste.
The hand released me.
I dropped to my knees, wiping away a crimson residue.
I stared at Kyne. “Blood?”
Siren grabbed my arm, his expression one of horror.
