Fated (Enchanted Gods Book 2)

by K. K. Allen

  I tilt my head. “Why would you need to expose my light? I’m a Summer. You must have already known that I’m enchanted.”

  Ava nods, her eyes carrying a wicked gleam. “Well, yes. But you’re new, my dear. I didn’t know what to expect of you. I must admit, your magic is quite lovely. I stood by and watched the chaos play out like a glorious picture show.” She giggles. “Ava even timed everything perfectly to make you think you did it. It was all going splendidly until you created that wave.”

  I frown, confused. “You mean the wave that nearly killed me. Was that all part of your plan, too?”

  She sneers. “Oh, no, no, no, dear. I’ll take your body before I kill you. I simply cannot wait to feel the power you possess. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for a descendant like you. To be born of both Solstice and Equinox blood. You’re the best of both worlds.”

  I grit my teeth. “If it’s my body you want, then why didn’t you take me when you had the chance?”

  “Simple. You didn’t have what I needed from you then. You still don’t.”

  I push the light closer to her chest. “Then why am I here with you now?”

  She looks down at the light, which is inches from killing her. I leave it there, waiting for her to tell me what I need to know. Whether I’ll like her answer is irrelevant.

  “Kill my hostess, and you’ll find out. She’s done her part.”

  Her words shoot chills straight up my spine. Then she raises her arms and releases her neck back so her eyes face upward—inviting death. I give her what she wishes and propel the lightning creation into her chest. My green light soaks into her entire body, but it’s a bright gold that illuminates from her insides out.

  Sickened, I watch as Ava laughs maniacally, while the blast envelops her and flames from her torched hair swirl like a firestorm.

  Arms wrap around me on either side. They reverse my steps until our backs hit the tree, and with an explosion of light, Ava’s lifeless body crumples to the ground. I let out a cry and turn to face Johnny and Alec, both of their arms still around me. I look between them with a pileup of questions tumbling through my mind.

  I open my mouth to begin the interrogation, but Alec stops me with a single cutting look. “I hate to tell you this, Kat, but it’s not over.” He nods to something over my shoulder.

  I cringe, bracing myself, and turn slowly to face whatever is next. Gold light in the shape of a serpent slithers up from Ava’s body, just as a third figure steps out from behind the hedge. It’s like Erebus has had an army of Equinox ready for the taking, and this time, the host is none other than Iris.

  My jaw drops, and I gasp as I watch her body take in the gold light until it’s radiating through her pores.

  “Another one bites the dust, I suppose.” Iris sends a repulsed glance down at Ava’s lifeless form and, with a swipe of her hand, tosses her over the nearest hedge. Ava’s body lands with a thud, and Iris turns back to us, her head cocked. “That one was quite well-behaved, I must admit. All too willing for the sacrifice. Such a shame to lose her.”

  I stand taller, preparing myself for another fight. “Then why did you kill her?”

  Iris’s brows raise. “Me? It was your light that ended her life. But don’t worry, dear. At the end of the day, everyone in my army is nothing more than a disposable weapon.”

  I remember what Rose told me once about there being only so much time an Equinox can live through a possession. “How long have you been possessing her?”

  A smile lifts Iris’s lips. “A magician never reveals his secrets.” Her head tilts. “But for you, I’ll make one small exception. I first took Ava’s body before our little adventure in Weeki Wachee. I left her that same day, of course, to attend to matters on the Island. I needed Ava to stay alive to sweet-talk Alec here to become one of us.” She sneers at Alec. “And here I believed you were lost enough to trust anything you were told. What an unfortunate experiment you were.”

  I tense, but I don’t dare turn my eyes away from Iris’s body to look at Alec. I’ll get those answers later. “So you left Ava’s body, traveled back to Summer Island, and then murdered Darryl? For what?”

  Iris’s gold eyes glow brightly. “Death gives me life, in a manner of speaking. Death of an Elder may not feed my darkness the way a direct descendant does, but it works just the same.”

  Like a light flickering on in my brain, my eyes widen at Erebus. “But you won’t kill me, will you? I have no children. If you kill me, you end a direct line to Astina, and without her light, you’ll remain weak forever.”

  Eyes narrow back at me. “There’s another way.”

  “What other way? There’s no other way.”

  A sneer curves the corner of Iris’s mouth. “We’ll see, shall we?”

  I glance sideways to see the knife that I threw to the ground earlier. “Not if I throw this knife at your head.”

  A laugh floats past Iris’s lips. “That knife won’t hurt me, but it might damage my beautiful hostess. Not that it would matter. I believe I’ve overstayed my welcome. I’m sorry to say, she’s already dead.”

  Anger blows through me, and without giving him a chance to respond, I propel the knife at a speed that wouldn’t register for a Normal. It hits Iris square in the forehead. He growls at the attack and glows brighter as her body begins to rise into the air so it's levitating a few feet above the ground.

  “Tell me, Katrina.” It’s still Iris’s voice that purrs. “How do you like being the strongest Solstice of your lifetime?”

  I’m silent, unsure how to respond to that ridiculous question. Meanwhile, Iris’s expression seems disturbingly unfazed by the blood running down her head.

  “Hmm. Fortunately for me, you are clueless to the strength that you possess.”

  I narrow my eyes. “You know nothing about me.”

  A loud laugh that is no longer Iris’s carries across the distance between us. “I know enough. And I’ve killed many Enchanters over the years, but none quite as bright as you. Your grandfather was already considered an Elder by the time I rid him of his dreadful life. I dream of the day I take all your power and become the most powerful Enchanter that ever existed.”

  I shake my head. “You can’t kill me.” I hold up my arm, revealing my mother’s locket. He can look, but he can’t touch.

  A grin lifts Iris’s cheeks. “Oh, I can kill you.” Then she shakes her head. “But killing you is not what I want. Not yet anyway. That locket only keeps me from possessing you, and I will possess you.”

  Johnny’s arms tighten, and a sense of comfort washes over me. “If you so much as touch her, it’s you who will die,” Johnny says. It’s clear in the power of his voice and the grip he has on me that he’s gotten his strength back.

  There’s a deep growl and a hiss before Erebus blows a thick cloud of gold smoke at us. I gag on the smell, a mixture of gasoline and skunk. “Don’t think I forgot about your betrayal, dear boy. Your instructions were simple. Steal the locket and give it to Iris. Now, you’re a traitor, just like your parents. Do you remember what I do to traitors?”

  Johnny growls and lunges forward. Alec and I act at the same time, catching him by each arm and pulling him backward. He’s strong, but together, Alec and I are stronger.

  I look at Johnny, horrified by the connection I think I just made between him and Erebus. “What is going on?”

  Johnny clenches his jaw, eyes pointed toward Iris. “The man who killed my parents left his marking all over our yacht. Iris came to me and told me she knew what I possessed and where I came from. When I doubted her, she showed me the serpent symbol. She told me about someone in town who she believed was dangerous. She said that it was you, that you were evil, and that the proof was on your locket.” He glances at me, sorrow welling in his gaze. “I’m so sorry, Kat. That’s why I was out there to save you from drowning that night. Iris tipped me off that something was going to go down, and I was watching you.”

  “But how did you know I would end u
p in the current? I didn’t even know I was capable of creating that wave.”

  He shakes his head. “I didn’t. I had been following you ever since I saw that locket around your wrist for the first time in the restaurant. And on that night, like magic, you appeared to me beneath the water. At first, I had every intention of killing you. It wasn’t what Iris asked for, but my need for revenge outweighs all logic. But then I was staring down at you, and even though I took the bracelet, I just knew I couldn’t hurt you. I had to save you.”

  I swipe at a tear from my cheek.

  “After you told me that it was your mom who gave you your locket, I swear I was going to give it back—I just needed to understand what it all meant first.”

  My chest squeezes. I can’t blame him for doing what he did. If anything, I love him more for it. I turn back to Iris’s body with a new determination. “How did you know he could remove my bracelet?”

  Erebus’s laugh is deep, echoing through the night. “I’ll keep that one to myself for now. It seems you still have quite a bit of learning to do.”

  I grit my teeth in frustration. “So, you failed, and I have the locket again. Now what?”

  “You will remove it for me when it’s time.”

  “Never.”

  “You’re as stubborn as your mother.” His true voice emerges again with a growl. “She thought she could run from who she was, but she was mistaken. If it wasn’t for her marrying that Solstice boy, I would have killed her long ago. Lucky for her, I saw another opportunity, one I had only ever dreamed of. A Solstice falling in love with an Equinox and having a child of both enchanted bloodlines.” A satisfied hiss leaves Iris’s mouth. “It was too tempting to deny. I’ve waited a long time for you, Katrina. A very long time.”

  He waits, as if giving me a chance to speak, but I’m drowning in memories that fit together like puzzle pieces I never knew existed. My mom wearing the charm bracelet around her wrist for as long as I can remember. My mom handing the bracelet down to me before she died. Her sudden and unexplainable death.

  Erebus must have killed my mother and made the entire thing look like an accident. The coincidence of her dying right before my Enchantment is all-too suspicious. Erebus would have no use for her anymore. She had a descendant. She was no longer protected. He must have been right there, knowing and waiting, lurking in the wings so that he could destroy her and get closer to me—and Rose.

  “You killed my mother.” My trembling words cause Erebus’s smile to grow wider. That’s enough of a confession to ignite a fire in my chest.

  “She may have been a traitor, but your mother sure was useful to get to you, Katrina.”

  My body shakes with rage, and I’m blinded by hatred for Erebus and love for my mother—all at once. I release Johnny from my grasp and start running with everything left in me. I leap the ten feet it takes to reach Iris’s body, and I pull it to the ground. Once my hands are around her neck, I stare into Iris’s dead eyes and burn a hole straight through each one until I can see the earth below.

  A hiss snakes up Iris’s throat, and there’s a pressure on my chest, as if someone is pushing me off her body, but I am too strong to let it throw me off my intended target. Erebus will die, if killing him is the last thing I do. I’ll find a way.

  Johnny and Alec appear on either side of me, helping me contain Iris’s body as she writhes and screams. My mouth drops open as Iris’s body becomes motionless and her golden glow forms the shape of a serpent and slithers above her. It hisses and darts its tongue at me as if it’s going to attack, but it reels back just as quickly, and I almost get the sense that he’s afraid of me.

  Erebus slithers through the air in his serpent form, creating distance between us before speaking in a deep voice with a heavy Greek accent. “I guess it’s time to find a new host.”

  I look down at Iris’s lifeless body on the ground, and a sob escapes my throat. Two innocent lives lost because of Erebus. How many more will have to die to finally stop him for the rest of eternity?

  Johnny pulls me back, wrapping his arms around my middle to restrain me while Alec threads his fingers between mine, securing my hand. I don’t think about what it all means or how it will all play out when tonight is over. All I know is that there’s dread in my heart for all the lives lost and relief rushing through my veins for all the lives that still remain.

  “I’ll be back for you, Katrina Summer,” Erebus hisses. “And next time, I won’t give you the courtesy of a leisurely chat.” He slithers closer to me so he’s right in front of my face. “Next time, I will take your body and kill everyone you love.” Erebus chuckles. “But first, you’ll need to find where the precious energy source is so that I can destroy it.” He begins to slither away through the air, his ghostly glow fading as distance grows between us. He turns his evil serpent head back toward me one last time. “Oh, and do tell Rose I say hello. It won’t be long until we meet again.”

  Then he’s gone, his evil laughter trailing him long after he fades from view.

  Like a herd of cattle, Rose, Charlotte, Trisha and her parents, Arabella and her sisters, even Isaac come barreling through the maze to get to us. By the time they reach us, Erebus is long gone.

  At first, I only vaguely hear their questions and warm words about finding us still alive. I’m consumed by thoughts of my mother and the locket that killed her by saving my life. She knew all along that it would come to this. That was why she took me away all those years—to make it harder for Erebus to find us.

  More Enchanters begin to fill into the space—all curious and anxious to know what took place here. I look up at the faces around me now. Charlotte’s arms hold me tightly as tears stream down her face. Rose is on the other side of me, holding me too. It’s such an odd but nice feeling to have the comfort of those who have taken me in, especially my grandmother, who is always so formal.

  Johnny and Alec filled everyone in on Ava, Iris, and Erebus during my silence. Now that everyone knows what we went through and the facts have sunken in, I stand. Everyone turns to look at me, expectation on their faces. There’s something special, almost momentous, about what’s happening, but I fear that they see me as someone who possesses a role much bigger than I deserve.

  “Erebus will be back,” I say while looking around, thinking carefully about how to phrase my next sentence. “His mission hasn’t changed. He still wants to kill us all. For some reason, he thinks I’m the key—but he says he won’t possess me until I learn the location of the energy source, whatever that is.” I throw a pointed look at Rose.

  Rose approaches me with wild eyes. “He told you what he’s after?”

  I nod, trying my hardest to hide my own frustration. Now I understand why Rose insists on keeping this secret. “Yes, apparently, he’s looking to me to show him where it is.”

  Rose looks around at all of us as if deciphering if it’s safe to relay her secret. “It’s the one thing that the Elders have always protected. No matter how many of us die, there will always be our energy source. Erebus can never find it. If he gets ahold of it, all we’ve built will be destroyed. The more people who know endanger us all.” She turns to me. “And you especially cannot know. If you do and you are possessed…” She shudders.

  I place a hand on Rose’s arm and look into her eyes. “Okay. Then don’t tell us. The less we know, the better, but we need to figure out a way to protect whatever it is.” I stare down at my bracelet. “And this locket better not come off again. Ever.”

  Rose shakes her head. “It won’t. It’s bound to you. You’re the only one who can take it off.” Her eyes flicker to Johnny, who stands off to the side with Arabella. “And him, I suppose.”

  He must hear her disapproving words, because he looks up and meets her eyes. “I won’t. Never again.” His tone is unwavering, but then he frowns and looks at me. “But how could I have removed that bracelet if it’s meant to never come off?”

  I open my mouth then shut it again. How do I tell someone they’
re my Fated without sounding absolutely crazy? I don’t want Johnny to love me because he’s bound to me through some ancient theory about Fated mates. I want him to love me all on his own. “I suppose it’s the same reason you couldn’t kill me when you had the chance.” I shake my head and look away, and I can feel the weight of Rose’s, Charlotte’s, Trisha’s, and Arabella’s eyes on me. They know what I’m hiding.

  Suddenly, my need to change the subject is strong. I turn to Rose. “Ava and Iris are dead. I killed Ava.” My voice is weak and shaky. “Iris was already dead. Erebus had possessed her for too long.”

  Rose moves her arms around me quickly, tightening her grip so that no space is left between us. “You did what you had to do, dear. You were brave. Those girls made a choice to follow Erebus into darkness. They knew what they were doing.”

  I gasp, realizing something else. “What about their parents?” My eyes are wide, and I look around frantically. “They’re Equinox too.”

  Rose frowns. “They’re gone. Detective Xavier confirmed that they’ve moved on—probably with Erebus.”

  Arabella wraps her arms around me next. “I’m so happy you’re all right.”

  I smile at her. “Thank you. I take it you didn’t find Johnny.”

  She winces. “I did find him.”

  I look between Arabella and Johnny.

  “She found me,” Johnny says. “She told me who I descend from and that there are others out there just like me.” His eyes soften on me. “I didn’t know about you until you used your powers against me on my boat. Arabella convinced me to come to the carnival, but as soon as I got there, I ran into Ava and was paralyzed by her magic. I woke up in the garden, tied to that tree.” Johnny glares at Alec. “And then this one beat the crap out of me for no damn reason.”

  Alec frowns, looking shameful. “Sorry, man. I was protecting Kat.”

  We all turn to Alec in surprise. “You beat Johnny up to protect me?”