Tempest

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  Sir Austin, the air Watcher, and Youmi, the water Watcher, hung back with the Demon, Horas. Their heads poked out around Insepth, who took up the empty space of the open door frame.

  Ivan poked his head through the window. Sweaty bangs fell across his forehead and over one of his eyes. “Are you all right?” he asked in a thick Russian accent. A flash of white teeth and dark fur was accompanied by a loud grunt, telling me Lutz was right behind the wolf-boy.

  Sawyer lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. I knew I must look terrible. My eyes burned and sweat dripped down my face. The pajama pants and t-shirt I wore were damp and I shivered from the breeze stirring through the open window.

  “What the hell was that?” Sawyer asked with a level voice and probing eyes.

  Insepth paused, leaning over my shoulder. “Remarkable. It’s as if she walked through fire in her sleep.”

  Sawyer shrugged the Watcher off, scowling. “It’s all right. You’re safe inside Ila’s cabin—it was just a dream,” he said, but not in a convincing way.

  “Come on, dear. Tell us what you’ve been up to,” Insepth coaxed with bright eyes.

  I glared at him before my eyes shifted to Ivan.

  “Keep my animals close.” I barked out a laugh and Sawyer pulled back like I’d lost my mind.

  Perhaps I had.

  “Animals—the dream was about animals?” Insepth asked, bending a knee. “That’s where you were, right? The dream world. Ila was powerful enough to visit there occasionally. The ability is tied to water and being able to control more than one element. I would assume, with you touching all four, that you’re well-acquainted with that dimension.”

  I rolled my eyes. Insepth was trying to reassert himself as my mentor, even though only a day before I’d nearly killed him in mortal combat. I kicked the quilt off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I swept past Sir Austin, Youmi and Horas without a word. The Roman Demon’s brows rose when our gazes met, but Horas made no attempt to stop me.

  The cool, nighttime air extinguished the hot, itchy feel on my skin. I took the porch steps two at a time and didn’t stop running until I reached the edge of the garden, where Eae was still crouched on the balls of his feet. I avoided looking at his butchered, swollen back.

  I stood with hands on my hips, waiting for the Angel to acknowledge me. I felt Sawyer’s presence behind me. The others stole up silently with him. No one appeared to be in a hurry to come any closer.

  Angus wasn’t as patient as everyone else. Lowering his head, he barked at Eae until the Angel opened his eyes.

  “What’s the In Between?” I asked.

  The Angel pursed his lips. His sigh sounded more like a groan as he climbed to his feet. At about seven feet tall, we all had to look up at him. His large green eyes were in bright contrast to the night sky behind him. My heart skipped a beat. To be in the company of such a majestic being, even one whose wings were torn from his back, was almost overwhelming. A glance at Sawyer assured me that he was as awestruck as I was. The Watchers, on the other hand, frowned, and the Growlers simply looked afraid. Even the great bear dipped his head at the creature whose pale skin was luminous with a light all its own.

  “Out of all the humans I could have been assigned guardianship over, why was I given charge over one such as you?” He shook his head. “I don’t know what to do with you. I’m not strong enough.”

  “You can start by answering my questions,” I snapped, finding my voice. I craned my neck to meet his gaze.

  Eae snorted. “The tainted smell of that place still lingers on your skin.” He narrowed his eyes. “Shame on you for venturing there.”

  I chewed my bottom lip. “I didn’t do it on purpose. It started out as an ordinary dream, then it changed and I was in a place I didn’t recognize.” I sucked in a breath. “Ila was there. She talked to me.”

  He raised his hand, palm out in a sweeping gesture. “Only in dire times do the bonds between the living and the dead touch. This should not have happened, but as it did, it must have been allowed. Now we have to deal with the consequences.”

  “Allowed by whom?” Insepth interrupted. He inched forward, ignoring the warning look from Sir Austin.

  Eae made a tsking sound. “Have you not read any of the scriptures yourself? You exist because of God, and yet you question its truth.” Eae’s hands shot up in an uncharacteristic show of emotion. “How do you deny His authority?”

  Insepth ran his hand through his hair with a tug, then he looked away. When he turned back, he appeared less arrogant somehow. “I was under the assumption the free will approach was His way. He seems to be absent of late.”

  “He is always with us. Rest assured.” Eae’s eyes settled on me. “If I told you to forget about that place—to erase it from your memory, would you do so?”

  I lifted my chin. “I can’t do that.”

  “You might want to listen to the Angel,” Sawyer spoke up.

  “Can’t. My destiny lies there.”

  “You still haven’t told us where we’re going,” Insepth pointed out. It wasn’t lost on me that he’d included himself on the mysterious journey.

  “Purgatory—and there are only two ways to enter,” Eae said.

  After Youmi’s sharp intake of breath, silence hung in the air until Horas ventured, “How can we possibly travel there?”

  “The first, and kinder path, is death.” A smile tugged at Eae’s mouth and I realized with a jolt that he was enjoying the moment.

  “The other?” I dared to ask.

  “Through the fire,” he said.

  Chapter 3

  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of god, showing himself that he is God.

  2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

  I stopped pacing to gaze at the meadow. The first shards of sunshine were slicing through the clouds, burning away the mist above the white daisies. I’d been awake for hours, restlessly walking back and forth beside the garden while the Watchers, Growlers and Demons watched me. Angus, always by my side, kept pace, occasionally looking up with a whine.

  My eyes flicked to Cricket for the hundredth time. In the darkness, she blended in with the night, but in the morning sunlight, her glossy black coat stuck out brightly amongst the green grass and emerging blue sky. Her muscles were well defined and her mane hung in unruly layers down her neck. She was tall and spirited, and more than once she’d sent me flying through the air for no good reason at all. She’d been my friend since I was little girl, a grounding source of love and adventure, right alongside Angus.

  The horse snorted, nodding her head up and down. As if being stared at bothered her, she turned her rump to me, swishing her tail.

  “Really, Ember. If you tell us what Ila said, maybe we can help. You’ve killed the grass in the swath you’ve been pacing over. What grand plan have you come up with on your own?” Insepth asked.

  “Why should she trust you—or you—or you, for that matter?” Sawyer barked out, nodding at Insepth, Sir Austin and Youmi in turn. “Don’t you have better things to do—like rebuild your castle—than hang around here?” Sawyer’s mocking tone was obvious and I frowned at him. He shrugged in response and pushed the fallen leaves around with his boot.

  “This is the only place for us right now—in a position to aid Ember. We are at her service, Demon. Not yours,” Insepth replied, his low voice straining to sound sweet.

  Before Sawyer had the chance to respond, I interjected, “Stop it. I invited them. We have to have a little trust.” Trust me. Ila’s words repeated in my mind.

  Insepth drew a deep breath, puffing out his chest like the winning rooster. Rays of sunlight made his hair and eye
s shine golden. It hadn’t passed my notice he’d healed completely from our battle and was back to his usual handsome self.

  “I find myself in the odd situation of agreeing with a Demon. I don’t trust them,” Eae said. He lifted the spoon from his bowl of soup to wag it at me. “Trust is earned, not freely given.”

  I groaned and went to sit beside the Angel on the grassy bank. Ivan was eating soup from his own bowl on the other side of Eae, seemingly ignoring us, but I wasn’t fooled. Ivan might just be more aware than everyone else. Angus sank down, his haunches pressing into my feet.

  I dared to look up at Sawyer. “Do you really think I should make them leave?”

  Insepth opened his mouth to protest, but I silenced him with a sharp look.

  Sawyer, who had been doing his own fair amount of pacing, stopped in front of me. His brown eyes were troubled and the skin over his high cheekbones was tight. “I don’t know. Your gut has kept you alive until now. I guess you should listen to it.”

  “You’ve kept me alive…and Ivan, and Horas, Angus, Lutz and those Watchers over there.” I sniffed. “I think I need all of you. Even Cricket.”

  Sawyer’s brows shot up and Insepth laughed.

  “Oh, please don’t include that stubborn mare out there on the same list as me,” Insepth said.

  Ila’s misty face flashed before me, reminding me that I hadn’t imagined talking to her in a dream the previous night. She had been real—as real as a ghost could be—and she’d given me instructions. Ila blinked away and I swallowed the knot that hurt my throat.

  I glanced around at the strange group. Sir Austin rocked in Ila’s chair, looking like Sean Connery’s twin, and Youmi leaned back against the porch railing, his eyes constantly scanning the tree line that bordered the valley. Horas sat in the rocker that I considered mine, a large goblet of grape juice perched on his knee, like a glass of wine. Unlike Youmi, he was relaxed, but his eyes were also searching for trouble. Lutz, in bear form, slumped with his eyes closed in the shade of a maple tree. Bright red leaves floated down from the branches, landing on him. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. He seemed comfortable enough letting the Watchers and Demons keep a lookout.

  “This probably sounds crazy.” I rushed the words out before I could change my mind. “Ila told me to change Cricket into a person.”

  “What?” Sawyer’s voice pierced the air.

  “Impossible,” Ivan mumbled through a mouthful of soup. He glanced up. “Isn’t it?”

  It was Insepth’s wide, glittering eyes that held my attention captive. “She actually ordered you to change your pet horse into a person—are you absolutely sure?”

  I bristled. “Not ordered, more advised. Yes, I’m completely certain.” I rose from the bank. “Can it be done?”

  Insepth’s hand covered his mouth, rubbing. He tossed his hair to the side and stared at the sky.

  “No, Insepth,” Sir Austin warned. The Watcher rose from the rocking chair and strode down the steps. He held his air power—and the deadliness of it billowed off him.

  Insepth pointed at his elder, touching his own earth power in response. “Let’s hear the girl out, old friend.”

  The exchange between the Watchers was startling and I couldn’t help stoking my flames. The tension around the front of Ila’s cabin multiplied and I cupped my mouth, concentrating on keeping my fire under control. The last thing we needed was a Watcher brawl. I kneeled in front of Eae, but his round-eyed, bewildered look dashed my hopes. Turning back to the Watchers, I accepted that I’d have to look to their guidance on this one.

  Insepth wringed his hands. “Growlers were originally just regular animals. Their essence was altered by magic—Watcher magic.”

  Clammy sweat broke out on my skin and my stomach clenched. I remembered Ila telling me about how an evil Watcher created the Growlers to form an army to stand against the Angels.

  “With dark particles,” I whispered, staring back at Insepth.

  “Whoa, wait a minute. That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” Sawyer said.

  Insepth and I continued our stare down.

  “Well said, Demon,” Sir Austin heartily agreed. “Our kind vowed to never use that kind of magic again after the cataclysm that killed hundreds of us. It hasn’t been done since for good reason.”

  My focus wavered and I glanced away, meeting Sawyer’s hard frown with a curt nod. I was ready to let the matter go, even though I wanted desperately to do as Ila asked.

  “Ah, that isn’t exactly a true statement.”

  We all turned to Youmi, who stood at the top of the porch steps, toying with the corner of his mustache. Even Eae rose to stand beside me, giving his full attention to the water Watcher.

  Youmi still wore the red tunic and pants he’d sported for my contest with Maren, the fire Watcher I’d been forced to kill in the to-the-death Watcher game. He was short, but solidly built, and his long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail with a leather strap. His eyes shifted around nervously.

  “Go on,” I coaxed.

  Youmi swallowed. “There is one I know of who has used this magic—not for evil intent—” he quickly added “—for love.”

  “You speak of Adria?” Insepth interrupted. “That’s just a legend.”

  Youmi shook his head and Sir Austin exclaimed in his Scottish accent, “You’re a fool, man! That Watcher died nearly two centuries ago during the Japanese massacre.”

  “Water Watchers keep secrets—you all know that. Adria was our best kept. Not only did she survive, she prospered.” Youmi’s voice tremored slightly.

  I threw my hands up. “Who is Adria and what does she have to do with changing my horse into a human?”

  Eae snorted, but I ignored him and faced Insepth. I avoided looking at Sawyer all together. I could feel through our invisible connection that he was seriously agitated by the conversation.

  Horas stood up so suddenly, some of his juice sloshed over the rim of his glass to splash onto the porch boards. “Do you mean Adria of the sea?”

  “One and the same,” Sir Austin answered. He sounded tired.

  “You know this woman?” I tilted my head to Horas.

  He ran his hand through his dark, thick hair and my breathing slowed.

  “Not personally, mind you. She’s a mariner’s myth. Stories are told about her to the children of seafaring families. Not the sweet kind that put youngsters to sleep—more the kind to frighten the unruly ones.”

  Insepth ignored what Horas said, and turned back to Youmi. “You are certain she did it successfully?”

  Youmi looked at me. “Adria is the most powerful water Watcher ever born, and she’s also a Growler—a dolphin. She wanted little to do with her angelic heritage, preferring the ocean depths to life on legs.” He made a fist and tapped his chest. “That is until she met Vorago. She fell in love with the dolphin and desired to make him like her. I don’t know how she did it, but she managed to change him, breaking our ancient vow. She knew she’d be executed for her act, so she disappeared for a long time. When the humans’ ships became sturdier, larger, and they ventured further across the oceans, killing the whales, she emerged from hiding. Ship after ship was destroyed. We knew it was her, and enough time had passed that Watchers changed their views of her crime. She was invited to attend the great gathering. We welcomed her back into the fold, and she spent a mere few hours in our company before the betrayal and destruction by the Watchers of Light. I knew she escaped into the sea, changing into a finned creature, but I allowed the others to believe she’d perished. It was her wish.”

  “Do you know where we can find her?” I stepped forward.

  “Wait!” Horas found his voice. “This…Watcher…is not a friend of humans. She’s a siren—a Demon of the sea.” He jogged down the porch steps and stopped in front of me. His eyes were wide, pleading. “She’ll kill us all.”
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  “Sounds as if you were one of those naughty children, who received a bedtime story that gave you nightmares,” Insepth scoffed. “She’s really not that bad. I met her in Japan—it was our only interaction. An odd bird, I’ll give you that, but controllable.”

  I felt my face go hot. “It’s always about control with you, isn’t it? You couldn’t control me, could you?”

  Insepth realized his mistake and held up his hands. “That’s not what I meant—”

  “The Demon is right. Adria is dangerous. The water Watchers avoid her, leaving her alone. In many ways, she’s more animal than Watcher, and she does hold deep hatred for humans,” Youmi admitted. “But she is extremely old and gifted in the water arts. She’s done things with the power I could only dream of. If anyone could help you do what Ila instructed, it’s her.” As an afterthought, he added, “She can teach you magnificent things, Ember—if you can convince her to trust you.”

  Yellow and red leaves fluttered down around us as the cool breeze picked up. Cricket wandered close to the rock wall and her whinny dragged my gaze from Youmi. She neighed again, nodding her head up and down. Could she possibly understand? I wondered.

  Animals know much more than you humans give them credit for, Eae whispered in my mind.

  I’m a Watcher, not a human, I corrected.

  You are still human—all Watchers are at their core.

  It was odd to have the conversation in my mind with Eae while everyone looked expectantly at me. But he was my guardian Angel, even if his wings had been taken from him, along with his heavenly powers. He was wise and I was compelled to ask his advice, though I admitted his allegiance might be to the Angels, and not necessarily me.

  Will I be sinning if I do this?

  Some sin is for the ultimate good. He shrugged. It is not for me to say whether it is morally correct to use dark magic to alter the horse. I can say that every beast that God created has a soul. The water Watcher they speak of is unstable…and very dangerous. You can learn much from her, but there will be a price.