Interference: Book One

by A. F. Presson

  Lightning struck overhead, splitting a massive tree over the Elders. With one palm shielding a small child from debris, I forced my other one toward the council, lifting the fallen trunk away from their heads. Raising it high into the air, I twisted my wrist and hoisted the tree into the approaching tornado, then coerced the wind funnel across the Seregalo River.

  “Look around you! Nothing but fear and death as always, Mercy,” Aadya screamed from the stage. Her hair fell loose around her face, and a large rip ran across the front of her dress. “This, ladies and gentlemen, is your fearless and gracious leader,” she screamed over the wind and rain.

  “No,” Mr. Foster shouted. “You’re the root of this. We’ve had enough, Aadya!”

  Aadya cocked her head to the side and leaned in aggressively. “We? I only see you, Josiah. You shall die for treason.”

  Several Elders walked over to stand with Josiah. Aadya’s face fell, but her chin remained high. “Fine, you’ll all die.”

  The devious smirk remained as her nostrils flared, and veins distended in her neck. A rumbling, of sorts, captured my attention from the outlying meadows. A dark cloud of dust rolled fiercely toward us, threatening to smother us all. I reached for elemental interference until I realized it wasn’t dust. They were beasts. Hundreds of beluas charging wildly—responding to their master’s call.

  Snarling ripped through the wind as dirt kicked up behind them. Aadya had risked everyone’s life to keep her throne, even if it meant there was no one left in Seregalo. Our gifts collided to stop the massacre as the beluas attacked. I launched one beast into a tree, breaking its neck, and then created a water spout to trap several others. I spun to toss another one off a child, and that’s when I saw it. Two beluas jumped for Neela simultaneously, and she’d only been able to hold off one.

  It latched itself around her throat, fangs sliding all the way through. Her knees hit the hard ground, and her dark brown eyes searched for comfort in mine. She knew it was the end. As the beast released her, I caught Neela in my arms, begging her not to leave me. The color in her beautiful face faded as her chest heaved.

  Blood rushed through my ears, and my jaw clamped down painfully. I wouldn’t lose her. I couldn’t. I’d never been trained, but I’d witnessed it several times. I placed my palm in front of her, and focused on the moment right before she was attacked. I strained and pushed at my source, then time began to turn back slowly. Heat crackled in the air, and the blood running down her neck and chest blurred. My hand shook from the effort to hold it. If I could turn back time far enough . . .

  Sweat poured from my face as the wounds sealed themselves in her neck and Neela gradually rose to her feet, the beast hovering back into the air above her. That was as far as it would go—I didn’t have the strength to take it further.

  The horror at not finding an alternative path for Neela’s fate led me to my next move. I was out of options and my power had weakened. I refused to let anyone else die. Holding on as long as I could, I knew I couldn’t turn back time any further. As I released the hold, I jumped in front of Neela protectively against the charging belua.

  Another body struck mine, slamming me forward to the ground. Scrambling upright, I took in the Regalian on the ground behind me, covered in blood.

  Ren.

  He pushed me out of the way. The belua pulled free from Ren’s chest, but immediately lit up in flames—squealing from the agony of the fire. Felix stepped up beside me with his palm out until all that remained of the beast were ashes. I scooped Ren’s head into my lap, while Neela sobbed beside him.

  “No. Please, Ren. Please don’t leave me.”

  I tried to turn it back, as I did for Neela, but the air only fizzled.

  “Mercy . . .” His chin quivered as he cried, but whether it was fear or pain, I didn’t know.

  “I believe—I believe in you,” he whispered while his eyes fought to stay open.

  “Ren? Ren, please open your eyes,” I cried.

  Reaching out, I turned my palm again. Over and over—I put everything I had into saving him. My source fought for strength—for energy.

  “I’m sorry, Mercy. Time interference drains you faster than anything. It’s not possible to do it again so soon, not yet,” Josiah said.

  I did the only thing I could. Using what power I had left, I pulled from sensory interference to take the feeling away, to relieve him of his pain as his body fell limp. Ren’s love for me killed him, and I could do nothing to stop it. The image of him taking his last breath, so I could live, would haunt me for the rest of my life. Felix kneeled beside us, his eyes full of pain as he took in the massacre around him. Had he finally witnessed the evil that existed inside of Aadya? I hoped so.

  Whispers traveled throughout the crowd, “Did you see that?”

  “Mercy saved that girl,” a woman called out, pointing toward Neela. “She sacrificed herself.”

  Regalians stood in awe of a leader putting themselves in danger over another, something they weren’t used to witnessing. Yes, I’d saved Neela, and put another dear friend in danger doing so. Defeat washed over me as another life drifted away in my arms.

  Sharp pain pulled at my scalp as Aadya yanked me to a standing position by my hair. With a knife at my throat, everyone froze around me. Drake seethed—fury vibrating through the air, as the magic of Regalians crackled around us. They were ready to fight.

  Aadya leaned in close. “See what these people are, Mercy? They’re distractions. That’s what happens when you care too much.” She whispered in my ear, “You didn’t even see me coming.”

  The beluas stood at attention, waiting for her command.

  “Seregalo is mine!” she screamed. Deranged laughter echoed around the land.

  Heat surrounded me like a furnace, and I struggled to breathe. Consumed by my source, the flame raged inside my heart. Drake stood across from me, eyes red and chest heaving. Something had changed within him. An internal war brewed and clawed, begging for release. He fought against it, losing the battle within.

  As Aadya swept the blade toward my throat, Drake fell to his knees with a roar. His face contorted in pain as his body arched away from the ground. My legs threatened to collapse at the sound of skin ripping down his back, and his spine shattering. Confusion paralyzed me, and I hadn’t seen genuine fear in Aadya’s eyes until that moment.

  “What is happening to him?” I screamed.

  Josiah whispered in disbelief, “Rage Fire.”

  My throat tightened at his words.

  Fire overpowered his body, his skin burning dark red. Flames engulfed him. The Drake I knew no longer recognizable. The screaming and clawing ceased as I feared the worst. As the blaze simmered, the silence was eerie around us.

  Smoke and ash dissipated, and where Drake fell to the ground moments before now stood a fierce dragon that stood at least twenty feet tall. His scales were deep scarlet and red tinted the black of his eyes. He took intimidating steps toward us as his head swept from side to side, studying the crowd defensively.

  “A dragon,” Aadya stated, amazed. “I never believed the tales.”

  Drake came closer as we took a step back. I had no way of knowing if he still existed inside the beast, but I wanted to believe he did. A gruesome snarl revealed massive teeth as he came eye to eye with me. His head swung to Aadya and lowered, showing respect to the leader of Seregalo.

  Her hand drifted up, caressing the dragon’s scales as he leaned into her.

  “This is what I’ve needed by my side. You. You will take my power to a new level. I will be unstoppable. I will be. . .”

  Drake swung his head back into the air and descended with his mouth open, teeth bared. Aadya’s words were cut off as the dragon bit into her neck, ripping her head from her shoulders. He tossed it onto the stage, followed by a blaze of blue and red flames, leaving it in ashes. Her headless form fell to the ground, as silence fell over the crowd. My gaze ran over the emerald necklace at my feet, glowing as if it called to me. As I
reached to pick it up, a powerful pull between the necklace and my ring took my breath away. There was a definite connection—I just didn’t know how significant.

  All at once, Aadya’s beluas attacked, avenging their master. The dragon turned, growling, and breathed a circle of fire around Neela, Nora and myself, protecting us.

  Gusts of wind blew against my face as heavy wings beat against the air. The ground shook as he leaped into the sky and soared overhead. The dark shadow swarmed above us, breathing fire upon all the remaining beluas.

  I looked around at the once lush green lawn, now ravaged from our battle. Regalians were dead, lying haphazardly across the ground. Blood covered the torn and twisted tent, and ashes were scattered across the stage. It was over. Aadya was dead.

  Drake circled the sky and landed on the ground in front of me with a loud boom. He looked me in the eye and slowly knelt before me, and the crowd followed suit, showing respect to the new leader of Seregalo.

  22

  ⥈

  I collapsed to the ground. I never wanted this. The deaths. The innocent lives crying out for compassion. I wanted to wrap everyone in my arms, evoking peace about their future in Seregalo. Things would be different after the devastation. I would make sure of it. Neela wrapped her arms around me, unable to speak. Weak and vulnerable, Nora could barely hold her head up, but conjured as much comfort into our hearts as her little body could withstand.

  The Elders escorted Nora, Neela, and myself inside while the remaining guards assisted the survivors. I looked back one last time at the friend who gave his life for our cause. He believed in me. I never loved Ren the same way he loved me, but I cared for him more than he knew. He would be honored in Seregalo for his bravery—his loyalty.

  Before walking inside, I looked back at Drake as he flew overhead into the woods.

  “He’ll be back, Mercy. He’s got quite a bit to process,” Josiah told me.

  I knew he was right, but Drake’s emotions were a blur of confusion and fear—I wasn’t sure how much time I could give him when I knew he needed me. Josiah led each of us to a room similar to Felix’s to get cleaned up, and Marley offered to bring clean clothes. My mother’s ripped dress fell from one shoulder, and blood smeared across the side of my face.

  I stood under the hot spray of the shower, still in shock at what I’d witnessed. My boyfriend literally bit Aadya’s head off.

  I fell to my knees, head bowed, and cried. The heat of the running water rinsed the dirt and tears from my eyes as blood circled the drain, along with the last remaining doubt of what I needed to do.

  Fall apart now, Mercy. Then, it’s time to rise up.

  My mother’s words echoed throughout my head.

  The tears dried as I forced myself to stand up straight. I could do this. I jumped from the shower to dry off, and as I turned from the bathroom, an unfamiliar mark caught my eye in the mirror. My Allegato mark had transformed. Was that even possible? The flame now blazed behind a dragon, fierce and strong, surrounded by all six gifts. The dragon I understood, but the gifts?

  The only thing I knew is that we were destined to lead together. A smile broke through my distress, as the truth finally emerged. A truth we knew all along.

  Clean clothes were on the bed, thanks to my sister. I slipped on the jeans and sleeveless top, pulling my hair up wet. I had things to take care of, matters that couldn’t wait.

  Josiah exited Nora’s room as I walked into the hall. “How is she?” I asked.

  He frowned. “Better, but she needs rest. Aadya wasn’t kind, Mercy. I’m not sure what she’s been through, but I hope she’ll eventually talk to you about it.”

  I hoped she would. Nora deserved a happy and secure life, and I would do whatever I needed to make that happen. “I’ll let her rest, then be back to check on her,” I said as I walked toward the stairs.

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “The dungeon,” I answered.

  Josiah sighed, but quickly followed behind me.

  A sinister sensation enveloped me as my bare feet hit the cold stone. A faint drip of water echoed throughout the space as I made my way through the dungeon toward the small boy. Josiah handed me the keys as I opened the cell and found the child curled into a ball.

  He’d weakened since I saw him last, and my heart broke for the life he must have lived. “Get this child food and water, Josiah. His time here is over.”

  “Of course. We’ll get him in a room at once.”

  “Free the others, as well,” I demanded.

  “All of them?” he asked.

  “Every single Regalian will have a chance to start a new life. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Josiah shook his head. “There might be some push back on this, some of these men are criminals.”

  “Aadya had her own definition of criminal. They will start new with me.”

  Josiah nodded in agreement. “The Elders are gathered in the dining hall. They’d like to meet with you as soon as possible, Mercy.” Josiah said quietly.

  “Guess I should’ve seen that coming. I’m going to check on Nora, then I’ll find you.”

  . . .

  Neela’s family had arrived, greeting me with hugs as I entered Nora’s room. The relief in her parents’ eyes was evident, but distress and anxiety was palpable from the bedside.

  “How is she?” I asked.

  “Weak, but resting comfortably. I think she’ll recover fine,” Mr. Parker said.

  Confusion crossed my face at the sense of agony in the room. I stepped toward Nora and stopped dead in my tracks. The pink in her cheeks had returned, the dark circles diminishing around her pretty eyes. Caleb sat beside her, holding her hand and watching her sleep. He agonized over every whimper, every deep breath.

  Neela stepped up beside me, “It was instant, Mercy. As soon as he walked into the room, the connection was obvious. And . . . their Allegato marks match.”

  “I didn’t realize Nora was even marked. She never mentioned it,” I whispered.

  “No, she didn’t,” she smiled.

  I hugged Neela and turned toward the door. “I have a meeting, but I’ll be back to check on her later, alright?”

  “Sure, but I think she’s in good hands,” Neela responded.

  I smiled at the sight of Nora having someone for the first time in her life—someone who’d put her before anyone else. I left the room, promising to return soon.

  It took me an hour to find the dining hall, and it felt as though I was late to class, walking in as everyone stared. A dozen or so men and two women sat around the long wooden table, impatiently. I wasn’t going to apologize and hide my face. The Elders needed to respect me.

  “I’m Mercy. I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet with you and answer any questions you may have. I’m sure this is very confusing after working with Aadya for so long.”

  “We never worked with Aadya. We worked for her.” An older man at the end of the table spoke up. “Are we supposed to believe it will be any different with you?”

  “No, you’re not. And I would never expect you to take my word on that. I’ll have to earn your respect as you will have to earn mine.” I glanced over toward Thu Dang, his eyes glaring in my direction. “Tell me now if you have a problem with that so we can settle it.”

  After several long seconds, he submitted, eyes focusing on the table.

  “I’m eighteen years old and learning every day. I’ll need guidance and patience from each of you, but I was born with these gifts for a reason, and I want the opportunity to prove myself. I have a couple of requests, or I refuse to be a part of this council.”

  “Here we go,” someone mumbled from the crowd.

  I ignored the comment. “No one will die at the hands of this council.”

  A few men shifted uncomfortably in their seats and swallowed visibly.

  “If you have a problem with that, I’ll introduce you to Drake.” I narrowed my eyes.

  “So, when things don’t go your way
, will you always threaten us with your boyfriend?” Thu Dang asked.

  “Only the murdering of innocent people. It’s non-negotiable,” I told him.

  Several members nodded their heads in agreement.

  “Second, the domicile will pay for the repairs of the Elder’s homes so you can move back immediately.”

  “You’re not making us stay here? What if you demand a spell? What will you do?” A well-kept woman with gray hair quietly asked. One brow raised, skeptical of my requests.

  “I’ll never demand anything except the promise for the Elders to protect, not harm. If a spell is required, we’ll meet and discuss it, making that decision together. I’m part of this council. I refuse to be a ruler.”

  “We’re supposed to trust that the dragon won’t burn us to the ground the first time we disagree with you? I’m not that naive.” Thu Dang laughed.

  Josiah stood, and a hush fell over the crowd. “Mercy was chosen for a reason, and we’ll respect that. As far as Drake goes, he’s a Moreno. One of the most respected and upheld families since the creation of Seregalo.” He cleared his throat. “I believe we can all agree that Asher was an exception.”

  Chuckles followed his comment.

  “We’ve all heard his ancestors’ stories, and I believe our land is blessed to have him. There is no greater protection for our land than Rage Fire.”

  Several heads nodded at Josiah’s words and silence remained for several uncomfortable minutes.

  “Alright, Mercy Monroe.” A feeble old woman stood on shaky legs. “You have my support.”

  . . .

  I had never felt more overwhelmed. For the most part, the Elders seemed relieved, but I knew it would take time for them to trust me.