by Tricia Barr
Kenzie put all her fears and frustrations into the spell, bidding it to grow beyond herself, beyond the city. Every once in a while, she’d add the second line, reinforcing the bubble and lending a little warmth. And she did her best to ignore the jabs of pain that struck her, and the cries of the cougar she loved behind her as he dueled with the vampire who had done nothing but use her.
And so she didn’t notice when two new figures came to stand by her side, lending their magic to her own, until the effects began to bolster, began to push the water further up and out. It was as if it was caught between two walls, though the wall Kenzie created grew larger and firmer with every breath.
Kenzie felt the first pinprick of hope as she realized the voices beside her were that of Mom and Gram. How they’d gotten here so fast, she had no idea. She’d have to ask them later. For now, they needed to keep fueling the bubble of protection.
A warm and wrinkled hand on her face made Kenzie’s eyes fling open. Gram was looking her in the eye, not breaking her own utterance of the spell as she broke eye contact and her gaze hit something behind Kenzie. Kenzie’s eyes widened, and her lips stuttered. Gram gave her a nod and a nudge toward it. Apparently Gram thought they could handle things without Kenzie for a moment.
Kenzie held her breath as she turned to see what Gram was indicating, her chest growing tight, her feet like lead. She couldn’t look, and yet curiosity drove her onward.
When her gaze locked onto the the two figures there, a sharp intake of air cut off the cry trying to burst from her.
The eerie twilight boasted an even deeper shade, thanks to the watery dome working to protect the city, and it cast a chilling hue on the scene before her. Wes, still in cougar form, lay on the ground, panting and bleeding. Adam stood over him, the bones of his face and nose snapping back into place with a sickening pop. Kenzie held a hand over her mouth as bile threatened to overwhelm her.
Adam’s gaze sped to hers, and she had the fleeting thought that she must look as pale as him. He sneered, taking a step over Wes’s now prone form. “You left me for that?” he spat. He wiped some of the blood off his face and licked his fingers, then scowled. “Tainted by that mangy thing. You, however, will sate me nicely.”
“No,” Kenzie breathed, a gag doubling her over. Wes groaned behind Adam. She had to help him. “Fiáscha na olch,” she ground out, thrusting her hand toward the vampire. He was on her in a second, but as the last word came tumbling out, he froze, his teeth grazing the skin of her neck.
Kenzie spit out the bile in her mouth, then cleared her throat. “Tóggo boggé na folía,” she continued, straightening just enough to look Adam in the eyes. “You will never use me again.”
A moment later, Adam’s eyes widened with horror, his mouth opening as blood poured out. He fell forward, and Kenzie saw Wes just behind Adam, holding an arm around his middle, his other hand letting go of the orange-tinted knife sticking out of Adam’s back.
Wes gave Kenzie a weak smile, then crumpled to the ground. Kenzie went down with him, biting back a fresh wave of nausea and pain. He was naked, so she pulled off her coat and draped it over him, though for his sake, not for hers. All she wanted now was to know that he was okay, but she could feel the life draining from him. It leached from her as well, binding them in a morbid downward spiral. She wanted to ask him about the knife, but didn’t think she had the time.
“I have to let go... of you,” Wes rasped, his hand finding hers.
A sob escaped as Kenzie’s fingers curled around his, their warmth so quickly fading. “No. You assume I’ll let you go.” Her lips found his, still coated in his blood. Sorrow helped her push her revulsion aside. Their kiss tasted of metal and salt, of sorrows and could-have-beens.This couldn’t be their last, one, but
Kenzie broke away with a sniffle, then wiped her nose. “You can’t die on me. I just got you back.”
Wes groaned again. “I won’t... take you down... with me.”
“Leasheth’asa,” Kenzie ground out, directing all her magic into him. She was tired, so tired, but she needed Wes to live. None of this would be worth it without him there. “Leasheth’asa,” she shouted at him, demanding that he heal, that he be okay.
Gram was by her side a moment later, silently directing Kenzie’s attention above, even as she continued to chant the spell of protection holding the bubble of magic up. Kenzie tore her eyes from Wes’s ashen face only to see the dome was shrinking. They needed her to keep the magic going. Kenzie bit back a sob as she cast one last glance at Wes. He lay still, and she couldn’t tell if he was breathing or even alive. The connection between them felt so hollow. She now realized that every jab and pain she’d felt mirrored Wes’s wounds. She swallowed thickly, then took Gram’s hand and took her place between Mom and Gram.
As she gave herself to her magic, joining their incantation, she sent a silent prayer that Wes would be okay. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and lost herself to the rhythmic chanting, pouring every ounce into keeping the city safe.
Chapter 52: Juliet
The pounding in Juliet’s chest felt louder than the chaos erupting around them. Her hands shook and nausea overcame her, but she couldn't have a panic attack in the middle of a kraken attack. It was time to come together and fight.
Or in their current case, survive.
An enormous crack started at the top of the Dome and went down the middle. Juliet guessed they were lucky it didn't crack all the way, because it would have split entirely in half. Water poured in, but it didn’t flow too rapidly.
They had enough time to get to a safer, less flooded area of the Dome. But they really needed to get out before the Dome filled entirely.
Nik, coordinated with Katya and the other kitsunes, using their power to electrocute the kraken. For the most part it worked, but as the water rose, it became more difficult for them to control where the electricity went.
The kraken shook the Dome, and Juliet held out her arms to balance herself. The rumble reverberated through the glass, causing the fracture to grow. The loud screech of grinding glass forced everyone to cover their ears. Water filled faster around their ankles.
Something else had to be done, but they didn't have the luxury to stop and plan. Juliet’s anxiety grew, and she nearly lost control and shifted, but seeing Malachai run through the group of soldiers steadied her.
“Dad!”
Water splashed around his feet as he hurtled toward her, his eyes wide. He embraced Juliet the moment he got there.
“I'm so glad you're safe. We’re trying to evacuate everyone now, but we need to stop that water flow.” Malachai looked at the crack, then back at Juliet.
“What can we do to help?” she asked.
They took a silent moment, but Juliet was coming up with nothing. Malachai’s eyes grew, and it was as if Juliet could see the light bulb above his head flicker on.
“You, Juliet. You have to use your new gift. You can slow down the flow of water.” Juliet couldn't believe his words. Nik looked like he couldn't either as he joined them.
Juliet didn't think she had enough control of her ice to use it in such a dire situation. And... “What about Dracul?”
“I have to agree with your dad, Jules,” Nik said. “It could help. The water’s already up to our knees. If the kraken shakes us again, the Dome will break. We need to do something.”
“I won’t let the general do a thing to you, hon. You can do this,” Malachai said, desperation fueling his words.
That won Juliet over.
With a nod and a deep breath, Juliet lugged herself through the now waist-high water until she reached the waterfall pouring from the crack. She looked back at Nik and Malachai, who watched her with pride and what felt like an urgent expectancy. Everyone else looked confused.
Juliet returned her gaze to the water and closed her eyes. It was easy for her to find her fire. But she didn't need her fire; she needed her ice.
She focused the cold and called to it. Unlike the familiar, so
othing warmth, a voltaic chill ran over her like icy tendrils, freezing her to the bones. But like her fire, the ice carried a satisfying comfort with it. The cold wrapped around her insides at a dizzying speed. Her fire tried to latch onto it, tried to snuff it out. Juliet squeezed her eyes shut as she fought for the control to keep them separated.
When her fingertips began to spit out flurries of ice, Juliet knew it had worked. She focused on what she wanted: a piece of ice to fill the crack. It had to be thick enough to keep it from melting right away but not so thick that it would put weight on the crack and deepen it. The math of it made Juliet hesitate, but there was no time to waste.
She raised her hands above her head, aiming at the opening. The coldness left her body like an avalanche as it connected with the pouring water. Pieces of ice flew everywhere in what felt like a hail storm, plinking off the Dome’s glass like rocks. Juliet wanted to stop, but the water was still coming in. She groaned against the pressure as the water tried to break through her ice.
With one last shout, Juliet pushed against the heaviness she felt until the water stopped pouring through. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes. A ball of spikes hung in the crack, frightening in its size and deadliness. Juliet’s arms hung weighty and numb at her sides. In fact, if she wasn't standing in water, she probably would’ve crumbled to the ground. It was kinda lucky that she could float until she got the feeling back in her arms and legs.
Splashes neared her, and she spun to see who was coming.
“Yes! You did it!” Nik hugged her tight, then let go, staring at the ominous iceberg.
Juliet shyly looked around the room until she spotted Myreen. Was the look on her face pride or shock? It wasn't the time to ask, but it was most likely both. Juliet didn’t dare to examine anyone else's reaction. She knew what they were probably thinking: Where the heck did that come from?
Malachai reached Juliet a couple moments after Nik, and he pulled her close to his side, gripping her shoulder. Pride shone in his eyes; he didn’t even need to say the words. They figured out how to delay the flooding, but they were still trapped inside with an angry kraken at their door.
Juliet had no idea where her father had pulled the tablet from, but the screen filled with a blueprint of the Dome. He and Nik were trying to figure out what to do next.
Juliet spaced out, the amount of water inside the Dome stealing her attention. She couldn't believe the destruction it caused. She finally felt at home somewhere and vampires were trying to take that away. Again. Rage ran through her. That level of emotion wasn't safe for her or anyone around her. The call of a shift was hard to ignore. Maybe if she was outside with Kenzie, so she could use her phoenix to fight, but here in the Dome it was far too dangerous—especially with the ice hanging above their heads, the only thing standing between them and drowning.
One of the kraken’s tentacles slammed against the Dome, shaking Juliet from her thoughts. It tightened its hold and tugged, and the Dome rumbled and groaned against the pressure. The water around their waists sloshed to one side, and Juliet was pulled in. She fell back, becoming completely submerged. Fighting to resurface, she finally was able to pull in a breath.
Something had changed.
Several mer stood around—Joanna among them—hands outstretched, the water settling like a trained pup. Yes! That’s what they needed. Shifters working together, using their abilities to their full potential. Juliet smiled at Joanna, who gave her a curt nod, her face twisted in what looked like a suppressed smile.
Juliet heard a strange noise, and looked up just as some pieces broke off her iceberg, splashing in the water nearby.
Some students screamed—Juliet was grateful that there were at least fewer screams this time—but all voices silenced as a striking popping sound came from the plugged crack.
Water shot from between the cracks like a geyser, spewing into the Dome. Juliet looked at the iceberg with dismay. She hadn’t stopped anything, just delayed the inevitable. While the thought of giving up made her teeth grind and her hands fist, this looked hopeless.
But then the kraken backed away.
The sun setting behind it gave off a gloomy color, filling the Dome with its murky orange and red glow. But they shouldn’t be able to see the colors of sundown so deep in the lake. There was only one explanation. The lake was draining.
An uncertain hush settled over the Dome as people watched the kraken retreat. A tentative cheer went up, then fell back away. The water still poured in, but Juliet didn’t think that would be a problem too much longer. If the ice would just hold...
The water was now up to their necks and Juliet had to keep her feet moving to stay afloat.
Nik—who she’d nearly forgotten was there—spun Juliet around and took her face in his hands. With a crazed look in his eyes, he leaned in and placed a deep, passionate kiss on her lips. “I love you, Jules. There’s no other way. Don't be mad at me, I'm sorry. I’ll be right back.”
And then he was gone.
Juliet didn't even have a chance to argue or ask what he was doing, but that didn't stop her from trying to swim after Nik. But Malachai’s large hand gripped her arm, holding her back. He shook his head, wordlessly telling her to let Nik go.
Juliet looked away from her father. Nik had climbed so that he was mostly out of the water. He seemed to be standing on something—maybe a bench or something else bolted to the ground.
He jumped, and she thought he was just going to fall back into the water. Instead, beautiful, enormous, deep-red wings caught him mid-shift. He flew above the water as he finished transforming.
All Juliet could do was stare, heat rising to her cheeks.
Nik flew to the far side of the Dome and pulsed his wings to hover. He looked down at Juliet one last time, then lowered his head and dove at a dizzying speed.
She watched in horror, a scream clawing at her throat, but finding no purchase.
The screech of breaking glass filled her ears as the red blur of Nik disappeared. Water funneled after him, and Juliet realized he must have made a hole in the glass near the base of the dome.
She had to make sure Nik was okay.
Juliet let the water carry her with it, and thankfully this time her father let her go. She found something to grab onto when she got closer to the hole so she wouldn’t drain out. Still, she kicked against the current to keep herself steady, but she almost lost it when she finally caught sight of Nik.
Still in dragon form, Nik wobbled as he tried to remain standing, situated just beyond the splash of water coming from the Dome like an open tap. He was hurt. Was the impact of making the hole too much? He shook his head and tried to lift off of the ground. He needed help.
Juliet tore her eyes from Nik. Brett was still helping the kitsunes, and Kol was by Myreen. Malachai was trying to keep students from getting swept up in the current, though the water was draining fast.
Juliet looked back at Nik, feeling helpless. But she couldn’t help but notice the strange way the water seemed to scurry away from where it fell. Maybe the mer were doing something to help? She’d solve that mystery later.
Juliet conjured her fire and shot it at the top edge of the hole Nik had made, widening it. Between that and the decreasing water flow, Nik was able to lunge back into the Dome.
He splashed and skidded across the water. Juliet hauled herself to her feet and sloshed through toward him, thankful the water had dropped back down to knee-level. She fell at Nik’s side, putting her arm under him to keep his head from falling below the water. The trauma must have been too much, because he was back in human form.
Juliet helped him to his feet as Brett came splashing their way. He smacked Nik on the back as a way of praise. Nik winced, and Brett paled, his brows drawn.
Juliet wanted to throw her arms around Nik and repeat their kiss, but the sound of cracking glass stole her attention.
Everyone looked at the glacier, backing away as chunks began to fall again. Several students scrambled for cover.
They were cutting it close.
Juliet couldn't look away, the sense of dread building with each second that passed. Her heart beat faster and faster as she watched everyone scramble to get out of the way. She wanted to scream, to shout, to make them hurry, even though it looked like they were going as fast as they could.
She stood up instinctively, knowing their time was up. Kol didn't seem to notice in his rush to help.
“Oh no,” Juliet whispered.
“What? What is it?” Nik groaned as he tried to get a look at what she stared at. When his eyes locked on Kol, he darted from under their cover with a speed she didn’t think possible given his condition.
Juliet reached out a hand as time seemed to slow down. Somehow Malachai was by her side, keeping her from chasing after Nik—again.
“No!” her father shouted, filling his voice with a fierce authority. He knew what she didn't want to accept. It was a suicide mission.
Juliet twisted in her dad’s grip, screaming at Nik to stop.
He didn't, even seeming to run faster. She wanted to close her eyes. Maybe if she didn’t see it, it wouldn’t really happen. But her eyes stayed steadfastly open, watching as the rest of the glacier swayed, shuddered, and finally fell.
Kol registered surprise as Nik threw him out of the way.
The ice made an explosive boom as it hit the thin layer of water on the ground and shook the floor beneath their feet. Malachai threw his body over Juliet's, protecting from most of the ice shards thrown in every direction as the iceberg broke into a million pieces.
Juliet numbly waited for it to be over. She needed to find Nik.
When the rumbling finally stopped, Malachai lifted himself off Juliet and helped her to her feet. Ice littered everything, bobbing in the water, coating the backside of her father like he’d been frosted.