Lukah growled, pacing back and forth before he took a deep breath and straightened his jacket. “Now you have that off your chest,” he said to Loretta. “The real matter at hand is how I take the magic from Olivia and her balloon. I’ve tried, of course, but now I realise its power is activated by the one it’s bonded with.” His eyes locked onto me. “How do you do it?”
The truth was, I had no idea. The balloon had called me each time it was ready for me to continue on my journey and I’d followed its pull, unable to fight the tug in my chest, in my heart and soul. But I needed to buy time and try to find a way to save my friends.
“I can’t activate its magic fully until the balloon’s inflated,” I told him. “That’s when its magic is at its strongest. When our bond is at its strongest.”
Lukah shot Adrena a glance and she shrugged.
“If you try anything Adrena will electrocute the dragon and hurt Ember,” he reminded me.
I gave him a sharp nod and slid my backpack from my shoulders, squatting down to Ember and handing it to her.
“Untie Blaze,” I told Lukah. “Ember can stay with him. He won’t do anything because he won’t want you to hurt her or the dragon.”
“I don’t think you’re in a position to make demands.” Lukah puffed out his chest.
“I don’t think you’re in the position to say no to my demands,” I told him. “Unless you don’t want my magic?”
He gritted his teeth. “Very well, untie him Apollo.”
Apollo did as he was instructed and as he did, I knelt down beside Ember and whispered in her ear, “find the crystal in my bag.”
She nodded, hugging the backpack to her chest. I don’t know where the thought had come from, it was like a sense or feeling, an image in my mind. The crystal from Mother Earth could help somehow. Her voice was in my mind like a whisper on a breeze. ‘It is precious and will bring you light when things seem darkest.’
Once unbound, Blaze hugged his sister and gave me a thankful glance.
“This is all very touching,” said Lukah. “Now the balloon.” He waved his hands and the side of the ship creaked and cracked and I took a step back as cold air billowed in, the wall lowering until it was flat like a landing jutting out the side of the ship. I watched in awe as thick grey clouds raced past in the blue-black sky.
A shiver wracked my body and I hugged myself tight.
“Apollo, move the balloon outside,” instructed Lukah.
Is this all Apollo had been the entire time? A slave to Adrena and Lukah.
Apollo tugged at the basket and it moved no more than a few centimetres. “It’s too heavy. I might need some help.”
“Must I do everything?” Lukah threw his hands in the air.
The basket levitated half a meter from the floor and Apollo guided it outside until it sat back on the landing. Another flick of Lukah’s wrist and a thick rope bound the basket to the wooden planks.
“Don’t want you floating away now do we,” he said.
Out of the corner of my eye I watched Loretta unbind Calix.
Stepping out onto the landing, my teeth chattered and I did my best to shut out the cold biting at my skin as I made my way to the balloons basket. Running my hand over its woven side, the thrum of its magic warmed my fingers, spreading through my body until the rush of cool wind no longer affected me. I climbed in, not wanting to let the basket go. Its magic flowed through me, settling my racing heart and relaxing my muscles.
“Have you ever cared about anyone?” I asked Lukah as he approached the balloon.
“I cared for you,” he said.
“No, you cared for my magic.” The balloon’s magic gave me a new confidence and helped me find words I hadn’t dared to speak.
“Perhaps,” said Lukah. “But, had things gone to plan I’d hoped to keep you.”
“Like a pet?” I asked.
“As a lover.” He stepped closer, touching the basket near where I stood.
Every inch of my being wanted to swipe his hand away, to tear away the darkness of his touch so it couldn’t taint the pure magic of my hot air balloon. But I kept my expression relaxed and my voice even, trusting the balloon would keep me safe.
“Like Adrena keeps Apollo?” I asked.
We spoke low enough the others couldn’t hear. Our hands were so close on the basket’s edge they almost touched.
“I had hoped you’d be mine because you wanted to be.”
Was he trying to manipulate me? Or was he speaking the truth?
“What if I told you that could still happen? No, purple potion. I would stay and be yours as long as you don’t punish any of the people in this room.”
For I knew I couldn’t leave them to this fate and if it meant I had to wait, buy more time, pretend to care for this man, then I would. I would do it to keep these people safe, as they’d risked so much to save me.
He eyed me over. “I couldn’t trust you. You feel nothing for me.”
“I did.” There was surprise in his eyes. “There was something between us, you felt it, didn’t you?”
“That was my magic, and the potion.” But the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t quite sure.
“Aren’t you tired of deceiving people? Seeking revenge?” I leaned closer to him.
“She’s bewitching you,” yelled Adrena. “Don’t let her use her magic on you.”
I held Lukah’s gaze, the balloon’s magic indeed coursing through me. And as I stare into his eyes, saw the longing in them, I knew his weakness. Above all he wanted to be loved.
“Lukah,” Adrena bellowed.
Her words snapped him out of the moment with me and he stalked in a circle as though shaking the feeling off. “That time has passed. Fill your balloon.”
I sighed. “If that’s your choice.”
He eyed me sideways. “It is.”
Sliding my hands over the rope hanging from the centre of the basket, I pulled, the roar of flame giving me a fright as its heat rippled over my face and neck. The balloon began to fill. I could only hope whatever magic bound me to the balloon couldn’t be shattered. And the crystal. It still had a part to play, I could feel it, especially now I was inside the balloon’s basket. It was as though part of Mother Earth was embedded in its fibres.
Lukah’s eyes lit up. “Yes. I can feel it. Get out of the basket.”
I hesitated, not wanting to leave its comforting buzz and the safety and confidence it gave me.
“Get out or Adrena hurts the dragon,” he demanded.
Ember’s eyes widened with fright and I climbed out, standing back while Lukah ran his hand over the basket’s woven exterior. My body shuddered as though it were me he was touching.
One last attempt. “Last chance to choose me. Someone to care about you, love you.”
Lukah turned to me and took a step forward until his face was inches from mine. He tucked a strand of my auburn hair behind my ear and I did my best to hide the way it made my skin crawl. I could do this. Stay with him to save the people who’d risked everything to help me.
He leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. Magic rippled through my body like a dark shadow trying to snuff out any light inside me.
“No,” cried out Blaze.
As we pulled apart, Lukah’s eyes were damp. “When I have your magic, I’ll have the power to make you mine.”
My heart dropped into my stomach and a sob escaped my lips. “Please.”
He hesitated a second before turning to the balloon, weaving his hands through the air. Pain surged through my chest as though something was being extracted from my very soul, and I screamed out, dropping to my knees as a sharp stabbing and ache permeated throughout my body.
“Stop! You’re hurting her.” Blaze ran at Lukah, knocking him to the floor.
“Olivia,” Ember called out, running towards me.
Adrena’s hands crackled with magic as she zapped Ebony, and Ember hit the floor skidding to a stop. But she flung her hand out sending a small parcel tow
ards me. Our eyes met and I scrambled for the bundle while Blaze wrestled Lukah. Rising to my feet, the crystal warmed my hand.
Lukah struck Blaze with magic, sending him hurtling towards the edge of the landing. He rose to his feet, striding to Blaze’s limp body.
“What have you got?” called Adrena.
Unwrapping the crystal, it thrummed in my hand and I held it towards Lukah who turned as though sensing its power.
“You belong to me,” he roared.
“I belong to no one but myself.” Blinding white light filled my vision, forcing my eyes closed. The crystals warmth spread deep into my muscles and bones as I collapsed to the ground.
26
Olivia
THE FLYING PHOENIX
When the bright light faded, I blinked my eyes as the world around me came back into focus. I was lying on the hard ground, wooden floorboards spreading out to where my hand was outstretched, covered in a shimmering translucent dust. The crystal had been destroyed. What had its magic done?
Climbing to my feet, I scanned the room, my body warm despite the wind ripping through the open hull of the ship. Everyone lay on the floor. Panic surging through me I ran to Ember’s small frame, putting my fingers to her throat, a sob of relief escaping me as I a dull thud pulsed against my fingertips. She groaned at my touch. She was alive. Next, I ran to Blaze, pressing my fingers to his throat. He was alive too. I gripped his hand tight. “Please, wake up.”
“What did you do?” Lukah’s husky voice sounded from behind me. I turned, watching as he looked over his hands, then his dark confused gaze settling on me. “You took it. It’s gone.”
The sadness and question in his eyes had me rising to my feet and taking a step towards him. Why I wasn’t sure?
“Mine’s gone too.” Adrena’s voice stopped me mid step as she stumbled out from behind the slumbering dragon.
“What’s happening?” Apollo peered around the room, eyes wary.
“Apollo?” Adrena made her way towards him.
“Where am I?” he asked.
“It’s me baby. Adrena.” She moved to hug him, but he stepped away, eyebrows creased.
“You. What did you do?” he spat at her. “Where’s Malina?”
“You left her for me. Remember?” she pleaded more than asked.
“It’s like I’ve been trapped in a dream, no, a nightmare,” he said. “Where’s Malina?”
“It doesn’t matter where she is. You love me.” She stepped toward him, he stepped back as though engaged in a dance.
“I could never love you. I despise you.”
“No, please,” she cried, reaching out toward him.
He looked at me. “What did she do to me? Where’s Malina?”
I cleared my tight throat. My heart broke for this man. How long had he been under Adrena’s spell? “I don’t know Malina, sorry. Adrena used magic to make you love her.”
“You witch,” he snarled at her. “Where am I?”
“On a flying ship,” I said. “Somewhere in the clouds. I’m sorry, I don’t know where. You are our captain.”
His eyes narrowed as though remembering. “Yes, I remember now. Bits and pieces. Clouds Landing, that’s where we’re headed.” He turned to Adrena. “Did you hurt her? Is she safe?”
Tears streaked down Adrena’s cheeks as she flopped to her knees on the floor. “She was okay when we left her. It’s been years though.”
“I need to get back to her.” He strode towards the door and left.
Adrena pushed herself up to her feet, a renewed anger in her eyes. “You ruined everything,” she roared as she ran at me and I braced myself for impact, refusing to back down as she hurtled towards me.
Loretta appeared out of nowhere, slamming her fist into her sister’s face.
Adrena groaned in pain and dropped to the ground, holding her bleeding nose.
Loretta shook out her hand. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that. For me and Apollo. You ruined both of our lives.”
“Olivia?” Embers frail voice made our heads turn and I walked to her side, crouching down beside her as she rubbed her eyes with balled fists.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
She nodded, peering around the room until her eyes landed on Ebony who grunted as though waking herself.
I helped Ember to her feet and watched as she made her way to her dragon.
Ebony shook, her scales scraping on the wooden boards as the muzzle fell from her face. Her roar pulsed through my ears and rattling through my bones as she tore the chains that’d bound her from the floor, the collar falling with a loud clang. Ember stretched her arms as wide as she could in an attempt to embrace the dragon’s neck. Ebony nuzzled into her and I knew whatever my magic had done to Adrena and Lukah, it hadn’t severed their bond. Perhaps it was impossible to break?
“You saved us,” said Blaze from behind me.
I turned to find him walking towards me.
“I can feel it, the weight of the contract, his magic. It’s gone.”
The reminder of Lukah made me turn my gaze to where he stood on the landing, eyes still wide and eyes still roving over his hands as though he could will his magic back into being. He looked at me, eyes locking with mine.
“I’m nothing.” He took a step towards the edge of the landing.
“You’re free of your curse,” I told him. “Isn’t that what you wanted? Why you did all of this?”
He was dazed, staring at his hands again before looking back up to me. “You took it. My magic. How?”
“A dear friend gifted me a crystal with the power to destroy darkness. Your magic, it was dark, obtained through trickery and manipulation. It’s gone Lukah, you can’t hurt these people anymore.”
He stumbled back, closer to the edge. “And you? You still have your magic?”
Settling myself with a deep breath, the pull of the balloon was indeed still thrumming through my chest. “Yes.”
“But I have you, don’t I? I still have you and what we had?” His childish eyes begged for me to say yes.
My heart ached at the small boy inside him who wanted to be loved. “No. You made your choice long ago. You chose magic and manipulation over any possibility of true love.”
“Then I’m nothing,” he said to himself. “I’m nothing…” He stumbled back before throwing himself off the side of the landing.
I stepped forward, Blaze gripping my arm to stop me from chasing him. My chest tightened along with my throat. All of this, all the hurt and betrayal and he was gone.
Turning into the comfort of Blaze’s chest, he wrapped me in his muscular arms and held me close.
“I can’t believe he’s gone after everything we’ve been through,” he said. “You freed us from our contracts and I have no way to repay you.” His molten gold eyes locked onto mine and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine. A tear escaped over my cheek at the kiss, at what might have been.
“That was repayment enough,” I told him. “You taught me that someone could like me as I am and that I deserve someone who cares for me as much as I care for them.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “You’re leaving aren’t you?”
I couldn’t deny the ache in my chest, the pull towards the balloon. “I’m sorry. I care for you very much and I wish I could find out what this is between us. But the balloon is calling me, and I need to find my way home.”
He kissed me again, longer and deeper than the last time. Both of our cheeks grew damp with tears as we parted.
Arms wrapped around my middle and I looked down to find Ember’s white hair. “I’m going to miss you, and your hair that reminds me of Ember flowers,” she said into my side.
I crouched down to her height, Blaze still holding my hand, not ready to let go just yet. “Now you can return home and see those flowers in full bloom. I’m going to miss you and your magnificent dragon.”
Ebony grunted as though knowing I spoke of her.
“I
better deal with my sister,” said Loretta, holding Calix up.
“No goodbye?” I said.
“I don’t do well with goodbyes,” she confessed. “Thank you, though. Thank you for freeing us all. And sorry I wasn’t very nice.”
“Your heart was in the right place. I just wish I’d known what you were doing so I could’ve had the chance to get to know who you really are,” I told her. “Will you be okay, Calix? I’m so sorry he did this to you.”
“Boys dig scars,” he said with a gravelly voice. “Thank you for releasing us. Now I might be able to find true love and not have to leave them behind.”
Loretta led him forward and I gave him a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I hope you find what you’re looking for. All of you.”
Reluctantly, I slid my hand from Blazes, the pull from the balloon a painful ache in my chest, and I made my way to the basket of the fully inflated balloon climbing in.
Running my hand over the side, I looked over them all one last time before untying the rope, the balloon lifting from the landing.
“Thank you,” I said to them. “I’ll never forget you.”
Tears streaked all of our faces as a gust of wind caught the balloon and I braced myself, gripping the edge of the basket as it was whipped off the landing and swept into the night sky.
“Your bag!” Blaze ran to the landing’s edge, holding my backpack towards me, Ember by his side, her white hair flying around her face in the wind.
But it was too late. The ship pulled away, my friends disappearing in a sea of grey clouds before the world around me blurred. My heart and soul reached for Edith, for the cobbled streets of Yarington, for my friends Narelle and Audrey. I hoped with every inch of my being when the world around me came into focus again, I’d be somewhere familiar… I’d be home.
27
Lucy
BILSTONE, AUSTRALIA
The afternoon sun warmed my tanned shoulders as Suzan, Rachel and I showed our tickets to the lady at the front gate of Bilstone Battle of the Bands. The grass field was surrounded in high metal fencing, the stage to the left already thumping with the sound of a rock band and the hill sloping up to the right adorned with food and drink vendors. The crowd at the stage nodded to the beat of the music and waved their hands in the air, and even more people were scattered across the hill.
Circus in the Clouds (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 3) Page 20