The Trinity Ring

by C. A. Bleu

  Realizing a tear was falling he was shocked, he couldn’t ever remember crying before. He had gone numb inside since the day his parents died. Looking up, he felt a sudden urge, knowing that he had to do something. Zara was likely dead or dying without the knowledge that he loved her.

  Chapter 24

  Lying on the cold hard floor heavy with pain and grief, she took her last shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Time stopped as warmth and peace enveloped her. Her eyes began to flutter until they slowly peeled open again. She was surprised to feel her leg didn’t hurt anymore. Her sight became more focused when she saw a bright shining light that she didn’t remember seeing in the room before.

  Voices became noticeable, whispered conversations that stopped instantly. “Come, my child.” Zara heard these words in her head, not spoken aloud, as she began to make out shapes of people around her. She was suddenly standing, surrounded by a room full of people, some strangers and some she recognized, they were all beautiful and glowing with a heavenly bright golden light.

  Looking down, she realized her feet were moving, walking her down an aisle toward a destination unknown. Glancing around in awe, she followed where her feet led. No longer in the room she had been held in. Instead, she was surrounded by indescribable radiant beauty, it was peaceful, it felt like home.

  Large golden tiles sparkled beneath her in the aisleway and white shining marble lined the rest of the floors and walls. As a foggy haze around her lifted, she recognized many of the Trinity women as she passed by; her mother, her grandmother and others. People she didn’t even recognize looked at her with love and gratitude. Zara came to a stop and heard the voice again.

  “My child, why have you come back to me, and with a broken soul? You will face many challenges ahead of you, but you cannot ever lose hope. There is always a way.”

  She could hear the calm, soothing voice wash over her but could not see who was talking, just a bright golden light up ahead. Zara began to realize she must have died from that fall. Maybe she was dead and this was Heaven? It was then she noticed every one of the people surrounding her had intricately detailed, delicate golden wings. They were somewhat iridescent and hard to see. There were two people she did not recognize who walked toward her.

  “Zara, you do not know us, but by some miracle we are able to see you today. You must not lose hope. The people on Earth need you, your love, your strength, and your faith. We know this is a lot to ask of you, but we know that you can do it.” These words were said aloud by a beautiful tall woman with dark hair and dark skin standing with a man that looked like someone she had met somewhere before, but she could not place him.

  “I, I don’t want to give up, but I’m trapped and there is no way out where I am being held,” Zara said back to the woman.

  “There is always a way Zara, use your senses, use your powers. You have strength that no one else has ever known. There is no limit to what you can do. Go now, Zara, do what must be done.”

  The woman and man embraced her, as did her mother and grandmother. Zara saw the others looking at her and she could feel them urging her to fight back, inspiring her. Absorbing their strength and courage, she felt the room begin to fade away.

  Opening her eyes, Zara felt the crushing pain in her leg. She was back, laying on the cold hard floor. It was still very difficult to breathe, how was she supposed to get out of this? She could not get up or move an inch without horrible pain. Taking all the agony and heartache inside her, she focused on tapping into her power until she felt the familiar hum of energy building in her veins.

  Reaching her weak, shaking hand down toward her leg she concentrated her power to heal the broken bone. A tingling sensation slowly spread over her broken leg, gradually erasing the pain. With most of the pain gone, she was able to relax a little and push more of her power into healing her broken bone. A loud snap let her know when the bone popped into place, healed instantly.

  Pulling her hand away, she saw and felt that she was no longer injured. Physically, she was okay other than a bit drained from using her power. The continued lack of air in the room didn’t help either. For a moment, she began to panic, it was so hard to breathe. Lying back down to slow her breathing, a quiet calm enveloped her and she reached out with her senses. From somewhere not too far away she began to hear a steady drip, drip, drip. Zara’s heart raced, realizing there was a water source nearby, likely a leaky pipe somewhere outside the room.

  Digging deeper into her power, she reached out toward the water source. She felt the moment her power connected to it, a leak in the pipe down the hall. Standing up in the middle of the room she closed her eyes in concentration. Feeling the surge of the water rushing she pushed it through the pipes. Her energy and power pushed the water, seeking a way outside.

  With a sudden burst, the water broke through a faucet on the back side of the house. Deep underground Zara could feel the air and smell the wildflowers and grass outside from her connection to the elements. Reaching deep within to push more of her power out, with her arms stretched wide inside the cold, dark room Zara called to the wind and to the ivy that was surrounding the outside of the house. She felt the ground shake with the energy from the land calling back to her, awaiting her command.

  An electric rush shot through her veins as the surrounding elements sent energy back to her, flowing through the water pipes underground. The low growl of wind and vines working their way through the pipes toward her was all she could hear. Zara felt overwhelming warmth and love as the wind and vines neared her, coming to release her. There was a door she had not known was there, but with her powers in full effect it was now visible to her.

  The vines burst from the leaking pipe, growing thick, wrapping themselves around the handle on the outside of the door. Zara surged her power into the strength of the vines and with a loud bang the door to her cell was pulled back off its hinges. Fresh air blew against her face; her hair blowing in the wind as it greeted her. Filling her lungs deep with the fresh air she focused her determined stare on the way out.

  Chapter 25

  Erebus was about to head downstairs to check on his prisoner when he realized something was going on outside. His phone buzzed with a message that someone was at the gate trying to get in, saying he was there to visit Zara Trinity. What is this about? Erebus thought as he sent a message back for his security to let the person in. Who would be fool enough to come around here uninvited, and how would they know she was here? he wondered to himself.

  He headed toward the front door, awaiting the arrival of this uninvited guest, when he heard a loud bang that sounded like it was coming from downstairs. A small wave of panic crept into him, but he quickly squashed it knowing that Miss Trinity and Dimitri were secure in their cells. He had seen to Dimitri personally, and knew that Zara had to be injured badly from the fall with no way to tap into any of the elements she had powers over.

  Debating on going downstairs to check, but too intrigued to see who was pulling up to the door, he waited. Looking through the glass of a nearby windowpane, he was shocked to recognize Aaron Chavez, the head of the Protectors of the Trinity. Perfect, I can take them out together, he thought to himself on a laugh as he watched Aaron park his car and begin approaching the front door.

  On the other side of the house, Zara was making her way up the stairs, careful not to make a sound. Quietly, she turned the knob on a door she assumed would let her out onto the main level. Unsure where Dimitri was, without the pain of her leg clouding her mind, she found herself hoping she was wrong, that he had not betrayed her. She began to wonder if he too was being held prisoner, or worse, had been killed. With that thought, Zara felt a surge in her powers. Trying to stay as calm as possible she sent a small breeze around the house searching for any sign of Dimitri.

  Still amazed by how connected she felt to the air around her, it was as if it was a part of her. Something had changed with her powers, it seemed she could manipulate the air more easily than before. Suddenly, she felt the
breeze hit on something that seemed like Dimitri, but different somehow. Turning in that direction, she caught a glimpse through a window of Aaron coming toward the front door of the home. She smiled, knowing that Aaron must have been tracking her for him to have gotten here so fast. Her heart swelled at the thought, maybe all these years had not just been a job to him. Maybe he did care about her, perhaps more like a daughter than a mission.

  Dimitri stood leaning on the door to his cell, hoping for a way out, when he felt it. A light breeze came through the bars, blowing across his face. It smelled like Zara, taking in a deep breath, he filled his lungs with her scent. She must be okay, he thought, wondering if she was looking for him. In that instant, he heard quickened footsteps coming toward him. His heart skipped as hope pulsed through his veins. Dimitri’s breath caught when he got his first glimpse of those glowing golden eyes. She was heading straight for him, those eyes penetrating deep into his soul. He felt a brief panic, worried she was coming after him, thinking he had betrayed her. He hoped that was not the case.

  Zara rounded the corner of the hallway going as fast as she could without making too much noise. There he was, locked in a cell. Relief washed over her, realizing he couldn’t have betrayed her or he would have been walking free with Erebus. Running toward him she wondered if he was injured, all the while feeling his crystal blue eyes looking her up and down, making sure she was alright.

  There was no key anywhere in sight. Turning around, Zara smiled at the vines that had unknowingly followed behind her. Summoning her powers, the bright green vines moved forward, growing in thickness and strength in front of the cell door. Dimitri stared in awe as he backed up, watching the vines wrap themselves around the bars. In no time, they pulled the bars apart enough to create an opening he could fit through. He ran toward her and they held each other in a strong embrace.

  Pulling back momentarily to look at her, making sure she was alright, Dimitri cupped her face, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip before he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Wrapping his arms protectively around her with what felt like the promise of a lifetime.

  Reality snuck back up on her as Zara remembered seeing Aaron. “Follow me,” she said, filling Dimitri in as they took off toward the front of the house.

  Aaron stepped through the front door and Erebus smiled to himself, only a few more inches until he could release the trap door and drop Aaron into the same cell holding Zara. Erebus watched Aaron walk right into his trap, but just as he was about to push the button on the small remote in his pocket to open the trapdoor, he heard a noise down the hall where he had just left Dimitri.

  His hollow heart began to race, something was wrong. Jerking his head toward the sound, that split-second turn was all it took for things to change. Looking back at Aaron, he was staring down the barrel of Aaron’s gun and he was no longer standing over the trapdoor.

  “We’ve been looking for you for a long time Erebus,” Aaron said slowly, barely containing his fury.

  Dimitri followed close behind Zara, trying to process how Aaron could have found them. Rounding the corner, Zara stopped in her tracks, staring at the scene unfolding before her. Aaron had Erebus down on his knees with his gun pointed at his head.

  “I see you got my message,” Zara said to Aaron as she snuck a quick apologetic look at Dimitri.

  Aaron spared a quick glance in Zara’s direction. “We are still going to talk about this, but right now you two need to get out of here.” he replied sternly.

  Erebus had caused so much violence and hate that Aaron had witnessed over the years. He had also cost him the one person he had actually cared for, maybe even loved, Isabella, Zara’s mother. Aaron held so much anger toward Erebus he wanted to see him suffer before he ended his life. He could feel himself growing more and more enraged.

  Seeing the fury radiating off Aaron, she walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder. “No Aaron, that is not who you are and that is not what we are about. Erebus will only gain strength from your feelings.”

  Aaron was shocked to see the change in Zara and the maturity she displayed. Staring at Erebus, Zara’s words and her calming presence sank in. Lowering his gun, a shot rang out from behind Erebus. Another of his assassins hit Aaron in the chest, this time with a real bullet. Falling to the floor bleeding, he cast a quick panicked look toward Zara as he grabbed his chest.

  “Dimitri, go after him, I’ve got Erebus,” Zara said, slowly stepping to put herself between Aaron and Erebus.

  Straightening his shoulders with an air of confidence he stood, knowing he could handle Zara Trinity. However, when he opened his mouth to speak, Zara’s powers roared, with one simple thought his words were choked off. Erebus reached for his throat, unable to speak or breathe. She had blocked the air in his lungs, stopped the breath in his airway. Sinking to his knees fear clouded his cold black eyes.

  “Erebus, you have spread so much hate in the world and it ends today. You will never hurt me or anyone in my family ever again,” Zara said as she continued to circle him.

  Zara risked a quick glance at Aaron, giving Erebus the chance he needed to pull a hidden gun from behind his back. He got a shot off just as Zara looked up. She raised her hand and the bullet stopped midair, inches from her face, just as the knife had when she’d been training with Aaron. Erebus’s panicked eyes grew wider. His face was turning blue, eyes beginning to bulge as he grabbed and scratched at his throat.

  Narrowing his black eyes, he stared hard into the golden sparkling eyes across from him. Images went through Zara’s mind, Lilith smiling kindly, then looking up at her, dead. Her grandmother Marie, the fear in her eyes when the poisoned vine shot through her leg. She killed her grandmother and her best friend. Then images of Aaron, the pain in his eyes when she told him how she wanted to go off on her own. They all hated her, despised her. The bullet in midair began to wobble and shake, he was winning, turning her own mind against her.

  It’s working, he thought to himself, inhaling a deep breath as her power over him broke.

  Straining to keep her focus on the bullet, a golden ball of light appeared beside Erebus, then several others. Her family began to take shape around the room, surrounding them. Remembering who she was, feeling their support, Zara poured all her power and energy into the air that held the bullet turning it over and sending it straight back right between his eyes.

  Time moved in slow motion as he slowly fell backward onto the floor. Remnants of the images in her mind disappeared. Guilt and shame left her when a loud gasp escaped from Erebus’s body. The hiss of release continued, energy seemed to seep from his very core. She watched as he slowly aged then crumbled to ash in front of her. The images of her family surrounding her dissipated as if they were never there.

  Chapter 26

  When Dimitri returned, he found Erebus was gone, reduced to ashes as Aaron lay bleeding on the floor behind Zara. Letting out a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding relief flooded him, she was okay. He looked at Aaron with concern.

  “Zara, I don’t think he is going to make it.”

  Crouching down next to Aaron, Dimitri cut his shirt away with a knife. The wound looked bad and Zara could hear a gurgling wheeze when Aaron tried to breathe. Summoning any power she had left she entwined it with all the love she now realized she had in spades for both Aaron and Dimitri. She could not bear the thought of going through the rest of her life without them.

  Placing her hand directly over the bleeding wound on Aaron’s chest she focused pouring all she had left into healing him. Knowing how weak she was at the moment, she knew saving him could kill her. Gradually his breathing slowed and calmed. With her eyes closed she could see and feel the healing taking place inside of Aaron as his body slowly repaired itself. After a few moments, the bullet pushed its way back up and out of his chest. When she finally pulled her hand away and sat back there was no longer a hole in his chest.

  Color returned to Aaron’s cheeks and he opened his eyes wide in disbelief. H
e was sure he had been about to die. Now, he looked down to his bloodied chest and saw there was no wound at all. Staring at Zara, he was amazed at what she had done. It was as if he had been bathed with electric warmth and a feeling of peace as a tingling sensation spread over his chest and through his body. Aaron looked to the pile of ash realizing it was Erebus.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he said as Dimitri helped him to his feet.

  “I have to grab something before we go,” Dimitri said, leaning down to give Zara a brief kiss before heading up the stairs.

  Zara blushed when she saw Aaron’s eyebrows rise in question at the kiss. Aaron reached out his hand to help Zara up, she was not looking well.

  “You look rough Zara, the last time you tapped into your full power you were out for days. How do you feel now?” Aaron asked, concerned. Zara stood, looking at Aaron to answer, but could not form the words. Her surroundings trembled then went dark. Aaron was able to catch Zara just as Dimitri came back down the stairs.

  “What happened?” Dimitri asked in a panic, reaching out to take Zara from Aaron.

  “It’s her powers, they come at a price when she uses too much power at once. The last time this happened it nearly killed her, and she did not use anywhere near the amount of power she probably used here today. We need to get her somewhere safe and pray she will recover.” Aaron headed toward the front door. “Did you take care of the shooter?”

  “He will not be an issue anymore,” Dimitri said, but he couldn’t concentrate as Aaron’s words echoed in his mind, ‘pray she will recover?’ she could not die on him now. He pushed back the rising panic in his chest as he carried her toward the front door.