“That is unfair to the…” Xander ignored the response in favor of rubbing his chest and looking across the room at the phoenix captain of team F to see if she was also struggling with the air. The captain of team F coughed and looked over at him with the same question reflecting in her eyes. Something was wrong.
“Is it raining?” Xander interpreted whatever was being said, and Fang gave him a strange look before shaking his head no.
“Are you alright, Captain Brantley?” Fang questioned, Xander, frowned looking towards the vents, vapor was leaking into the room. Phoenixes were creatures of fire, if too much water vapor was in the air it weakened their fire magic which in turn weakened them. To a lesser phoenix, this much water vapor would have made them pass out, but Xander was nowhere near ordinary.
“Water vapor,” Xander coughed, more vapor poured into the room, and then everything went to chaos when a horde of demons burst in.
◆◆◆
Zoar wasn’t quite sure what night it was anymore. He vaguely recalled waking up when the moon rose, but when the elf looked up above the trees, the sky held completely different constellations. With a sigh, he pushed himself up off the ground, he must’ve fallen back asleep. The spot where Holland usually lay was empty, but from the smell wafting in the air, his mate was making breakfast. He wondered briefly if Othorion and Aelene were awake. They most likely were, his children had much more energy than Zoar could ever remember having as a Sapling.
“Papa,” The whimsical voice that could only be his daughter called, he could see the twenty cycle old’s shadow in the crack under the door, “Breakfast is ready, you need to get up now.”
“I’m coming,” Zoar replied, pulling himself out of bed. He didn’t bother pulling on his shirt, it was an awfully warm winter this cycle. His garden was probably frozen with the amount of snow they’d gotten during the day. When he opened the door, he was greeted by the sight of Aelene playing with her braids. His daughter looked the very picture of Holland, unlike their son, who was the spitting image of himself at sixty cycles.
“Good moonrise, Papa,” Aelene greeted, wrapping her arms around his waist, Zoar cocked his head as he glanced down at his daughter. He swore that she was a lot shorter. The other day her arms only went around his thighs.
“Aelene, did you get taller during the daylight? I swear you were only up to my thigh yesternight” He asked, his eyes glancing over his daughter’s figure. Her hair was longer too. There was also a suspicious lack of baby fat clinging to her cheeks.
“No, Papa. I haven’t been that short for fifty cycles, I’m seventy now, remember? We celebrated my birthnight two phases ago,” Zoar shook his head in denial. It was winter how could his daughter’s birthnight have been two phases ago.
“But it’s winter.”
“No, Papa, it’s summertime now. We just finished planting the new vegetables for this season yesternight,” Aelene explained, her tone patient and gentle.
“Aelene, Zoar! The table is set and ready,” Holland said, coming to stand by them in the hallway, “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, “Aelene responded, smiling at Holland sweetly before pulling Zoar’s hand into her own, “How about we talk over some food? I’m sure that’ll make you feel better, Papa.”
Zoar allowed himself to be led into the main room where their kitchen and dining room were set up, they didn’t have a living room. Their tree house was too small to fit one, and they all preferred to be outside on the deck anyways. The breeze was gentle today. Maybe they would eat outside if what they said was true and it was summer. Zoar liked the summer. He remembered how the two of them would play in the palace courtyard for hours on end. Zoar missed his older brother and wondered when he should go see the Elven King.
“I made your favorite since we are still celebrating,” Holland said, settling into one of the chairs with a gentle smile. Zoar looked from the windows to the table. True to his mate’s words, the table was set, “Aelene, could you go get your brother for me? And make sure that he feeds his lemur, so I don’t have to do it again?”
She let out a giggle and nodded before turning down the hallway. Aelene’s hair had gotten very long. The dark strands reached well to her waist now.
“If Aelene is seventy, does that mean Othorion is one hundred and ten now?” Zoar asked, trying to piece together what they said was true. The breeze was warm now. Not as lovely as he remembered.
“Yes, he is working as a Creature Healer now in Treetop,” Holland answered, filling Zoar’s plate. Treetop was the capital of Elven Territory. He wondered if Othorion liked the city. It wasn’t much like their home, but it was where Zoar grew up. Maybe he should go visit his brother in the palace. Zaos liked summertime in the city, Treetop was the best in summer.
“I see,” Zoar mumbled picking up his spoon, “When did we get a lemur?”
“We gave it to Othorion after he got his specialization. You know how much he loves lemurs, they were the reason he picked his career anyway, and Meeche is well behaved,” Zoar assumed that Meeche was his son’s lemur and simply nodded. His mind roamed back to the breeze outside, it was still warm. Too warm. He was glad he hadn’t put on the shirt or else he would be sweating, and Zoar did not like to sweat. He couldn’t think of any elf that liked to sweat.
“The air is very warm,” Zoar said looking out the window. The air looked cloudy, but not like it usually does. Holland made a humming noise of acknowledgment before speaking.
“It is summer, sweetheart.”
“I suppose but-” He was cut off by a terrified scream coming from the other side of their treehouse.
“Fire!” Othorion’s voice called running into their kitchen with Aelene behind him and a black and white lemur on his shoulder.
“What do you mean fire?” Holland asked, standing abruptly from their spot. Zoar followed his mate to the window. Below them, orange flames were climbing up the tree that held their home. The elf could also make out figures standing next to the base of the tree, but they weren’t doing anything to stop the fire, “Alright kids, let’s get out of here. Stay calm now.”
“Our house is on fire, and you want us to be calm?” Aelene squeaked inching closer to Zoar’s side.
“It’ll be alright, I’m sure,” Zoar replied with a shrug, patting his daughter’s arm, “I won’t let them hurt you.”
“Let who hurt us? Is someone else out there?” Holland whispered, coming closer to him.
“There are five beasts down there, but they are watching the treehouse burn. We are most likely in for a fight.”
◆◆◆
Veronica felt itchy, she could not place from what but she felt an itch, and it woke her early that night. The catcher she had placed around the windows chimed restlessly. Later the sorcerer had planned to go to market tonight and buy some herbs for her latest potion but decided against it. Instead, she chose to tidy the kitchen after all Renata and her current partner, Yazmin was here. The sorcerer waved a hand bringing tea leaves from the cabinet and brewed it into her teapot. She couldn’t imagine being any other species, sorcery was by far the most convenient type of magic. Her cottage was nestled on top of one of the hills that overlooked the town below it, Veronica had chosen it for the view, but now she appreciated it for its solitude. After the wars, she was sick of people and all the bullshit that accompanied them.
“Hey Mom,” Reneta greeted as she walked into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes and pulling a cup from the cabinet with purple tendrils of magic, “The catcher is uneasy tonight.”
“I know. Must be a storm,” Veronica answered, using her magic to float the dishes into their proper place, “How’d you sleep?”
“Fine. I have to say that it’s nice being back in the cottage. Dad’s place is pretty drafty,” Reneta responded, pouring herself some tea and warming her hands on the liquid.
“Your father sucks at regulating the temperature in the house,” Veronica hummed back, her smiling faltered slightly at the mention of Brayden, she wa
s still bitter he decided to up and leave, but she had no one to blame but herself. She’d been the one to push him away, “Did you hear Yazmin getting up?”
“Is that this one’s name? Yeah, I think she hopped in the shower,” Reneta responded sipping at her warmed tea, “What are-”
“Did you open that window?” Veronica cut her off looking at the window directly behind Reneta ignoring the jab at the amount of times she’s changed partners, “It was not open when I went to bed.”
“I don’t know? Maybe Yazmin left it open. Mom, what’s wrong?” Reneta questioned, setting her tea down and moving to close the window. Veronica rubbed her temple and shook her head. She was acting ridiculous. The war was over. She needed to stop hanging out with Zoar, the crazy might just be contagious.
“I’m sorry. I just swore I closed that window,” Veronica answered, smiling at her daughter, “What were you saying?”
“I was asking what your plans were for tonight?” Her daughter asked, turning to sit back down at the small wooden table, “I thought you needed some rosemary for your potion?”
“I do, but I have an itch,” Veronic responded, knowing she sounded utterly crazy, “The potion can wait until tomorrow night. Besides the sleeping draught is more effective if it sits longer.”
“Who are you making it for?” Reneta inquired as Veronica took the vacant seat across from her, floating a cup of tea into her hands.
“Florence Dracul. I swear that vampire never sleeps,” Veronica responded, glancing down at the black tea in her hands, “She didn’t ask, but I suspect with the bombing, she will need it.”
“Are you sleeping okay?”
“Perfectly fine. Dreamless draught works wonders on a troubled mind, kiddo,” Veronica hummed, sipping at the tea. Her daughter yawned, rubbing her eyes and leaned back against the chair.
“You should be careful with that stuff,” Reneta said, finishing her cup of tea, “That stuff can be addictive.”
“I am perfectly aware, I am the parent here remember,” Veronica answered, yawning herself. She blinked her eyes, did she accidentally make restful tea? Her limbs felt heavy, and when she focused on her magical core, it was muted.
“Mom maybe-,” Reneta broke off, and her eyes went wide, “Mom! Watch out!”
Veronica grunted as she grabbed from both sides, magical cuffs clamping down on her wrists before she could so much as shout. She struggled against the chains, but her body felt languid, and she couldn’t move. She tried to summon her magic, but she felt the blocks of the cuffs and another force pushing it down. The tea had been tampered with, it must have been. Magic restricting cuffs couldn’t stop her magic but combined with a liquid suppressant it definitely could. Veronica watched as Reneta was pushed to the side, and a vampire with an axe approached her.
* * *
Chapter Eighteen
The Mark
As Valeria made her way to the button, she could only hope that the halfling wouldn’t catch her before she got there. Valeria knew she was faster with her vampiric speed, but she had no idea how quick Neferna’s reaction time would be. In seconds, she reached the control room and slammed her hand down on the button and thanked the Creator she had left the drawer open. A soon as Valeria released the button, the alarm blared loud and clear. Before she could celebrate her victory, water wrapped around her foot and tugged on her until she heard a pop. Valeria screamed as pain exploded in her leg. With a quick glance, she knew it was broken just like her arm. Next, the water crawled up her body until it held Valeria by the waist before it dragged her back out into the common area. The only thing not in water was her head, and she gasped out in pain as the water squeezed her, but none of that mattered as she heard an all too familiar voice.
“Callan, this wasn’t funny the first two times, what makes you think it is going to be any more humorous a third?” came her mother’s annoyed voice, she could hear the soft clicks of her mom’s shoes approaching them, and Valeria felt her heart sink. She was too late.
“Mom! Run!” Valeria shouted as Neferna used the water to support Valeria broken body against her with a dagger to her throat. The halflings fingers were glowing the same green reflected in her eyes.
“Valeria?” questioned Florence, her voice taking on a tone of panic as she rounded the corner. Her mother stopped dead at the sight that greeted her. Florence’s red eyes went wide as she took in the scene before narrowing in on the halfling, “I will give you two seconds to release my daughter before I tear out your core.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think I will,” Neferna answered, Valeria looked at her mom, tears welling in her eyes. Her arm and leg were throbbing as she tried to keep her balance. Her mother’s blood armor had formed on her skin with a blood dagger now in her hand. Florence’s eyes flickered to the water encasing Valeria before flickering to her own hand and then back to Neferna, all in the course of a second. That was one of the perks of being a vampire, speed was never an issue. Valeria realized her mother was trying to tell her something without alerting their attacker. She looked to Florence’s hand, the blood dagger that had been hardened a second ago was liquid, and she was letting it drip from her fingers.
“What do you gain from killing my daughter? If you kill her, your leverage is gone, and I promise it won’t be a quick end for you,” Florence said, her voice was cold and calm. Valeria was confused, why would her mom liquidize her weapon in the face of a threat, and why did she draw Valeria’s attention to it?
“Oh, I do not doubt that,” The halfling smirked, “But I want your life, not your daughters.”
“Well, you cannot kill me without telling your reasoning for doing so that just wouldn’t be polite,” Florence responded, her eyes flickering to Valeria’s once more before turning back to the halfling. Valeria watched her mother’s fingers move, and the blood that had dripped to the floor went back into her hand before hardening into her dagger again. That is when Valeria got it, if she released the blood she had absorbed from Callan then it would fill the water, and she could break free. Neferna couldn’t control blood, she could only control water. If she could get enough blood into the water, she could break free and maybe harden a weapon to stab the halfling with. Then Neferna would no longer have any leverage, and her mother could take the halfling down. Valeria almost laughed at how brilliant her mom was. While Neferna repeated her story of her destroyed village, Valeria released some of the blood from her armor, allowing it to move through the water.
“You failed my village, so I will take your life as payment just like I took the wolfs,” Neferna declared, finishing her story and Florence’s eyes flickered to Callan’s still form. Her mom began to slowly move around the table, and Neferna followed in kind to keep the distance, dragging Valeria with her. Although Valeria couldn’t decipher the confused look that flashed over Florence’s face as she glanced at the fallen wolf. Why would her mother look confused about the death of someone she considered a son? Maybe the pain was just getting to Valeria now.
“There are only two of us here,” Florence began, eyes flickering to Valeria’s once more and then to the blood filled water. The table in the center of the room, prevented her mom from a clear shot but the circling was meant to distract the halfling, Valeria realized, “You’ve bested Callan and have leverage over me but how do you plan on getting to the others? You want revenge, don’t you? That includes my comrades.”
“Don’t worry, we are taking care of the rest,” The halfling reassured.
“We?” Florence raised an eyebrow at her, “Who is we?”
“There is more of us sworn to the Demon King then you will ever know,” Neferna smirked, her grip on Valeria tightening as they moved around the table.
“Oh? Do tell,” Florence responded, keeping the deadly smile across her lips.
“I am not a fool. I know there are cameras here, recording our conversation,” The halfling chuckled, her eyes moving to the cameras in the corners of the room.
“But what do you get out of t
his? You won’t get out of this alive, even if you succeed in killing me, the Demon King will not keep you around,” Florence stated, she was slowly closing the distance between them, “You’ve exposed your identity and your cover, you die either way. If you think the Demon King will spare you, you are mistaken.”
“I am happy to die for my king,” Neferna responded, pressing the dagger into Valeria’s neck, “I would move away if I were you. You are quick, Necromancer but not quick enough to stop this dagger from going into your daughter’s neck.”
“Then we are at an impasse,” Florence said, taking a step back to appease the halfling. Valeria was just trying to keep herself upright and not pass out from the pain. At this point, they had made a complete circle, Valeria and Neferna were standing under Xander’s loft again with her mother on the other side of the table, the game of cat and mouse seemed to cease. Her mother’s gaze went to her own, giving her the barest of nods. Valeria gathered her all the strength she had left in her body and focused her current on the blood surrounding her. Valeria willed the blood to harden and with a strained war cry pushed the newly formed blood dagger back into Neferna’s body. The halfling let out a surprised guttural noise before dropping. The water that had been holding Valeria up fell to the ground and with it Valeria as well. Her mother was by her side in a second, a look of surprise and relief painted across her features.
“Are you alright?” Florence questioned, kneeling beside her and cupping her cheeks.
“Yeah,” Valeria answered, giving her mom a weak smile, “Just hurts.”
“Nice shot. You got her right in the core,” Florence declared proudly, “Were you aiming?”
Beastmora- The Golden Six Page 25