by K.N. Lee
She blanched, feeling the beating of his heart beneath her palm.
“I don’t understand.”
“How do you think he’s been alive for thousands of years?”
Yara shook her head. She’d thought it was because he stole all of the magic for himself. What other explanation was there?
Evan lowered his voice. “He is a Meta.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
NIGHT FELL AND THE CITY patrols came out in full force. Rows of armed soldiers combed through the streets, searching for criminals, prepared for the onslaught of Metas that waited until dusk to show themselves.
This was the result of killing all of the Spell Slingers in Yara’s time. Had they been allowed to do what they were born for, Metas might not had taken over the night.
Yara watched from Keo’s window, which was now covered with black drapes. Her finger held back the drape a tiny bit; just enough to see what was going on. Everyone tried to make their homes seem as unassuming as possible, to deter any unwanted attention from the Metas.
Keo stood next to her. “See anything?”
Yara shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Good. Maybe tonight will be free of slaughter,” Keo said, returning to her sofa where she wrapped herself in a plush red blanket.
Yara tensed when the patrols suddenly took on battle formations. A black cloud seemed to come from nowhere, settling along the street. It crept and seeped into every crevice of the city, blacking out all light.
The electricity in the entire surrounding buildings went out and Keo shot from her seat.
“Crap,” Keo said, running through the dark to her closet. She pulled out an old gas lamp and set it on her glass table. “I should have known that tonight wouldn’t go by smoothly. What is it this time?”
Yara shook her head. Fear settled into her heart as she peered down, curious as to what the soldiers would be up against. Yara had seen Metas before, the kind that would rip your children from their beds and eat them. The ones that would use your body to do terrible things. Father used to fight such evil.
Now, it was Yara’s turn.
Her eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of three figures emerging from the darkness. “There are three of them,” Yara whispered.
Keo’s eyes widened. “RIP,” she said.
Yara frowned. “What does that mean?”
“It means those soldiers are toast. They might have had a chance against one. Maybe, but not really.”
Yara took in a deep breath as she let the drapes slip from her finger and fall closed. She turned to Keo.
“I have to protect the people from these things,” she said, her heart beginning to race as she planned what she was to do. “It’s what I was born to do.”
Keo stared at her. “Sirus was right about everything,” she whispered. “I am not even worthy to breathe the same air as you.”
“Enough of that,” Yara said. “I’m just a woman. One that wants to simply protect the innocent.”
“No,” Keo said, a grin coming to her lips. “You’re just a Spell Slinger.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DRESSED IN HER NEW SUIT, Yara walked to the middle of the street, thumbs hooked to her belt loops.
“Girl,” one of the soldiers yelled. “Go back to your home. You’re going to get yourself killed.”
Yara ignored him, striding by in all black leather. Her attention was fixed on the three creatures that stood in the center of the road.
The Metas roared into the sky, making the soldiers cower behind their large black vehicle.
Her heart thumped, but not with fear. She’d used to be afraid of the dark, but Yara was born of darkness.
The dark should fear her.
“Come to get your tender white flesh devoured, girl?”
The bestial rumble of his voice raised the fine hairs on the back of Yara’s neck.
Sharp fangs flashed in the moonlight as a reptilian monster stood to his full height a few feet from her.
At least eight feet tall, with long barbed tails, and with armored torsos, the three Metas glared at her, their claws sharp and pointed.
“She does look yummy.”
Yara pulled out her wand, the silver metal glistening, its sleek cool handle against her palm.
“I’ve come to send you back to the Soul Haven,” she said.
The Meta chuckled, puffs of smoke coming from his nostrils as he did so.
The other Metas roared again, this time, they blew cars and bikes down the street and into Yara’s path.
She gritted her teeth and focused on everything that threatened to crush her. She lifted both hands, her wand glowing as she did so. Cool air sucked into Yara’s lungs and the world of chaos around her calmed.
The air thinned.
The cars and streetlamps froze into place as if hanging by an invisible thread against the dark fog that filled the streets and encircled the Metas.
“Spell Slinger,” the lead Meta croaked, his bulbous eyes widening.
A smile came to Yara’s face.
“That’s right,” she said, as she released that cool breath of air and energy. “I’m back.”
The world’s roar returned and Yara’s power forced everything back toward the Meta’s.
A tirade of cars and debris crashed into their armored bodies, making a screeching sound as the metal hit metal. They braced themselves, absorbing the impact of the crash as Yara picked up more and more cars, sending them flying through the air.
Yara ran toward them then, her feet taking large leaps as she bounded down the road. Ferocity burned in her silver eyes, so much so that the soldiers stand and watch her in awe.
A roar of fire sprayed from the Meta’s mouths.
Yara held her wand before her, blowing it away with a gust of air. She took another giant leap, and purple flames of her own rushed from the tip of her wand, covering the Metas, burning their armor and flesh, and ripping through their muscle and bone.
As she landed, their bodies had deteriorated to nothing more than a pile of mush that smelled like grilled meat.
Her chest heaved with the exertion of energy as she stood amidst the carnage. Soldiers took a chance to leave their hiding spots, watching her with caution.
Yara glanced over her shoulder at them and turned to run into the darkness.
I did it, she thought, a proud smile overwhelming her face.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A MONTH LATER, YARA STARTED to feel as though she fit into this new world much better than she did her own.
She’d dyed her hair to a bright golden blond and wore makeup like the modern girls of Allarya.
She walked down the busy street with Keo by her side, in their elaborate gowns, while the people of Allarya went about their day.
Prince Evan waited for her. She could have taken hovercraft, but enjoyed the walk to the Antiquities Center much better.
The Antiquities Museum looked like a castle, with so much brass on the outside architecture that it glowed beneath the sun.
Inside the museum, Evan waited for her, his attendant, Kel by his side. Yara made her way directly to him, and together they went into the deepest depths of the museum, to sections were only the staff were allowed. No one would turn down the prince, and so the large stone door was opened and down they went.
It was cold, dark, and damp, and smelled stale. She wondered if the staff ever came down there at all, for there were large spider webs in the corners of the doors and archways as they followed a narrow hall to the catacombs.
Inside the large room at the back of the catacombs was a group of people waiting in the dim light of a few gas lamps.
The resistance.
They perked up when they saw the prince with Yara at his side.
“Dear spirits,” a woman said, covering her mouth. “She’s really here.”
The smiles that came from those people left Yara speechless. They all but bowed to her as she entered the room, touching her, shaking her hand, kissing
her hand.
Such appreciation had never been shown to Yara. She was born an outcast. Raised an outcast. And thrown away like rubbish.
This, this love they showed was new to her. She found herself smiling at them, unable to keep her blank, emotionless expression.
“They don’t even care that I’m here,” Evan whispered, nudging Yara in the side.
She glanced at him and he grinned.
“Go on. Talk to your people,” Evan said. “These are just a few of the last of the shifters, and magic users in Allarya.”
They nodded, settling down and watching Yara expectantly.
Keo stepped forward.
“Not only do we have a prince on our side, but Sirus was right. The last Spell Slinger is with us,” she said, her voice carrying throughout the room.
Yara cleared her throat. “I don’t know much about the resistance, because in my time, everyone simply accepted the hardships put upon our people. I am surprised that we seem to have held on for so long. And I’m honored to be here to lead you all to victory. We will end King Loric’s reign. Tonight, we will be free.”
Everyone cheered, and Yara and Evan shared a look. He nodded, clapping with the others, a smile coming to his face as their eyes locked.
She took in a deep breath.
Here we go.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THE PALACE WAS A STRONGHOLD built to resist any and all threats. With magic-bound steel encapsulating the entire structure, no magic would be allowed inside without permission. That also applied to shifters like Asher and Hero, who were trapped inside their prison.
Yara was nervous, but excited. Soon, she would be reunited with Asher. Hero would be free. Together, they would destroy King Loric and all shreds of his tyranny.
Dressed in her best gown, she was led into the palace with Prince Evan linked to her arm.
No one gave her a second glance as she entered through the doors. She held her breath, almost passing out as she separated her magic from her body, making her flesh go almost translucent. She’d been sure to wear more makeup than she was used to, to hide the fact that she was going more Meta than sorceress.
Inside, there was quiet. Loric was a private man. He didn’t have guests often, and tonight Yara went to Sunday dinner as Prince Evan’s fiancé.
She even wore a ring on her finger, the same finger Lord Torington had put his gold band on. This one was much more beautiful, but felt odd. Asher’s ring was supposed to go there.
She reminded herself that this was all a game, a sham. Asher’s arms would be ready to hold her very soon.
Evan kept her close to his side, showing her around the palace as Keo and the resistance waited outside the palace gates.
I can do this, she told herself, taking a deep breath as he led her from the main areas of the palace, toward the formal dining hall.
“Lady Yarael,” King Loric called once they were seated.
She could barely look at him without shuddering. The look of a Meta was deep in his dark eyes. The evil inside nearly took her breath away.
She sat down in her chair and nodded. “Lovely to meet you, King Loric,” she said, forcing a sweet smile.
“When Prince Evan told me he was engaged, I didn’t believe him. He never brings a woman around. Now, that I see you I see why he waited so long to choose a wife. You are stunning.”
Yara nodded again. “Thank you.”
He was more charming than she’d expected. That didn’t change her opinion on him.
He was a dead soul in her opinion.
One that she would send to the Soul Haven for all eternity.
He settled into his chair, but kept his eyes fixed on Yara.
Prince Evan kept his composure as he walked the halls of the prison. The guards were used to him down there, and so he had no trouble convincing them to let him pass.
The device Sirus had given him didn’t hurt either. Evan simply had to activate it within his pocket and they would forget all attempts to deny him entry.
Two cells stood before him.
Shifters.
A wolf and a crow.
He wondered what significance they were to Yara, having gotten to know her better over the past week. Whenever she spoke about them, it was with great adoration.
Deep down he knew exactly what the context was. One of them was her lover, and he hated to admit that it bothered him.
What claim did he have on her? None, really.
But, that didn’t stop him from wanting her for himself. He sighed and pushed the code on the door.
The door opened.
To emptiness.
Perplexed, Evan closed the door and turned to the other.
To his surprise, Keo stood there, sword in hand. She grinned at him.
“Surprise,” she said, and nodded to the other door. “No one’s here, princey wincey. I never thought you’d be so gullible. I mean, I knew she would be, but come on. I thought you were the smart one.”
“What are you doing?” He asked, noting the odd look in her eyes.
“Nothing, just avenging my bloodline,” she said, running her finger along the blade. “I’ve seen you fight. Not bad…but you’re nothing against me.”
He frowned. “Move aside, Keo. We don’t have time to play around.”
She grinned, her green eyes narrowing. “I can’t expect you to understand. But, I don’t have a choice, really. You see, Yara killed someone I loved dearly, and my family has been waiting for our revenge on her. Sorry, but I can’t afford to let you get in the way.”
Evan’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about?”
“Thousands of years ago, Yara killed Lord Torington, a man kind enough to take her in and give her a home. She was never found and punished for that murder. I’m lucky to be the one to punish her.”
“Nonsense. Why do you care what happened that long ago? You’ve never even met the man.”
Evan’s mind raced. What he had just heard was beyond surprising. He needed to get around her, but she had a weapon, and he didn’t.
“But, I have,” she grinned. “He was my father.”
His brows furrowed. She was mad.
Insane.
There was no way.
Unless…
His eyes widened.
“That’s right. I was a bit hurt that Yara didn’t recognize me. I was six at the time she killed him, and my mother raised me to never forget her and what she did. I joined the royal army just to get close to King Loric. Know what he did? He tested his Meta magic on me, and made me somewhat of an imprint of himself.”
Evan pushed past her, knocking her far down the hallway. She slid to a stop and leapt to her feet, chasing him like an agile fox chases its prey. He was just a human. He didn’t know what she was…an abomination King Loric had created.
“Don’t play coy with me, Evan. Fight me like a man,” she said, laughing loudly. She sliced her sword through the air, the ring of steel vibrating along the walls.
Prisoners beat the walls of their cells, watching the fight from their windows.
Evan looked around. He only had the strength of his own body as a weapon.
He watched her lunge at him with her sword and sidestepped her, only to be caught in the arm by her blade.
He winced and grabbed a fistful of hair, tossing her back down the hallway.
He didn’t want to have to hurt her, but she was out to end his life. He would defend himself.
When she looked up at him, he saw all shreds of humor fade from her face as a rush of rage replaced it, reddening her cheeks.
“You’ve annoyed me enough now,” she hissed. “I’m done with you.”
Evan shielded his eyes as she shot black fire from her blade and rushed toward him again. Quickly, he turned to run, desperate for an exit.
“GET BACK HERE, PRINCEY WINCEY!”
He was going to be killed by a small woman with a sword.
What an ironic way to die after winning every fencing and fighting
championship he’d ever entered since his teen years.
She cried out, and Evan skidded to a stop. Spinning around, he saw Yara standing there, covered in blood.
As Keo’s body fell, Yara looked from her to him. “I killed him,” she said, smiling.
Evan sighed with relief and wiped sweat from his brow. “Thank the spirits,” he said.
She clasped her hands together, and the palace shook.
Their eyes both went up to the ceiling as the lights began to flicker.
“Oh no,” Evan said. “I think the palace is imprinted with his soul, Yara.”
She nodded. “Let’s get out of here. Wait,” she paused. “Did you free Asher and Hero?”
Evan swallowed. “They aren’t here. They never were. Keo lied to us all to get you to come here.”
“I didn’t hear that part,” she murmured. “Just the bit about King Loric.”
The pain and disappointment in Yara’s face broke his heart. In the midst of danger, all he wanted to do was comfort her.
The palace shook again, and all of the lights went out.
He could comfort her later. First, he had to get them out of there.
Together, they ran from the lowest depths of the palace to the nearest exit which opened to the dark woods of Allarya’s Cliffs, where the Black Sea waited behind the mountains.
“To the top,” Evan shouted. “We have to get away from the palace.”
Yara nodded, and grabbed him by the hand.
He looked down at her hand, and with a gust of wind, she flew into the sky, lifting him with her.
Dear spirits, Evan thought as she carried him into the night sky. I’ve fallen in love with a goddess.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“IT’S GOING TO EXPLODE and destroy everything and everyone,” Evan shouted over the loud roar of the palace as it trembled and started to implode from within.
“I can stop it,” Yara said, softly.
She closed her eyes against the rays of power that emitted from her palms. Her heart ached as she tried to force the image of Asher searching for her, growing old without her, having children, a wife, and a life from her mind.