by Jenn Nixon
Zorin noticed her stare and approached without putting on his shorts. “What?”
“Do you want to fly down so it doesn’t look obvious?”
He smirked. “I don’t care if they know, Cyndra.”
“Okay,” she said, blushing as she started to dress. He watched her this time, eventually putting on the older, torn shorts he wore when they first met. “I’ll make you another pair, soon.”
“I only need to wash them,” Zorin followed her to the stairs and pushed the covering over the staircase back.
“I have plenty of laundry, too, maybe we’ll have time later,” she said, gazing through the opening. Zorin gently clasped her hand and tugged her down the stairs. Jack’s chuckle faded as they reached the landing.
“Pleasant morning,” he said, gazing up from the table.
Rune turned back from the stove and grinned, making Cyndra blush. Sleep well?
“Yeah, smart ass, I did,” Cyndra barked playfully and tugged Zorin toward the table seeing a fourth stool on the far side of the table next to Jack. She sat beside him, while Zorin took the head for more space. “So, whatcha got today, guys?”
“Oatmeal, it’s really good actually, eggs and fried green tomatoes.”
“No tomatoes for me,” Cyndra said, shrugging at Rune as he prepared the plates.
Zorin?
“Eggs, thank you.”
After Rune placed all the food on the table Jack made sure everyone had a drink. Cyndra, hungrier than she realized, ate her entire plate of food, listening to Jack and Rune update Zorin on all their gardening feats over the last three days. His delight at their external sleeping arrangements was not lost on her and got her thinking where they’d end up after his transformation.
“It was nice to pass the time and practice, but we have more important things to worry about now,” Jack said, souring the mood slightly. “What happened in there, Zorin?”
Cyndra hung on every word as he retold his story, waking up in the mirror-realm, thinking it was a dream, finding Pristy, Evie, and her mother, Lily, before his capture by Mergan.
“She used the last of her power trying to influence you by torturing me. I think it was her plan for you to come into the realm and siphon you. Only she didn’t account for Jack’s idea of taking a shielded crystal,” he said softly. Cyndra reached over and took his hand, letting him feel her power through their bond. “She made a deal with another caster to locate the rest of the ten shielded by Silvio, her deadline expires in about a day.”
Maybe that’s what we should do then, search for the casters.
“Again?” Jack glanced around the table.
“We only looked where we knew casters would be,” Cyndra said, turning to Zorin. “How long would it take you to search the mainland for caster power?”
“Properly? A few days, four at most.”
What are you thinking?
“Nothing specific, just throwing shit out there, that won’t work if we only have a day. Evie said she didn’t want the barriers down until Mergan is stopped, so maybe she has a plan for the inside. Until I hear from Pristy, we should work on a plan for outside.”
“There is one final piece,” Zorin said, pressing his lips together as he squeezed her hand. “One of the barriers Mergan wants removed covers the entire island. Apparently, she can’t leave.”
“Cyndra and I think another one’s hiding the crystals and maybe the mansion’s furniture and stuff,” Jack said.
“That is possible.” Zorin nodded.
“Wonderful,” Cyndra sighed. “You said Evie knows how much time has passed here, right?”
“Yes.”
“Can we really let them all out of that prison feeling the way they do right now? It’s only been a year to most of them,” Jack said what she was already thinking. “We may have to intervene another way first.”
“What do you suggest?” Zorin tilted his head.
“Hold tribunals inside the mirror.”
“After stopping Mergan,” Cyndra added, frowning at the thought of facing the evil bitch again. “Maybe we do have to let her out and put her in another prison like Evie did.”
Won’t be easy, but you did want to put a barrier around the whole prison room.
“True.”
“And if we only have a day, it could be the safest option.” Jack nodded.
“The moment she returns…” Zorin pressed his mouth shut and shook his head. “Mergan will be strong enough to blast any barrier you put up.”
Cyndra sighed, knowing he was right. Her barriers weren’t strong enough to hold someone like Mergan. “Then we have to work with Evie to figure out a way to stop her before we let anyone out.”
I propose a plan, Rune projected, smiling at the group. We have one day before Mergan will potentially have the locations of the remaining casters, yes?
Zorin nodded.
While we can’t search the entire mainland, Zorin, you can cover a lot of ground in a day, and we know there’s no one south of here. Rune stated and continued without waiting for confirmation. Cyndra has the best chance of making contact with Pristy inside and if we’re going to have to fight Mergan one way or another, we need to keep practicing.
Cyndra glanced across the table to meet Zorin’s eyes. He seemed deep in thought, mulling over Rune’s suggestion. Before she had a chance to say anything else, Jack stood up, paced behind the table, and rubbed the back of his neck.
“We should keep watch on the mirror, too, from a safe distance,” he said, gazing down at his hand. “If any wraiths come back through we know Mergan’s getting power.”
We’ll take shifts, train on the mansion grounds—
Cyndra nodded. “I am going to need to tire myself out for a nap…”
“I’ll survey the north Eastzone, should take several hours, perhaps we’ll get lucky,” Zorin added, trying to keep the mood light despite the fearful vibe moving through their bond. “If not, I can return before sunset, take a shift watching the mirror.”
“So, is this the plan?” She gazed around the table as brows furrowed and heads nodded reluctantly. “I don’t like it much either, but unless a boat pulls up to the island with a bunch of new casters and another journal with more instructions there’s nothing else we can do. Right?”
“For now, yes,” Zorin affirmed with a sigh.
I’ll pack some drinks and food for training.
“I need to change into something looser fitting,” Jack said, smirking. “Rune keeps me on my toes.”
“I’m gonna need a refresher soon,” Cyndra said.
“Walk me up?” Zorin said, smiling at her, trying to be casual and almost pulling it off. She nodded and ignored Rune’s grin as she got up and carried her tea to the stairs, following Zorin. After he was on the floor above, Cyndra widened her eyes for effect and shook her head playfully at the guys. “Cyndra?”
She jogged the rest of the way, spilling some of her tea on the top step. “Shit.”
He approached with a small towel and tossed it on the ground. When he gazed down, her fire flashed to the surface instantly. She quickly sipped her tea and carried it to the table, giving her a moment to collect herself. Cyndra was almost calm enough to turn around when his hand slid around her waist and his hard body meshed against her.
Zorin dipped his head, brushing his lips along her ear. “Tonight I’ll take you to my favorite spot on the island, far from the others, where you won’t have to hold anything back from me, caster.”
Cyndra spun around, found his mouth and lost track of reality as he picked her up, set her on the table, and kissed her again. His large arms enveloped her as his skin drew the fire from her bones, daring her to let her energy free. Zorin gently parted from her lips, stroking his hand down her cheek as he met her eyes. Her skin sizzled under his touch.
“You are a marvel, Cyndra.” He pecked her lips again quickly, took her hand, and led her upstairs and toward the walkway. “I need more power if I’m to search for hours on end.”
“Good idea,” she said softly, bringing everything to the surface, knowing he’d feel every sensuous sensation rushing through her body. “I’m ready if you are.”
Zorin shuddered and held the railing, gazing out toward the bay while absorbing every drop of power. Cyndra didn’t sense him in return and knew it was on purpose. Despite how much she wanted to feel his energy inside of her, she let him take what he needed, instead of giving it to him, knowing that method always roused their libidos quicker.
Only when his fingers eased from her hand, did she step back and take a deep breath. “I’m gonna need a cold shower.”
Zorin chuckled deeply.
“Really not helping,” she said, clenching her thighs. “Don’t wear yourself out. Back by sunset.”
He nodded as he took a step closer to the railing. “I will see you tonight, Cyndra.”
“Stay safe, Zorin.”
Her gargoyle jumped onto the railing then dove into the air, extending his wings halfway down the side of the lighthouse. He swooped back up like a dragon, going above her head, making her heart race. Obviously showing off, he circled around once before gliding toward the bay.
Now that she was used to flying, she wanted to be in the air with him, soaring above the trees, feeling his arms tight around her waist. Fanning her face, Cyndra watched him rise up with a gust of wind as he reached the boat dock.
A flash of light blinded her as she released her grip on the railing.
“What the shit?” She lifted her hand to shield her eyes.
Zorin’s howl reverberated through the air.
Cyndra blinked into focus to see him plummeting toward the ground, tumbling uncontrollably. “Zorin!”
He slammed into the water, faced down, and didn’t move.
“Fuck.” Cyndra darted into the lighthouse and jumped the entire flight of stairs to the service room, ran down the second set and dashed through the living space.
Rune! Jack!
Without wasting one moment, she bolted down the stairs. By the time she breached the lighthouse door, Rune was a few feet from Zorin with Jack right behind. Reaching them just as they dragged Zorin from the water, Cyndra dropped to her knees beside him while Rune checked his pulse and Jack glanced toward the bay.
“Zorin?” She clasped his left hand with hers. He didn’t respond or move. Cyndra glanced over to Rune who sighed and nodded. He lifted his hand from Zorin’s neck and flopped onto his back, putting a hand over his chest as he tried to calm his breathing. Leaning closer, she pressed her free hand against his cheek. Zorin, can you hear me?
His fingers tightened around her hand.
“I don’t know,” Jack said softly.
Cyndra turned to the casters, both of whom were gazing up toward the sky. “Don’t know what?”
“I only saw it out of the corner of my eye, but I thought there was flash of light—”
“Yeah, there was, practically blinded me.” Cyndra gasped. “The last time I saw a light that bright was on the opposite side of the mansion when the wraiths kidnapped Zorin.”
Didn’t he hit the mansion barrier?
“Yep.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Jack added.
“No, it doesn’t,” Cyndra replied. “Let’s see what he has to say when he wakes up.”
Rune and Jack nodded and frowned.
“Think the three of us can get him to one of the huts?” Jack tilted his head sideways then shook it. “What if we use the wheelbarrow?”
Cyndra snickered, imagining Zorin’s face if he woke up in the middle of the ride. “I’ll stay until he wakes up. Go practice. We’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“The mansion’s not that far. I’ll call if anything changes,” Cyndra said, trying to smile up at her friends.
Rune signed, I’m sorry for teasing earlier, as he frowned.
“Don’t be, we’re in a good place.”
Jack turned back from the bay and patted Rune on the shoulder. “Let us know when he wakes and if he’s all right.”
“Sure, no problem. I’m sure it won’t be long, just got the wind knocked out of him.” Uncertain who she was trying to convince, Cyndra settled her eyes on Zorin’s sharp, dark face, and brushed the hair from his forehead, having rarely seen it out of place.
As Rune and Jack’s powers lessened, the farther they walked away, Cyndra pushed energy into the siphon unsure if Zorin was taking enough naturally from their bond. When she had been weak after her fight with Mergan, siphoning Zorin and Rune strengthened her body. Aware his current form required crystal power for survival, Cyndra set her other hand on his shoulder and added her fire, feeling his cool skin warming as his muscles expanded and tightened. It was her turn to protect him, keep him safe. She’d give him all her power if it would save him.
Wake up, Zorin. Tears hung on the corners of her eyes as she maneuvered his head to her lap and caressed his face and stroked his arm. She told him a joke, wishing he’d wake up and laugh. Sharing a story from her time living in her grandfather truck didn’t rouse him from sleep.
Slipping her hands up and down his arms, Cyndra leaned down and kissed his forehead, unable to stop the tears from splashing into his raven hair. She entwined the fingers of their left hands together, unleashing all her energy. Wake up, Zorin, please.
Chapter 22
The puffy white-gray clouds, backlit by a setting sun of pink and purple, surrounded the entire island in concert with a gentle spring breeze moving through the trees. Finally recovered from his wounds, Zorin stood on the beach, his second favorite place on this island, and gazed away from the breathtaking view to see a group of children running around the lighthouse.
Mergan lifted her hand to him, waving him over. Containing his heavy sigh, he tucked his polo shirt back into his pants, and walked away from the beautiful sunset, ready to give her his decision. He was ready to fight. He’d do whatever he had to do to save the casters and end this war. Little did he know a few months later, Mergan twisted his mind so much that he agreed to the transformation without knowing the consequences.
The day it happened became clear in his mind…
“Once I empower you, you’ll be as tough as stone and as fast and agile as a bat. Caster power will keep you strong and protected. In return, you’ll guard the island from the siphons and humans,” she said.
“And when the war is won?”
“I’ll take the power back.” Mergan kept a sly smile on her mouth, eyeing the twelve casters surrounding them. “You will be invincible, Zorin, I doubt you will give it up so easily.”
“You don’t know me, Mergan,” Zorin snapped back, hating how she was always in his head.
“Oh but I do, caster, your mind is an open book. I’m giving you a gift and if you unlock your true potential, you may never want to be normal again.”
She did know him, far too well for too many years. He was tired of being weak, ineffective, discarded. Mergan had the power to make him stronger so no one and nothing could hurt him ever again.
She set her hand on his head, drenching his body with gut-twisting pain as her dark energy seeped through his skin.
Zorin screamed, palming the ground as his muscles and bones expanded and cracked and reformed while the flesh of his back ripped open and peeled off. His bulging hands darkened, turning an unnatural ashy shade of gray. The sharp jab to his temple throbbed as his skull thickened.
The heavy new bones, now covered in skin, fell against his back. Zorin collapsed to the ground seizing and drooling as the agony splintered through his body. Even before the transformation was through Mergan and her twelve casters were laughing. This was not part of the bargain. He only wanted to be stronger.
Her laughter didn’t stop.
Zorin realized the truth, she was in his mind again. This wasn’t real, he was dreaming.
“What do you want?”
“Are you there, Zorin?” Pristy called instead.
“Pristy?”
“Yes, it’s that dream thing,” she said, sounding terrified.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mergan, she has Evie…the wraiths can’t hurt us but they still scare everyone here, Zorin. She gave me a warning…for you.”
“What’s her warning?”
“Return to the realm or Evie will die and Cyndra will be next.”
Zorin jerked awake, opening his eyes to see his caster staring down, concerned yet relieved. His body, already filled with Cyndra’s fire and energy, wanted more. He reached up to caress her face and claimed her heat when she leaned into his touch.
“Are you okay?” She covered his hand, heightening her fluctuating energy.
“Yes,” he replied, taking her power into his body, helping to clear his mind and soothe the fear. He sat up slowly with her help. “What happened?”
“We think you slammed into a barrier.” A flash of pain tapped his temple as he nodded. Cyndra frowned. “But that doesn’t make any sense.”
Zorin got to his feet, made sure he was steady, and waded into the water. She followed him, of course, and was at his side a few moments later.
“How can there be a new barrier here?”
“I don’t know,” he said, slowing as the water rose to waist level nearer the end of the boat dock. He lifted his hand, stretching it out front, moving inch by inch. When his fingers zapped against the barrier, Cyndra jolted in place and grabbed his forearm. “I’m okay.”
“Makes no sense,” Cyndra said, shaking her head and following his move. Her fingers sparked mid-air and she jerked back, screeching in pain. “Fuck!”
Zorin clasped her hand, checked for wounds, and furrowed his brow before meeting her eyes. “I don’t understand…”
“Makes two of us, literally. I should call Rune and Jack back—”
“What’s changed?”
“Huh?”