by S. D. Grimm
“What’s wrong with you, Ethan?” Chloe touched his shoulders.
Five black lions swooped in, landing in a run. They shot toward Ethan and Chloe and bowled into Zephyr. Belladonna rode one. “There you are, pet. I missed you.”
He met Belladonna’s eyes and looked past her to where Jayden stood. Franco grabbed her arm and pushed her behind him. “What are you waiting for, Belladonna? Let’s get out of here.”
Her eyes bored into Ethan’s. “You’re mine.”
Ethan drew his sword. “What do you want, Belladonna?”
Her smile stretched unusually red lips. “You.”
Thunder rumbled.
Belladonna’s black lions circled him.
Ethan and Zephyr might be impervious to the venom, but Chloe wasn’t.
Oh, Chloe. Why did she have to come? Now he had two to protect.
But they wouldn’t kill Jayden. Not yet. Chloe? What did they care if she lived or died?
Belladonna pointed at him. Then she jerked her arm back. Pain pulled in the old wound at his chest, and he stumbled forward. Zephyr crouched in front of him, growling.
“Kill it.”
The black lions lunged toward Zephyr. His claws curled around Ethan. His wings beat against the air, against the storm, and they left the ground.
“Chloe!”
“I’m here. In your creature’s claws.”
“I wouldn’t leave her, friend. But those black beasts are fast.”
“You’re faster.”
Ethan climbed Zephyr’s leg and pulled himself onto his back. Then he held his hand down for Chloe.
She looked at it. “You’re crazy.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “He needs his claws to fight, Chloe. Come on.”
She breathed deep and grabbed his hand. He helped pull her up, and she sat in front of him on Zephyr’s back. “Maybe you should stop trying to protect me.”
“You aren’t the only one who gets to protect loved ones, Ethan.” She glanced at him over her shoulder.
Belladonna’s five black lions barreled toward them. She still rode one, and her dark eyes locked onto him. “You’re mine.”
An invisible hand clutched his chest and pulled. This time he didn’t fight it. He pitched forward. Chloe screamed and grabbed for him. She missed. Air pushed against him, and he fell faster than he thought possible.
Zephyr dove beneath him, and Ethan looked at his friend. “Save Chloe.”
Zephyr pulled up, and Ethan fell on top of a black lion. He plunged the wooden dagger into the base of its skull and it turned to dust.
Belladonna screeched. This time the creature that caught him was hers. She pulled him close with her invisible grip. “You should be more compliant.” She drew the Sword of Black Malice. “Don’t worry. I won’t kill you. Your little lover just told me a secret. You’re one of the Deliverers. You’ve just put me very far ahead in a game I’ve been dying to win.”
Ethan swallowed. She knew.
She touched the sword to the spot on his chest that had been blackened by that very weapon. “Your strength belongs to me.”
What? “You’re crazy.” He drew his sword and pierced her through. “Where’s my brother?”
She laughed. “You can’t kill me.”
He pulled his sword free of her and aimed for her head. “You want to bet?” He swung, but his sword stopped and his heart raced. Why wasn’t it moving?
“I told you.” She laughed. “I am your master. Your strength is mine. You cannot kill me.”
The black lion swooped close to the ground, to where Franco stood with Jayden. Zephyr slammed into them, and Ethan jumped to the earth. He rolled with the momentum and popped up to his feet. But something in his resolve was shaken. He couldn’t kill her?
Belladonna faced him, the Sword of Black Malice in her hands.
Jayden stood compliant next to Franco. He glanced at Belladonna. “Having trouble reeling in your Deliverer? I might be able to help. The Mistress is waiting for her prize.”
Belladonna sneered. “I don’t need your help.”
Franco’s eyebrows raised, and he motioned to Ethan. “No? Then I’ll take that one, too.”
“You have nothing. One of the Deliverers already loves me. The second is in the prison watched by my guards. This one”—she yanked at Ethan’s chest anchor, and it jerked him forward no matter how he tried to brace himself—“is bound to me by dark magic. I have three. You only have . . . well as soon as she snaps out of her dream, she’ll know who you really are. You won’t have her allegiance.”
“You forget. The other girl’s soul is bound to me by the tattoo.”
Serena? Ethan pitched forward. Behind him, Zephyr growled.
“Tell your gryphon to stand down. My black lions will kill him.”
“Zeph, are you fast enough to grab Jayden and get out of here?”
“What about you?”
Ethan raised his sword. “I have an ex-Healer to kill.”
Belladonna smirked. “I told you—”
“No one controls me.” He raced toward her.
She flicked her wrist, and the tug in his chest yanked him off his feet. He slid across the gravel. Stopped. Stood. Shook himself off. “Jayden! Wake up!”
The sky crackled, and Stormcloud flew into the center of the abysshounds and bulls. She lifted her back legs and kicked Franco in the head. He fell to the ground and skidded across cracked earth. Slowly, he pushed himself up to his elbows and wiped blood from his face.
And the wounds closed. Healed. A smile snaked across Franco’s lips. He stood and spat. “Kill the gryphon and the pegasus.”
Stormcloud took flight and the firegoats chased her. She flew straight toward a flash of lightning. Ethan hoped she’d be able to kill them.
Belladonna pointed her sword toward Franco. “Looks like your creatures are occupied. Mine aren’t. Kill the gryphon.” Zephyr screeched as the four black lions lunged toward him. Chloe’s scream stabbed Ethan’s heart. He turned. She was still here. Ethan stood in front of her.
Franco stepped closer to Belladonna’s sword blade. “You said we were working together to defeat the Mistress.”
“I lied.”
“You can’t kill me.”
“With this, I can.” She nodded to the Sword of Black Malice. “It creates wounds no Healer can heal, blood sacrifice or not.”
Ethan watched the two of them face off. He had to use this to his advantage. If he could get Jayden to snap out of her nightmare, he might just be able to get her to make this storm work for them.
“I have men, too. And they’ll take your Deliverer.” He gripped Jayden’s arm and towed her behind a long line of men.
Belladonna looked at Ethan. “Go get your one true love. Or I’ll kill the redhead.”
Three black lions pinned Zephyr down. He must have killed one. Still he struggled beneath their claws.
Ethan’s heart hammered. He had too many to protect. And the abysshounds kept the other Feravolk from reaching him. He faced Franco’s men, and his talent crackled like a flame across his chest. “Jayden, I’m coming for you.”
Her head snapped in his direction, and she stared at him. The red in her eyes pulsed. “You’ll never claim me, Franco.”
Franco chuckled. “That’s a nice turn of events. But I can’t exactly have her killing you. Good thing I have her. And them.” Perhaps a dozen soldiers headed toward the line of abysshounds. “Go ahead, men. Bring him to me.”
Ethan focused on his talent. “Chloe, stay away from those black lions, do you hear?”
Lightning cracked across the sky. And Ethan lifted his sword.
Zephyr’s struggle tugged at the corner of his mind. “I’ve killed another. Keep fighting. I’m coming to help.”
Speed shot into Ethan and his strength grew. The men charged and he fought. His sword met metal. Blades sliced into his skin, but he felt nothing. Jayden was captive, and he wouldn’t rest until she was free.
Another body fel
l to his blade. Another.
A jerk in his chest made him stumble back. Belladonna stood between him and the men. “No, no,” she said. “You can’t kill him. But you can kill the redhead.”
Jayden stood in front of him, and she called lightning. His chest flared. She meant to hit him. Ethan looked into her eyes. “Jayden, no. Please don’t.”
She shook her head. Stormcloud shot through the storm, two firegoats on her tail.
Ethan dove to the ground as the lightning left her fingertips. Stormcloud flicked her tail to make contact with it. And as she whipped her tail again, the bolt changed direction and sailed straight toward the firegoats.
Shrieking, they fell to the ground.
“Jayden!” He screamed. “Don’t doubt my love for you! Please. See me.”
She closed her eyes. When she opened them, blue pulsed through the red, dissipating it.
She looked at him and gasped. “Ethan?”
“No.” Franco grabbed her wrist.
“Oh, Ethan, aren’t you just a thorn in my flesh.” Belladonna pulled on the link, and this time, he was ready for it. He resisted. It snapped her arm forward.
She looked at her hand. “How are you doing that?”
His heartbeat sped. It might work. He could be rid of her. He stood strong as she yanked again. His skin ripped open, but he stood there, staring at her. Willing her to see his defiance.
“You’re mine!” She screamed and pulled with what looked to be all her might. Ethan stumbled forward and slammed into the ground.
“For that, I’ll have to stab you through. You remember what that feels like, don’t you?” She charged at him.
The sky lit.
And she threw the sword.
“No!” Chloe knocked him to the ground. Then her body slammed into his with such force he knew. She’d been stabbed. Jayden’s scream confirmed it.
“Chloe!”
Her green eyes met his and everything else stopped. Not Chloe. “Sh-she meant to kill you.” Crimson dripped over her lips.
Ethan rolled her off of him, careful to catch her and cradle her in his arms. “Ch-Chloe, she can heal with that sword. Sh-she did it for me. You hang on, okay?”
“Ethan?” She touched his cheek and smiled. Her skin was so pale. And her voice so soft.
“What?”
Her eyes moved in and out of focus, but for a moment they focused right on him. “I love you . . . I always . . . have.”
“Oh, Chloe, don’t—”
“I would have . . . died for you . . . a thousand times over.”
He squeezed her hand and pressed it closer to his face. “I love you, too.”
Light glimmered for a moment in her eyes, and a smile spread across her face. Then her hand fell. Limp. He curled his body over hers. Not Chloe. Not another one.
Ethan fisted his hands and stood. He pulled the Sword of Black Malice from Chloe’s lifeless body and stared at Belladonna. “You will pay.” His voice was barely above a whisper, but the way her dark eyes flicked to the sword told him she heard every word.
Franco laughed. “Looks like I just gained what you lost.”
Ethan ran, sword out, straight at Belladonna. Her eyes opened wide as speed he didn’t know he possessed fueled him. Then something fell from her hands. Purple smoke rose up around her. Ethan ran faster. She would feel this blade. She would feel his wrath. She would die for killing Chloe.
He flung the sword toward the purple mist.
And her scream was silenced.
When the mist dissipated, she was gone.
Chapter 39
Simple Mistakes
Serena watched as her dry bread bounced across her cell floor toward her. Her insides fluttered as the guard stalked away.
“Fifteen minutes,” Madison whispered.
Ryan sat up and locked gazes with Serena. “You sure Connor will come through?”
“I am.” Madison stood, key in hand.
Truth.
Footsteps stopped in front of the doors. Serena leaned as close to the door as she could, her ears pressing against the cell bars.
“The cook opened a bottle of wine, but His Majesty didn’t like it.” A feminine voice she didn’t recognize sounded out in the hall.
A guard laughed. “Better her head than mine.
“Well, it’s not good for wine to go to waste.”
“I agree with you, sweetheart.” The guard’s voice grew husky.
The woman giggled.
Moments later, a bottle crashed against the floor. The door creaked open and Connor entered. “It’s done. Is he ready?”
“I’m ready.” Ryan stood.
Madison unlocked the door and handed the key to Serena. She fumbled on the lock of Ryan’s cell. Connor handed a shirt to Ryan, who smirked before he put it on. “The king’s guard, huh?”
“Follow me.” Connor stuck his head out into the hall. At last he motioned for them to follow.
Serena’s insides tightened. He led them to the winding staircase that would take them down a level. “Kara said she’d meet you. I am going to my troops now. Be careful, sister.” He winked. Serena hugged her newfound brother before he slipped silently away.
She continued down the staircase, but Ryan wouldn’t let her through the door until he’d checked to see that it was safe. In her head, Serena followed the map that Kara had made her study each night and led them easily to the forbidden room. The spell chamber. Kara appeared from the shadows.
“You made it then.” She looked neither surprised nor impressed. “Here.” She handed Serena her beautiful daggers and her Feravolk cloak. Serena let the feel of each of her weapons caress her before she put them away. Kara also handed Madison a pair of daggers. Then she turned to Ryan and gave him a sword. “I stole this from Franco’s personal weapons. I thought it would be perfect for you.
The stone in the weapon’s hilt glowed green, and the light wrapped around Ryan’s wrists. He tried to drop it, but it remained in his hands. “What’s it doing?”
“It’s a Deliverer’s sword.” Serena looked at the blade as the green light dissipated. Dragon wings made up the cross guard.
Kara touched Serena’s arm. “Good luck.”
“You’re not coming with us?”
“Don’t worry about me. I have unfinished business of my own. Be careful, Serena. I think Franco will come looking for you.” She tapped the tattoo on Serena’s neck. “If he does, I will fight for him.”
Serena nodded, and Kara pointed to a gray brick on the wall. She pushed. Heavy stone scraped as it moved sideways, stacking behind the wall. There it was. The door to the spell chamber.
“Be fast.” Kara melted into the shadows.
Serena faced the door. It was made of up of thick, dark timbers held together by black, twisted iron. The shape was of a long serpentine dragon that snaked along the hinge side, over the top, and down to the keyhole, which it revealed in its parted jaws.
“Of course.” Ryan smirked as he touched the dragon mold and slid the key into the lock and turned.
The door opened and Serena stepped inside.
Bottles and books packed aisles and aisles of shelves. A wooden table spread across the floor in front of the shelves, littered with mortars and pestles, wooden, metal, and glass spoons and bowls. A cauldron sat in a quiet fireplace. And in the very front of the room, open on a pedestal for the eye to behold the moment the door opened, sat the book of spells.
Madison stepped into the room. “Here it is.”
Serena grabbed her wrist. “Don’t touch it.” The words came out soft, and she didn’t take her eyes off the book. “If it’s this easy to find, it’s spelled.” She released Madison.
Behind them, Ryan unsheathed his sword and stayed by the door “I don’t like this.”
“How will we get it?” Madison asked.
“Serena,” Ryan’s voice was low. “Someone’s using the back stairs.”
Serena met his gaze for a heartbeat. Two heartbeats. “Mirage pr
otects the counters book, but every spell book is bonded to one.” She studied the book. “As soon as I touch it, Franco—or whoever is bound to the book—will feel it. And Franco knows just where to find me.”
“It’s now or never, then.” Ryan tipped his head, and his smile warmed her.
She breathed deep. Hovered her hands over the book, testing, feeling. Nothing told her where the counters books hid. She’d have to touch it. The book would be tiny and grow once released. The same unicorn magic she’d used to hide Ryan earlier had been used here. She could sense it.
Her fingers slid over the gold fabric on the front cover, and she closed the book. A loud scraping sound brought her attention to the doorway. Ryan stared wide-eyed as a wall of cinder block began to slide across the entrance. He braced himself against the cement door, keeping it open. “Now would be good.”
“Madison, get out of here.” She pushed Madison toward the door. Then she faced the book and ran her fingers over the cover. Closed her eyes. Felt through the cloaking magic.
It was dirty. Stolen from a unicorn.
At least she could feel that. Now she needed to find the book.
She touched the back cover.
The spine.
“Serena? I’m not made of metal.” Strain etched Ryan’s voice.
“Just leave it,” Madison said.
“No.” This was to save Ryan and all the innocent people the Mistress had spelled. She wasn’t leaving it.
Ryan’s pain tugged at her. She focused.
“Thieves! Stop, by order of the king!” Voices thundered outside.
Ryan grunted. “Madison, take my sword. I can’t fight and hold this door.”
“I have my weapons.”
Serena’s fingers hit something. Her eyes sprang open. She could feel the transparent book inside the back cover. Her fingers found the edge and she pulled.
“Serena!”
The sound of metal clashing metal outside. Soldiers marching.
The strap broke. The book became visible as it was freed. She slipped it into her pocket and ran to the small space Ryan held on to. She jumped over his legs and grabbed his hand, pulling him with her. They landed in a heap on the floor.
The door slid shut, just missing Ryan’s boots.
“You okay?” he asked her.
She nodded. They both stood and drew weapons.