“Sera, hold on I’m coming.” He paddled harder, desperate to reach her in time.
“Hurry!” she screamed. “I can’t hold on.”
Finally Bas reached her just as her fingers slipped from the hook. “Hold onto me.” He caught hold of her arm, wrapping an arm around her, he started to paddle back as the current beat against them. Sera’s eyes kept closing as blood seeped from her back. “Stay awake. Come on, we have to keep moving.”
A whirring sound and a shadow passed over them as the jumper appeared with a rope attached. Bas grabbed it, using his other arm to wrap it around Sera. She clung to him, resting her head against his shoulder as Niall directed the jumper, pulling them away from the river. Someone pulled him up, Niall grabbed Sera, dragging her inside, then yanked Bas in.
“How the hell do you fly this thing?” Layard grumbled.
Niall threw a towel to Bas, but he wrapped it around Sera instead. “She’s still bleeding,” Bas cried, trying to stem the flow. “Niall, take control and land. Layard, help me!”
Layard appeared, touching her shoulder. “These are nasty wounds. I need to cauterise them.”
“My wings,” Sera moaned, tears streaming down her face.
“I’m sorry, girl. Your wings are gone,” Layard said, cutting away what remnants were still attached to her back.
“Why can’t you heal yourself?” Bas asked but she didn’t respond as her eyes closed. “Sera, listen me, I will not lose you again.”
“She’s weak, she needs energy, but I don’t think she’s strong enough to take it,” Layard said.
Bas looked up at Layard. “Take my energy. I’ll give it to her. But show me how.”
“Place your hand on her back.”
Bastian did so, and blue light poured from him into Sera. He watched as the slits from where her wings had come from as they closed over, leaving jagged red scars.
Layard heated the air, drying them both off and wrapping his shirt around Sera.
Niall landed the jumper and they saw Liana shoving a fireball into McGregor’s mouth. The chief hunter’s eyes bulged. The fire shot through him, burning him from the inside out. His body crumbled to dust.
Liana headed inside the jumper. “Is she alright?”
“She will be. We need to get out of here. Now.” Layard answered. “Niall, set the coordinates for my cabin. We’ll land close to the border.”
“Hang on, ada.” Liana touched Sera’s forehead and joined Niall at the front of the ship.
“Remind me never to piss you off again,” Niall said to Liana.
Bas cradled Sera on his lap as they flew.
“You know things will never be the same after this,” Layard remarked.
“I know, but she can’t stay in the city,” Bas replied. “Did you know about my mother?”
Layard’s jaw tightened as he crossed his arms. “I could never prove it,” he said. “When you came of age I knew I could do more away from the council’s reach.”
“What happens now?” Niall asked.
“Sera and I will return to the old world,” Liana answered. “Our mission is over.”
“What about us?” Niall glanced back at Bas. “It won’t take them long to find out McGregor’s missing.”
“We’ll tell them Liana attacked when she saw him kill Sera and McGregor got killed in the battle,” Bas answered. “We chased Li to the border and killed her. Better if everyone thinks they’re dead.”
“Will your father believe it?” Liana asked.
“We’ll worry about that later.” Bas sighed and pulled Sera closer.
“I’m surprised you’d even want to stay after what Anton has done,” Liana said.
“I have to. I can keep an eye on things there,” said Bas.
“We both will,” Niall added and said to Layard, “You better start teaching us some higher magic, old man.”
Liana punched Niall’s shoulder. “You’ll miss me, won’t you?”
“Yeah, spitfire, like a bad hangover.”
Bas smiled. After all they’d been through it felt good to hear them arguing again. “I’m losing half my team.” He sighed.
“I’ll be around,” Layard said. “War is coming. We knew this uneasy peace wouldn’t last forever.”
Bas groaned. “I can’t believe I spent all those years —”
“The past doesn’t matter, working towards a better future is what counts.” Layard patted his shoulder.
Bas hugged Sera tighter, enjoying the warmth of her body. “Why did you make me forget her leaving?” he asked Layard with a hard look.
Layard sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Because you wouldn’t have let it go. I promised your mother I’d keep you on the right path and I have.”
He looked down at his lovely fey, still beautiful even in sleep. “I have to lose her again.”
“Sometimes we must let go of the people we love and hope one day they’ll return to us,” Layard smiled. “You got her back once. I think fate has more in store for you both.”
Bas rested his head against seat, then Sera suddenly turned and rolled out of his arms, landing on the floor. “Sera!”
She lay on the floor, writhing in pain.
“Sera, what’s wrong?” Liana knelt beside her.
Sera clutched her stomach, whimpering as she thrashed about. Bright white light enveloped her body, wrapping around her like a blanket.
“Li, what hell is happening to her?” Bas demanded.
“I don’t know!”
Sera screamed as the light flashed spreading outwards her wings reformed, glowing like glitter.
“Ithereal wings don’t grow back,” Liana gasped.
“Her body healed itself,” Layard breathed. “Incredible!”
Bas knelt beside her. “Are you okay?”
She scrambled into a sitting position. “You saved me.”
He smirked. “Guess we’re even now.” He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face against her shoulder. “I’m sorry for everything I said.”
Sera returned his embrace. “I am too.”
She pulled back and rose. His arms felt empty without her, but he guessed it was for the best. She’d be leaving soon. He’d have to let her go.
Sera held out her hand white light shimmered forming into a square shaped crystal.
Bas gasped, staring at it wide eyed. “That’s the keystone. How…”
She shook her head. “It called to me, guess I was meant to find it.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. Bas watched Sera staring the keystone. “No one ever figured out how to make it work. Maybe you can,” he remarked. She nodded, tucking it into her pack.
Bas took control as they prepared to land to make sure Niall didn’t crash and kill them all. He dropped the jumper down close to the edge of the border and the jumper’s bay doors opened.
“Can you breathe the poisonous gases in the old world?” Niall asked Liana.
“It’s not all poisonous, moron. We say that to keep nosy mages like you away,” Liana answered and slung her pack over her shoulder. “Later, boss.” She gave Bas a quick hug. “Nice to know not all mages are bad.”
“I’ll miss you, Li.” Bas grinned. “I hope we see each other again.”
Liana turned to Niall. “You I won’t miss.”
“Aw, you’ll be lost without me, spitfire.” He patted her arse.
Liana slapped him, hard. “You are such a…”
“Behave,” Layard scolded them and hugged Sera. “Good luck, girl.”
Sera smiled. “We’ll see each other again.”
“I know we will. Give my best to that old goat Alward.” She laughed then hugged Niall.
“I’ll miss you, blondie.” Niall glanced between her and Bas. “I’ll set the jumper for home.” He headed inside. Layard said his goodbyes too and left the group to go back to his cabin.
“I’ll give you a minute.” Liana headed over the border, walking off in the opposite direction.
“We have to walk away from this,” Sera said. “You know nothing can happen between us – it’s why I never tried to find you again. It’s safer for both of us that way.”
Bas nodded. “I know. Thanks for saving Clara and everything.”
“Thanks for coming back to me. Take care of Clara.”
“Always.” He hesitated, unsure of what to say or do. “We’ll see each other again. One day.”
“One day.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “This isn’t goodbye.”
“Technically we are still married,” he added. “Even if you didn’t use your real name, the vows we took are sacred.”
“Guess you’d better file for divorce then without letting anyone know I’m still alive.”
Bas shook his head. “No, like you said, we’ll see each other again.”
Sera turned and walked over the border, vanishing into the mist.
Bastian stood there, his heart pounding. Damn it, he couldn’t just let her go. Without thinking, he sprinted across the border, the mist parting like a curtain as he ran. Up ahead he saw her. As if sensing him, she turned around. When he reached her, he drew her in for a long, searing kiss.
“Bas, you can’t be here.” Sera said as she pulled away from him. “The Ashran have eyes everywhere.”
Bas ran a hand through her hair. “I know, I need you to know I never stopped…”
Sera sighed. “Mages and fey aren’t supposed to fall in love, remember?” She touched his cheek.
“I think we moved past that a long time ago. I don’t care if you’re fey. Hell, the wings are kind of nice.”
“I hated lying to you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t apologise. I found you again.” He grinned. “If the roles were reversed, I can’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing.”
Sera pulled out of his embrace. “I have to go. So do you. Hurry back over the border.”
Bas drew her in for another kiss, not wanting to let her go. “Stay. If they think —”
“We both know I don’t belong in that world.”
“Not sure I do either.” He shook his head. “It’s not fair, I just found you, now I have to lose you all over again. I never got the chance to know you.”
Sera clutched his hand. “There is a way. We can share each other, like sharing minds. You’ll know everything about me and I will about you.”
Bas frowned. “How long will it take?”
“Not long.”
“Do it.”
White light swirled around them as a rush of emotions swirled through them. He felt her love too. They no longer needed words.
“We’ll see each other again, I promise.” Sera kissed him.
“I know.” He turned back, headed through the mist and lost sight of her for the last time.
The End
Continue the Tales of the Ithereal Series in book two, Outcast Fey.
https://tiffanyshand.com/tales-of-the-ithereal/
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About the Author
Tiffany Shand is a writing mentor, professionally trained copy editor and copy writer who has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Born in East Anglia, Tiffany still lives in the area, constantly guarding her work space from the two cats which she shares her home with.
She began using her pets as a writing inspiration when she was a child, before moving on to write her first novel after successful completion of a creative writing course. Nowadays, Tiffany writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, as well as nonfiction books for other writers.
Read More from Tiffany Shand here
Into the Ether: Palingenesis
Robyn Jenkins
Into the Ether: Palingenesis © 2017 Robyn Jenkins
Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Trigger warning: this novel contains language suitable for an adult audience (18+).
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Created with Vellum
Into the Ether: Palingenesis
Everything is finally starting to fall into place for Amber Khalid.
She’ll have her graduate degree by May, and with a study system in place, she’s able to excel in her courses. She even has time to spare for dating. Then one day Amber discovers she has been mysteriously endowed with the ability of telekinesis, which could have proven handy except it doesn’t stop there. The powers keep coming and with no way of controlling them she is backed into a corner.
Convinced she must get rid of them, Amber endeavors to retrace her steps to uncover the catalyst and reverse it. She embarks on a search which leads her back to her best friend, Kelly Stowe, from high school. Someone she hasn’t spoken to in years. Leads divert Amber elsewhere, but what goes around comes around, bringing her back full circle to an unexpected homecoming.
Amber presses onward hell bent on extracting the dangerous powers. However, in spite of making connections along the way and moving one step closer to solving the mystery, Amber is unable to think clearly with the overwhelming power swirling inside of her. Even impaired, one thing is for sure: everything isn’t what it seems. Will Amber be able to protect herself and will she find Kelly before it’s too late?
Prologue
June 3, 1968
Death was certain. Drained, Marcus gave into the inevitable. He closed his eyes, anticipating his execution. Instead, he felt stillness fall upon him as if in repose rather than converging with the imminent death coming to claim him. Fleetingly he thought, Maybe death comes without pain…but he knew better, he knew what awaited him in his afterlife. For all of his transgressions, a debt was owed, a payment that could only be settled with the exchange of his soul, suffering unspeakable torment for an eternity.
Time slowed to a crawl, each passing minute seemingly more infinite than the last. Then, at last, he felt it—a jarring, excruciating pain that radiated throughout his entire body. Sharp rocks jabbed at his torso and scraped against every inch of exposed skin. He opened his eyes, capturing a rotating landscape as he tumbled down a rocky hill. He landed hard on his back. Agonized moans cried out in unison, nearby. He was not alone. It took seconds to realize he was back in Wyoming, along with his fallen brethren, and alive.
Marcus stood up and staggered toward the wooded area. Vanessa reached for his arm, making him stumble backwards. “Where are you going?”
He yanked his arm away. “I'm done.”
“So that's it? You're leaving your people?”
He jutted an index finger at her. "You don't get to say that to me.”
“I deserve that,” Vanessa admitted, pointing expansively to their people, “but they don't. You can't leave them, now.”
“I can't face them, not after what I’ve done. I’ve failed them.”
“No, you inspired them, and trained them for battle. You gave them something to fight for.”
“I almost got them killed.”
“And yet they're all still alive, but would gladly die for you and our cause.”
“No, I have to go now,” Marcus said, having already made up his mind.
“Then make me your second.”
“Not a chance in—”
“I know you're still angry with me, but our people were loyal to you. You
can't defect. Make me your second in command and you can leave. I will remain and lead our people in your absence—until you are ready to return. I'll tell them you were captured. Let me continue what you've started.”
“Why would you do that for me?”
“I have no ulterior motives. I only want to honor you for what you've done for us. Defecting will ruin you and tarnish everything you've accomplished. Let me do this for you.”
“Done," he said, relinquishing his rank to her.
“Good, now go before someone sees you. Be well.”
He nodded in gratitude and fled into the dense forest.
Part I
1
September 5, 1997
It was a frigid September morning when fifteen year old Kelly Stowe had shown up for school. School had already been in session for almost two weeks, but it was only Kelly Stowe’s second day due to a delay in receiving her immunization forms. She chaffed her arms as she entered the foreign halls of Carrington High. Still unfamiliar with the layout of the school, Kelly pulled out the school map rendering the secretary sketched for her on her first day. She studied the map, tracing her finger along the hallway which led to her first period class. Algebra.
Tucking the map back into her backpack, Kelly rushed down the hall. The bell gave a final ring just as she’d slipped into the first empty desk she could find.
Mrs. Pagano stood in the front of the class. “Good afternoon, class. I hope you had a chance to go over chapters 9-10, leading up to the unit review. We’ve got a lot to cover for Friday’s quiz.”
Relics and Runes Anthology Page 152