by Anne Bourne
“It seems I have underestimated her champion, but enjoy your glory for the few minutes you have it.”
The crowd was roaring like thunder, confusion starting riots among them.
“I’ve won. You keep to the rules, you son of a bitch,” Gabriel spat at him. He was aware of depth charges firing into the water and realized someone was on the surface sending bombs down.
“You have cheated,” Erebos hissed and lifted a horn to his lips. With a long blow, a wail sounded as if death itself were unleashed.
Ephyra swam to Gabriel, fear in her eyes.
“Marcus is here, on the surface,” she said hastily.
“What?” Gabriel shouted.
Suddenly, there was another thunderous clap from another depth charge that seemed to still the water for a moment and everyone was thrown back. When it had passed, some merfolk were unconscious. Erebos fingered the small cut on his forehead in anger.
Erebos grinned as he swam up toward the boats on the surface.
“What’s happening?” Gabriel cried to Ephyra. She shook her head.
“I don’t know!” she yelled. The barrier between them started to give slightly.
• • •
Depth charges, Marcus thought frantically as he struggled against his captors. Sanchez brought depth charges. He vainly sought to get to Jane. Marcus saw bullets flying into the water and then divers in black wet suits came flopping over the side. Marcus and Jane leapt from the boat into the frothing water, better there than impaled on bullets.
Current swept him up and Marcus rode it. His head broke the surface and he saw that swirling clouds were coming together in a clash of fury. Lightning hit the water with the force of godlike hammers and thunder boomed overhead. It was too strong and Marcus felt his regulator torn from his mouth, the straps holding the tanks cut like ribbon.
He saw Ephyra as a blur of dark bubbles coming up toward him and Jane and glanced over his shoulder to see Sanchez bearing down.
Chapter Forty-Three
Ephyra propelled Marcus and Jane back to the debris from his boat. He saw a man from Sanchez’s boat aiming at Jane and plunged over her. Jane was thrown forward, her head knocking on the metal railing. She went unconscious.
He heard men shouting in Spanish, the other boat came alongside and then Sanchez stood over him, a silver gun pointed in his face.
“I have lost enough men to you!” he cursed.
Marcus fixed Sanchez with a glare and then something took his gaze.
“I told you the truth, look behind you,” he said with a smirk.
Sanchez turned around and Ephyra blasted him off the side of the boat. She hung on to the railings with one arm and pointed the ram’s horn gun at the men with the other. The rounds of poisoned spikes shot through them and they splashed into the water, dead before they could even pull their triggers. Ephyra smiled at Marcus grimly and hoisted herself up on the splintered deck.
“Thanks.” Marcus clutched his shoulder with one hand and touched Jane with the other. She was still breathing as rain pelted her face. The boat rocked wildly with the rolling waves.
“Is she okay?”
“Yea, think so,” Marcus answered. “Is Gabriel?”
“I don’t know, but he wanted me to get you to safety. I’ll take her to the other boat, follow. You can’t do anything for him here.” Ephyra tugged Jane and swam quickly toward Sanchez’s boat.
• • •
Gabriel found himself unable to move as he was propelled toward the Dark merman. Erebos’ face wore a murderous scowl and lightning flashed in his eyes. The horn’s echo surrounded the merman with a dangerous aura of power.
“Champion, I offer you a deal.”
Gabriel regarded him steadily, cocking his head. His fingers clutched the sword but he couldn’t move them.
“Why, surprised you lost?”
“I haven’t lost,” Erebos snapped. “It is you who stands to lose and I offer you a chance to live.”
“No thanks.” Gabriel glared at him. He felt the power coiling inside him.
“I offer more than slavery, like your precious princess does,” he said with a smile.
“Again, no,” Gabriel responded coldly.
Erebos frowned at him and then shrugged.
“If that is your choice.” He sent electric magic into Gabriel’s torso. Gabriel was aware someone was screaming in agony, only to realize it was him. He felt a weakness take him, his mind clouded with darkness.
He saw Erebos put a finger to his temple and close his eyes. All at once Gabriel saw into the other’s mind. It was full of chaotic desire, bloody mangled bodies and icy fire cut with magic. He saw a human man kneeling in pain, enslaved.
“You were human,” he whispered as the pain shook his core. The sword fell from his hand.
“I was enslaved by these animals and that would be your fate,” came his soft hiss. “But no longer.”
In his mind Gabriel saw the entire coast being destroyed by funnel clouds of Erebos’ fury, rain sleeting down roofs and wind that knocked houses over. Floods began to race as waves rose, summoned by his invisible hand. Gabriel groaned as much from the pain as from the destruction the humans didn’t even see coming. He felt another shock of power shake his insides and Gabriel screamed as it tore him.
There was a faint sound as Erebos left his mind. It was a low keening screech and suddenly there was a wave of blue gray shapes surrounding them. Gabriel tried vainly to make his tail work, to keep him afloat but he was falling. He heard Erebos’ shout of dismay as blue whales rushed in from all sides.
“Click,” Gabriel said with a small smile and then he couldn’t see anything.
The whales crashed forward as they battered Erebos’ guards and tried to snatch him in their mouths. Erebos blew them back with a blast and a few were blown apart, their flesh floating in chunks to the dark ocean floor.
Find your strength! The whale’s voice echoed in Gabriel’s foggy head as she swept under him, carrying him. Gabriel could taste the blood in the water and his gills opened wider for more oxygen. Slowly, his vision cleared and he tried to sit up. Pain shot through his back and arms. Gabriel saw his fins were torn in places and his chest full of scratches. Click was moving awkwardly now and Gabriel floated off her.
Thank you, I won’t let him hurt you, he thought and put his hands together.
With a muttered curse, he spied Erebos rocketing toward him. Gabriel let his mind go blank and just felt the energy. The power convulsed once and then he was spinning up, light shooting from his fingertips. He hit Erebos but the other twisted in time so only his shoulder was scalded. Gabriel lashed out with white light, Erebos countered with green. They circled, locked in a battle of will.
Gabriel felt a jolt hit his tail and growled. He shot back and saw Erebos’ left fin disappear. Light shot in every direction and time collapsed. Erebos sent a beam straight toward the bracer. He had glimpsed the blue moonstone.
Gabriel felt his forearm explode in pain and the bracer fell from his wrist. He frantically grabbed for it but it was blasted away with another green shaft of light. He turned tail and raced for the shore. Gabriel knew it would take a few minutes for the change to come and he pushed his body as fast as it could go. Out here, he would drown in seconds. He could feel Erebos behind him, enjoying the race.
Gabriel felt his lungs start to burn as his gills folded into his head. He tried not to panic as he flashed his tail harder, propelling him toward land. The water suddenly started to make him sluggish; he used his arms now to help swim. With a thump, he felt his tail turn into human legs. Gabriel pumped them with all his strength but knew it wouldn’t be enough. He let himself float to the surface, his head broke through the waves and he saw the beach in the distance. It was too far. Gabriel felt his heart sink and with it, he was pul
led down under the water.
Erebos leered at him under the water as he held him. Gabriel didn’t even try to struggle; he just glared for all he was worth. Then, he felt Erebos’ hold break as a spear came catapulting into the dark lord’s left shoulder. The merman cried out, clutching the shaft that protruded. He yanked it out with a snarl.
Jake rammed into the dark lord with all his speed and tried to slice him with his sword. He missed and barely dodged Erebos’ green blast at his tail. He didn’t stop for the pain as he grabbed Gabriel and hauled him to the surface. Gabriel gulped air gratefully and then felt himself being pulled swiftly toward shore. Jake grabbed around his middle and with a jump start like a cannon they hurtled toward the beach. Gabriel could only hold on as he tried not to choke on the salt water.
There was a concussive blast and Gabriel felt himself being launched out of the water. He landed painfully on churning sand and saw Jake’s unconscious form a few feet away, the waves surging around him. Gabriel sent him a silent thank you as he scrambled toward him. He spied a pair of shorts snagged on a piece of driftwood. He thanked God someone had littered. His legs were shaky but he clambered up the beach.
Erebos’ tall, lean figure rose out of the waves. Gabriel saw him changing, human legs gathering beneath him as he stood shrouded in a black cloak that stuck to him like spines. He walked confidently out of the water, the waves parting for him and the sand giving him firm footing.
“It seems you’ve run out of friends, champion,” Erebos said with a sneer.
“My name is Gabriel.”
Gabriel stood and walked away from Jake, trying to draw the dark lord’s attention away from him. He felt the wind battering him like a ram and was nearly knocked over. Erebos laughed.
“Pathetic even in your rightful form,” he said and cast his hands out further. Rain pelted Gabriel and lightning struck at his feet. Gabriel felt the impact as he jumped aside. Thunder followed, so loud it hurt his ears.
Gabriel searched quickly for anything to help him but there was nothing, just the wide expanse of deserted beach that was being ravaged by the storm. Erebos stood in the middle of it, his hair whipping around his calm face.
Gabriel crouched into fighting stance. If he was to die after everyone had placed their faith in him, it would be on his terms.
Erebos tossed his head.
Chapter Forty-Four
Ephyra curled her tail around Scyllane’s body and cradled her head in her lap. The sea witch’s eyes were a cloudy blue and her breath came in ragged gasps. Ephyra looked around at Erebos’ guards but they were talking among themselves. They finally made up their minds and fifty of them went to assist their master. Only a dozen stayed behind, watching the princess.
Ephyra ignored them. She wished Jake were there but he’d disappeared. She concentrated on trying to stem the blood from Scyllane’s wounds.
“I have overlooked one thing, merling,” Scyllane said hoarsely.
“Shhh, you did wonderfully. I didn’t understand why you put me in the human realm, but I need to thank you for that,” she said softly.
Scyllane smiled faintly.
“I never intended what happened. No reason to thank me.” All her rage, all the hate was boiling down to one last breath. She coughed and bubbles came out from her mouth. Ephyra put a soothing hand on her forehead.
Ephyra couldn’t feel Gabriel anymore and feared the worst. His spirit was no longer in the water.
“You should not doubt love as I did,” Scyllane told her scornfully. Ephyra was surprised at her tone.
“I … ” she began but the truth was she had already given up. “You’re right, but I can’t feel him anymore.” Tears welled in her eyes. She hadn’t wanted to face it until now, in the stillness of the deep.
“The moon will overtake the sun soon,” the sea witch whispered and closed her eyes.
“What?” Ephyra asked, wondering what this had to do with love.
Scyllane had gone silent and still. Ephyra closed her eyes in sorrow and knelt over her, her shoulders trembling. She placed her hand on the sea witch’s heard.
“Be at peace.”
An object, glistening gold came to rest on the sea witch’s body. Ephyra picked it up and examined the mirror. It was a small handheld mirror that gave back Ephyra’s haggard reflection. The mirror started to vibrate and suddenly the surface came to life. Ephyra gasped as she saw first the cloud banks, billowing and shielding the sun. The image took her far above the clouds to where the sun shone on the white tops. She peered closer and saw a dark sliver beginning to cross the sun’s orb. With a gasp, she heard Scyllane’s words. The moon would cross the sun. Ephyra stared spellbound at what the mirror showed her.
• • •
Gabriel danced in the sand around Erebos, his fists lashing out and missing. The dark lord in his human form was quick, his body evasive. The storm swirled around them and Gabriel could hardly keep the rain out of his eyes. Sweat smeared over his body as he tried to hit his target.
“When you tire of this, I will be happy to oblige you in an extended death,” Erebos said as he circled. His fist shot out and Gabriel countered it with his forearm. He struck out a leg and caught the man behind his knee. Erebos grunted in reluctant surprise but righted himself.
Gabriel didn’t answer but concentrated. He felt his legs shaking and knew it wouldn’t be long before fatigue got the better of him. They grappled with fists, legs and kicks in the sand that sucked his feet down. Waves began to get higher and Gabriel had to dodge them, moving up further on the beach. He turned, irate, at the distraction and cursed the waves. To his surprise, they receded as if pulled back by a string.
Gabriel panted and rained down blow after blow, satisfied he was finally hitting solid flesh. The man beneath him lashed out and he reeled back, his face burning. Gabriel threw himself right back at him and they collapsed in pile of thrashing limbs. Erebos kneed him in the stomach; Gabriel grunted and slammed his elbow down on the other’s bad shoulder. Green light flashed angrily from the merman.
Gabriel felt something in his grasp, a control that was heady and almost as if he was holding the reins to the wind itself. He could feel the lightning, hot and white and feel the rain as it lashed his body. He commanded it to stop and the rain lessened. Gabriel glanced skyward, his lips twisted in a curious smile. He looked over to see Erebos firing a green ball of fire at him. Gabriel called lightning to strike it before it reached him.
“Trouble?” he called to the dark lord.
Erebos glided toward the water and shot bolt after bolt at Gabriel. He deflected them all and Erebos muttered curses under his breath. This was impossible. The power of the storms was his. He let waves break against his legs, hoping the ocean would restore his control. Instead, Gabriel made the waves rise up against him and he found himself on his back in the sand.
For a moment, the clouds parted as Gabriel told the storm to relax. They both felt soft rays of sun on their faces and saw the black shadow crossing the sun. Gabriel raised his eyebrows. He felt the pull of the eclipse like static charging through him.
He saw several heads pop up above the water and recognized the guards. Gabriel clenched his hand into a fist and with it, the water tightened around them. The mermen shouted in alarm and looked to Erebos for help. He tried to stretch out his hand but all it caused was a frothing of waves. Gabriel thrust them onto the sand where they flopped angrily.
“Seems your friends are in trouble.”
The dark lord glowered at him. In fury, Erebos gathered all he had left and launched himself at Gabriel. The flash of blazing green and gold light blasted into Gabriel and he felt himself pushed back by the force as if he were up against a wall. He managed to keep his feet and held both hands out to catch the power surge. He felt searing pain on his already beaten body but power surged through him.
White light caught Erebos’ vicious face as he slashed at Gabriel’s throat. The power cut Erebos’ head cleanly off his shoulders and Gabriel fell back, the water closing over his head. He asked the water to hold him up and it surrounded him like a blanket. Gabriel saw Erebos’ still form float away on the current, his mouth gaping in death.
The waves gently deposited him back on the sand and Gabriel sat wearily, his legs trembling. He surveyed the still mermen who lay on the sand, unable to move.
“Your master is dead. Serve the Coral house now and swear your loyalty or follow him to the depths,” Gabriel shouted. The men all yelled oaths back at him, their eyes sincere. Gabriel lifted his hand and the waves took the merman back into the water. He watched as they disappeared beneath the water.
Gabriel lay back and felt the power fading as the shadow left the sun. The clouds gathered but their rain was soft now, the thunder a distant rumble. Gabriel thought of Ephyra and his heart contracted. He had done his duty and he waited for fins to regrow around his legs. The champion had won, he was now a slave. At the least, he would make sure all were loyal to her.
When all he heard was the patter of rain and felt nothing but his calf muscles clenching he gathered energy to sit up. His legs were still there, no scales. Gabriel heard a soft groaning and saw Jake holding his head, his tail half way in the water. Gabriel walked over to him and flopped down. The merman gave him a rueful smile.
“Saw the end of the show. That was impressive,” he said and his tail flipped.
“Thanks. Don’t ask where it came from, I have no idea,” Gabriel said lightly. He smiled at Jake. The two sat in silence as the rain washed the blood from their faces.
Chapter Forty-Five
Ephyra followed the mirror, the formations of rock and sand in the reflection were the same on either side of her. She swam away from the palace, away from the arena. The mirror suddenly showed her the darkness in a crevice. She took a deep breath and plunged into the pit. The mirror lit up like a star and guided her path under the volcanic rocks. Ephyra felt the temperature dropping and an odd sensation of claustrophobia as she squeezed through tunnels of stone.