by SF Mazhar
“Aaron,” Rose cut him off and her voice shook, as if her emotions were close to breaking the surface of her forced calm. “He stood by and watched as vamages murdered my parents.”
Aaron’s heart sunk at the reminder. He looked into Rose’s hurt brown eyes, filled with tears as well as anger.
“For all I know, he might have been the one to order the attack on my house,” she said.
“Rose, no,” Aaron said at once, his insides going cold at just the thought.
“You saw how the vamages obeyed him. They didn’t move a muscle until Kyran ordered them.” Rose was trembling, as if her anger had jostled every cell in her body. “He may have protected me today, but he let my parents die. He could have saved them. He could have told his vamages not to attack. He could’ve–” She stopped, her breath caught in her chest. She clenched her eyes shut and shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about this,” she whispered. “I can’t. I’ll drive myself crazy if I keep on thinking about everything he could have done.”
Aaron held on to her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Okay, we’ll not talk about it, or talk about him.”
Rose gave him a ghost of her usual smile and leant in, resting her head on his shoulder. “You okay?” she asked after a minute.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m fine.”
“Stupid question,” Rose echoed him. “Of course you’re not okay.”
Aaron smiled. “No, I think I really am,” he said. “After seeing the attack, I’m more determined now than ever.”
“About what?”
“About what I have to do,” Aaron replied. “I need to go with Neriah and claim the Blade of Adams.”
Rose lifted her head to stare at Aaron with surprise. “What?” she asked.
“You saw what the vamages did,” Aaron said. “And Kyran didn’t even have his Blade with him today.” He recalled the memory Zhi-Jiya had shared with him, the one where Kyran had destroyed an entire village with a sword that set the place on fire. He knew that must be Kyran’s family blade, one of the Blades of Aric.
Rose touched his arm, bringing him out of his thoughts. “Aaron?”
He met her eyes. “We need the Blades, Rose,” he said. “Kyran is too strong. Even without the Blade of Aedus, he managed to burn down half the city. I need to get my Blade and use it to fight this war.”
Rose’s grip tightened on his hand. “So...so you’re still going to fight?” she asked. “Even after hearing what your dad said about the Lycans being after you?”
Aaron had to force out a breath to remain calm. He reminded himself it wasn’t just him. All the Elementals were at risk from Lycan attacks. If the rest were fighting, then why shouldn’t he? He looked at Rose, holding her terrified gaze.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m still going to fight.”
10
Long Winded Trips
Two days passed and the City of Balt slowly recovered from its devastating attack. Most of the debris had been cleared away, restoration of damaged buildings had started and the dead had been buried. Aaron was glad he didn’t see the burial; he didn’t have it in him to watch twelve bodies go into the ground.
The end of March was bringing a chill in the air, but Aaron still preferred to sit with Sam and Rose outside, near a small pond in a quiet and secluded part of the city.
“When are you leaving?” Sam asked.
Aaron had to squint against the afternoon sun to look at Sam. “Tomorrow,” he replied. “Neriah said he’s sending you two back to Salvador with Ella at some point today. We’re going to leave early tomorrow morning.”
“I don’t get why we can’t come with you,” Sam grouched, playing with the small pebble in his hand. “I know what Neriah was saying, about attracting attention and all that, but you’ve got a big enough crowd already. How much trouble could two more cause?” He drew back his hand and threw the pebble.
Aaron watched the stone plop into the pond and leave ripples across the surface. He smiled. “When it’s you two, a lot.”
“The whole point of us leaving Marwa was to go with you,” Rose pointed out.
“Exactly,” Sam said. “I don’t want to sit around doing nothing in Salvador. I’d rather do something, anything, to help.”
“I agree.” Rose nodded.
“I think we should ask Neriah if we can come too,” Sam said.
“He’ll never agree,” Aaron said at once.
“He might,” Rose said. “I mean, he’s letting your mum and Michael go with you when he didn’t even want your dad going the first time around.”
“Dad didn’t exactly give him a choice,” Aaron said. “And I don’t know what Mum said to Neriah to convince him, but it obviously worked.”
“Maybe this time Neriah’s just going to use a portal that goes straight from here to wherever that sword is,” Sam suggested.
“If that were an option I don’t see why Neriah wouldn’t have done it the last time,” Rose said.
“Why isn’t it an option?” Sam asked. “Why make a long-winded trip when you can practically flash in and out of the place?”
“I don’t think it is a choice,” Aaron said. “Scott set up a portal a mile away when my dad was wounded and needed immediate help. If he could’ve gotten one closer he would have.”
“So you reckon there are only certain spots where portals can open?” Rose asked.
“Seems like it,” Aaron said. He recalled the very first Q-Zone hunt he had witnessed in the Hub. He remembered Drake telling him about portals and how Scott used them to help the Hunters trick demons into the Q-Zone. Scott was using the round white table – the Hub – to control the portals, opening them in several locations and linking them to the one in the Q-Zone.
“So Scott is going to open the portal closest to wherever that special sword is kept?” Sam asked.
Aaron shook his head. “Neriah said portals leave behind trails. He doesn’t want anyone following us. He’s planned a different route, since we ran into Lycans on the last one.”
“I don’t get it,” Rose started. “Why haven’t they secured the swords before now? If they’re so protective of them and don’t want anyone else getting to them, why don’t they keep the swords in a locked room in the middle of a safe city, like Salvador?”
“’Cause Salvador isn’t safe.”
Aaron and the twins turned at Skyler’s voice to see him standing behind them, smirking in his usual condescending way. “I think your ex proved just how reliable and secure Salvador is,” he said to Rose, who glared back at him, but didn’t say anything. “And even if we could move the Blades of Aric, putting them in a city would be a pretty dumb thing to do.”
“Why?” Aaron asked.
Skyler looked at him but didn’t answer. He turned to Sam and Rose. “Ella’s waiting for you two. Scott opened the portal to Salvador and the sooner you pass through it, the better.”
All three got to their feet.
“Where’s Neriah?” Sam asked.
“Why?” Skyler frowned.
“I want to speak with him,” Sam replied.
Skyler gave him a long look before replying, “He’s waiting with Ella.”
Aaron turned to Sam. “You’re not really going to ask him if you can come with me, are you?”
“Why not?” Sam shrugged. “Can’t hurt to ask.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Aaron said. “I’d imagine a wave of water hits like a hammer.”
Skyler gave a sharp whistle to get their attention. “Hey, chatterboxes, get a move on.”
Sam and Rose walked away, leaving Aaron behind. For a moment, Skyler didn’t move, but just stared at Aaron. He looked like he was contemplating something.
Then he straightened up and said, “I’d gather my things, if I were you. We’re leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow.” He turned to go.
“Hey,” Aaron called and Skyler looked back at him. “I’ve been meaning to say something to you.”
“Let me guess: I told you no
t to interrogate that vampire, you should’ve listened to me, blah, blah, blah.” He narrowed his eyes at Aaron. “You can save it, Adams, ’cause Balt would’ve been attacked regardless of whether I questioned Layla or not. The only thing I regret is not staking that piece of filth when I had the chance. It would have saved two Hunters’ lives if I had.”
Aaron took a moment to reply. “Actually, all I wanted to say was thanks.”
For once, Skyler looked surprised. “What for?”
“For remembering that Sam and Rose were here during the attack,” Aaron said. “And caring enough to tell me to protect them.”
“They’re human,” Skyler said. “Protecting them is our priority.” He smirked and added, “Doesn’t mean I have to like them.”
Aaron rolled his eyes. “Of course it doesn’t.”
Skyler turned to walk away.
“Hey,” Aaron called again.
Skyler stopped and faced him, this time looking annoyed. “What?” he bit out.
“I owe you another thanks,” Aaron said. “For bringing my dad here.”
Skyler’s expression was one of agitation. His eyes grew cold, the lines on his brow deepened with resentment. “Don’t think too much about it,” he said. “I would have left him there to bleed.” His eyes locked with Aaron’s. “But Neriah asked me to help him, so I did.”
A part of Aaron knew this was how Skyler would react. What other response did he expect from a harsh, cold-hearted bully? But a smaller part of Aaron felt rather let down. He had hoped Skyler could be decent, especially when Aaron was trying to be nice.
“Whatever your reason,” Aaron said, “you got my dad here in time for the Empaths to heal him. For that, I’ll always be thankful.”
For a heartbeat Skyler looked lost, like he didn’t know what to do with Aaron’s gratitude. He fidgeted uncomfortably before shrugging. “Whatever, Adams. Pack up your things.”
He walked away, leaving a bemused Aaron smiling after him.
***
The hot water cascaded down his aching muscles, easing the tension out of them. Kyran closed his eyes, feeling the heat sear through his flesh, warming his bones. It was always like this for him. Ever since he was a young boy, he couldn’t use the element of Water as well as he could the others.
He could direct water, manipulate it in a basic manner, but when it came to controlling the temperature, he always failed. It was always a notch hotter than he liked. His father teased him by saying it was his element that was getting in the way. His core called to Fire like a person pulled in air to breathe. It was instinctual, an action he wasn’t even aware of doing at times. No matter what other element he tried using, fire would always make its presence known. It had taken Kyran years to practise control, but even so, there were some things he couldn’t do, like cooling down water in his shower.
Kyran waved a hand and the water stopped at once. With a towel wrapped around his waist, Kyran walked out of the en-suite and into his bedroom, where a visitor was waiting, spread out on his bed.
“I’m not in the mood to play games, Layla,” he said, walking over to his wardrobe. “Get out.”
Layla purred like a cat and stretched on Kyran’s covers. “You’re never in the mood,” she said. “Come on, Kyran. You saved my life. You must be a little eager to let out some stress.”
Kyran slammed the door shut and turned to glare at her. “You think this is funny?”
“No.” Layla propped up an arm and rested on it, her light blue eyes fixed on the agitated boy before her. “But I do think it’s odd that you came to my rescue and, forty-two hours later, you’ve still not come looking for my blood.” She paused before waving a hand. “Figuratively, of course.”
Kyran smirked at her, a cold glint in his eyes. “Maybe that’s because I’ve thought up a better solution.”
Layla grinned. “Ah yes, the lock-her-up-and-throw-away-the-key idea you presented to Hadrian?” She sat up on her knees. Waves of red hair framed her as she tilted her head and smiled at Kyran. “He’ll never do it. He needs me.”
“Unfortunately,” Kyran said. “But guess what? He needs me more.”
Layla chuckled. “Oh, so did you give him a rendition of your anthem, ‘It’s either her or me’? ’Cause to be honest, I’d be a little disappointed if I missed it.”
Kyran shook his head and walked over to his dresser. “You’re such a bitch.”
Layla gave a playful shiver. “Oh, I love it when you stick with the classics.”
Kyran forced himself to turn his back on her and opened the top drawer. He was too tired for this. He had spent the entire day training. He hadn’t slept for two days and the last thing he needed was his father’s little demonic pest egging him into a fight. He pulled out dark bottoms, snapped the drawer shut and turned around, only to find Layla right in front of him. Her pale blue eyes gazed at him.
“What’s with you, Kyran?” she asked, her voice quiet, undeniably seductive. Her long fingers reached out to ghost over the black circle on his chest. “You’ve not been the same ever since you came back from Salvador.” Her hand trailed down his front to touch the top of the towel wrapped around his waist.
Kyran’s hand snapped around her wrist, stopping her. Layla held his furious stare until he shoved her hand away, making her stumble back a step. She grinned.
“There we go,” she said. “Think I’m getting somewhere.”
Kyran took a step forward to get in her face. “I’m warning you, Layla,” he said. “I’m getting closer to the point of not giving a crap and staking you in that place your heart supposedly is.”
Layla smiled. “I don’t believe you,” she said. “I know you won’t kill me, and you won’t let anyone else try either because Hadrian needs me.” She arched up, bringing her face close to Kyran’s. “And I need you,” she whispered.
Kyran smirked and leant in – and for a moment it seemed like he was about to brush her lips with his own – but he only inched closer to whisper back, “Not in this lifetime.”
He walked away, leaving Layla swaying at the sudden loss. She took a moment before turning around to smirk at him. “Is this any way to treat your girlfriend, Scorcher?”
Kyran glared at her. “I wondered what Skyler was going on about.”
Layla giggled, looking immensely pleased with herself. “I had to say something to stop them hurting me. Telling a room full of Hunters that I was the sweetheart of the feared Scorcher got them to back off.”
Kyran gave her a disgusted look. “You’re pathetic,” he said and headed back to the en-suite.
“That I am,” Layla said with a shrug. “But you know what else I am?” She paused until Kyran came back into the room, wearing the dark bottoms instead of the towel. “Intuitive,” she said.
Kyran ignored her and walked to his wardrobe again. Layla smiled and continued. “When I lied that I was your girlfriend, all the Hunters looked shocked, but a few of them immediately turned to seek out this one girl.”
Kyran tensed. Layla saw it in the muscles of his bare back. “It was strange – the look on her face,” she continued. “I can’t quite figure it out. It was a mix of surprise and...” She tilted her head, eyes narrowed as they stayed on Kyran. “…heartbreak.”
Kyran turned, his jaw locked. His fists clenched and his fierce green eyes darkened.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Layla said, stepping closer. “Why did the Hunters turn to her? Why would she care? Why would she get so upset at finding out I was with the Scorcher? Then I came to a conclusion…the only one there can be.” She bared her teeth in a dazzling smile. “Really, Kyran? A human girl? A mundane, defenceless–”
Kyran was across the room in a heartbeat, a hand around Layla’s throat. “Enough,” he growled. “I swear it, Layla. You go anywhere near Rose and I’ll bleed you out, drop by drop!”
Layla held up both hands and Kyran let go, shoving her back. He was breathing hard, his chest heaving, eyes blazing.
“Don’t wo
rry, Kyran, I won’t go after her,” Layla said. She turned to walk to the door, pausing only when her fingers were on the handle. “I won’t have to.” She looked back at Kyran with serious blue eyes, all amusement gone. “All I have to do is wait until your father finds out his prized prodigy is crushing on a Shattered.” She smiled. “Wonder what he’ll do?”
She opened the door and left, leaving a seething Kyran alone in his room.
***
Aaron trudged up the hill, feeling a sense of déjà vu in his actions. Just like before, he was following Neriah, who was leading the way through a dense forest. Skyler and Ella were behind him, but this time his mum and uncle Mike were following them. That was the difference. That and the fact he had both his best friends by his side.
Aaron still couldn’t figure it out; why had Neriah allowed Sam and Rose to come with them? It made little to no sense. Neriah had been paranoid about his dad coming with them before, for fear of attracting unwanted attention, but now he was indifferent to most of Aaron’s family and friends accompanying him.
It was fast approaching dusk. They had spent the entire day trekking through the woods. Before long there would be nothing but the moonlight to guide them.
“Just a minute,” Aaron whispered to the twins either side of him, before hurrying over to Neriah.
“How long will it take to get to the Blade?” he asked.
“Not long,” Neriah replied.
“We won’t get to it before the sun goes down, will we?”
Neriah looked at Aaron with a small smile. “Seeing as the sun is about to dip out of view, I would say no, we won’t.”
“Are we going to camp out here for the night?” Aaron asked.
This time Neriah laughed. “No, I don’t think that would be safe.”
“Sooo?” Aaron waited but Neriah didn’t volunteer anything. “What are we going to do?”
Neriah sighed. “Trust me, Aaron. I know what I’m doing.”
“Then why won’t you just share it with me?” Aaron asked.
Neriah’s eyes sparkled with amusement when he looked around at Aaron. He pointed ahead. “Another two miles and we’ll reach the Gateway to the City of Hunda. We’ll rest there for tonight and complete our journey tomorrow.”