by JK Cooper
She took it and flipped it over in her hands to see the carvings on each side. She could make out the shape of a lock in the center, surrounded by lines of circuitry. The other side showed two wolves facing off, a curved line above them with two arrows pointing downward. “What do I do?”
Fizz flew over and bumped against her hands, gentle, but curious.
Theo laughed. “You do very little. Give it to the flames. They will do the doing.” He paused and looked up. “You can give them some additional instructions though. They listen. Mind you, they don’t always follow through, but they listen.”
“I wouldn’t even know what to say.” Shelby knelt next to the pool and set the coin on top of the shifting fire. “I wish you could fix so many things for us, but I’ll take what the queen thought we needed. Forge well. I trust you.”
The medallion floated on the surface for a moment and then sank under the flames. Only a few heartbeats later, a silver key rose from the same spot.
Kale shifted his footing next to her. “Is that it? I expected something more spectacular.”
Shelby smiled. “Don’t listen to him. You did perfect.” She reached down and took the key, but as soon as she touched it, fire shot up in a fountain and fell down on her like rain. She tried to back away, but flames had curled around her hand, holding her in place. “Theo?” The fiery rain also began swirling over her body, but it did not burn.
“I don’t know! I’ve never seen them act like this . . . well, except for once.” Theo grabbed her shoulders, but an explosion of light and fire sent him flying. He slammed against a stalactite and fell hard. Fizz buzzed to his aid. Chelsea did as well, weaving spells as she ran.
Kale came up beside Shelby, his hands extended.
“Wait, Kale,” she said. “They aren’t hurting me.”
“I have to try something.” Kale took her free hand, and Shelby feared the flames would send him flying. Instead, they wrapped around him too, pulling him closer to her and to his knees.
More flames shot from the pool, streams of light that slammed into their chests, burrowing deep into armor and flesh beneath. Shelby tried to scream, but flames poured into her open mouth. It still did not hurt. If anything, it was warm, the sentient flames urgent, but not malicious. What is happening?
Eira answered her. The Wolf didn’t sound calm, but also not fearful. You are what they are forging, not a simple bow, arrow, or sword. You.
Shelby closed her eyes, calmed her body, and listened to the songs within each tiny spark of life as they followed the instructions carved onto the coin and from her. She also felt Kale trying to free himself.
“No, it’s okay, Kale.” She brought a fire enveloped hand to his face, running her fingers down his gruff. She loved the feel of it. “Let them do what they need to do.”
Warmth flowed into her chest. The flames found the tatters of her bond and dissolved it with fire. She thought she had known pain and loss, but it was nothing to the last of her connection to Kale being devoured before her mind’s eye. She did scream then, wailed and howled. She cried for them to stop, to undo what they had done. Then Kale screamed next to her as his own bond burned to ash. She grabbed him, embraced him, plowing her head into his hard chest with such desperation.
I’m so sorry, Kale. I didn’t know. I didn’t know. But, of course, he couldn’t hear or feel her thoughts, not even through the pack link. All trace of that powerful magic was gone.
Molten will poured into the open wound within her heart and soul. It was too much. Too painful. Things turned blurry then dark as she let go of consciousness.
Athena crept quietly in behind Kale and Shelby. Another Fae and that Chelsea witch were with them. She held the coin in her hand from the king. How am I supposed to get this into the pool without them noticing? I am so getting caught while outnumbered. Maybe I should just put a scythe in Shelby’s back and toss mine in.
Ptyas let out a long sigh inside her.
What do you want to say, old man?
She is the one unlocking it. If you kill her now, no one gets the key. Wait and watch for an opening.
What, you think distractions just happen? It’s not like I can send the annoying voice in my head down the hall to make noise, can I?
Ptyas grunted. That might work.
She growled at him. How would that work?
He pointed forward with his nose. Not that, that!
Flames shot out of the pool and fell on Shelby. Oh, yes, that, Athena thought to Ptyas. The Fae was flung across the room, distracting the Wiccan. Then Kale got caught up in the flame. Okay, I guess distractions do sometimes just happen. Athena squinted. Strange how the fire seemed to consciously envelope Kale, as if protecting him rather than scorching him to ash. There was always hope, she guessed.
Now, quick, Ptyas urged.
She rolled her own coin across the stone and into the pool. It sunk. Now what?
Wait.
She did. A stream of fire pulled away from the pool and rolled across stone toward her and formed into a smaller pool. When it receded, a silver bow with a single arrow remained. She picked them up. A jolt of electricity shot through her, and she felt a connection to the bow like it was alive and a part of her, a limb that had long been asleep, reawakened.
The bow dissolved in her hand. The arrow dissolved in the other. She cursed. Where did they go? They reappeared at her summons. Ah, they’re one with the armor now. It was more than that. She could feel something growing inside her, something powerful and orderly. I have my key. She snuck out the way she had come in, glancing back. Good luck getting yours without the king’s consent, Shelby darling.
Shelby screamed and then slumped to the floor. Kale did the same.
Yep, getting a key without consent has to hurt. Serves you right. She froze as she saw their bodies go limp, the Fae down and the Wiccan distracted. Is it killing them? Is that what happens without consent? This I have to see. She turned, strafing behind a rock formation as the bow flowed into her hand from the armor and an arrow appeared in her other palm. I can make sure of it.
There is no honor in this, Ptyas scolded.
When has honor done me any good?
When have you given it a chance?
Athena thought back over her life. A couple times. Disasters all. Over it.
You are very much like your father, the ends justifying the means.
I guess I am. Enough. I’m doing this.
Ptyas sighed. If you must do this, aim true. Do not make her suffer.
Athena wanted to shake her Immortal Wolf. I thought you were beginning to know me. It’s the only way I aim. She climbed up a stalagmite and drew the bow. The arrow was cold along her forearm, the bowstring feeling somewhat electric against her cheek as she sighted in her prey.
She’s waking, Ptyas hissed.
Athena ducked back behind the stalagmite at his warning.
We should leave while they remain distracted, Ptyas added. I do not imagine we would fare well once the door closes.
I have the key. Father will be glad of that, but will he forgive me for not taking advantage of this opportunity dropped at my feet?
Ptyas didn’t answer, leaving the possible answers in her own mind.
Minutes passed as she debated whether to engage or flee. The murmur of their voices echoed through the cavern, and her anger at her indecision grew with the sound of happy conversation. Her resolve hardened into steel inside her heart. Distracted is almost as good as unconscious. We end this now.
“I am the Summer Omega,” she whispered as she leaned around the stone formation once more, focusing her aim and hatred. Goodbye, Shelby.
The arrow flew.
Fire softly caressed Shelby’s face. Kale lay at the edge of the pool next to her. He had passed out it seemed. That hurt. But the pain had stopped and his face appeared tranquil and relaxed.
She saw his dream as if she were experiencing it, a dream of a hunt, chasing elk through the Colorado mountains. Not a dream, really, bu
t a memory of an actual hunt the first couple weeks after Elias died, when they were on run, when—
She bolted upright. Wait, how do I know that?
That sense of belonging and wholeness flowed through her once again, the same that had budded within her upon first meeting Kale, even just unknowingly being around him. It felt like a release. It felt like warmth. It felt like home. She inhaled sharply and put a hand to her chest, not wanting to believe for her heart’s sake.
Kale was waking up. She knew it without looking at him, sensed the veil of sleep leaving. The elk had eluded him. That hadn’t happened in real life, but the dream changed . . .
The bond! She blinked rapidly, letting only a few drops of hope seep into her heart. They . . . reforged the bond? The fire had eaten away the remnants of the old bond, and she had felt a molten something pour into her heart. “The sentient fires,” she said breathlessly, “they reforged the bond . . . using my heart as a mold.” Or something like that. Shelby couldn’t explain it, but the love that filled her being, that ancient connection to Kale . . . her eyes brimmed with tears of pure wonder and delight.
Chelsea and Theo rushed to her side. Chelsea wove a healing spell. Shelby had begun to recognize some of the more common patterns she wove in the air. “Are you okay?”
I was having the best dream. Kale’s sleepy, resonant, sexy voice came to her through the bond, and Shelby’s heart felt as though it might explode.
Shelby gently put her hand on one of Chelsea’s, shaking her head. “I have never been better.” Shelby smiled. “Well, not never, but it has been a while.” She leaned down and deeply, slowly, kissed her boyfriend, her soul mate, her everything.
His eyes fluttered open as he became fully awake. That’s nice, he said through the bond.
Shelby tingled all over. Isn’t it? She let her love for him flow down the renewed connection.
He sat up, confusion in his eyes. “Wait, I thought I heard you inside my head.”
Chelsea huffed. “I knew it. You’re both insane. Explains so much.”
Shelby nodded and licked her lips, tasting the remnants of their kiss. You did, she said through bond and kissed him again.
He pulled her close and she fell into his embrace, wrapping her legs around his hips. “I never want to lose you again,” he whispered, and Shelby’s chest fluttered at the sound of his gruff voice against her ear and inside her heart. Chills raced from her neck to the small of her back. She buried her face into his neck. Oh, that scent! She had lost so much of him when Athena severed their bond, so much more than she had realized.
“I think it’s even stronger than before. I don’t have to work to talk to you at all.”
Chelsea’s voice came next. “Um, like, what’s happening?”
Shelby reached out, not lifting her head from Kale’s neck, and grabbed the girl, pulling her into their hug. “It’s back. The bond is back.”
Chelsea took a deep breath. “Right. I’m, like, so happy for you.”
Shelby knew she meant it, at least mostly.
The Wiccan pulled away. “The gifts don’t stop there.” She pointed to a set of bows and arrows and the hilts of two knives. “The fire left those behind. Theo thought we should let you sleep though, rough wedding night and all.”
Kale sat back. “What?”
“Yeah, the elf guy said the fire acted like it does during Fae weddings.”
Theo came to the edge of the pool, healed from any injury by Fae or Wiccan magic. “It’s only a theory, though the fire usually won’t do that without three witnesses. They like threes.”
Kale blinked at Shelby, his mouth open.
“What? You don’t want to marry me?” she snapped with a sarcastic glare.
He choked. “Of course I do, I just wanted my mom and your dad there when it happened.” He grinned. “Oh, you’re messing with me.”
“You heard Theo. It isn’t legal. We’ll just have to do it again in front of more witnesses, preferably on Earth.”
Kale looked to Chelsea and then Theo. “Did she just propose?”
“Sounded like it.” Chelsea coughed and then pointed to the weapons. “Open the engagement gifts already.”
Kale pulled away from Shelby and stood. He picked up the larger bow and an arrow. It flowed into his armor and a sly smile formed on those full lips. “Cool.”
Shelby didn’t mind him pulling away. She stood and took her own bow and arrow. I freaking love this!
Something sparked within her as she touched the bow. I have the key. She willed the bow into her armor and back out. Those clever Fae. She reached down for the knife hilts, but a tendril of fire smacked her hand and pointed at Chelsea.
“Looks like Kale and I aren’t the only ones getting gifts. I think those are yours, Chelsea.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “Really? I was wishing for magical knives that could defeat a demon ever since Theo mentioned they were possible. How convenient.”
Theo pushed her toward the hilts. “I told you, they listen.”
Chelsea reached down, her fingers just brushing the metal. “But they have no blades.”
Theo smiled wickedly. “Pick them up.”
Chelsea did, then closed her eyes. Diamond blades extended from the tops of the hilts. She opened her eyes and almost dropped her new toys. “I want to hug a pool of fire right now.”
Shelby watched the blades disappear. “Try a different shape or length.”
“What?” Chelsea looked down at her hilts. “You think?”
“I do.”
Curved blades extended out, farther than before. Chelsea swung them through the air, the diamond whistling. “The balance adjusted too.” She let the blades retract again. “Now where will I keep them.”
She was bringing the hilts toward her pockets when the metal shrank and curled around a finger on each hand.
Shelby laughed. “That answers that. Nice rings.”
Chelsea held up her hands and admired the silver with diamond stones. “I wonder.” Tiny sharp knives extended from the middle of each ring. “Yep, elf-boy’s flames are the coolest.”
Shelby enjoyed Kale’s laughter as it flowed to her, making her tingle with delight and desire. She leaned forward and stole another kiss.
Pain seared through her shoulder. Something had hit her, pierced her, even through her armor. Kale went rigid with surprise, and she knew he felt her pain through the bond. Fire raced through her now, not the caressing fire of the sentient flames, but the agonizing, pulsing fire of an open wound. She screamed and toppled forward into the pool of living flames.
Bryanne leaned against the table, coating the luxurious honeyed grain with sticky orange blood. She and Genn, with the help of survivors, had managed to move all the injured to the two throne rooms, which were mirrors of one another with this small meeting room between.
Bryanne sat and put her head in her hands.
The ley lines beneath Underhill were in tatters, shredded by hungry demons. Her magic couldn’t heal anyone. She’d watched helplessly as too many of the Fae disintegrated into flowers and ash. Bryanne had to lean on more human means, applying pressure, makeshift bandages, stitches, and cauterizations.
Fae magic worked slightly better, so the more whole survivors were set to work staunching the flow of blood from serious injuries and preventing infection. The wisps bobbed around listless and unhelpful.
Genn burst through the door that lead from Seely Court. “The king is waking up.”
Bryanne lifted her head. What little magic she could cobble together had gone into that man. I’m not letting Theo lose both parents today. “Good.”
Bryanne stood and followed Genn to where the king sat up from the mattress they’d placed him on.
“Why am I in Seely Court?”
“Because that is where you were when the demons attacked, sire.” Bryanne put a hand to the gash in his stomach. His movements had opened the wound. “You need to lay back down.”
He pushed her hand away and
glared at the bloody bandage, then up at a passing blue wisp. “Why is Silphinaera not healing my wounds? That vindictive woman!”
Genn knelt next to him, wiping tears from her eyes. “She is dead, sire. I am so sorry.”
The king slumped at her words. Real loss flashed in his eyes. “And Theo?”
“Alive and in Alsvoira,” Bryanne answered.
The king sighed. “Something of her lives on.” He swallowed hard. “That is good.”
“So, you do know.” Bryanne gently pulled his hand away and placed a fresh strip of torn sheet on the gash, pushing to stop the bleeding.
He sat back up, brow knitted. “Do you dare presume to know something I do not? I know my champion will gain the key while yours does not!”
Something inside Bryanne hardened and she pushed harder against the king’s wound. “Your champion?” She couldn’t keep the sneer from her tone. “What have you done, sire?”
“Stop, you are hurting my royal flesh.”
“I know, sire.” Bryanne dug a thumb into the wound.
“Guards!”
“You will find no guards in this room who will respond to your calls. Is your champion Mareus’s daughter?”
The king gasped as Bryanne dug a little deeper.
“Is it Athena?” Bryanne asked.
“Of course, I would never give consent to the woman who butchered my soldiers.” The king pushed against her, but his hands were weak. Bryanne batted them down.
“My grandmother was there. She spoke of the Unseely Fae who turned on the Goddess. And your son gave us consent, so your attempt to hurt Shelby for your past wrongs has failed.” She pulled her thumb from his wound and applied another strip against the wound. A last burst of magic poured from her fingertips and into the wound, sealing it. She almost regretted it. “And I save your life for Theo’s sake, not your own.”
Bryanne staggered back. Using magic here hurt. Genn caught her and dragged her a few paces away from the king who struggled to his feet, anger on his beautiful face.