Her eyes were tired and ready to close but she pried them open, concentrating on the path in front of her. She could see an edge on the horizon, a cliff of sorts. The blood that led her here fell off it like a waterfall.
Ruby crawled to the edge and looked down, following the flow of the liquid that oozed slowly down the rocky cliff walls. From her vantage point, she could see where it hit the bottom and continued onward. Flowing slower now like nothing more than a peaceful river. She wanted to fall into it, let go of her grip on the edge and allow the blood to carry her away.
“What is this place?”
She strained her eyes to see further. Past the edge and the bloody trail, far beyond to the glowing red in the distance. Ruby squinted to bring the light into focus. It was unlike anything she’d seen before and even from this far away she could tell it must be brighter than a million light bulbs. It was spreading slowly, first a thin vertical red line, then wider and brighter.
Not a light, she thought, a door.
She was looking at a large door in the distance. It was bright and dreadful and final.
And it was opening.
Ruby had already shaken off her vision when Nola came by to see her. As much as she relied on her power of sight, the visions she’d been having lately had offered nothing but morbid visuals and riddles. Either she was losing her touch, or she had finally gone crazy like her grandmother.
She wiped the sleep from her eyes and waved for Nola to sit beside her, hopeful that she wouldn’t ask too many questions.
“Did you see Liam out there?” she asked, “He’s been gone forever. Starting to think he ran off on me.”
“Yeah, ‘cause that boy isn’t whipped at all,” Nola said, trying to force a smile without much luck.
“Oh, God. What’s wrong? And don’t say ‘nothing’, I know that look.”
“Have you seen the news?”
“Uhm, no. I haven’t checked my phone in a while.” She reached for her back pocket and pulled out her cell phone.
“Maybe don’t then.” Nola put a hand on the phone and lowered it to her lap.
“You’re starting to freak me out. What’s going on?”
Her black eyes narrowed. “There was another murder. In Falkirk.”
“Falkirk? That’s just a few hours from Westerlake. Who?”
“A family. All Waters.”
“I thought Zag said there was only one Elemental in Falkirk. We were supposed to warn him!”
“They weren’t from Falkirk,” Nola lowered her eyes, “They were visiting. From Westerlake.”
“What? Who?”
“The Achedeons.”
Ruby’s chest tightened. Her breaths sharpened into needles in her lungs. She tried to open her mouth for air but barely succeeded. “They were–” She gasped, “They had–”
“A daughter. Six years old.”
“How? Wait, no. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know.”
She wasn’t just going to kill him. She was going to cut every limb from his body first and watch him bleed out in front of her. But not before she made him watch as she did the same to his family. She was going to hunt them down, one by one, and slaughter them. Deity or not, they would pay for this.
The train car door slid open and Liam walked in. From the look on his face she could tell he had just found out about Falkirk. His hair was a mess and she guessed he had spent the walk back running his fingers through it to calm himself down.
“Have you heard?” he asked and stood in front of her, holding her face in his hands and completely disregarding Nola.
“Yes. Nola just told me.”
He nodded toward the other AetherBorn in the room as if only just noticing her. “We need to tell Elena to get everyone to safety. We’re almost at Westerlake, hopefully we’ll be back in time.”
“He’s not in Westerlake. Not yet.”
“What do you mean? It’s the only place left in the circle to hit.”
“He’s still in Falkirk.”
“Rue, how can you possibly know that? This was the last stop before completing this morbid ritual. At least that’s what we thought before, no?”
“It is. But he’s not done yet.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s waiting for me. For all of us. This wasn’t just another murder. He knew what this would do. How it would affect me.”
“You think this son of a bitch killed a child just to get a rise out of you?”
“That’s exactly what he did. And it worked.”
“And so he’s what? Just waiting for us back in Falkirk?”
“Yep. So, let’s not keep him waiting long.”
Nola peered at her from the corner. “What exactly are you planning to do once we get there?”
“I’m planning to finish this. It’s time we do some killing of our own.”
Chapter 45
Falkirk
Their procession down the financial district of Falkirk was a sight to see. With Ruby and Liam leading the herd, closely followed by the elders and the rest. They resembled a makeshift army– or at the least, a very small parade. She was proud to lead them down the skyscraper lined streets, holding her head higher at each turn and breathing deeper with each step that brought them closer to their final destination.
There was no way to know for certain that Demas would be waiting, but something about the way she was beginning to feel made Ruby think that she was correct to assume it. The dagger’s powers intensified steadily, forming an ache in her stomach that could only be explained by a mixture of anticipation and fear.
She marched them further.
Past the busy, rush hour streets of the metropolis. Past the bustling happy hour bars. Glancing back only when the streets became quieter and the roads opened up to signal that they were getting closer.
The sun was beginning to set, and the heat of the afternoon had almost subsided, leaving only slight beads of sweat on her brow. One good thing about chopping off most of her hair was the added bonus of never having to worry about having it cling to her wet face.
When it was clear that the hustle of the city was far behind them, Ruby slowed her pace. The Achedeons were found in a car lot right outside of the downtown core, and they were inching closer to it with each step. Her eyes spotted the tall, mesh gate a few blocks down, and she dug her heels in, halting the group behind her.
Liam’s attention snapped to her, quickly understanding the pause.
In a few minutes they would reach the lot’s entrance. She could only hope that the cops had already abandoned the premises for the night. They would need to get inside without drawing too much attention. She could see from where they stood that the perimeter of the lot was secured with two cameras and an excess of police tape. Zag and Leah did not waste time, strapping their minds into the trees on either end of the building to pull the branches inward until they covered the camera lenses.
Getting past the alarm was a more difficult challenge. They needed to creep behind the building and attempt to disarm the system without setting it off. When they were out of sight from the main street, she popped open the alarm box, only to be pushed aside by Ray. A few cut wires later, the kid was grinning back at her, holding out the motherboard of the alarm system like a tribute. Ruby hated giving her credit but having Ray around might prove to be useful after all.
She waved Jake over and gestured to the door handle on the gate. Without a question, he placed his hand on it, freezing its interior mechanism. The ice expanded, breaking apart the joints of the handle and a quick jolted twist sent it shattering to the ground. The sound of the frozen metal hitting the concrete made her jump, hoping the sound did not attract attention. She slowly pulled the gate, careful not to swing it wide open, and snuck inside the lot. When she was certain the place was abandoned, she peered back through the metal at Liam, gesturing for him to lead the rest of the group in.
Her heartbeat through her thin shirt and Ruby imagined it breaking through her ribs and la
nding at her feet. Taking a deep breath in she reached down and pulled out the dagger from its holder. She rolled her fingers around the handle, tightening them until they were as red as the sunset behind them.
Another quick glance and she began to make her way deeper into the lot.
Time to end this madness.
Chapter 46
The games and the toys and the fun
The back of the car lot stretched across the entire length of the block with cars stacked above one another on mechanical hoists. They walked in pairs down each of the rows, surveying the car collection as they passed.
It was quiet. Unnaturally quiet.
She could see Leah trying to connect to local animal life, her face wrinkled in concentration as she walked. When she caught Ruby’s gaze, she shook her head. The lot had been emptied of all life.
“He’s here,” she whispered to Liam out of the side of her mouth. He nodded and intertwined his fingers with hers.
A few minutes later, they stood in front of a wall of cars with lanes leading right and left. Liam squeezed her hand gently and gestured right. She followed, waving the tip of the dagger to indicate the direction to the group following behind.
She was starting to feel like they were walking in circles when the dagger pulsed in her hand and sent a sharp pain to her gut. They made another turn to the right and Ruby walked face first into Liam’s back. He stopped in his tracks in front of her, shielding her partly with his body. Ruby peered over his shoulder and took a definitive step forward.
“I told you they would show up, brother.” Demas sneered from in front of a silver Honda. “Looks like you owe me a drink. Again.”
Eros half reclined on the hood of another car to the left of Demas and looked bored with the company. “I’m getting tired of these stakes, next time, I’ll pick the wager,” he said, his brilliant blue eyes finally looking up and resting on Ruby. “Well, hello there,” he purred. “Love the hair!”
She said nothing and rolled her eyes in return.
“And what, pray tell, would you like to wager?” Demas asked.
“How about a heart? Or an ear? Something fun.” A voice sang from behind a row of cars.
The darkness parted, illuminating a tall, female figure. The woman slowly stepped forward, creeping closer to Demas until she was at his side, her arm resting on his shoulder.
Ruby’s mouth drooped open as she stared at the most beautiful woman she’d ever seen. Her straight black hair flowed down her shoulders, landing just above the curve of her behind, and she flipped it lightly with her hand to reveal a striking set of white-grey eyes. Eyes that held Ruby’s gaze and twinkled with mischief. She was wearing a long black dress with a slit on one side that reached the top of her hip, the perfect doorway for her long, tanned legs.
“I’m guessing you’re Nyx,” Ruby said, trying not to sound in awe.
“Of course! Where are my manners?” Demas spun to grasp the woman’s lower back, ushering her lightly forward. “Ruby, darling, I’d like for you to meet my sister, Nyx. Your little Elemental books likely describe her as the Deity of Night.”
“That’s all?” Nyx asked, her full lips curving into a wicked smile, “But I am so much more than just one thing. How I hate to be described as such!”
“I know, sister dear. Maybe you can fix that later.”
Ruby unhooked her hand from Liam’s and took another step forward. “Enough of this crap! We didn’t come here for chit chat.”
Laughter rolled over them. All three deities were cackling at her words which only made her angrier. She would have lunged at their throats right then if Liam hadn’t tapped her foot, urging her to wait.
“Oh, you’re right! She’s quite the little thunder! I can see why she entertains you so!” Nyx howled, still snickering.
A tinge of fire rustled in her fingers. She was sick and tired of being talked about like she was some toy. Like she belonged to these three and they could do with her as they pleased. She’d defeated Demas before; she’d do it again. And she’d take the other two down with him.
“Enough, Demas!” She yelled, “You wanted me here. I’m here. Your little plan didn’t work. I didn’t fall apart; I didn’t run away. None of us did. You killed that child for nothing, you pathetic piece of garbage!”
Nyx raised a finger and traced the space between her and Ruby with it. Slowly, a trail of smoke appeared at the deity’s feet, creeping towards her. She could see it shed ash as it rolled closer, wrapping itself first around her legs, then further up her torso, until the smoke was stretched over her neck, tightening against her like a rope.
“It’s Tartarus,” Nyx said calmly, raising her finger an inch. The smoke tightened again and moved up, pulling Ruby up with it until her toes were barely grazing the ground. Until she was choking. “Respect your elders, child.”
She tried to cough, pulling at the smoke with her fingers, unable to break free. Liam grabbed her legs and pushed her up, freeing her neck slightly, enough for her to inhale. She couldn’t panic. She wouldn’t allow herself to panic, not with the deities watching. She used her free hand to push against Liam’s shoulder and raised the dagger to the smoke at her throat. Her eyes met Nyx, unafraid.
“My goodness, Nyx. Put her down before she slices her own throat with that thing. It’s just a name.” Demas echoed from behind his sister. There was another snicker behind him, and she guessed that it came from Eros. Smug son of a bitch!
With an indifferent nod, Nyx lowered her finger and sent Ruby toppling down into Liam’s arms. She rubbed her neck and took a deep breath in as Liam set her on the ground. His grip on her tightened but she pushed him away, standing in front of the group again. Unmoved by what had just happened.
“It’s about teaching them respect, brother.” Nyx smiled, and it sent chills down the back of her neck, “Like we would with our own children. Isn’t that right, Hemera?”
There was a rustle from the darkness that Nyx had emerged from, followed by a few light steps before another woman appeared in front of them. She was younger than the rest, though it was nearly impossible to guess the actual ages of the deities. Her blonde hair glistened in the sunset and Ruby instantly recognized her. The messenger from the hotel in Sherfield was none other than Hemera, daughter of Nyx.
“You!” Ruby yelped.
Hemera looked down as if embarrassed by the recognition. Ruby took in the sight in front of her. Four deities, in the flesh. They resembled a perfectly cast lineup of movie stars. Each one more tragically perfect than the other. So relaxed and yet so powerful. She wondered how it would feel to kill them. To rid the world of such beauty. Would she be relieved to go through with it or would guilt set in when it was done?
“You seem baffled,” Demas said.
“I just don’t get it,” she spat back. “You, I get. You disgust me but I get it. But them? What the hell do they get out of helping you? Didn’t you make all of us in the first place?”
“Oh, not us!” Eros jumped off the car hood, landing on his thick legs. “You all were everyone else’s problem. I told them not to do it, but they were all about the games and the toys and the fun.”
“So why bother coming here?”
“Because of the games and the toys and the fun.” He winked in her direction, “there’s a lot more to play with here.”
Nyx lifted another finger, this one pointing at Cyril. The smoke flew towards him, grazing across his cheek and slowly making its way down the top buttons of his shirt. “Well, that’s most definitely true,” she smirked.
Disgusting, Ruby thought and waited for Cyril to slap her advances away. He did nothing of the sort, choosing instead to smile back at her. Was he enjoying this? The bastard.
She was done. Demas’ family was no better than he was, and she didn’t come here to get to know them. More so, she didn’t want to. The only thing she needed to know was how to kill them.
A light hit the slight curve of the dagger, reflecting a rainbow of colors onto its b
lade. She ran a finger over the edge and rooted herself into its power. On either side of her, Liam and Jake followed queue and gathered their own powers. She couldn’t see them but was certain the rest of the group was doing the same.
The dagger shook beneath her grip and encircled it with her strength. First in black fog, then in plasma. She let it grow from her hand like a suit of armor, channeling every emotion she had. The anger, the pain, the disappointment. All of it breathed new life into her as she pictured herself wrapped tightly in her powers. She opened her eyes, blacked by plasma, and stared at Demas.
She could have sworn that she could see the slightest speck of fear in him as she charged forward. Ready to tear him apart.
Chapter 47
A chance
Ruby sliced through the air, her body barely visible beneath the plasmic shield that oozed behind her as she ran, leaving a trail of plasma in her path. When she was halfway to Demas, she lunged, using all the force in her legs to catapult herself in his direction. Her legs shook when she landed in front of him in a crouch and slashed the dagger across his thigh. The plasma seeped into his leg, immobilizing him briefly. She took her chance, rising to stand and swiftly punching him in the stomach. Demas slid back, his back hitting the hood of the Honda behind him, still holding onto his cut thigh.
She pounced, dagger in hand, ready to strike again. She fisted her other hand, throwing it forward to release a splash of plasma that soared at him, reshaping into an axe that barreled directly at his chest.
“Die!” she yelled, allowing herself a second to breathe.
She inhaled, almost biting her own tongue as the axe exploded in mid-air, sending a splash of plasma to the ground. Her gaze turned to her right. Quickly taking in Eros who stood just feet away from her, arrow and bow pointed. Ruby ducked, knowing a shot was coming her way but she was too slow. The tip of the arrow cut across her arm. Blood soaked her sleeve within seconds.
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