by Mary Ting
“I have to go. Your keeper is here.”
I dug my nails into my palms, reminding myself to keep calm. I knew teenagers did not respond well to yelling and demanding. But it took every ounce of my will not to shout out to the girl, to wake her senseless thoughts.
“Please. Wait. I promise with my life I’ll keep you safe. My life before yours. Please find my son, Eli. Tell him his mother, Ikelia, is alive.”
The girl began to walk backward, keeping her attention on me but glancing around at every noise. “You’re too late. He’s not himself. I found you too late.”
I dropped to the ground sobbing, my palms covering my face. The thread holding me together snapped. I couldn’t be late. I refused to be too late. I didn’t want to exist without Eli, especially if Cyrus held my son’s mind prisoner. I would have to kill Cyrus to break the bond, but I couldn’t fight both of them. Worse still, I didn’t think I could kill my own son if it became necessary. I would rather die by his sword than kill him with mine.
It hit me, a click of a memory of the past. That girl played with Milani, and then they remained friends. Kalani had treated the girl like a daughter. I’d seen the girl only a couple of times, but I never forgot an Elementa, especially someone so young.
Before the girl could vanish, I stood once more and said, “I know you’re an Elementa. Milani was your friend, wasn’t she? Kalani, my dear friend, she took care of you. She treated you like her own daughter.”
The girl hissed, fangs out. She didn’t want to be reminded, it seemed.
“Is Milani alive?” I continued with my questions. I had to get them all out. “If you see her, please tell her I’m alive. Something big is coming, isn’t it? I sensed the shift in the air. Cyrus has something planned. He either plans to wipe out all the humans on the island or…oh God…he plans to take over the world. You can’t let him.”
“I don’t have a choice. You don’t get it. He’s much stronger and powerful.”
I was shocked the girl responded. “Yes, he is, but it’s not about being powerful. It’s about being smarter. Play your cards right. Find a way to release people that can help you. Let’s bring down Cyrus together.”
The Elementa covered her ears, shaking her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m too scared. People talk to me. They tell me what to do. I want to be left alone.”
I wasn’t getting through to her. Damn it. “I know you. Your name is Clarissa. Don’t you remember me?”
Clarissa’s stone face was replaced by shock. “You remember my name?” The words left her in a hoarse whisper. Then her head jerked to the right. “Your keeper is approaching. I must go.”
“Clarissa,” I said. “Come back when you can.”
Clarissa ran off, and my keeper strode in. “Ma’am, who are you talking to?”
The keeper was young, but she was kind and mindful. I’d had many through the years. I couldn’t remember how many. Whenever I asked a new girl what happened to the other one, she would say the previous girl had either died or Cyrus decided to send someone else. I didn’t want to know the reason, so I stopped asking.
“No one, Cynthia. I was talking to myself. It gets lonely.”
Cynthia raised her eyebrows. “It’s time for your bath and supper.”
Eli
Clarissa’s scent led me to the vicinity of Lucia’s neighborhood. The closer I drew to her house, the harder my heart thumped. Could Lucia sense me? I drank her blood to keep me from falling deeper into Cyrus’s mind control. It worked, but at times, Cyrus proved to be stronger. At the same time, I craved her, wanted her, and needed her. I didn’t know if it was the blood bond, lust, or simply the fact that I loved her.
I had to be careful. If Cyrus found out I visited Lucia, I didn’t know what he would do. He’d threatened to kill everyone I loved if I didn’t listen to him, but wasn’t that his plan anyway? His threat didn’t make sense. When it came down to it, he would kill anyone that stood in his way, even me.
At times I glimpsed something good in him, but perhaps it was my wishful thinking. My mind messed with me. Perhaps having Lucia’s blood, an angel’s pure blood, running through me made me think there was goodness in everyone, even the worst supernatural beings.
I snuck a peek through Lucia’s window, hovering over in my demon form. The likelihood of being detected would be slim. Jack passed by me and knocked on the door. When Lucia appeared on the other side, my heart slammed against my chest. Oh God—Lucia. So beautiful, though she looked tired and vexed.
How I longed to run my fingers through her soft, wind-blown hair, to touch her silky skin, and kiss her heavenly lips that sent the ultimate euphoric feeling through every part of me. I closed my eyes to remember the feel of her, and the scent of sweet orchids tempted me closer.
My stomach coiled to think of Lucia worried sick about me. I knew she was trying her best not only to decipher the last clue, but to find a way to break the bond between Cyrus and me. I appreciated her efforts, but even if I told her to stop trying, she would never give up. She had a hold on me from the moment we met. Maybe love at first sight does exist. Love didn’t save me, but my love for her saved her from Cyrus’s true cross dagger. It was more than I could ask for.
Jack went inside, and I went back to Lucia’s window. I let out an animalistic, possessive growl when Jack sat on her bed. He scrubbed his hands on his thigh and glanced around, seemingly nervous. Jack being in Lucia’s room bothered me. Not because I thought something would happen between them, but because he was in there, and I was…without Lucia.
I might never get to kiss her again, or even hold her. I didn’t know how long I could stop Cyrus from completely taking over my mind. I had tried to kill Lucia at Rosslyn Chapel, and that thought gutted me. I would rather drive my sword through my heart before laying a hand on her.
I also noted she didn’t wear the edelweiss-shaped crystal necklace I had given her. Did she not want anything to do with me? The thought pained me to no end. There had to be a good reason for Jack to be there. Lucia wouldn’t give up on me so easily. Since I was under Cyrus’s control, my necklace, the one my mother had given me, was useless. I shoved it in my pocket for safekeeping. It had become my little beacon of hope. One day, it would glow for me.
I caught another scent of Clarissa. She seemed to be far away. Not on the island. Where did she go? She was supposed to get information from Lucia’s team. Clarissa better not have harmed Milani and my friends. Bricks filled my heart with the ache of not being with my friends. I missed them so much. They were my family. I had to stay away to ensure their safety, I reminded myself. Many times I’d wanted to visit them, but my time was limited, so I went where my heart led me. To Lucia.
A tug from Cyrus broke my daze, a reminder of my assignment. I wanted to talk to Lucia, but I couldn’t with Jack there. I cursed under my breath and moved away when Lucia glanced out the window. She sat taller, her eyes beamed with hope, and then her shoulders slumped.
I’m here, Lucia. I’ll come as often as I can. I can’t stay away from you. Being with you is all that matters to me. I’ll find a way to be with you again. I swear it.
With one last glance at Lucia, my heart shattering again, I let the wind guide me to Clarissa.
Chapter 6
Lucia
I was desperate to decipher the third clue and find the hidden treasure that would lock up Hell for good. Cyrus wanted to open up Hell and unleash demons to be gods of the human world. Clue after clue, we seemed to go around in circles, never finding the damn treasure.
Loud, annoying bangs broke me out of my daze. I opened the door, knowing Jack stood on the other side. He’d texted to let me know he was on his way. I almost laughed at Jack’s wind-blown hair. His hazel eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth parted, ready to tell me what was on his mind.
“Jack, come in.” I closed the door behind him and led him to my room.
He plopped on the edge of my bed while I sat on my desk chair. Jack glanced about
my room, distracted. It was the first time I’d let him in my room. There was nothing to admire. My room was plain—a bed, desk, and a dresser. No pictures, no posters of famous singers or movie stars like other teenagers’ bedrooms.
I lifted my shoulder a bit, glancing out the window. A warm sensation fluttered my heart like thousands of butterflies dancing joyfully. Only one person could give me those feels. Eli. Instinctively, I brushed the bump on the pocket of my jean. Instead of wearing the necklace Eli gave me, I carried it there for safekeeping. Ever since Clarissa snatched it off my neck, I didn’t want to take another chance of losing it again. The last time, Zach had found it on the football field where we had battled. I might not get so lucky again.
The day he gave it to me, his cheeks flushed and he fumbled for words. But I was tongue-tied too, and my face flamed fiery red. Edelweiss were given when a man devoted his life to the woman he loved. I didn’t know that when he gave it to me. I didn’t think he knew it either, but he’d acted on impulse from the need to protect me. Regardless, it was a beautiful beginning. One we could never finish. It will know when you need it, so you don’t have to worry about any magic words or spells.
Eli was there. Eli had visited me. My angel sense told me. I felt him, but he left as quickly as he came. The spark of joy died like a blown-out candle. My hollow heart felt empty and yet too heavy. I tried to push the feeling away, but I had learned that emotions were something one couldn’t brush off so easily. Sometimes I wished I felt nothing—at least the pain would be tolerable. I was thankful for Jack’s distraction.
“My room is—”
“Clean. Very clean.” Jack knew what to say.
I had no reason to be ashamed. A room was a room. “Thanks,” I said humbly. The feeling of Eli’s presence lingered. I needed some air, to process these human emotions. “Maybe I should go get—”
“Having a meeting without me? Or is this not a meeting and Jack is going to get his ass whipped by Uncle Davin?” My brother pressed his arms across the doorframe, spreading his lips to a smug grin, and then he snickered under his breath.
Jack stiffened, pushing up his glasses. “Did you just say…ass?”
Just then Uncle Davin appeared by Zach. “Did you just call me an ass, Jack?”
Jack flashed his eyes to mine for help, perplexed. “No, Uncle Davin.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, Mr. President.”
I narrowed my eyes at Uncle Davin. He liked to get Jack worked up. “He didn’t, Uncle Davin, and you know it.”
Uncle Davin smiled sheepishly, entering my room with Zach, “Just joking, Jack. I’ll allow you to sit on Lucia’s bed, but don’t get comfortable on it if you know what I mean. Or you won’t have an ass anymore.” He gave Jack that killer expression.
I rolled my eyes and huffed out a breath. “Could we please just get—”
The doorbell chimed, cutting off my words, and I realized we were waiting for everyone.
“I’ll get it.” Zach moved in angel speed and a moment later led Brody, Milani, Hugo, and Harper to my room. They stood near the door with eager eyes, their backs against the wall.
“Good.” Uncle Davin glanced at the digital clock on my desk. “We’re all here and on time for once. We have many things to discuss.” He paused and met everyone’s eyes. “We need to decipher the last clue. Lucia has the clue, and she has been searching with Zach and me this morning. We haven’t solved it yet, so I thought we could put our brains together and figure it out. Second, Lucia…” Uncle Davin patted my back with sympathy. “Would you like to tell everyone who we met last night?”
I swallowed, trying to form the words. Jack’s hazel eyes gleamed brighter. Did he know whose name I was about to say? “We met Eli’s father.”
“What?” Milani shrieked.
Jack blinked, confusion on his face. Jack had texted me the night before that we needed to talk.
“Eli’s father is dead,” Abel said. “Are you sure it was him?”
Uncle Davin’s chest rose, and he gave a how-dare-you-question-me glare.
The twins remained quiet.
“He came to us last night,” Zach said. “I assure you in every possible way, it is him. They have the same eyes, same cocky grin.”
“Where has he been all these years when Eli needed him?” Milani growled, fidgeting with her braided hair. She kept her dark hair with no highlights.
I shifted in my seat and rubbed at my temples as I prepared for their confusion. “Cyrus didn’t kill his brother. Well, he tried. Eligor, Eli’s father, told us he had been trapped…well…it’s hard to explain. Eligor came to us in spirit form, and he couldn’t stay long to tell us everything. He used up most of the energy he had saved to warn us.”
Brody slid down to sit next to Abel and Milani, dumbfounded. “What did he say?”
Zach and I exchanged glances, and then he gazed at everyone. “We can’t kill Cyrus without killing Eligor.”
“What?” Milani squealed. “What the hell are you talking about? We have to kill Cyrus to free Eli. I don’t care what this Eligor spirit told you. What if it was Cyrus playing a mind trick on you all?”
“What if Milani is right?” Brody patted her shoulder.
“This is crazy.” Abel shoved his fingers through his hair.
The twins remained quiet. They didn’t know what we were talking about, for the most part.
“I can tell if a demon is lying to me,” Uncle Davin said tightly. “It’s an angel gift.” He lifted his chin a bit higher. “I assure you it was Eligor. Eligor’s spirit is trapped inside Cyrus’s body. The two spirits are constantly fighting.”
Milani threw up her hands, her eyes dark with rage. “Really? Well, it seems like Cyrus is winning and has been winning. What the hell is Eligor doing?”
“You have to remember, Eligor is inside someone else’s body. It makes a difference who is in charge most of the time,” Uncle Davin explained.
Abel rubbed his chin, and his eyes lit up as if an idea hit him. “Maybe that’s why Cyrus cared for Eli and couldn’t kill him. He had many chances over Eli’s lifetime. Perhaps his father is persuading Cyrus to spare him?”
Milani faced Abel. “Maybe Cyrus spared Ikelia as well. Small chance, but it’s possible.”
Brody scratched the back of his shoulder. “But Cyrus would have dangled Ikelia’s life to Eli, a bargaining chip.”
“There are many possibilities.” All eyes fell on me. “I say we should astral travel back and find out. Maybe we can find a clue?”
Silence filled the air.
“Good idea.” A clap from Uncle Davin startled us. “Get up. We’re going. Milani, get us there.”
And that was that.
I landed on solid ground. The absence of grunts or moans indicated Milani’s magic had gotten stronger and none of us had fallen on arrival.
Trees stretched for the sky around us. Long, spider-leg branches spread to each other to create a massive canopy, blocking the sun. Beyond the forest were snowy-peaked mountains. Red, brown, and orange leaves decorated the ground.
“Where are we?” Abel asked, standing to my right.
A gust of wind blew my hair against Abel’s face. When Abel drew back, his feet made no sound on the dried dead leaves, but the leaves he kicked up tumbled away in the direction of the wind. Chills ran through me.
“A forest?” Brody examined the bushes and small boulders around him.
“Are we at the right place?” Harper frowned at Milani.
Milani flipped her off in passing and kept walking, following the red, brown, and orange leaves carried by the wind. The path curved like a snake, and when the leaves finally stopped moving, a cabin with smoke rising from the chimney materialized.
Uncle Davin shot forward and placed out his hand. “Don’t move. We wait and watch from here. Milani, where are we?”
Her eyebrows knitted toward the center, gazing down at the leaves that no longer shifted even as the wind blew. “I concentrated on the last day of Eligor’s l
ife.”
“There.” Brody pointed to the right of the cabin.
A figure landed, a black cloak covering his body and head. He snuck to the cabin window and peeked in. When Ikelia bolted out with a sword, the figure darted around the corner in a blur.
Dressed in dark pants and leather armor, Ikelia patted the daggers belted at her waist, as if waiting for him. “Cyrus. Show yourself.” Ikelia pressed further out, her boots crunching on the pebbled ground. She peered up to the ominous clouds, but she remained still. Listening, it seemed.
Footsteps. Cyrus dragged the tip of his sword behind him, flames lingering where his sword had touched like a long, fiery snake. Ikelia whirled, her lips curving into a smirk.
“Ikelia,” Cyrus drawled, pacing at a distance. “Where’s Eligor?”
Ikelia took small steps, careful not to allow Cyrus to inch closer. Gripping the sword tighter, she said, “Come closer and find out.”
“I think I will.”
Before Ikelia could take a breath, Cyrus flashed toward her. Sparks flew on contact, sword upon sword. Ikelia struck with speed and power, but Cyrus was stronger. As they danced across the field, a tango to the death, dust clouded around them. We inched closer but kept our distance.
I fought the urge to jump in. Good thing Uncle Davin gripped the back of my shirt. Milani stiffened, and a spark of small fire flickered inside her fists.
Ducking a swing from Cyrus’s sword, Ikelia reached into her pants pocket and pulled out something about three inches long and thin like a stick. As it caught the light, the item sparkled. A crystal?
Cyrus stopped advancing and smirked, but a hint of fear showed. “Have you captured my brother, Ikelia? Is he inside the Keeper of Life?”
“You know of this? How?” she demanded, squeezing the crystal in her fist as she was afraid it would escape on its own.