by Mary Ting
Brody, Zach, Abel, and Milani snickered quietly.
“Lana, we need to borrow the sword.” Uncle Davin tried to open the glass case but couldn’t. Letting out a nervous laugh, he said, “Lana. It’s imperative. We found the last clue to the treasure, and it has something to do with linking the swords together. But we’re not sure.”
Lana dropped to her favorite chair and covered her face.
“Grandma?” Gustavo’s innocent voice made me feel bad we tried to take his sword.
Lana’s face blanched. “It’s really happening, isn’t it?”
“What is, Grandma?” Gustavo asked, his face scrunching.
Lana got up, took out the sword, and handed it to Uncle Davin. “Hurry. Hide all the swords until you’ve found the last one. It has been written.”
“What has been written?” I asked, my mind reeling with thoughts.
“The war, my child. The war the Snow Queen predicted is coming. When all seems silent, do not be misled. The mountains will awake. Ashes will fall like rain and cover the land with burning flames. If the dead ancestors don’t rise to reclaim the land, then all will be lost to the ocean’s deep sand.”
“Jack’s father—” Uncle Davin cleared his throat to hide his mistake. “I mean someone we encountered told us to find the Snow Queen. Do you know where she might be?”
“No, but I wish I did,” Lana said with conviction.
Uncle Davin scratched the back of his ear and narrowed his eyes at Lana. “Are you sure? Because you seem to know so much about the Snow Queen. We are trying to save the island, after all. If we don’t stop Cyrus, every living organism will be incinerated. Not us, of course. We’ll fly away by then but think about everyone else. This will be your fault, all because you don’t want to tell me your little secret.” He leaned closer to her ear. “What you say here, stays here. Come on, Grandma, what do you say?”
Lana glanced to her grandsons and then back to Uncle Davin with tears in her eyes, her lips trembling, her hands clasped together. “I wanted to tell you, but I’ve been so ashamed. I know much about the Snow Queen because I’ve watched her grow up. I am one of the original Elementa.”
“What?” Jack breathed, his mouth agape.
“Grandma?” Gustavo whispered, his mouth apart more than Jack’s.
“I knew it,” Zach exclaimed.
“Hush,” Uncle Davin scolded, keeping his eyes on Lana. “Go on. Do tell.”
Lana inhaled a breath and continued. “When the Snow Queen found me, I begged for my life. I told her I was ashamed of what I had been a part of. I didn’t think what we did to her and her family was fair, but the law was the law. And Lilith would have killed me if I hadn’t complied.”
“Who made up the law?” Milani sat on the arm of the sofa.
“The first original, Lilith,” Lana answered. “She controlled us all. Yes, we were all known as the originals, but Lilith was the one who made us. Without her gift of immense power, we would have been merely humans. When I heard the Snow Queen had escaped and was going after the ones who had hurt her, I knew my time would come soon. But when I apologized and asked her for forgiveness, she pardoned me with a promise I was to keep.”
“What did you promise?” Brody asked when Lana took a moment to pause.
“First she showed me how much she’d suffered. Then she stripped away my powers with her edelweiss crystal pendant. I was to live like an ordinary human and die of old age. I promised to tell people of her legend, grow edelweiss flowers, and help spread the word of how the scent keeps demons away. She allowed me to fall in love and have my own family so that I wouldn’t live alone, like she had for many years. I was lucky she decided to spare my life. She also said my son and my grandchildren were special.” Tears streamed down her face. “I think she was wrong about my son. He died too soon.”
Lucky growled and began barking. The barking sounded different—angry and protective.
The front door slammed open, and three figures appeared.
“He didn’t die. I just took him.” A sultry female voice boomed.
Zach, Abel, and Milani shifted over to our side, only the sofa standing between us and the doorway.
“Who the hell are you? I didn’t give you permission to enter.” Jack bravely held out his sword.
A body slumped to the ground. Jack’s father.
Lana gasped, her hands covering her mouth. Her wide, shocked eyes softened, and tears flowed down her face in recognition of her son.
“Impossible. Jacques?” Lana murmured, carefully approaching her son rising from the ground.
Embracing him, she sobbed.
“Lilith,” Uncle Davin announced. With his sword by his side, he stood in front to guard us. She wore a long, seductive black dress showing her womanly curves. The high slit along her thigh revealed long legs. The man behind her wore a debonair, form-fitted dark gray suit. There was an air about him suggesting he was a demon.
Lilith glided—smooth and graceful—the length of the living room with a smug smile. Her companion strode behind her, carefully surveying us.
“Well, if it isn’t the puny little angel, Dagon. I’ve heard so much about you,” Lilith purred.
Uncle Davin scowled. “It’s Davin, and I’m certainly not puny. Whatever you heard about me is all true. I’m ruthless, heartless, and badass.” He raised his chin higher.
Lilith released a small, amused chuckle. “I heard you were the jokester, but too bad you’re not that funny.”
“What do you want? And who’s the mute idiot?” Uncle Davin gestured with the tilt of his head.
The mute idiot hissed, showing his sharp canines. I’d known he was a vampire the moment I saw his pale face. Like angels, vampires had an allure about them. People were drawn to their regal beauty and untouchable allure.
“I’m Cain. The first original vampire, made by Lilith. I would watch your tongue if I were you. I have no tolerance for angels.” Even his voice sounded smooth like his skin.
“Really?” Uncle Davin’s chest expanded. “And I have no tolerance for things that crave human blood, nor for Lilith’s sycophants. So you shouldn’t stand in my way, pale face.”
Lilith raised her hand. The silent room went even quieter. “We’re not here to start a war with the angels. We’re here to get some information from Lana.”
Jack’s father extended his arms out, covering his mother. “I’ve told you many times, she is not the one you seek. She is not the Snow Queen.”
Lilith rolled her eyes. “No, she isn’t. I’ve always known that, Jacques. I merely asked you that question to throw you off. Your mother is one of the original Elementa. She was one of us. We cast a little girl out to the Alps. Didn’t we, Lana?” Lilith inched closer, causing Jacques to push back a few steps, still hiding his mother. “So tell me, why are you still alive? Why didn’t the Snow Queen kill you? She’s rid of the others. It only leads me to believe either she’s dead and I have nothing to fear, or you’re working with her.”
It happened so fast Jacques couldn’t help his own mother. Lilith tossed Jacques across the room and pinned Lana against the wall.
“Leave my grandmother alone.” Gustavo charged, growling with Lucky, but Uncle Davin grabbed them as Lilith waved her hand to fling them away.
“Tell me, Lana, where is she?” Lilith’s flawless face contorted. Dark circles formed around her eyes. Spider veins protruded along her face. He eyes glowed like the burning sun. A monster behind the human mask.
While Lilith was distracted with Lana, I shot a divine silvery light from my bow. The shot was true, but a sword appeared from Cain’s hand to deflect the blow.
Lilith pierced her eyes at me, promising me death. Uncle Davin raised his sword. Dark tendrils of Lilith’s power ricocheted off his sword to the wall behind me, burning a hole and leaving a black ashy mark. I fanned out my wings to protect others around me, and Zach did the same. Our wings knocked over picture frames and trinkets along the cabinet.
“You think
you little brats can outwit me?” Lilith roared. “I have millennia over you. I’m tired of asking nicely. Cain, take us home. Jacques, you come with me.”
“No.” Jack held onto his dad. “He’s not going anywhere with you. This is my dad. He doesn’t belong to you.”
Lilith tightened her grip on Lana’s throat, making her face turn red. “Belong is the precise word. Jacques belongs to me, don’t you Jacques? Come.”
“No, Dad. Don’t go,” Jack pleaded, his eyes filled with emotion.
Jacques swallowed, his expression solemn. “I’m sorry, son. I have to go.”
Jack bravely held up his sword, his eyes hot with anger, as he stood in front of his father as if he could stop Lilith. I’d never seen him so determined. “Over my dead body,” he seethed.
Lilith raised a how-dare-you-challenge-me brow, pointed a finger at Jacques, and narrowed her eyes. Jacques dropped to the ground howling in pain. Gripping his head, he thrashed from side to side, almost knocking Jack over in the process.
“Stop! Stop! Stop!” Jack yelled. “Don’t hurt him. I’ll cooperate.” His tone dipped lower, defeated.
Jacques peered up to his son, his chest rising and falling heavily. “I’m so sorry, son. I wish I could stay.” He rose from the ground. “It would’ve been better if I were dead than to be bound to this—”
“Monster,” Jack whispered numbly.
I felt so sorry for Jack. He’d mourned for his father for so long. And just when he was healing, he reunited with his father only to let him go again.
“Hurry up now, Jacques. You know I don’t like to be kept waiting,” Lilith purred as if she spoke to a child.
“We’ll find a way to release your dad, Jack.” Uncle Davin pointed his sword at Lilith. “Now, release Lana and be gone. No harm will come to you.”
Lilith again laughed sardonically. “Silly, puny angel. You have no idea the power I wield. I take what’s mine. Cain. Jacques. We go now.”
Uncle Davin leaped for Lana, but Cain, Jacques, and Lilith sped in lightning speed out of there, taking Lana with them.
“Grandma!” Gustavo screamed, sobbing.
I embraced Gustavo, trying to comfort him, but no amount of my support could take the pain away. All I could do was show him I knew his pain and that I was there for him. I believe that was all humans wanted from each other. Not to take away pain, but to know someone was there so they didn’t feel so alone. A simple act of sympathy went deeper than one realized.
“Did she just call me puny?” Uncle Davin’s facial muscles twitched, his nostrils flaring. “I’m not puny. Nobody calls me puny.” He thrust his chest forward and stood taller, or at least he tried. “Though I believe your father has at one point. Anyway, Jack and Gustavo, don’t you worry. I placed a tracker on your father. We’ll find them. As for Lana, I believe Lilith wants to use her as bait. The Snow Queen won’t hurt Lana. She has been pardoned.”
Jack’s eyes widened, and Gustavo stopped crying.
“Thank you, Mr. President,” Jack slumped his shoulders and dipped his head in relief.
Uncle Davin patted his back. “It’s Uncle Davin to you.”
A giant smile spread upon Jack’s face. “Uncle Davin.”
“Don’t get too used it, Jack. I might change my mind later if you do something stupid. Now, we need to take the swords and get the hell out of here. I’m so glad Lilith didn’t think twice about the swords.”
Chapter 19
Eli
Mortem and I tumbled out of the mountain, astral traveling to who knew where, so I took it upon myself to go where the hell I pleased. I forced us back in time, to the day I’d thought my mother died.
“I didn’t bring us here,” Mortem grumbled when we landed, taking in the view of the vast trees, white fluffy clouds surrounding us, and the cabin. My home. At least it was once.
“I want to know if what you’re telling me is true, so I brought us here.” I dusted my shirt as if I could dust traces of his scent off me. “I’ve been back here many times before. Of course it always ended the same way, but I followed Cyrus after he killed my mother. Maybe if I trace his steps, I can find her without his servant’s help. Who knows how long we would have to wait.” I leaned closer to him, my eyes piercing into his. “You better be telling me the truth, or so help you, I’m going to rip out your heart and throat and feed them to the vampires.”
“That’s kind of harsh, Eli, considering I’m helping you.”
My mother running out of the cabin piqued our attention. She ran toward me where I had been taking care of our horse, Midnight. I would never forget the frightened expression on her face, as if the world had spun the wrong way. Then she placed me in a bubble of her protection with a spell right before Cyrus appeared. They fought, and then…I couldn’t watch.
I had been too distraught, furious, and broken, and never had I allowed myself to be close enough to see Cyrus tenderly wrap his arms around my mother. Repulsed at the sight, I cringed. My younger self had been inside a bubble, and I couldn’t help my mother, but from this close viewpoint, merely a foot away, the true picture unfolded.
I followed Cyrus and my mother to a forest inside a cabin. Perhaps his own place? I had never seen it before. A snarl escaped my throat when he tore my mother’s shirt from the back where the rake had punctured her skin. He gingerly took out the sharp edges from Mother’s bleeding wound and then carefully placed his hands on it to start the healing process. He couldn’t heal her completely, but he was able to stop the bleeding.
Mother lay on the sofa, her breathing labored and unconscious. But alive. Breathing. Breathing. Breathing. I stomped around the sofa, raking my hair back over and over. Replaying the memory and how I felt. The pain, anguish, and the loss had prevented me from thinking straight. I should have gone back in time, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know how at that young age. Not until a year later, by luck, through my dreams I astral traveled. And with Milani’s help, I was able to do it during the waking hours. Regardless, how many times had I traveled back to that moment in time?
How many times had I witnessed my mother’s murder, thinking about ways I could have helped or prevented it from happening? Never had I thought to follow Cyrus afterward. If I had, I would’ve known sooner that she was alive and needed me to find her.
While I drowned in self-pity, Mortem watched Cyrus attend to her wounds. Mortem seemed to be fascinated by seeing a new, tender side of Cyrus. I knew that side of Cyrus and had felt it. Lucia had brought out a side of me I never knew existed. It made me want to be a better being. She gave me something to fight for. The only difference for Cyrus was my mother didn’t reciprocate the love he felt for her.
Perhaps things could have been different for Cyrus. Maybe love might have changed him. Perhaps if my mother had fallen in love with him instead of my father, the role of the half-brothers might have been reversed. I couldn’t dwell on the past. No matter the reasons or the cause, we are masters of ourselves. Cyrus was the epitome of evil. I’m going to kill him for taking my mother.
Crimson liquid filled the bowl. Cyrus had gotten a bowl filled with water and a hand towel to wipe the blood. Except for the puncture wounds slowly closing, he had cleaned her up well.
“He loves your mother. It’s the only reason he kept her alive and locked away. He can’t kill her, even knowing she would have killed him.” Mortem continued to stare at them as if they were some kind of novelty.
“I don’t give a shit, Mortem. I don’t give a damn what his reasons were.” My voice rose. “I’m going to kill him for all the grief, suffering, and—”
“Eli.” My name released from my mother in a soft whisper when Cyrus slowly flipped her over gently. I shuddered, tears threatening to fall from my already damp eyes.
“Eli,” she breathed.
I shut the hell up, unable to help her. She had called for me, but I wasn’t there. The freakin’ bubble kept me safe. I had to wait until her spell released me. All that punching the invisible wall and cursi
ng did no good. When it released me, I ran to Milani and her mother like a coward.
“Shhh…you’re safe with me,” Cyrus purred, lovingly stroking her hair as if he was her mate.
It took every ounce of will to keep from punching him, but it would have done no good. My hand would have slipped right through him.
“I’ll take care of you,” Cyrus continued like a sick psycho, caressing her cheek. He gave her some liquid, I assumed to help with the pain. “You’re mine now. I won’t let him hurt you. He will listen to my reasoning, my love.” His words became more confusing and deranged. “I will find my way to you. I will convince him to lock you up instead of killing you.”
Mortem tilted his head sideways, no doubt baffled like me, but he kept his opinion to himself. Then I heard a “click” and another one. Cyrus’s concerned expression became nothing short of wicked. Something glowed. The bastard placed wrist chains on my mother like he had on me. Mother didn’t realize what had happened. She was still dazed and immobile.
“Eli. Where’s my Eli?” She spoke as if she were intoxicated. “You can’t hurt him. You can’t find him.”
Cyrus cradled my mother in his arms and then lifted her up, ready to travel again. “Indeed I will find your son, Ikelia. When I do, he will be mine. Not even Eligor can stop me. And not even you. Eli will think you’re dead. Through his suffering, I will take what you have taken from my brother. You see, we had a plan, but you ruined it. He fell in love with you, but love was not enough to save him. Was it?”
What the hell was Cyrus talking about? At first he spoke as if he loved my mother, and then he spoke like he was someone else. Dual personality? Diabolical.
Mortem rolled his eyes. “I thought I was the crazy one. He’s got some skeletons in his closet.”
I ignored him. Working with Mortem was the last thing I wanted to do, but he had told me the truth so far. Perhaps I would wait to kill him. He might still prove to be useful.
Mortem and I dove into the portal Cyrus created and entered. Cyrus, still holding my mother in his arms, stepped through another portal. Mortem and I jumped after them, but we bounced back, landing on our asses.