by Willa Alders
I walked out of the bathroom and there she was distracting me without even trying. She was standing in the doorway—her long blonde hair pulled up in a ponytail today as she moved closer to me. I smiled at her as she leaned up kissing me once. Within seconds her arms were wrapped my neck instinctively as she began kissing me deeper than ever before. I knew this would only take a matter of seconds for us both to get lost in each other. She stopped kissing me just long enough for her to tell that my mind wasn’t in the kiss.
“What is it Archer?” She asked pulling away from me searching my eyes.
“I’m just thinking about the battle….” I trailed off. “You do know what my sister is going to try and do don’t you beautiful? She’s going to try and kill me.”
“Don’t think about that because you’re safe here. You’re protected here so don’t worry.” She said hugging me.
“I know that she can’t get to me while I’m here with you because we’re protected but that won’t always be the case. We’re going to have to leave to face her in the battle and I’m not worried about me really I’m more worried about you. You have no idea what she’s going to do. She’s going to be so focused on hurting you that she’s going to do anything and everything to cause you pain which means that she’s going to hurt me severely. I can handle it because I’m used to her hurting me but I can’t handle knowing that you’re going to have to see it. I’m so sorry that I brought you into this mess beautiful.” I said glumly.
“Well Archer don’t worry about me I can handle whatever she throws my way. I promise you I won’t let her kill you. So can you do me a favor and just not think about that right now?” She asked pleadingly and I nodded. “Besides from what the Kintana says it’s the prophecy and it’s our destiny Archer. So even if we want to avoid the battle there’s no way that we can. It has to happen regardless. To tell you the truth you didn’t drag me into anything. I chose to be with you and I know what that means. So stop thinking you brought me into this.” She said throwing her arms around my neck.
“Ok beautiful you’re right we’re safe here.” I said kissing her forehead.
“Yeah you are safe here with me for the most part that is.” Her face turned into a small corner smile.
“For the most part?” I asked raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah for the most part until we go downstairs. I can’t stop Avery, and there’s a good chance he will be awake. I think he’s still really pissed about how the fight went the other night. So there’s a chance he may want to fight you again and there could be a full blown brawl again.” Aralynn giggled.
“Great... I look forward to it. I’m pretty sure I have the upper hand in this one again. I have a secret weapon.” I winked at her.
“What’s that?” She said curiously.
“It’s you. You see I figure since you can throw fireballs and make things appear out of thin air that’ll definitely help me. You know incase Avery doesn’t want to fight fair.” It was my turn to laugh when I said that.
“Oh no, I don’t think so. I’m not getting in the middle of this any more than what I already am. So that means I’m not giving either one of you any advantages. If you two are going to go at it then it’s going to be a fair fight without any interference.” She said, shaking her head.
“I don’t think he’s going to fight fair beautiful. So why won’t you help me? Don’t you love me?” I said laying on a guilt trip.
“Yes I love you. I will make sure both of you fight fair.” She said.
“Ok.” I said sadly. “That’s good to know.”
“You’re impossible Archer. Now stop trying to make me feel bad it’s not working. On a different note, you are right. I can definitely make things appear out of thin air so don’t make me mad unless you want to end up like Avery did when he messed with me.” She said forcing back a smile.
“Yes ma’am.” Was all I could say as I kissed her again then we headed downstairs.
Avery and Sam were sitting on the couch in the living room as Aralynn and I walked through heading to the basement. We went into a room in the basement that had nothing in it. Sam and Avery followed in behind us. Avery shut the door as Sam headed over towards Aralynn. I watched Aralynn blink as a chair appeared behind Sam. He took a seat and Aralynn sat on the arm waiting. I knew what was going on. We were going to fight now and get it over with. I stood there waiting for Avery to make the first move since he was the one pissed.
“Did you really think you could just use my sister not pay? Did you really not think?” Avery yelled walking toward me.
“It’s not like that and you know that. Do you really want to go around again? I beat you once I’m sure I’ll do it again. You really shouldn’t fight me. We don’t need to do this not right now, not ever.” I said but before I could finish he punched me in the stomach.
He punched my stomach three more times before landing a few blows to my face. I figured since everyone knew that I wasn’t a human now I wasn’t going to play nice any longer. I thought about Aralynn and how if anything or anyone hurt her I would kill them. Next thing I knew Avery went back flying through the basement doors. When he came running back there were two of him in front of me. I had heard of duplication I had never met anyone who possessed it before. I realized then that was Avery’s ability. I wasn’t really sure which one was the real Avery, and which one was the duplicate Avery. This was going to be trouble. So I kicked the one and he doubled over the other Avery stood laughing. Aralynn shook her head as she threw a fireball at the Avery standing right in front of me. He shimmered into back into the Avery on the floor. Aralynn was making sure this was a fair fight.
Avery punched me in the face again when he stood up. I was over this and I had enough of him punching me. It was my turn. When he swung again I caught his fist with one of my hands. I twisted his wrist so hard behind his back that it popped. I felt the bones in his hand shatter in my hand. It made me grimace and I hoped he was done. I thought for sure he was going to stop. He did the opposite though he shook it off and slammed me into a wall. I realized then this fight was nowhere near done.
Avery swung at me again missing. He went to throw another punch when Caleb and Carmina walked in. Caleb darted in between us at lightning speed stopping Avery’s punch with his hand. I watched as Carmina’s eyes glared at Avery. I moved as Caleb pushed Avery up against a wall restraining him. Avery was cursing loudly at me as I stood behind them unable to move. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Sam came up to me then grabbing my arm to make sure I didn’t do anything else
“You two didn’t stop them?” Carmina asked in an angry motherly tone.
“You know we couldn’t. There’s no use.” Sam laughed.
“Yes yes, well Avery you had best get used to having Archer around. Aralynn has chosen to be with Archer and he has chosen her. They are mates and eventually will rule it seems. Not to mention he has no family. All families have differences but he is your brother now and no matter if you what to or not you will accept that. Now you will get over this and you will help protect them. Do you understand me?” Carmina yelled at him and I watched his body twitch as he hit the ground. He was paralyzed.
“Mind control kind of she does that to him quite frequently. He hates it.” Aralynn said softly to me so Carmina wouldn’t hear.
“Oh.” I said softly to her as Carmina walked up to me.
“Welcome to the family. Now everyone upstairs Lona, Orion, and Nohelani will all be here shortly and we need to go over a game plan.” She said as we all headed upstairs behind her.
Avery shook his head still cursing as he headed outside. I didn’t know if he was still pissed at me or if he was pissed because of what Carmina had just done to him in front of everyone. Either way I understood why he needed to be alone. I figured he would grow used to the fact of me eventually. Aralynn and I sat talking to Sam, before he left. He said he had some stuff he wanted to get done and he was going to try to calm Avery down so he could come back here.
&nbs
p; “Welcome Orion, and Lona.” Carmina said as they all took a seat a huge dining room table. Orion had on a shirt, and Lona was dressed in business attire it looked like. They all looked very professional and kind of hesitant at the same time.
“What’s wrong?” Carmina asked them offering all of us something she had cooked.
“Word is the attack is coming sooner than what we think, it seems as if the threat of the Abaddon is moving closer and I’m afraid there isn’t much time to train as we initially thought. It seems we have just a matter of days not weeks or months that we would need to train such powerful beings. I only hope since they both catch on rather quickly we will be able to train them and get them ready soon in time.” Lona said with some deep concerns.
“Yes they will. They are powerful, more powerful than we have ever seen. Trust me my love.” Orion answered her.
Another voice came in through the window as she appeared out of dust. She was a massively tall woman like Orion’s height and had long silver hair. She flowed through the window in a shimmer like my mom did. Orion stood up and bowed to her, and so did everyone else. I figured she was royalty of some sort.
“Good morning young ones. I’m Nohelani, you both shall take over for me after this battle but if we are to win then we need to know what your sister is planning and why. I stress urgency is much needed in your answers.” Nohelani said quietly but with power.
I nodded at them as I started to tell them everything that was going on. I explained how everything had started –about how my sister enslaved me and treated me worse than a dog. I told them that if I didn’t obey her commands then I would suffer severe consequences. I told them about the daily beatings I would get for what she thought was an act of defiance or for not obeying her. Then I told them about the most important part. I told them about how my sisters’ entire diabolical plan was put into motion. It had all started about two years ago when Kilyn and Carter were out visiting another realm. She had overheard another Abaddon talking about a great powerful immortal rising and how she would be the most powerful ever in all the kingdoms. Kilyn couldn’t have someone else being more powerful than she was so she made it her ultimate goal to set out and destroy that immortal.
It took some time for her to figure out who the ultimate most powerful immortal was. Once she did she packed us up and moved us here. She enrolled in the school, and quickly learned that the most powerful immortal was Aralynn. I told them that was when my part came in. I explained how I never wanted any part of my sisters’ plan so I tried to keep my distance from her. When I didn’t give in the beatings became even more frequent and worse than before because I kept refusing to help her. I explained to them that finally she offered me an ultimatum that she knew I wouldn’t be able to refuse. She offered me my freedom if I agreed to help her.
I looked at their faces which were shocked with horror as I continued telling them the rest. So despite the fact that I didn’t want to hurt anyone I couldn’t continue living with the daily beatings so I finally agreed to my sisters’ terms. Her terms were simple—all I had to do was weaken Aralynn so that Kilyn could come in and kill her because she wasn’t powerful enough to do it if Aralynn had her full strength. Kilyn knew that if Aralynn was distracted by someone then she would be weakened just enough for Kilyn to kill her. I was supposed to be the distraction that would weaken her. I agreed to it even though it was wrong because I knew what I wanted. I know it was wrong and I wish I would have never agreed to it but I did…..because I wanted to be free.
Everyone was expressionless sitting in front of me as I paused letting them absorb everything I had just said. After about ten minutes I continued on explaining. I knew that if I failed to weaken Aralynn my sister would make me suffer. She would keep me enslaved longer and she would make my punishment the worst one I would have. I knew I couldn’t deal with another punishment and I knew I couldn’t be the cause to anyone’s’ death so that was when I devised my own plan. I knew I couldn’t set Aralynn up to die and I didn’t even know her yet. I wasn’t soulless so I decided to try and save her. I had no plan how I was going to do it at first but I was definitely going to try.
I explained that when I first met Aralynn it was like a lighter had ignited a flame inside of me which was something I had never felt before. It was like ever part of my body was alive pulsating urges through me that I didn’t know how to explain. I was consumed with raw emotions. So I did research when I realized the flame was a special forged bond that happens when you meet your mate. I told them that at first I just tried to be Aralynn’s friend and nothing more despite how I felt. I did just so that my sister wouldn’t be able to see that I more of a bond with Aralynn than I let on. I didn’t want her to use it to her advantage. The more I tried to keep my feelings hidden from Kilyn the worse it was on me so I gave in and asked Aralynn out. I realized on the first date that I loved her and there was no way I could let anyone ever destroy her. I was determined to tell her who I was no matter what happened. She had to know the truth even if that meant she wouldn’t want to be with me after I told her. At least then I knew she would be safe and that was all that mattered to me. I looked at Aralynn when I said all of that. Her face was full of sadness and happiness all at once. Finally I told them how to weaken my sister.
Nohelani smiled at this. “Good young one, it seems you have chosen the Kintana –the good and the love shared by you two will win in this battle.” She said looking at Aralynn and me. “But there is much training that needs to be done in the next two days. We fear the battle will happen on the third day. Until then you are hidden from your sister but know this you will be vulnerable come time for the battle. Make sure you two are on top of your game.” She smiled at us.
“We will be.” Aralynn smiled at her.
“Good my future king and queen you two will be great leaders I know it. Now get ready to go. You guys are going to be training in a in a remote location far away from here. Your sister and any other enemy won’t be able to sense you go get ready. Orion and Lona will take you there.” Nohelani said taking off back out the window in a shimmer.
“Well beautiful looks like we’re taking a vacation. I’m sorry you had to hear all the bad things.” I said to her as we got up and grabbed our coats.
“It’s ok. It’s going to be no vacation training strictly only trust that.” She smiled as everyone else headed out the back door with us.
We grabbed Orion’s hands linking us all together as Orion took off flying super quickly. The whole time we were in the air I was thinking about the battle and how I couldn’t wait for it to be over. When we defeated my sister, Aralynn and I would rule together and be together in peace.
CHAPTER 15 ARALYNN
Connected to Orion we were flying through the sky. I had swooped before but never flown so this feeling was all new to me. As much as I wanted to look down at everything I couldn’t. All I could do was just look forward. The birds we were passing didn’t seem to bother Orion. He would just maneuver us around them. Eventually the sky became quiet and the birds faded away as we continued flying. Somewhere over the ocean we were approaching a plane quick. Next thing I knew and everything else knew we were being jerked up higher in the sky rapidly. I figured it was because Orion didn’t want to have to explain to the queen why a bunch of humans saw a flying bird man and other humans attached to him flying in the sky. We stayed up high soaring above the clouds for the rest of the trip. The stars were coming out and the sky was turning black as we landed in a dark alley. I looked at Orion as I watched him tuck his wings under a shirt. Then Lona touched his arm and he shrunk down to a normal sized human. I had no idea he could do that either.
“Where are we?” I asked grabbing Archer’s hand as we all headed outside of the alleyway.
Orion and Lona smiled at me when I came up next to them. I heard Caleb say something in a different language when we rounded the corner he had bought all the girls flowers from a street vendor. I still didn't have an idea where we were at that point
. I looked around and didn’t recognize anything except the people were speaking French. I knew I was in France somewhere but didn’t know exactly what city. I looked around not recognizing anything until I looked up. A few feet ahead of me was the Eiffel Tower. That was a strange idea, and an even stranger place to train. Europe let alone France was always packed especially since Paris was such a tourist spot.
“No this isn’t where we’re training young one, come on get in.” Orion pointed to cars that were on the side of the street as if he read my mind.
Archer and I got in a car with Avery and Sam. Lona, Carmina, Caleb, and Orion got in the car in front of us. Avery revved up the engine and we began driving through the streets of Paris. I tried to look out the window but it was hard because we just kept going faster and even faster once we got outside of town. We drove through the countryside hills in France just whizzing down the winding roads. We were in the car for what seemed like hours, it must have been I thought because I had dozed off. When I woke up Archer had tapped my shoulder and we had reached a big gate. I blinked focusing my vision as we pulled up to a castle built out of stone. It was gorgeous. Another guy who had wings just like Orion opened our doors as we parked the car.
“Welcome young ones.” He said bowing to us.