by Mazhar, S
“Loyalty,” Aaron said. “Not something usually associated with snakes.”
“These are Ichadaris,” Ryan said. “Snake demons. Vengeance is inbred in these beings.”
“The villagers,” Aaron said, glancing at the shaken group of people sitting outside their huts. “They looked like they were under a spell.”
“Enchantment of the Serpents,” Ryan explained. “The Ichadaris can hypnotise and lure you anywhere. Under their trance, you’ll do whatever they want. That’s how they take their victims; they sit patiently in line while the Ichadaris take their time to eat their way through them.”
Aaron grimaced. “That’s horrible.”
“That’s Ichadaris,” Ryan replied. “They have the power to shape-shift into pretty much anything, although they prefer to take on the form of beautiful girls.” Ryan shuddered. “Such a mind mess, that.”
“How come we didn’t fall under their spell?” Aaron asked.
Ryan held up his silver necklace, the inverted V dangled from the end. “Aric’s mark protects us, even if it’s only one of the four symbols.”
They reached their bikes and Aaron waited until Kyran mounted his bike first before he climbed on behind.
“So?” Kyran asked as Lexi purred to life. “What’d you think?”
“It was terrifying,” Aaron replied honestly. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more scared in my life.” He smiled. “So when’s the next one?”
Kyran turned to look at him, grinning broadly, a spark of pride in his eyes. He turned the bike around and sped off, following the rest back to Salvador.
***
That night there was a celebration, in honour of the success of the Ichadaris hunt. Before dinner, the Hunters and mages gathered at the table where Scott handed out beer bottles to all of them while Mary followed behind him, giving out tall glasses of fruit cocktails for the younger mages. Distracted by his talk with Mary, Scott put a bottle of beer down in front of Aaron.
Aaron lifted it up to examine the unmarked brown glass bottle. He brought it to his lips but before he could take a sip, Kyran came up behind him and took the bottle from his hand, replacing it with a glass of juice.
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “So I can use a gun but not drink beer?” he asked.
Kyran seemed to consider the question before nodding. “Yeah, pretty much.”
With his and Aaron’s bottle, he walked away to sit with Ella and Ryan. Aaron shook his head but sipped at his fruit juice nonetheless.
Everyone was in a cheery mood. Scott couldn’t stop smiling, beaming with pride over his Hunters. The younger mages – mostly the kitchen staff – were crowded around the Hunters, listening to the recount of the hunt with awe-filled expressions. Aaron was particularly amused with Ryan’s storytelling abilities.
“...then I swung round and sliced through three flying Ichis at once,” he said. “They were all coming for me, hissing and spitting, fangs ready, but I sent them to hell with one strike of my sword.”
“More like ten strikes,” Danielle corrected. “And you still couldn’t cut off their heads.”
“Shut up.” Ryan elbowed her.
Kyran and Ella chuckled, teasing Ryan. Through the jokes and laughter, Aaron found himself restless, waiting for his best friends. They weren’t in the cottage, Rose wasn’t in the Stove and Sam wasn’t in the orchard. Aaron had looked everywhere before coming to sit at the table. He couldn’t wait to tell them about the hunt. It had been just as exhilarating as it was terrifying. His wandering gaze saw the twins appear from the path behind the cottages. Aaron got up, eager to meet them.
“Where were you guys?” he asked, walking towards them, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ve been looking for–”
“Just a minute, Aaron,” Sam cut him off and walked past him.
Rose followed silently after him. Aaron stared at them with surprise. Sam and Rose walked to the table, stopping before Scott.
“Scott,” Sam called, getting his attention.
“Hi, Sam. Rose.” Scott grinned. “Would you like a drink to celebrate the hunt?” He offered them two glasses of fruit cocktail.
“No thanks,” Sam said quickly. “We wanted to speak to you.”
“Oh?” Scott turned around and put the tray onto the table. “What can I do for you?”
“The vamages,” Sam said, gaining the attention of everyone. “How many are in the human realm?”
Scott’s pleasant smile slid away and he frowned at the question. “I’m not sure,” Scott replied. “The numbers fluctuate.”
“A rough estimate?” Rose asked.
Scott furrowed his brow. “Around forty, maybe fifty. Possibly more,” he said. “Why?”
Sam stood to his full height. “What if I told you we have a way for you to wipe out all the vamages in the human realm?”
The Hunters at the table shifted in their seats, eyes narrowed at the twins.
Scott looked thrown. “What do you mean?”
“That Q-Zone thing you do,” Sam said. “What if there was a way to gather every single vamage in the human realm and destroy them in the Q-Zone in a single attack?”
Scott’s expression relaxed. A small smile curved his lips. “Sam,” he said, shaking his head. “I wish it were that easy, but vamages were once mages. They know about the Q-Zone. They’re well aware of our tricks. They won’t fall for a trap.”
“What if we made sure that they did fall for it?” Sam asked.
There was something in his voice that scared Aaron.
“What if every vamage in the human realm couldn’t resist the temptation?” Rose asked.
“Temptation?” It was Skyler who asked the question. “What are you getting at?”
“The vamages roam the human realm for what?” Sam asked, his voice tight with disgust. “They look for mages to turn or kill.” He looked over at Scott. “Or those who have the Trace.”
Scott’s eyes widened with realisation.
“If vamages pick up the Trace, they come for the kill.” Sam said. He held Scott’s horrified gaze before asking, “So why not use that to your advantage?”
21
Permission for Suicide
Complete silence met Sam’s words. Every eye was on the twins, trying to judge if they were serious or making a horrible joke. Aaron knew, though. He knew Sam meant every word. He could see it on him, thick as a coat, the sheer determination for revenge.
“I’m sorry.” Scott shook his head, blinking as if to clear his vision. “Did you just offer yourself up as bait?”
Sam stood tall. “We have the Trace,” he said quietly. “It pretty much ruined our lives, as did the vamages that killed our parents.” His eyes gleamed with rage. “So why not put that Trace to a good use?”
“Sam, Rose.” Aaron moved towards them. “A word?”
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed hold of Sam and Rose’s arms and guided them away from the table, hoping he was far away enough to evade the mages’ superior hearing. He turned to his friends with wide eyes. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“You know it’s a good plan,” Sam said. “Don’t deny it.”
“A good plan?” Aaron asked. “It’s a suicidal plan.”
“Vamages killed our parents,” Sam said. “If I can figure out a way to destroy those demons, then I’m doing it – with or without anyone’s help.”
Aaron turned to Rose. “You’re going along with this?” he asked incredulously.
“Actually, it was my idea,” she replied.
Aaron gaped at her in disbelief. “Your idea?” he repeated. “Rose, what’s got into you?”
“Nothing,” Rose replied, “I’ve just decided that we’re not helpless any more. We’re humans, we don’t have power of the elements or anything like that.” She reared her head up. “But we have the Trace and I’m choosing to use that as my power, not have it as a weakness.”
Aaron shook his head. “You’re not going anywhere near the vamages.”
Ros
e’s brow creased as her eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“You’re not going,” Aaron repeated.
“Aaron–” Sam started.
“No,” Aaron cut him off. “It’s too dangerous. I won’t let you.”
“You’re not going to let us?” Rose asked. “What you gonna do?”
“This has nothing to do with you, Aaron,” Sam said. “So stay out of it.”
Aaron stared at them, his lips pressed tightly together as his hands curled into fists.
“Nothing to do with me?” he asked. “You’re here in this mess because of me. I’m responsible, no matter what you say.” He held Sam’s gaze. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you – both of you.” He glanced to Rose. “I’m protecting you in any way I can, and if that means you get angry with me for ruining your plans for revenge, then that’s fine. I’d rather have you angry but still alive.”
Sam stepped closer to Aaron and put a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to protect us,” he said. “It’s always been the other way around, mate.”
“Help us, Aaron,” Rose said. “We’re doing this, one way or another. We’re not backing down. Don’t fight us; stand by our side.”
“Rose–” Aaron started with a shake of his head, but she stepped away, turning to walk back to the table. Aaron looked to Sam in desperation, “Sam, please.”
But Sam followed his sister back to Scott and the Hunters. Aaron hurried after them.
“So?” Rose asked Scott. “What do you think? Do we have an agreement?”
Scott and the Hunters had clearly been having a discussion of their own while Sam, Rose and Aaron were having theirs.
Scott cleared his throat. “There’s every possibility that your plan could work and taking out even a small fraction of Hadrian’s army is a tempting offer.” He closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. “But I’m sorry. The risks are too high. The Empaths don’t have the ability to heal you and you both could be fatally injured.”
“We understand that,” Sam said. “We understand all the risks and we’re okay with that.”
“You’re okay with putting Rose’s life at risk?” Aaron asked angrily.
“Rose can make her own decisions,” Rose said, shooting Aaron an annoyed glare. She turned to Scott. “Well?” she asked, ignoring the others.
“You maybe okay with risking your lives,” Scott said, “but I’m not.”
“We’re sixteen years old,” Rose argued. “You have Hunters that young, facing all sorts of demons.”
“They’re mages,” Scott pointed out. “They’ve trained to hunt and can handle themselves.”
“Just because we’re human doesn’t mean we’re useless.” Rose shot Skyler a sideways glance, as if challenging him to argue. “We can handle ourselves too.”
Scott shook his head. “I’m not comfortable sending you–”
“I think they should do it.”
Everyone stopped and turned to stare in absolute surprise at Skyler.
“What?” Scott asked, stunned that Skyler had agreed with a human.
“I think they should do it,” Skyler repeated. “They’re right. They have the Trace and we could use it against the vamages.”
“Skyler–” Scott started.
“I know it’s risky,” Skyler cut across him, “but we can take out the vamages, actually destroy them. Even if it’s one percent of Hadrian’s army, that’s better than nothing.” He nodded at Sam and Rose. “If they’re willingly offering themselves up, then why not?”
Scott looked back at Sam and Rose before glancing at Skyler. “We’ve never used humans as bait before.”
“Which is why the vamages will never see it coming,” Skyler pointed out.
Scott fell quiet, his eyes troubled. “You do have a point,” he said.
“Oh, come on!” Kyran slammed a hand against the table; the loud thwack caught everyone off guard. Kyran shot to his feet, blazing green eyes fixed on Scott. “You’re not seriously considering this?”
Scott glanced from Skyler to Kyran, looking very much in two minds. “I don’t know,” he said. “I can see the benefit of the plan but it’s too risky–”
“Damn right it’s too risky!” Kyran snapped.
“We’re talking about every vamage in the human realm being wiped out in a Q-Zone kill,” Skyler said.
“They’re human!” Kyran seethed. “We don’t use humans for bait. We protect them, we don’t endanger them!”
“You’re right,” Scott said, nodding. “Of course. It would be unethical to use them.”
“You’re not using us,” Sam argued. “We want to do this.”
“Kyran’s right,” Aaron jumped in. “Mages protect humans. If you let them risk themselves, you’re going against your own moral code.”
“Scott, don’t listen to them,” Skyler said.
“I think Kyran and Aaron are right,” Ella joined in. “It’s far too dangerous.”
“We’re doing this, one way or another,” Sam insisted.
“No, you’re not!” Aaron shouted.
“Enough!” Scott’s yell silenced everyone. He took in a breath and turned to look at Sam and Rose. “Give me time to consider your offer,” he said.
“Scott–!” Kyran started.
Scott held out a hand to quieten Kyran, as he continued to speak to the twins. “I will decide if it’s worth the risk or not. If I can come up with a way to have you there and keep you safe at all times, then and only then will you be allowed to do this.”
Sam and Rose didn’t say anything but nodded.
Skyler smirked. “You need permission from an Elemental and the Controller to go on any kind of a hunt,” he said. “Scott will give you his decision, but I’m giving you mine right now.” His eyes sparkled with excitement. “See you at the hunt, Shattereds.”
***
The clang of metal hitting metal was ringing in the air. Aaron’s breathing was laboured, his arms aching with the weight of the heavy steel sword that he had to hold up to block Kyran’s relentless attack.
“Focus, Ace,” Kyran called. “You’re not paying attention.”
The force of Kyran’s strike had Aaron stumble backwards, his hand smarting with pain as the impact reverberated from the sword into his hand and up his arm.
“I beg to differ,” he panted. “If I wasn’t paying attention, I would be cut in two by now.”
Kyran smirked and twirled his sword. “You’re not hit because I’m not aiming to hit you, genius,” he said. “You’re barely defending yourself.”
Another strike, and Aaron’s cramping arms lifted the sword up to block it.
“Yeah...” he puffed, “...right!”
Kyran paused, his eyes narrowed. He twisted his sword once more and slashed at him. Aaron barely managed to block in time, gasping as the blows came harder and faster. He backed away, holding his sword out, doing what he could to protect himself from the furious attack. Kyran got near enough to kick Aaron’s feet from under him. With a thud, Aaron fell to the hard ground, his sword knocked from his hand. The tip of Kyran’s sword rested on Aaron’s chest.
“What do you have to say now, Ace?” Kyran smirked.
Aaron pushed the sword away with his hand and got up. “I need a break,” he said, stumbling over to the low wall to rest against it.
“This is your problem,” Kyran said. “You have no stamina.”
“We’ve been training for three hours non-stop,” Aaron said, exhaustively plopping to the ground. “Give me five minutes to catch my breath.”
Kyran shook his head at him, but didn’t say anything. He sheathed his sword and came to sit on top of the wall.
“Kyran?” Aaron started after a few silent minutes. “Do you think Scott will give Sam and Rose permission?”
Kyran didn’t answer right away. “I don’t know,” he replied, a tinge of annoyance lacing his voice. “Under normal circumstances it would be a definite no. But the way things are going, Scott might just be desper
ate enough to say yes.”
Aaron twisted around to look up at Kyran, squinting against the bright sun. “He would risk their lives?”
“To take out vamages?” Kyran asked. “Yeah, I think he would.”
Aaron looked to the ground, and his frantically racing heart skipped a beat. “If they go to a Q-Zone hunt, then I’m going with them,” he said.
Kyran snorted. “Yeah, right.” He smirked. “You don’t know the first thing about hunting and you want to go to a Q-Zone hunt?”
Aaron glared up at him. “If Sam and Rose go then I’m going with them,” he stated. “Skill or no skill, I’m not sitting back while my friends set off on a suicide mission.”
“So you reckon it’s better to assist them?” Kyran asked.
“If I can’t stop them, I’ll go with them and do what I can to protect them.”
Kyran shook his head at him. “You can barely protect yourself.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Aaron said.
Kyran fell quiet. His green eyes studied Aaron from top to bottom, almost as if he was considering Aaron for something. He stood up.
“Come on,” he said. “I’m going to show you something.”
Holding back a groan, Aaron pulled himself onto his feet. “What is it?”
“A classic move.” Kyran said. “Very useful.”
He held out his hands, shoulders dropped and feet planted. Taking in a deep breath, Kyran pulled back, bringing his elbows closer to his sides before extending both hands out, as if pushing an imaginary foe.
A ripple went through the ground, cracking it and marking it in a strange pattern of semicircles arranged in a straight line. The ripple reached a lone tree and blasted it out from the ground. The tree spun in the air before crashing back down.
Kyran turned to look at Aaron with a smile. “You learn this and you can make sure no one gets near you, Sam,” his eyes gleamed in the sunlight, “or Rose.”
***
Aaron practised all day. He worked well into the night but he couldn’t get the ripple to extend out like Kyran’s had. The most he could do was shake the ground under him slightly.
“I don’t get it.” He complained as he and Kyran made their way to the table for dinner. “I managed to crack open the ground to stop that car. Why can’t I do this?”