by Lexi C. Foss
She returned his amusement with a saucy grin, then the fibers of his clothes sizzled while she expertly undressed him with her mind.
It took a great deal of trust, especially when she reached his groin. Yet, he remained utterly still for her and waited until the last vestiges of his outfit turned to ash before climbing to his bare feet.
You realize that was my last pair of viable breeches, yes?
She shrugged.
Of course she didn’t care. Jenika preferred him nude.
He sauntered toward her, his skin warming for an entirely different reason as he reached the water. How long can you hold your breath? he asked darkly. With her ability to control water, it gave them a unique way to play with one another.
She blew him a kiss as she danced backward into the waves, encouraging him to follow.
God, this woman. Would he ever tire of her? Several hundred years and he wanted her as badly now as he did the day they met. That kind of love…
He paused in his pursuit.
Something… wasn’t right.
Jenika’s expression confirmed the inkling of unease trickling down his spine.
Danger, he sent to all the minds he knew on Hydria. Something is coming.
He swam to Jenika’s side, his gaze flicking between the darkening horizon and the beach.
“They were all dead,” she whispered.
Alik didn’t doubt that. What concerned him was the very real possibility that the most recent battle had been a ruse. The Ichorians were getting desperate. They’d expected his kind to die easily.
They’d thought wrong.
After several centuries at war, Alik’s brethren had proven themselves not only resilient but also powerful. All those years of being treated as second-class citizens no longer applied. The Hydraians—as they called themselves—were lethal, were strong, and knew how to function as a unit. They understood the importance of family and love.
Jenika touched his hand beneath the water. “Beach.”
He spotted the approaching trio, latched onto their minds, and sent them to their knees with ease. Their cries should have caused his lips to curl, but the unease skirting along his skin didn’t relent.
Where are you? The message was meant for his brothers—Lucian, Jayson, Eli, and Balthazar. They should have arrived by now.
“Alik,” Jenika’s gargled voice startled his concentration. Water spilled from her mouth as she tried to speak.
He caught her hip, pulling her to him. “What…?”
An inferno burst from her eyes, her body going rigid while an agonized sound escaped through her water-logged throat.
“Jen!” he shouted as her entire body went up in blue flames. His hand sizzled and burned so hot he let go on instinct. “Fuck!”
Garbled screams rent the air as the fire turned an ungodly shade of purple.
“Jenika!” he yelled, his heart beating a mile a minute. “JENIKA!”
Glowing embers flickered into the night, confusing him more. Until he realized it was pieces of her being carried off in the wind.
He grabbed her again, his own skin melting from the contact. But he didn’t care.
“Jenika!” This had never happened before. She knew how to control it. Why was it hurting her now?
He tried to pull her under the water, but his grip slid from their decayed flesh.
Oh God…
The salt water burned like a son of a bitch.
No.
He couldn’t… This… No!
His nerves disintegrated, his hands—or what was left of them—fell limply to his sides.
“Jenika!” he screamed her name, his anguish and confusion coloring the night for all to hear. And yet still she burned.
A giant ball of purplish blue blazed along the waves, then erupted in a cloud of ash. He stared unseeingly at the spot where Jenika had stood. Her long blonde hair no longer billowing in the breeze. Her seductive form no longer dancing hypnotically. Her heart-shaped face no longer smiling.
Just. Gone.
His legs gave out beneath him.
The water continued to abrade his wounds, sending daggers of pain to his brain, yet he sat lost in the waves. His mind shattered. His heart… nowhere to be found.
“Jenika?” he whispered brokenly.
This had to be a dream. A nightmare. A hellish mind trick. She couldn’t just… disappear. Not his Jenika. It was impossible. She controlled fire, not the other way around. This—
A cruel, chilling laugh carried to his ears. Feminine, high-pitched cackling. Like a witch in the night.
He hardly registered his head turning toward the sound—his body still semi-drowning beneath him. If he’d been in deeper water, he would have gone under. And would he care? He wasn’t sure. He felt… empty. Alone. Dead inside.
“Oh, I may just have to let you live for fun,” a woman trilled. “You look positively distraught.” Another chortle.
Alik blinked as fire flickered from the beach.
“Jenika?” he whispered, finding his footing and stumbling toward her. “Oh, thank…” He trailed off as he realized the woman possessing the flames had red hair. The strands glowed in the light, a dark auburn shade that was all too wrong. As was the svelte figure and wicked smile.
“I guess we know who the stronger pyrokinetic is, hmm?” The bitch smiled, her eyes twinkling with mirth. “Not even her gift for water could save her.” She tapped her lip. “Now, if only you’d realized what was happening, she might still be alive. Or not.”
Heat scorched his insides, knocking him off balance against a wave.
“Hmm, it is really too bad I have to kill you. Watching you suffer would be oh-so fun. But I suppose you can consider it a gift. Maybe your souls will find each other.” Her confident, calm tone triggered something inside him. Something hotter than the inferno engulfing his body.
Power rippled out of him, directed at the redheaded bitch. He put everything he had into that mental punch, all his pain and agony, and tripled it inside her mind.
The air around him cooled immediately. Third-degree burns lined every inch of his being, the salt water around him only worsening the condition, and yet, he felt nothing.
No pain.
No torment.
He’d pushed it all out and into the redheaded Ichorian writhing on the ground.
I’m empty.
Others came spilling onto the sand beyond her, all of them wielding various powers he knew nothing about. He didn’t care who they were or where they came from. Just touched all their minds. Every. Single. One. And spread the torture rampant.
Everyone fell to their knees.
Agonized yells littered the beach.
Alik stepped out of the ocean, his legs shaking with the effort. And yet, his mind felt fine. He searched out all the intruders on the island, over a hundred of them, and sent shock waves of his dangerous gift through all of them.
Die…
He wanted them all to fucking die.
Starting with the redhead crying a few feet away from him.
Alik stood over her without pity as he crushed her trachea with his bloody foot. She gargled—just like Jenika had—and sputtered. Life dimmed in her eyes. He observed from the outside of his body, or so it seemed. Killing her wasn’t enough. Good thing her immortal genes would wake her again in a few hours so he could do it all over again.
As for the rest, he’d rip their heads from their bodies with his own bare hands. One by one. After he healed. Until then, they’d continue to ride his waves of pain, over and over and over again.
He collapsed in the sand to wait for his body to heal while the terrorized screeches around him soothed his broken soul. “Burn,” he managed through his dry throat. “Fucking. Burn.”
2
Luc
Two Days Later…
Luc paced the room, his mind whirring with a thousand different outcomes at once. Alik’s display of power the other night had turned the tide, quite literally, in their favor.
And yet, to consider an armistice felt wrong.
Aidan stood to the side, his shoulder against the wall, emerald gaze pensive. “While I understand your desire to allow emotions to win, we both know that will only lead to more lives lost in the end.”
Of course Luc knew that; it was why he hadn’t voiced an opinion yet. His logical side always won, but that didn’t mean he lacked a heart. He had to think about Alik—his brother of three millennia—and how he would want this handled. This went far beyond a simple game of logic. Their biggest asset and best friend was walking death. If it hadn’t been for Balthazar’s ability to subtly curb the man’s emotional state, they’d have lost him to insanity.
When they found him on the beach severing heads… with his bare hands…
Luc shuddered.
It’d been a gory sight, a bloodbath of epic proportions. To kill in such a state did something to a man, as they all witnessed firsthand.
He rubbed a hand over his face, his own emotions rioting inside. This whole damn war had taken its toll. They’d lost countless allies and friends, all because the Ichorians saw the Hydraians as threats. Well, now they knew just how threatening, thanks to Alik’s display. He had disabled hundreds of their enemies with a single thought and never broke a sweat despite being covered in burns.
That magnitude of his power was terrifying. He would become a target, not that Alik seemed to be in a caring state. With his broken heart and soul, he’d more likely court death than fight it.
“Shit,” Luc muttered, not for the first time. He stopped at the door and rested his forearm against the wall overhead. “We have to accept.”
“Yes,” Aidan agreed. “That was never a question.”
True. They all knew this armistice was the goal. “It’ll be temporary.”
“Of course.” Issac spoke for the first time, his presence an enigma in the room. Many on the island weren’t sure what to think of the Ichorian, but his loyalty had been proven through the decades. It helped that Luc’s father had raised Issac as his own son after the male’s birth father had died.
Such a complicated history, and not something Luc had time to consider now.
“But that’s where Aidan and I come in,” Issac added. “We’ll be your eyes and ears, attending every Conclave to report back.”
Luc straightened and nodded once, agreeing with the plan. Osiris, and many of the others, trusted Aidan. They considered him the eldest of all the Ichorians—an honor never proven but widely accepted. His status carried weight, hence the reason the Ichorians were even considering an armistice. Aidan had been the one to suggest it, and they all knew better than to ignore the master strategist.
Balthazar and Eli entered, followed by Jayson, all of their expressions tired. Luc moved out of their way, going to the corner and leaning against the wall for much-needed support.
Alik? Luc asked the mind reader, guessing their friend’s emotionless state was the cause for the flood of sadness and despair swimming around the room.
“Everyone,” Balthazar replied, his gaze shadowed in sorrow. “We may have won the other night, but the emotions on the island are dim at best. Too many losses. Too much pain.” He collapsed in a chair, his head falling to his hands. “There’s only so much energy left.”
Luc understood what he meant—Balthazar was powerful, but not even he could fix an army of exhausted soldiers.
Eli’s broad frame towered over Issac as he moved to the Ichorian’s side. Their friendship was a unique one, considering Eli was essentially mated to Issac’s only sister. Amelia also happened to be Luc’s half sister, thanks to Aidan being her father, but he didn’t share the same kinship with her. She and Issac grew up together—shared the same mother—and possessed a stronger bond.
“How’s Amelia?” Issac murmured now.
“Resting,” Eli replied. “She’s worried about Alik.”
“We all are,” Jayson put in as he settled beside Balthazar. “Luc, we can’t go on like this. It’s killing morale. And Alik… Fuck, man, I think he’s broken.”
“He just lost the love of his life.” Eli ran his fingers through his black hair. “If I lost Amelia…” He just shook his head, as if he couldn’t even fathom such a loss.
“That’s actually a point I want to address,” Aidan said, grabbing everyone’s attention. “While you’re all incredibly powerful and clearly a formidable foe, your biggest strength is also your biggest weakness.”
Luc nodded, already understanding. “We love each other, which makes us undeniably strong, but also takes its toll in times such as this.”
“Exactly. If Osiris were to strike now—”
“He’d destroy us,” Eli grumbled, cutting off the eldest in the room. “We’d be too caught up in trying to protect our wounded loved ones to actually fight.”
“Precisely.” Aidan clasped his hands before him as he pushed off the wall. “It’s why I suggested an armistice. The Ichorians think you’re living in victory at having defeated them.”
“Because you told them we were celebrating.” Luc almost grinned, but his face refused. “A nice way to buy us some time, but not much.”
“No,” Aidan murmured. “The offer expires at sundown.”
“Giving us less than two hours to decide,” Luc translated.
“Is it valid?” Jayson asked. “I mean, he sent Aidan here to deliver it. How do we know Osiris hasn’t realized Aidan’s on our side and this is all just a fancy diversion?”
“He knows my relationship with Luc was once a strong one, and he chose to take a gamble.” Luc’s father shrugged. “It’s a practical play, one I suggested.”
“Aidan also encouraged Osiris to send me with the entourage as protection,” Issac added.
Balthazar snorted. “He clearly thinks highly of your ability.”
Sapphire eyes narrowed at the mind reader, then smiled as Balthazar flinched. “And you do not?” Issac asked, his English accent flat.
Luc ignored their bickering and met his father’s expectant gaze. “Osiris is in Athens and expects me to return with you, correct?”
Aidan gave a subtle nod.
“Then we should go.” Because there was no other choice. If they didn’t agree to the armistice, this war would continue. “A future battle is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be tomorrow or even next year. If we accept, we’ll have time to heal and rebuild, and when the peace ends, we’ll be ready.”
He looked to Balthazar first and arched a brow. Do you accept?
“It’s our only play,” the mind reader murmured. “To do otherwise will only jeopardize more lives.”
Luc nodded and met Eli’s gaze next. “And you?”
“I’d rather kill them all, but not everyone has a magical touch.” He waggled his lethal fingers. “I agree this is our best option.”
Another nod before focusing on Jayson. He would be the hardest to convince, except for maybe Alik. “If we agree to the terms, Artemis will remain off-limits unless he steps out of bounds. You good with that?”
Jayson cleared his throat. “Not really, but if it means all my friends will remain among the living, I can’t exactly complain about an ancient vendetta, can I? Family—this family—first. Always. I’m in.”
Then there was only one person left to ask.
“You don’t need to,” Balthazar murmured as Luc took a step. He’d clearly read his mind while also hearing the thoughts of the newcomer—Alik—who stood in the doorway with dead eyes.
Luc cleared his throat uncomfortably. He hadn’t actually expected Alik to join them, let alone listen to the conversation. How long had he been standing just outside the door in the hall, listening to them all?
“Al—”
“Yes,” Alik said flatly, interrupting Luc. “I agree.” He left without another word.
“He’s not pleased, but he understands it’s the best play.” Balthazar sounded almost sad. “But he will forever hunt the one who hurt…” He trailed off, as if he couldn’t say Jenika’s
name.
None of them appeared able to speak of her, too raw and hurt by her unexpected and sudden loss. Her murderer had escaped in the chaos that followed Alik’s descent into the darkness. Not many survived, but somehow, she’d managed it.
Lucinda, Aidan had informed them. One of Osiris’s favorite pets.
And if they signed this treaty, she, too, would be off-limits.
“He won’t care,” Balthazar whispered. “He’ll hunt her, even if it means crossing boundaries.”
“He may see reason,” Aidan informed. “In time.”
Balthazar shook his head. “I’m not certain of that.”
“He will if it’s part of the long-term plan,” Luc suggested. “If we play the long game, there’s a chance for all of us to win. But we have to play it right.” Strategies flashed through his mind, several outcomes, different paths, all leading to potential victory in the end. So many avenues and turns and twists, so many options available, all of them tied to their agreement now. They’d already survived two millennia. What were a few hundred more years if it meant finally beating their makers at their own game?
“That… was a lot to take in,” Balthazar said, massaging his temples.
“Sorry,” Luc murmured, returning to the task at hand. Thousands of years of data had unloaded at once as his brain sought the perfect design. “There are several options.”
Aidan was already bobbing his head in agreement. “All of which require us to arrive in Athens as soon as possible.”
“Indeed.” That came from Issac, who wasn’t a master strategist but a male with the ability to manipulate visions. Which meant he’d seen the strategy unfolding in Aidan’s and Luc’s minds. “We should go.”
“Yes,” Luc replied, concurring. “We have a unanimous vote amongst the Elders. It’s decided.”
The Treaty of 1747 would be signed.
Ichorians would remain immune from violence if they stayed in New York City.
Hydraians would remain immune from violence if they stayed in Hydria.
Anyone caught outside those boundaries did so at their own risk.
Anyone caught inside an opposite boundary also did so at their own risk.