Aftershocks

by Marie Harte

  Ethim glared at Lexa. “How can you say that? Are we all just pawns in your quest for revenge against Tanselm’s sorcerer? Yes, Mistress. We all know how much you long to strip the Light from Arim’s very being. What I don’t know is what you plan on doing with my daughter. Do you think to sacrifice her for Tanselm?”

  The clear ice in Lexa’s eyes didn’t bode well for The Sarqua’s future. Jonas quickly stepped between her and Ethim when a blue spark fired in her hand. “Mistress, you know his response is based on nothing more than love for his daughter.”

  “And ignorance and fear.” Ellie surprised him by chiming in. Cadmus said nothing, squeezing her arm in support. “I know I’m fairly new to all this Light and Dark stuff, but I’ve heard Jonas’ stories my whole life. Sounds to me like a lot of untruths have been flying about both sides.”

  She turned to Jonas. “You always told me that the Light Bringers thrived on killing anything not Light. That they thought themselves better than the rest of existence. But I know Cadmus doesn’t feel that way. His brothers have married women from my world—my former world. And Alandra, a princess from Aelle—a Shadow realm—would sacrifice anything for her husband, a Storm Lord and Light Bringer. I know this because she and I have been friends for a year.”

  “I knew it,” Jonas muttered.

  Ethim stared in shock. “You refused to acknowledge the Djinn, yet you befriended a conniving Aellei?” His voice rose in anger. “I don’t fucking believe this!”

  “Watch your tone,” Cadmus warned in a cool voice, though Jonas could feel amusement below his calm surface.

  “Watch my tone? Look, you little lekharn, I only allowed you here to appease our Dark Mistress, an act I regret more than you can know. I’ll speak to my daughter any way I fucking feel like!” Black rays of energy shot from Ethim’s eyes into Cadmus, and for a moment, Jonas feared the worst.

  To his amazement, Cadmus merely shrugged the blast away. “Thanks, Ellie.” He kissed her and sent Jonas a wink before turning back to Ethim. “Get this. Through your daughter, I can now withstand direct Darkness. How cool is that, Ethim? Or should I call you Dad?”

  Ethim choked on his rage, and suddenly, Amanda appeared behind them.

  “Oh, good. You’re all here together. Thank you for the invite.” She nodded at Lexa. “I’ve been so looking forward to this.” Completely ignoring her blustering husband, she approached Ellie and Cadmus and enveloped them both in a warm embrace. “My little girl finally found her heart. Oh, Ellie, I’m so happy for you. I just knew he was the one. I could sense it the moment I looked into his eyes.” She turned to Ethim. “Now we can relax, Ethim. Our daughter has a big, strong warrior to protect her, so you should be happy.”

  “Happy?” he growled. “You don’t understand. Cadmus Storm is a—”

  “Very nice man who is going to take good care of our daughter. And if you want to see our grandbabies one day, you’d better play nice.” Amanda’s gaze grew hard. “I think we’ve all shared enough prejudices and misunderstandings to last a lifetime.” She glanced at Ellie with apology, her eyes damp. “I hope we can all start over again, a clean slate, maybe?”

  Jonas exhaled loudly and ignored the aggravated grumbles around him. “Hell. This is worse than those damned daytime soaps. Why don’t we all agree that Ethim’s got work to do in the father-in-law department and grab something to eat? I’m hungry, and I’m sure you two could use some food.” He glared at Cadmus and Ellie. “While you’ve been becoming ‘better acquainted,’ some of us have been waiting out here, starving.”

  Amanda chuckled and walked back to Ethim, yanking him to her side when he took a threatening step towards Jonas.

  “Well said, Jonas.” Lexa smiled. “Now, why don’t we all sit down in Ethim’s home and sup together while we wait for what comes next.”

  In the blink of an eye, they sat in Ethim’s home before a large table covered with food. Jonas’ mouth watered as he eyed fresh fowl and spiced meat, ripe, juicy fruits and honeyed cakes hopefully spiked with sorba.

  Between bites, Jonas asked what was foremost on his mind. “Okay, Mistress, I’ll bite. What do we do next?”

  She shrugged. “That’s what I’d like to know. Well, Cadmus? You see the future. What are we waiting for?”

  Cadmus met Lexa’s stare with a shrug, wishing he knew. “I have no idea what comes next. If it’s up to me, I’m suggesting we eat.”

  “I second that,” Jonas said around a mouthful of food.

  “You would.” Lexa frowned. “Cadmus, beyond your abilities as an Earth Lord, you’ve been gifted with the ability to foretell endless possibilities. You’re the one who must give us the next step. I’ve done all I can.” She stared at Ellie, a small smile curving her lips. “Perhaps it’s time you took your affai home.”

  “Since when has it been decided she’s his affai?” Ethim’s fork clattered to the table, and he turned accusing eyes on Lexa. “You promised me she’d be happy.”

  “And she will be,” Cadmus answered, squeezing Ellie’s hand. “You’re making a mistake to assume I would treat Ellie poorly simply because she’s part Djinn. She’s my affai, and I’ll protect her with my life if need be. With her help, Tanselm can be so much more than it is.”

  “Than she is,” Lexa corrected.

  Cadmus frowned. “So Tanselm really is female? I always thought it was just something I made up.”

  “A consciousness lives in the waters, the land and Tanselm’s very air. If you listen hard enough, you can hear what I did the moment I stepped on her grassy plains. That Tanselm’s sentience is nurturing, loving and female.”

  “Then what’s Foreia?” Ellie asked. “Because from everything I’ve felt since being here, I’d say the land is decidedly male.”

  “Why would you say that?” Jonas asked.

  Ellie blushed, and Cadmus nudged her. “Yes, why, Ellie?”

  “Because I’ve been getting a lot of hints and not so subtle shoves in your direction.” “For the sex, numbskull. Do I have to spell it out for you? Foreia craves sex the way you seem to, in a kind of domineering, erotic and masculine way.”

  He stifled a chuckle. “Oh, right.” “Damn, but I agree with Foreia. Let’s ditch these people and find that gazebo again.”

  Ethim glared at Cadmus, but when his gaze settled on Ellie, his features softened, and he studied her with a pained gaze. “Ellie, I would speak with you privately.” He rose from the table, waiting.

  Cadmus stared from father to daughter, aware of the pain vibrating in Ellie’s heart. She wanted so much to love her father, to feel his complete acceptance. But lies and misunderstandings had clouded their relationship for a very long time. He studied Ethim, wondering how the man had kept his distance from Ellie all these years. It was clear how much he cared for her, even if he did have a warped way of showing it.

  “I don’t think—”

  “Go,” Cadmus interrupted her. “Speak with your father now, while you can. Once we return to Tanselm, I have a feeling all hell’s going to break loose.” “You’ll never be happy until you bridge this gap with your father, Ellie. Take this time to talk to him. You don’t know what the future may hold. And a father’s love is something to be treasured.” At that moment, he swore he could feel his father’s presence near, a bittersweet balm to heal the wound of his passing.

  Ellie gripped his hand and blinked away tears before they could fall. She quietly stood and followed her father into the next room. Silence enveloped the table, the only sounds to be heard Jonas’ steady munching.

  “Thank you,” Amanda said. “I know Ethim sounds like he doesn’t like you much—”

  “Because he doesn’t,” Jonas interrupted, licking his fingers. He grinned at Cadmus with sheer enjoyment. “But then, from my experience with you, everyone you meet wants to kill you sooner or later.”

  Amanda glared Jonas into silence before turning back to Cadmus. “Ethim’s pretty ancient. Oh, you can’t tell to look at him, until you stare into his eye
s. But he’s lived through some pretty hard years. I’m sure, like you, he has reasons not to trust people he once considered his enemy. But if you really love my Ellie, you’ll find a way to make peace with the Djinn. Because, despite my interference, Ellie has blossomed into a true Sarqua. I can even see the Darkness around her, and I’m just a plain woman from Seattle.”

  “A woman who read your thoughts and rob you blind in a game of poker,” Jonas muttered.

  “Just give him time,” Amanda continued as if Jonas hadn’t spoken.

  Time. A feeling of doom swept over Cadmus as true understanding dawned. Ethim was Djinn, as was Ellie. And the Djinn lived as long as Light Bringer sorcerers, hundreds of years, maybe even thousands. He’d never be rid of Ethim, unless one of the Sarqua’s enemies took him out. He sighed. He could only be so lucky.

  Ignoring Jonas’ sly enjoyment, he was determined to make the best out of the situation. He would refrain from spilling Ethim’s blood, but there was no reason not to enjoy himself around the hotheaded Sarqua. Hell, calling him Dad had nearly caused the Djinn a fit of apoplexy.

  “For Ellie, I would do anything.” At his comment, Amanda smiled, and even Lexa nodded with approval. Which reminded him, why had Ellie seemed so sure she knew the Dark Lord?

  As if she knew of his unspoken question, Lexa changed the subject. “Now about the future, let’s see. Where is ‘Sin Garu now? I’m having a difficult time pinpointing him, for some reason. It’s like he dropped out of existence.” She frowned in concentration. “And your uncle…”

  Cadmus waited. He’d been wondering when she’d broach the subject of Arim.

  “I can’t seem to locate him either. And that disturbs me. It’s as if he’s masking his presence with another strong one, and the only beings I know who could shield his presence are Sava, ‘Sin Garu and me.”

  Cadmus felt him before he saw him. In spite of having lived around his uncle for his entire life, he was awed and a bit unnerved at Arim’s entrance. Streaks of Light burst through the room, so bright they made Jonas and Amanda shield their eyes while Lexa pushed to her feet and threw up a Dark shield over the gathering. Cadmus knew the Light must have pained her as well, but she stared without flinching at the spectacle growing before them.

  Arim appeared like an avenger, the infamous Killer of Shadow and Guardian of Storm. He wore battle dress, a large overtunic of black trimmed with red that reached his knees, black trousers and calf-high leather boots. The staff in his hands gleamed with purity, menace swirling within the white and red striated orb. Around Arim crackled the static of the between, and Cadmus could literally feel the pulse of energy from several worlds blanketing his uncle from Foreia’s Darkness.

  Arim’s eyes glowed despite the black irises that seemed unfathomably deep. They rested on Cadmus, his stare both intense and probing. Apparently satisfied his nephew remained alive and well, Arim turned his attention on the room’s remaining occupants. His gaze slid over Amanda and Jonas, who wisely remained silent. When his eyes settled on Lexa, however, the tension in the room positively sparked.

  Before anyone could blink, bands of Light shot through Arim’s hand and staff to imprison Lexa where she stood. Snakes of seething energy held her captive, twining tighter and tighter around her body, the constriction of Light causing flinches of pain to tighten around her eyes.

  Cadmus closed his eyes and absorbed a few wisps of Tanselm’s energy that vibrated through his uncle. He’d always known of Arim’s power, but seeing it like this, up close, caused him to view Arim with a new respect. But when he opened his eyes and saw Lexa so still, he knew he had to act fast.

  Visions swirled, the past and the present mingling until he knew for certain if he didn’t move quickly, at least one, if not both Lexa and Arim would die a violent death, here and now.

  Shaking free of his shock, Cadmus rose and stepped around the table towards Arim, walking through his uncle’s bands of energy with ease. At least I’m still Light enough to pass through his shields. He breathed a sigh of relief and sought his uncle’s attention.

  “So I’m assuming you’re here because you thought I bailed on you again, right?”

  Arim didn’t take his eyes off of Lexa, but the anger projected at Cadmus was strong enough to push him back several paces.

  He swallowed hard. “Right, well. That’s not the case. Arim, Lexa isn’t the bad guy here.” He still had some reservations about that, but killing the Djinns’ Dark Mistress not only made him uncomfortable, the notion seriously pissed off Foreia—not a wise idea when one was at the land’s mercy.

  “Oh?” Arim’s voice was soft, too soft. Cadmus’ stomach clenched. “Do tell, nephew. What did the little witch promise to ensnare your loyalty? Ellie, perhaps?”

  “So typical,” Lexa muttered while her eyes teared as the Light bit into her skin.

  “Stop it, Arim.” Cadmus worried when his uncle ignored him. “The only way this altercation will end is with you or Lexa dead.”

  Arim said nothing, but he seemed to be listening.

  “And with that death, the end of Tanselm and all we hold dear.” Cadmus caught Arim’s gaze, willing his uncle to believe the truth. “You can search my thoughts if you’d like, but I’m telling the truth.”

  Not expecting Arim to take him up on the offer, Cadmus swore and grabbed his temples in pain when his uncle stabbed through his mind. Blinding strength sifted through memory then, with a sharp twist, Cadmus was again alone.

  “Shit.”

  “You were telling the truth.” Arim flicked his staff, and the energy holding Lexa vanished.

  Instead of the retaliation Cadmus would have expected, however, Lexa remained still.

  Arim didn’t take his gaze from the Dark Lord, nor did he lower his staff. “I want to see Ellie.”

  Cadmus frowned. “What does Ellie have to do with your being here?”

  “I came to find you and to see what you know about the Djinn. Unfortunately, you weren’t waiting in Ellie’s apartment when I returned. Instead, I found the remnants of a nasty battle.” He turned to Jonas. “Nice fighting, by the way.”

  “Thanks.” Jonas placed himself between Arim and Amanda.

  “Relax, Jonas. He won’t hurt anyone else. Will you?” Cadmus asked his uncle.

  Arim shot Lexa a sharp glance and shrugged, then settled into Ethim’s chair as if he were invited.

  “Perfect.” Jonas ran hand through his hair. “If Ethim hasn’t already blown his top, this should do it. His daughter’s a Storm Lord affai, and the fucking Killer of Shadow is sitting at his dinner table.”

  “Affai?” Arim glared at Cadmus. “Not yet.”

  “You’re too late.” Lexa said softly. “They’ve bonded.”

  “Oh?” His words were almost a whisper, and Lexa swallowed audibly. Odd, but Cadmus thought her reaction to Arim made her all the more alluring. Near him, she seemed more human, more approachable.

  “They’ve been bonded since that first night Cadmus took over for Darius at Outpour.”

  Cadmus started. “What?”

  His question was echoed by Ellie and Ethim, who entered the room.

  “Yes, Dark Mistress,” Arim said caustically. “Make sure to let all the pawns know exactly how you’ve been playing them before you make your final moves.” He shook his head at Cadmus. “The mistakes we make in youth…”

  “Haunt us forever,” Lexa spat, anger making her light blue eyes glow almost white. “Oh shut up, Arim. You always were a maudlin asshole. You can blame me all you want to. But true love speaks for itself.” She smiled, her ghostly face awash with satisfaction. “Cadmus and Ellie were made for one another.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Ellie stared in astonishment, waiting to see just what the hell Alex—or should she say, Lexa—meant by that remark. She still couldn’t believe her best friend of nearly ten years, Alexandra Novak, was in fact Lexa Van Nostren, a Dark Lord. Hell, she might as well have been told her best friend was Satan’s daughter. No doubt the Li
ght Bringers thought of her as such.

  She snuck a glance at Cadmus and saw him watching Lexa with an inscrutable look. What did he see when he looked at her? Unfamiliar jealousy reared its ugly head, and Ellie had to remind herself that she knew Alex—Lexa. “You’re giving me a headache,”she sent the woman the waspish thought, wondering if she could read it.

  “Sorry, Ellie. But you never opened up to me about the Djinn either, so maybe we’re even?” Lexa sounded hopeful, and Ellie sighed. Of course her friend had telepathy, could freeze men in their tracks and ate creatures like the Netharat for breakfast. For a woman reared in the ordinary, Ellie found her life spiraling into the unknown awfully fast. Her mother was now completely in her father’s camp, so that ties to the mundane world had vanished. Her fiancé was a Light Bringer, a royal prince from another world, and her best friend happened to be a Dark Lord, a supposedly evil scourge trying to destroy anything in her path.

  Well, at least Ellie and her father had smoothed over many of the bumps in their relationship. Theirs would probably never be an easy one, but at least her father now understood her better. The guilt pouring off him hadn’t hurt either. Nice to know she wasn’t the only one feeling terrible for their past.

  Now if Ethim would only acknowledge Cadmus’ role in her future.

  “What do you mean Cadmus and I were made for each other?” She thought as hard as she could at Alex. Lexa confused the hell out of her.

  No wonder she hadn’t recognised her best friend. In Seattle, the Alex Ellie knew worked as a retail buyer, travelling coast-to-coast purchasing the latest trends for ritzy department stores. A terrific cover if one had to be out of pocket for any length of time. But that Alex had known seemed so different, so much more open, so normal. Alex Novak had long black hair, green eyes and a tan that Ellie envied. She was slim and stood as tall as Ellie. That freakish tallness had helped the women bond. A chance meeting in a coffee shop had produced a decade of friendship. Although, come to think of it, perhaps the friendship wasn’t so chance, or so true.