by Meg Anne
The great cat went silent, tilting its head until those luminous turquoise eyes could better study her. After a tense moment, the Talyrian moved her head forward, sniffing the air between them and letting out a confused whine. Starshine could sense her mistress but did not recognize her through the glamour.
Not wanting to frighten or provoke her, Helena held out a hand for Starshine to sniff. The Talyrian bared her teeth in silent warning but pressed her muzzle into Helena’s hand. As the moments passed, her hand grew warm from the humid puffs of air coming from the Talyrian’s nose. Helena ran her other hand over the velvety fur, feeling tense muscles begin to relax as Starshine confirmed that the familiar scent was coming from the wrong person.
A soft buzzing filled the quiet space between them. Helena’s body tingled as the feeling washed over her. Once it passed, Starshine let out an approving sound and pressed her head into Helena’s hip. She raised a brow, about to tease the Talyrian for her odd behavior, when she realized what had just happened. Suddenly worried that Starshine had somehow managed to undo the disguise she had so carefully crafted, Helena quickly scanned herself. She was pleased, and more than a little relieved, to see that she still appeared to be Micha. Whatever the feline had done, it had only affected her ability to see Helena’s true form, not interfered with Helena’s glamour.
Helena was intrigued by this new display of magic. She had not realized that the Talyrian had powers outside of flight and fire, which she had always seen as being natural abilities versus magical ones. That said, no one could look at a Talyrian and not know that they were magical beings. Or be a little in awe of their overwhelming majesty.
Shaking her head ruefully, she gave Starshine another rub and asked, “What other secrets are you still hiding from me? Hmmm?”
Starshine just closed her eyes, rumbling in pleasure at the caress. Helena let out an amused snort, “It’s a wonder I even bother talking to you at all. Not like you will answer me.”
A slit of turquoise appeared, and Starshine shot Helena a glance that negated the comment. The Talyrian had no trouble communicating if one counted expressions and body language as forms of communication. Helena allowed herself a final moment of amusement, enjoying the quiet moment with Starshine before the smile started to fall from her face and her eyes moved back to the castle before them.
Setting her shoulders, Helena took a deep breath. “It’s time.”
Helena made her way to the door, the howling wind making her cloak snap behind her. Walking in another person’s body had been odd, at first, but the little time she had spent in Von’s helped her quickly adapt.
This was absolute insanity. The others had known it, as had she, but there really was no other play available to them. The only way they were getting inside this castle without a full-on siege, which there was no guarantee they would win, was sneaking in. But without any real understanding of what they were walking into, it would be easier to enter as a welcomed guest rather than trying to remain hidden within the shadows. That didn’t make it any less stupid. She was literally standing on her enemy’s doorstep about to ask them to let her in. Insane didn’t begin to cover it.
Offering a quick prayer to the Mother and sending a rush of love and longing to Von through the bond, Helena forced herself to push everything from her mind. Gripping the icy metal of the knocker, she lifted it and slammed it back down and onto the heavy wooden door.
There was a groan and a shudder as the sound of the knock reverberated in the room beyond the door. There was no answer. Helena had known, due to the utter stillness, that there were few people inhabiting the massive structure. She shouldn’t have been surprised that there wasn’t someone waiting for her at the door. But she was. Lifting her hand to knock again she flinched a little when there was a creak and the door slid back just enough for a familiar green eye to stare at her through the crack. The green eye widened as recognition dawned and the door pulled back further to reveal Gillian’s thunderstruck expression.
“Micha!” she gasped. Joy filled her eyes but was immediately replaced by horror. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe!” she said furtively glancing around as if checking that they were, in fact, alone.
Rage and revulsion churned in her belly, and Helena had to force her expression into something more appropriate. Thankful she had spent the journey with Starshine planning for this moment and thinking about what she would say, Helena focused on the ruse and finally uttered the words that she committed to memory.
“Sister, is that any way to welcome your brother home?” Helena asked, using one of Micha’s most troubled expressions. “I’ve been so worried about you. Rumors have been flying around the Palace since your disappearance. I hadn’t given them any credence, knowing you couldn’t have pulled off what they had been accusing you of. I mean, what reason could you possibly have for abducting Helena’s mate?” Helena paused, letting some of the brotherly concern fade from her voice and replacing it with the annoyed tone she had heard so often from Darrin when he thought she was being stupid. “When you didn’t return and put the rumors to rest, I realized that you were, in fact, absolutely irresponsible enough to kidnap Von. What I don’t understand is why? What reason could you possibly have to be so stupid?”
Gillian’s face had turned a bright red and she was clenching her teeth so hard, Helena could hear the grinding from where she stood. With another quick check over her shoulder, Gillian turned back and spat, “I did it for you! To protect you, you ungrateful ass!”
Helena allowed her eyes to widen, trying to convey shocked disbelief, “Me? How does stealing the Mate, help me? She had already soul-bonded with him; it’s not like I had a chance at filling the position.”
“No! Not to open up a spot for you,” Gillian sputtered, “to save you. Mother had threatened—”
“Mother? Mother is dead, how could she be a threat to me?
“Mother is alive,” Gillian hissed.
“I-I don’t understand.”
Gillian swallowed, her earlier fear at seeing Micha returning, “Mother faked her death. I-I helped her. But I had to Micha!” she protested, seeing the anger Helena wasn’t quick enough to hide.
“Had to? Why?” Helena asked, trying to sound confused instead of enraged.
“She threatened to kill you if I didn’t. She was tired of hearing about the prophecy, of the whispers that she was not a true Kiri as she had no Mate of her own. That another, more powerful than any we had seen, would replace her. It drove her mad, Micha. She snapped.”
Helena shook her head, “So why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped you, Gillian. You’re my twin, you know I would do anything for you. We could have worked together to stop her.”
Gillian reached out and grasped her brother’s hand in her own, “And I would do anything for you. Micha, I was trying to protect you.”
“I know,” Helena forced herself to say softly.
Tears filled Gillian’s eyes and she threw herself at Helena, holding the woman disguised as her brother as if her own life depended on it.
Helena swallowed back the bile and endured the embrace as long as possible before pushing Gillian back and asking earnestly, “Don’t you see? This has gotten out of hand. You have to release Von before things go any further. I can help you.”
Gillian was openly crying now. “It’s too late,” she whispered.
The bottom dropped out of Helena’s stomach, and her knees almost buckled at the words. “What do you mean? What happened?”
Gillian shook her head, red pieces of hair falling from her braid, “I’m not sure, only that Mother no longer needs to keep Von alive. She has been…” Gillian trailed off looking sick.
“Has been what?” Helena snapped, barely restraining herself from shaking Gillian.
“Torturing him,” Gillian whispered, her eyes still dripping with tears.
“Is she with him now?”
Gillian shook her head again, “No. She finally stopped
about an hour ago. I think she got bored once he passed out. He’s locked up in his room again.”
“Take me to him. We’ve got to get him out of here.”
“Micha, you don’t understand. If she catches us, we’re dead.”
Helena could feel the rage burn through her as she snapped, “What good is our life if he dies? Do know what Helena will do if that happens? We will be on borrowed time as it is.”
“We already are,” Gillian admitted, sniffling back some tears.
“So wouldn’t you rather your last acts on this earth be selfless ones? What are you going to say for yourself when you face the Great Mother and have to answer for your crimes?” Helena asked, infusing her words with tendrils of her compulsion magic.
Gillian’s eyes seemed to glaze, Helena could tell that the thought had taken hold. Worry filled the girl’s green eyes as she asked, “You don’t think She would forgive me for my actions when they were to save you?”
The question gave Helena pause. Despite every disgusting thing this woman had done, she truly believed she had been saving someone she loved. Helena couldn’t fault her for that, although she despised her for what she had done in the name of that misplaced belief.
“It is not for me to say,” she said finally, “but I do know, that the more we can do now to repair the damage, the better it will go for us all.”
Gillian chewed on her lower lip, before nodding finally. “Alright, Micha, if you are sure. But I do not think we will be able to get him out of here alone. Not without our Mother finding out.”
“Leave that part to me. Just take me to him,” Helena said firmly.
Nodding again, Gillian motioned for her to finally step inside. “Stay close,” she whispered, as she pushed the heavy wooden door closed.
Helena nodded once to indicate that she understood. She walked quickly, adrenaline causing her heart to race as she followed the red-headed woman deeper into the darkness.
Time crawled as they made their way to the room where Von was being kept. Helena could feel the stiffness in her tense muscles, but could not seem to make herself relax. She kept waiting to run into someone, or for Gillian to realize that she was an imposter, but neither happened.
The twisting halls were completely empty and eerily silent. Helena followed closely behind Gillian, noting the general state of disuse throughout the castle. The rugs were faded and threadbare and the stone walls pitted and chipped. Where pictures had once hung, there were now squares of dust framing discolored stone. With each twist of the halls, it only grew more dank and dark, the flickering lights barely illuminating anything.
Helena tried to track the number of turns they had made, knowing she would need to move quickly once she had Von, but it was starting to feel more like a labyrinth than a castle. Not only that, but her mind was filled with images of finally getting her revenge on the red-haired schemer. The woman had been responsible for some of the worst pain she had ever endured, and she was finally going to be able to return the favor. The thought filled her with a grim giddiness that would have horrified her, had it been anyone else. But this was the woman that had taken Von, had been the impetus of every terrible thing he’d endured since. There was no punishment too great for that crime.
Realizing she was losing focus, Helena forced herself to think only of how many turns they had made since reaching this floor: seven. Where was everyone? Helena wondered again, it wasn’t just Gillian and her mother holed up here, was it? She was just about to ask when Gillian stopped suddenly in front of a large wooden door. She turned to face Helena fully and asked in a hushed whisper, “Are you sure about this? It’s not too late for you to leave before Mother sees you.”
“Open the door, Gillian,” she demanded. Helena could no longer remain patient, knowing that her Mate was only separated from her by a piece of wood and the woman that was quite literally standing between them. She could feel him now, had felt him as soon as she had stepped into that dark and empty castle. As they’d made their way down the winding halls to this part of the castle, the feeling had only grown in intensity. Helena had known that he was seriously hurt, which only frayed the already worn edges of her patience. But after Gillian confirmed he had been tortured; her need to see him could no longer be contained. It had become a living thing: wild and thrashing within her.
Gillian was clearly terrified. Helena didn’t blame her; she should be. The girl’s hand shook as she lifted it and pressed it against the door. Helena could feel a tremor of magic as the door’s spell recognized Gillian and swung open. She made a move to step over the threshold, but Helena caught her arm, pulling her back, “Gillian, wait.”
Confusion colored her face, and Helena studied it for a moment considering her next move. Now that the door was open, Gillian no longer served a purpose. The wait was over.
“Micha?” she asked in a quavering voice, sensing something was amiss.
“I’m not Micha,” Helena said flatly, allowing the glamour to fade.
Gillian’s eyes widened as Helena was revealed and she moaned in horror, “No! Oh no! What have I done?”
“Something useful, for once. Thanks for the idea, by the way,” Helena said with a fierce smile, gesturing to her body.
Gillian struggled to break free from Helena’s hold, but it only served to make Helena tighten her hold, using the power of Earth to make her grip unbreakable. As she bore down on the fragile bones of Gillian’s wrist, she also allowed the sharp tips of her deadly black claws to appear, their razor-sharp points biting into tender flesh until pinpricks of blood appeared. Gillian went limp, deflating as she said, “She’s going to kill you.”
Helena leaned close, her aqua eyes glittering with promise, “Not if I get to her first. But that’s not your problem, Gillian dear. You should be much more concerned with what I’m going to do to you.”
Gillian swallowed, fear making her eyes large and her face pale. She still seemed too stricken to do more than stand there, waiting for Helena’s to act. Not wanting to disappoint her, Helena called on her power, letting all of the rage and pain her separation to Von had caused feed it.
“Helena,” Gillian implored, “please…”
Helena’s iridescent eyes narrowed, and her hair flew around her as though wind was blowing around them, “I warned you, but you didn’t listen. No one harms what is mine.”
She let the magic go and Gillian flew back from the force of the blow, her head slamming back into the stone wall. She crumpled to the floor, blood beginning to flow freely from the impact. Gillian struggled to sit up, attempting to use her magic to stem the blood, but Helena was faster, already moving closer with another swirling ball of pulsing light in the palm of her hand. Left with no choice, Gillian lashed out, redirecting her magic into an attack. A blue-white orb shot through the air, but Helena easily intercepted it. Her own power vastly outmatched Gillian’s and she was able to absorb the bolt of magic without injury.
“Now now, play nice,” Helena sing-songed.
Gillian grit her teeth, blood staining them red. She called another swirling ball of magic and tried again, but Helena easily swatted it away, laughing when it hit the door, causing it to burst into thousands of jagged splinters. Helena was thankful for the shield she’d placed around herself, as she brushed the small flecks of wood off of her shoulder before looking back at Gillian. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she fought against the Air Helena was using to hold her in place.
Helena could almost read the girl’s thoughts through the emotion that raced across her face. There was a flash of calculation in Gillian’s green eyes as if she was weighing her options. It was obvious that she was sizing up her adversary and had just realized that this was not the naïve, powerless, girl she had met in Elysia. There was no way she could beat the woman standing over her. No way to beat the Vessel. With the realization, all remaining fight left Gillian.
“Finish it,” she said bitterly, turning to spit a mouthful of blood onto the floor.
Helena tilted her head, studying the broken woman. The layered voice of her power seemingly devoid of emotion as she asked, “Where’s the fun in that? We were only just getting started.” She called twin balls of power into her hands. One flickered and danced like a living flame, while the other swirled like a miniature tornado. “What shall it be, Gillian dear? Should I purify your blackened soul with Fire or steal the very life from your lungs with Air?”
“Stop playing with me and finish it!” she shouted, staring up at her with shining green eyes.
“Why not both?” Helena crooned, ignoring the demand. Her brows lowered menacingly over iridescent eyes that had flickers of lightning in their depths. She fed the orbs of power until they swelled in her hands, becoming more erratic in their movements. Once they were as large as her head, she stopped, pinning Gillian with her gaze. There was no need for words as she released the Air storm. Gillian swallowed back a cry, slamming her eyes shut and muttering frantically under her breath.
“Mother forgive me,” she whispered before Helena’s magic stole the air from her lungs, causing her to sputter and choke. Her eyes began to bulge as she gasped for breath.
The girl’s words finally sunk in, and Helena faltered as other, more cryptic, words rose unbidden:
‘You have a choice before you.’
‘Loyalty or love?’
‘Mercy or vengeance?
‘Life or death?’
Was this the choice the Keepers had alluded to? All three options could apply to this moment, she supposed. Choosing mercy and life over vengeance and death… Spending time meting out revenge under the guise of loyalty, while just beyond that door her love still suffered. Could the ramifications of this choice really lead to the slaughter in her vision? Helena shuddered at the memory of the carnage. It didn’t seem possible, and yet…
Another whimper brought her focus back to Gillian. Helena could feel the shift in her magic. Her hair settled back around her shoulders while the ball of Fire snuffed out. When she’d arrived, Helena had every intention of making the woman pay for her actions with her life. Now that the moment had arrived, Helena realized that death would be too easy for Gillian. There was no punishment there.