Curses and Ash

by Tiffany Daune

  She pressed her hand to the dull glass. Any hope of leaving through the portal was long gone. She eyed Daspar, whose body slumped along the cushions, his head hung to his chest. Corinne lay beside her. Though it pained her to do so, she reached for Corinne’s cheek. Her skin was warm, her head bleeding and her eyes shut.

  “Is she okay?” Ezra whispered.

  Tage shook her head. She pressed Corinne’s pulse; a faint rhythm beat at her fingertips. “I hope so.” Tage glanced at the Hunters.

  “We aren’t getting out of here,” he whispered against her ear, “are we?”

  Tage shook her head. She knew all too well their fate. Deep lines rimmed Aurelia’s eyes, her neck sagged at the chin ever so slightly, and streaks of gray marred her silky black hair. Emil stood at her side; other than a trimmed beard, his olive skin was as smooth as Ezra’s, even though he was ancient. Without the kill of a siren, he would be nothing but withered flesh clinging to decaying bones.

  “We never should have trusted a siren.” Aurelia rummaged through Daspar’s pockets, ignoring his moans. “Otho’s soul isn't here!”

  Her angered gaze landed on Tage. She strode over the debris, stopping in front of them. She grabbed Tage’s collar, pulling her under her nose. “Where is Otho—where is his soul?” Her skin sprouted fine lines.

  Tage trembled, fearing she would kill her on the spot, just for vanity’s sake.

  “Leave her alone!” Ezra swatted Aurelia’s arm.

  With her free hand, Aurelia struck him across the face, and he flew back. “As you can see, I’m in need of a kill.” Her gaze drifted to the cracked mirror and she winced, as if her reflection pained her. “Watch your mouth, siren, or you’ll be next.”

  “I’m not going to be your Botox!” Ezra shouted.

  Natalie snorted.

  Dropping Tage, Aurelia lunged for Ezra.

  “Calm down,” Natalie pulled her back. “We’ll find him.”

  “You promised me Otho’s soul. You said he would be here.” She pointed to the window where the portal once spun. “They took him through there.”

  Emil stepped forward, hoisting his quiver over his shoulder. “There’s nothing we can do here. We need to get out of the city.”

  “You trusted a siren—Natalie has twisted your judgement, brother.” Aurelia’s husky voice was a growl. “For what? Etlis’ flames will penetrate Earth and we will be damned for eternity to a realm of fire. Already we lost Otho—because you trusted her!” She turned to Vita. “Surely, my sister, you understand?”

  “It’s not Natalie’s fault,” Vita said. Though she was small in stature, she held herself as if she were taller than Aurelia. She placed her hand over the haft of one of the daggers at her waist. “Otho knew the dangers when he sought out the siren. Patience, sister—we will bring our brother home.”

  Tage leaned into Ezra. “We have to find a way out of here.”

  Two men blocked the doorway. They were dressed in tactical gear: black flak vests, cargo pants, and military grade boots, the Hunter’s mark branded on their necks. The Hunters were travelling with humans? Tage eyed the guns holstered at their hips. Too risky. As she scanned for another way out, a glimmering sheen drew her attention to her side. She sucked in a sharp breath. No, no, no. Tears welled in her eyes. A gold arrow lay in Daspar’s palm. Blood seeped through his shirt and onto the couch.

  She crawled toward him, Ezra scooting beside her. “Daspar,” she whispered and shook him gently, but he didn’t respond.

  Tage’s gaze darted to Vita; a rosy hue flushed the Huntress’ plump cheeks. A whimper escaped Tage’s lips.

  “It’s your fault!” Aurelia shouted.

  “Take your hands off me.” Natalie yanked her arm from Aurelia’s grip. “If you hadn’t lost your temper, I would have my sister and you would have your precious Otho.” Natalie stepped over the broken chair and across the fallen door. Her soiled boots marked the white paint. She crouched next to Corinne, sweeping the bloodied hair from her face.

  “She’s your mother?” Emil approached her.

  “She gave birth to me.” Natalie stood. “Nothing more.” She nodded to one of the men standing guard at the entrance. “We’ll take them all with us.”

  “Your sister and Otho are gone,” Emil said. “There’s no need to keep this much company. You know how hard it us for us to resist.” He nodded toward Daspar, then Vita.

  Natalie placed her hand on his chest. “I need them. I will help you resist.” She glanced up into his dark eyes and they held each other’s stare for a long moment.

  Tage couldn’t believe what she was seeing. How did Emil keep from tearing her soul right out of her body?

  His hand brushed Natalie’s cheek. “I can’t make any promises.”

  Tage’s skin flushed hot; her pulse raced. “I’d rather die than go with you!”

  Natalie’s soft smile twisted and her eyes took on a gleam of excitement. “So eager to die. Is that what Daspar taught you?” She huffed. “Did you buy into his self-sacrificing crap, Tage Summerfield?”

  Tage pressed Daspar’s chest; his faint pulse wavered. How did Natalie know who she was? Daspar safeguarded her identity. He’d sworn…

  “I know all about you. Daspar trained you well, but I know every one of his spells; every spell from Pura’s siren soul. Look how good Vita looks now because of Pura.” She nodded toward Vita, who turned away, letting her hair fall over her face. “When Daspar wakes, if he wakes, he’ll be nothing more than a human, which is what he should have been all long.”

  Natalie stepped beside Tage and Ezra, and when Ezra lunged, she shoved him back with the heel of her boot. At once, Emil nocked an arrow. When Natalie raised her hand, he held off shooting, but he kept the arrow drawn.

  Why were they listening to her? Tage slid away from Daspar, being careful not to make any sudden moves.

  Natalie poked Daspar’s chest. Tage picked up the distinct emotion of pleasure. “You’re sick.” Tage clenched her jaw. “He took care of you.”

  Natalie laughed under her breath. “You don’t know anything.” She spun the ring on Daspar’s finger, releasing the red-gemmed ring. “He didn’t deserve the knowledge.”

  “Leave him alone.” Tage reached out, but dropped her hand when Emil exhaled a heavy breath. Natalie had no right to touch him. No right to take his ring.

  “You’re blind.” Natalie slid the ring on her thumb. Her eyes gleamed with the fiery gem’s reflection. “But I will make you see.”

  *

  TWO BLACK SUVS waited like palace guards outside the hotel entrance. As soon as Emil stepped into the lobby, another man wearing heavy combat gear exited the vehicle and opened the door. Tage recognized the raised, welted cross of the Hunter’s mark branded into the side of his neck. She quickly scanned Natalie for signs of a cross, but found nothing to prove she wasn’t acting of her own accord. None of it made sense.

  “As if they need security,” Ezra whispered.

  Emil nodded toward the second vehicle, as he kept his dark gaze on Natalie. “It’s best if you stay with the sirens.” His hand slid to her hip. “I’ll ride in the first vehicle with my sisters. You understand, of course.”

  “Of course.” A soft smile played on her lips. Emil bit back his own, pausing for a moment before stepping away from her.

  “This can still work,” she said at his back, but he didn’t turn as he left the lobby.

  Tage shook her head. What could Natalie offer them, other than her soul? Tage wasn’t putting a connection together.

  When Vita strutted into the lobby, the concierge dropped his phone. The little dog of the woman he was assisting broke out in a song of snappy yelps.

  Vita snarled and the woman scooped her dog up in her arms.

  “We’re drawing attention. We need to leave.” Vita ushered them outside.

  “They’re more concerned about the fires than us.” Natalie glanced back to the lobby. “Where’s Aurelia?”

  “She had to use the lady’s r
oom. You had better hope she doesn’t spend too much time in front of the mirror. It’s unfortunate Otho wasn't recovered. She will be inconsolable.”

  “He’s not lost.” Natalie’s voice was steady, but Tage felt her fear grow like a weed in an untended garden the moment Dax disappeared through the portal with Otho’s soul. Tage smiled inside; fear led to doubt and that might just give her the advantage she so desperately needed.

  “I trust you have a plan.” Vita’s cool gaze slipped over Tage and then Ezra. Her fingers twitched by her sides.

  “Of course.” Natalie’s smile was tight, her stare unwavering.

  “Good.” Vita nodded, then joined Emil in the SUV.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Ezra said to Natalie. Tage shot him an alarmed glare. If ever there was a time Ezra needed to keep his mouth shut… She yanked him back, being careful not to touch his wound. His smart-ass comments would get them killed.

  “Aren’t you the cheeky one?” Natalie slid around him like a serpent eyeing a rat. “I’m not sure Halen would miss you too much. And Aurelia is starting to look more like Vita’s grandmother than her sister.”

  “Ezra’s your cousin,” Tage blurted. “On the Elosian side, of course.”

  “My what?” Natalie scoffed.

  “You’ll really piss off Halen if you kill her family. And you don’t want to see her angry.”

  “Mother Nature can kick some ass,” Ezra added.

  “Mother Nature? Is that what you call her? Does she sing to woodland creatures too?”

  “No.” Tage’s eyebrow quirked up on one side. “She’s more like the storm you won’t see coming.”

  The glass doors slid open and the two men exited; one with Corinne in his arms and the other with Daspar.

  Tage ran to his side. Daspar’s eyes remained closed, his head lolled to the side.

  “Back away,” the guard said.

  “Let her help,” Natalie said. “He’s half dead anyway. If the Hunters can’t control themselves and end up killing you two, at least we have two humans left for Halen to rescue. That is what she does, right? Comes to the rescue. Because she sure doesn’t know how to kill anyone.”

  A rumble rolled in the distance. Tage tilted her head toward the sky, half expecting another fire ring to douse them in flames.

  “Get in the SUV.” Natalie pushed her forward.

  As the two men loaded Corinne and Daspar into the second SUV, Tage glanced down the sidewalk. She was fast on her feet, so was Ezra, but she couldn’t just leave Daspar and Corinne. As much as her instincts urged her to run, she hopped in the SUV.

  Ezra scooted in next to her. “Halen’s cousin?” he whispered.

  “Hey, you’re family now. Natalie doesn’t have any—remember. I may have saved your life.”

  “I don’t think she cares much about family.” Ezra nodded toward Corinne.

  Tage leaned across, listening to Corinne’s faint heartbeat. She blew with a soft breath whispering, jalayle. It wasn’t much of a spell, but hopefully, it kept her breathing until she could come up with something better. She strapped in Corinne and then attended to Daspar. She yanked a fistful of her hair and stuffed it in his wound. She barely, finished the spell before Natalie slid into the back seat.

  “I don’t know why you bother. He would be the first to let you bleed to death.” She folded her hands neatly in her lap.

  Tage retreated to her seat. “You shouldn’t be so ungrateful. He taught you everything.”

  “Not everything.” She wriggled her fingers, the tips stained from casting dark magick.

  “That kind of magick comes with a price.”

  Natalie’s gaze narrowed. “I’m sure you’re not without sin.”

  When the ignition started, long cylinders of neon lighting lining the roof faded from green to blue and then to red.

  “Discreet,” Tage said between gritted teeth.

  Natalie shrugged. “You could ride in the first truck. I’m sure it’s very cozy with the Hunters.”

  She would love to cast a spell and knock that placid grin off Natalie’s smug face. “Gee, thanks.” Tage folded her arms across her chest. A fire engine roared past, its sirens wailing. “We won’t get far, you know. The whole city is barricaded.”

  “Traveling with the Hunters has its advantages. Money gets you places, and after hundreds of years their bank account is…limitless.”

  Tage balled her hands into fists. “You were raised Tari.”

  “Tari,” Natalie huffed.

  “What are you up to?” Tage’s gaze narrowed.

  “We have a mutual desire.” Natalie admired Daspar’s ring. “The Hunters need me, and having them around keeps meddling sirens like you two out of my way.”

  “How dare you!” Tage’s voice rose. Ezra grasped her knee. She inhaled a deep breath and exhaled. “We protected Halen, so she could do the job you didn’t have the guts to finish.”

  “Is that what you think? That I was weak?” Natalie scoffed.

  “I know you were weak. Why else would you run?”

  Natalie rubbed the bloodstains on her pants. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

  Heat flared along Tage’s neck and up to her cheeks. “Oh, yes, you do. My parents were Tari. They died for the cause. When Daspar thought you were dead, my life got turned upside down.”

  Natalie leaned forward, her elbows propped on her knees.

  Her rage shot through Tage. She clutched her fists against her rolling stomach, wishing she wasn’t an Empath.

  “Poor you. You had to be Halen’s babysitter. That must have sucked. I hear she’s a real drag.”

  Tage bolted forward, her chest tight against the restraint of the seatbelt. “She’s stronger than you.”

  “I hope so.” Her long, thin eyebrows arched.

  Her response caught Tage off guard. “Why? What do you want from Halen?”

  Natalie slumped back in the seat and smiled. “That’s a secret best kept between sisters.”

  STALAGMITES TOWERED ABOVE, the rock tips reaching for the rainbow-dusted ceiling. As Halen swept the mop of bangs from her eyes, she inhaled the sweet humid air that could only come from one place—Elosia. She bolted upright. “Tage!”

  A few feet away, Dax rose to a sitting position, picking bits of moss from his clothes. She scanned the cavern right for signs of the others, but no one else had made it. “I can’t believe you didn’t wait! You left them behind.”

  “Lower your voice.” He raised his finger to his lips.

  “Lower my voice! That’s all you have to say? Our friends are with the Hunters, your father is seriously injured, and my mom…” She sucked in a choked breath. “My psychotic sister just tried to kill us; we’ve been whirling around Lina’s portal for heaven only knows for how long, and we can’t do anything from here! We could have helped them if you had just—”

  “My job is to protect you.” He bowed his head.

  “Think again. We owe them. Why did Lina send us so far away?” She slammed her fist to the lush moss, scattering dozens of neon yellow bugs.

  “We’re safe from the Hunters for now.” Dax stood, brushing off the neon bugs trailing his arms. He crossed over and crouched beside her. “Are you okay?”

  “No! I’m not okay.” Her head spun with the bloody images from the hotel room. “Why are you so calm?”

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Dwelling on what I can’t change isn't going to help us right now.”

  “We have to go back.” She softened her tone. “We can’t just leave them with the Hunters. And Natalie… I never thought…” What did she expect of her sister? She had held onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, she had a sister who could guide her; someone who understood what a curse all this magick could be. “Natalie was everything you said she was.”

  “We can’t go back. Tari will need to be sent in to deal with her.”

  “Deal with her? How?”

  “There’s only one of me—one Guardian. And right now, my positi
on is with you.” He clasped his hand over his bracelet.

  “Her magick is powerful, but you can’t be suggesting…” Halen shifted away from him. “You think she’s become like Asair—unhinged?”

  “She doesn’t have anyone to balance her.”

  “Neither did I, but I learned.” Why was she protecting Natalie? She had all but tried to kill her. Still, Halen wasn’t without sin. If Dax were so willing to send the Tari after Natalie for dark magick, what would he do to her when he discovered Asair?

  “You had your mom. Your magick was under control.”

  “I set my house on fire and then summoned a storm to put it out! I flooded half of Rockaway! I wouldn’t say my magick was under control.” With Asair looming inside her, she was so not in control.

  “Our parents kept watch over your abilities. You never did anything they couldn’t manage.”

  “Are you saying they would have killed me if I had become like Asair?” Her voice cracked.

  “It wouldn’t have come to that.” Dax flicked a neon bug from her knee. “Natalie’s spirit is demented by the darkness. She’s never been right. What she’s even doing with the Hunters is beyond me. We were her family.” Dax shook his head. “She never contacted you?” His steel-blue gaze narrowed.

  “Don’t go there. I didn’t know she existed until I met you, remember?”

  “I’m sorry. We have to be careful right now.”

  She nodded toward the Hunter’s soul contained in the small glass vial clasped to Dax’s chain, the colors of the soul always shifting, like a mood ring. “The Hunters will know by now we have it. You don’t think they want his soul back to hurt you—to control you? Would Natalie help them?”

  “I need to speak to my mother, then your father.” He stood and offered his hand.

  She stumbled into his arms when she stood, still dizzy from casting magick mixed with the whirling force of the portal. His heart beat slow and steady against her chest, unlike her already racing heart, which quickened with his touch.

  “Do you need this?” He reached in his pant pocket, and pulled out a glass cylinder with a silver lid; a sticky amber solution washed the inside.