“We know,” Gillian said. “It really felt like Havok was with us.”
Funny. That was what Xavier had told her. “I know. I turned off my emotions, and his took over. I’m blocking him now. Though, I still have visions of his memories.”
Klaus frowned as if it was his fault. “You will for some time.”
“We may have found some help with our army though,” Link said, scratching the back of his head.
“You have?” Ava asked, eager to know more.
A few of them exchanged cautious looks.
“What is it?” She didn’t like their hesitance.
“I know you won’t like this idea, but we’ve decided to call the spirits to help us with the war and your curse.”
She stiffened. “What? Why would you do that?”
“They might be able to help us.”
Ava shook her head. “No. You want to involve a Necromancer? Absolutely not! Don’t you remember the last time? That’s what started this whole mess.”
“We’re going to call them, Ava,” he said.
“How are you going to get a Necromancer to side with us?”
“When I was reading about Necromancy, I learned some Enchanters actually call spirits themselves,” Link said.
“Are you talking about yourself?”
“Yes.”
“That’s out of the question,” Ava said.
“I’ve been practicing for the past couple of months. I know I can do this.”
“What are you talking about? How could you possibly practice that?”
Link jimmied a block loose from the wall, and reached inside. He pulled out a large, antique-looking book that was bigger than a dictionary.
Ava felt her mouth open. “Where’d you get that?”
“I found it in my room. It was under the floorboards.”
“It’s a Spellcaster’s book,” Klaus said.
“It has been a godsend. We can end this war, Ava.”
“You could get killed, Link! How are you all okay with this?” Tears stung her eyes.
“Just hear him out.” Melissa placed a hand on her shoulder.
Ava bit her lip, and shifted on her feet. She didn’t like the idea at all. But she stayed quiet, letting Link explain. “How could the spirits help?”
“They would possess—.”
“Are you insane? No possessions! Why are you even considering this?”
Link sighed. “They would possess a Cimmerian body, and would fight alongside us.”
“It’s too dangerous. What if they possess ours? We can’t use Peter and Katarina since they’re protecting Havok around the clock.”
“There’s a way to protect us from the spirits. We’ll be wearing amaranth. It protects against evil.”
“It wards off spirits? It won’t work. Last time it only took seconds before the spirit possessed me.”
“Several of us will be watching and making sure it goes well.”
“No.”
The group exchanged wary looks with each other, but Link’s eyes trained on Ava. “We’ve already decided to do this. We had to think of something, and you weren’t here.”
That stung. “I’m here now.”
“And now it’ll work even better. Come on, we need an army.”
“And you think calling the spirits is the answer?”
“It’s all we have for now.”
“How are we even doing this?”
“The six Elementals will be in the circle as I call the spirits. The rest of the group will keep a lookout, and the amaranth will help keep the spirits from possessing us. I’m hoping we’ll call some sprits on our side.”
Ava crossed her arms and chewed on the inside of her mouth. She didn’t like this at all. But they seemed determined to go through with it.
“It will be in a safe environment,” Link said. “We’re strong enough to defeat them if anything happens.”
“Yeah until one of them possesses our bodies. Then what?”
“I know how to call them properly unlike what you experienced, and we will be protected.”
“Fine. I guess I don’t have a choice. Anything in that book regarding breaking curses of linked souls?”
“There is a way to break the curse, but we’d still need an Elder. Unfortunately, to sever the souls’ connection, Havok must be present.”
Ava’s heart sank. “Of course.”
“How long do you think the spell will take?” Thomas asked.
He let out a long breath. “At least thirty minutes.”
“Okay, so we attack the castle and hold him hostage long enough to sever the souls, break the spell, and then kill Havok,” Thomas said.
“That’s about the only option.”
“Except, we need an Elder with powers,” Ava reminded them.
Thomas cursed.
“That’s another reason why I want to call the spirits. Maybe by some miracle we could ask an Elder who has passed for help.”
“Spirits can’t do spells,” Klaus said.
“But maybe there’s something else that’s not in this book that can help us.”
“I think it’s worth trying,” Nicole said. “The Cimmerians won’t bother us when we do this since they think we’re on their side. And there are more of us, so we can protect each other.”
“Where are we supposed to do this?” Melissa asked. “And when? Havok’s got us running around all over the place.”
“Here,” Link told them. “And we do it tonight at midnight.”
His answer sent Ava’s nerves into a frenzy. Tonight? She didn’t even have time to prepare. Everything was moving too fast for her. How did she not know Link was studying all of this? But she knew the answer. She hadn’t known her friends in the last couple of months. Not knowing what to expect, she certainly didn’t want to endure the darkness of some evil spirit possessing her again. She’d had enough of it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
Ava’s palms sweat, and her stomach coiled and uncoiled itself. There were too many people in the room. It was hot, and she’d been chewing on her lip so much that it started to bleed. But they had to call the spirits.
Klaus set a bundle of candles in the center of the drawn circle. It hadn’t been there before, and it only made Ava more nervous. The soft, yellow flames flickered, casting shadows on the walls. Link had prepared several bunches of amaranth for everyone to wear. It was a scentless, beautiful, blood red flower that had been strung together so they could wear it around their necks. The petalless flowers had bloomed in narrow, drooping panicles.
“This is an unusual flower,” Gillian said.
“Yeah, it’s unique,” Link said. “It’s also called Love Lies Bleeding by the way it blooms and grows. They hang straight down and some drag on the ground. Put them under your shirts. The closer to the skin, the better.” He squeezed Ava’s hand and gave her a reassuring nod. “It’ll be okay. This will protect you.”
Ava nodded. She deeply feared another possession. It was one of the worst things she’d ever experienced. Aside from torturing Gabriel or killing a bunch of Ephemerals.
The rest of them had already planted their feet around the circle, waiting for her. Ava hesitated, and then joined them, taking Thomas’s and Jeremy’s hands.
“Okay, each of you imagine someone and concentrate on them,” Link said from behind.
Ava closed her eyes and thought of Colden. His warm smile and friendly personality.
Behind her, Link began speaking in Latin. The words sounded familiar, but Ava focused on Colden. Then she opened her eyes, and the yellow flames turned blue. As they grew, the colors reflected on everyone’s faces. Then black shadowed figures came forth from the flames. One by one they walked out of the circle, and stood behind the Elementals as they began to take form.
Ava’s heart stilled once she saw Colden smiling at her. Her vision blurred, and she couldn’t hold back her tears as Savina appeared. Thomas’s father. Seth. Aidan an
d Ronan. Nathan. Ava’s heart sank once she saw the New Orleans coven. They had killed them.
There was a large group of spirits. Ava didn’t know how so many got through the barrier, but more and more crowded the room.
“Colden?” she said.
“Hello, Ava.” He gave a warm smile. It was him, but he was ghost-like.
She wanted to hug him and tell him so many things. “I miss you. I’m so sorry for what happened. I—.”
“No apologies,” he said. “It’s good to see you.”
“Dad?” Thomas said, and Ava glanced at Mr. Arrington.
“It’s good to see you all,” Lance said to Seth, Aidan, Ronan, and Nathan.
They nodded in acknowledgement.
“We’ve been watching you all,” Savina told them. “We are incredibly proud of you.”
“Proud of what?” Thomas asked. “We’ve been doing terrible things.”
“But only to defeat Havok.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Mr. Arrington said. “We’re here to help you win this.”
Tears formed in Thomas’s eyes.
“We need to break the curse on Ava,” Link said.
“I can help with that,” someone said. Ava knew the voice. She hadn’t heard it in years, and couldn’t be sure she actually heard it. A woman moved to the front, and Ava froze as she stared at the woman who was the same height as her with long red hair and a confident gaze in her eyes. Jeremy squeezed her hand.
“Mom?”
“Hello, Ava. I know I did a terrible and unforgivable thing. I was young and naïve. But I love you very much, Ava. Which is why I am offering my soul in place of yours so that when you kill Havok, my soul will die. Not you.”
Ava didn’t know what to think or say.
“Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself and Connor and tell him I love him.”
Ava couldn’t control the tears. Jeremy squeezed her hand once again.
“I’m so proud of you,” her mother said. “I’m so proud that you’re my daughter. I love you.”
Ava stared at her mom. “Why?” she asked.
Her mother frowned, and Savina squeezed her shoulder. “We were going to kill Havok. He was supposed to die. I did it because I never once thought it would ever become true. There were too many obstacles in the way.”
“But it did.”
“I know, Ava. And I am so sorry. That was why I had Savina protect you all those years.”
Ava couldn’t respond.
“How will you all be able to help us?” Link asked.
“Just call us right before the war,” Colden said. “We’ll be there.”
“How long will you have?”
“When you call us, we will have limited time, but enough to do some damage.”
“If you possess Ava’s body, will she have control?” Melissa asked Luci, crossing her arms.
“Yes. I will not control it. But when Havok dies. I’ll come forward so that death takes me.”
Ava couldn’t stop looking at her mother. The same woman she’d hated for months. Her mother had jumped the gun and given up on her daughter. And now she offered to save her. “Thank you.” It was all she could think to say.
“We need to go,” Klaus said.
“I don’t want to say goodbye again,” Ava told Colden and Savina.
“Then don’t,” he said. “We will see each other again.”
Ava nodded.
Then Link spoke in Latin once more and one by one, the spirits disappeared, leaving them in stunned silence. Ava was sure no one knew what to say.
Her mother offered her soul in place of Ava’s. Now the question was, could they call the spirits in time for the war? And would her mother actually show? Ava guessed there was only one way to find out. It was her only option.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
AURORA BOREALIS
Ava promised herself she wouldn’t get lost in the emotionless abyss again. She would turn off her emotions for the massacre and deal with the consequences later. Though, the thought of turning off her emotions again scared her, because she didn’t like who she became. But she had to do it because she couldn’t handle killing more innocent people.
They traveled inside the tunnels to Moscow. She remembered the first time she had ever been in Russia. Gabriel had teleported them the first time they met. She was wary of him, only because she hadn’t known who he was.
The city wasn’t covered in snow. The air was cool, and the sky was clear with millions of stars above. Their breaths came out in translucent white clouds, and she knew each of them dreaded yet another massacre.
“Let’s get this over with,” Xavier said. He looked tired, and Ava wondered if he ever turned off his emotions or if he knew how.
The genocide started with bombs and explosions, illuminating the sky with an orange glow. The familiar frantic cry of people echoed in the night. They pressed on without showing a single care about what happened to those people.
When it ended, Moscow, just like the previous cities, was leveled, desecrated, and left for dead. Like before, they returned in silence. Ava knew they were expected to go to the tavern to celebrate. But she wasn’t feeling up for it.
It was required though. So after their bland meeting with Havok, they all met at the tavern for the celebration. Ava had a couple of drinks, but she couldn’t get rid of the images of babies drowning. Bodies burning to ashes and that awful acrid smell that she could never forget. Blood splattered all over the streets, buildings, cars, everything. Body parts scattered all over.
Her stomach churned, and the room spun. It was hot, and her vision blurred. The alcohol was finding an exit. She jumped to her feet, knocking the chair back, and raced outside just in time. She heard a few bystanders groan in disgust, but she didn’t care.
Someone handed her a few napkins and a bottle of water, and she took them. “Thanks.”
“It’s getting harder isn’t it?” Xavier asked, kneeling down beside her.
She shook her head. “No. I don’t think the alcohol agreed with me.” She wiped her mouth and tears and met his eyes with a smile. “I’m fine.” She drank some of the cold water and washed out her mouth.
“You don’t have to pretend with me.” He helped her to her feet.
She gave a smile. “I promise. I’m good. I’m just gonna go to my room and sleep.”
“Want me to walk with you?”
“No. You go back in and party.”
“More like drown myself in my sorrows,” he said under his breath. “Feel better.”
“Yeah. I will.” She watched Xavier make his way back inside, and she headed straight for the woods at the edge of the village.
Once she was out of sight, Ava dropped to her knees and drew a shaky breath. Clutching her stomach, she clenched her teeth in an attempt to keep the tears back. She couldn’t keep terrorizing the Ephemerals. She didn’t want to wake up each day knowing she’d killed innocent people. She had to put an end to it. Ava couldn’t take much more of the horror she caused.
A branch broke nearby. Ava jumped. Hands gently grabbed her shoulders. She looked up and saw Gabriel.
She let out a relieved breath, but then the tears overcame her.
“Come on.”
Before she could say anything, he had already teleported them somewhere.
Ava opened her eyes and gasped. Beautiful, vibrant green and blue lights danced like lovers skating on a rink in the moonless sky. The Aurora Borealis. They stood on top of a frozen lake, and the snow-capped mountains around them reflected off the ice. “It’s beautiful. I didn’t know you could teleport outside the castle. Won’t they catch you?”
“They won’t do anything. They won’t find out.”
“How do you know? How did you get away from Eve?”
“I’m using the bathroom.”
“How will you not get caught?”
Gabriel held her from behind. His arms grasped her tightly, and she rested her head against his hard chest. “St
op worrying. For now, just relax.” He kissed her cheek.
“I can’t wait until this is over. I can’t take much more.”
“I know. It kills me that I can’t be with you. I need you, Ava.”
She turned around. “I need you too.”
He leaned down and kissed her. It was slow at first, but then he pressed harder, filling her with the warmth and desire she needed. When his hand moved to her lower back, her heart thrummed. She reached around his neck and pulled him closer.
“I love you, Ava,” he said, breathless.
“I love you. I can’t go back. Why can’t we just run away?”
He tipped her chin up and she met his crystal blue eyes. They were deep and endless like a summer sky bringing happiness. “Because we have to end it. And we can. We just have to hold on a little longer. The Cimmerians are learning the truth, and they’ll wanna fight with us.” He leaned closer, his breath hot on her neck. “Then we can be together and do anything we want.”
She shivered. “I don’t know what I did for you to choose me.”
He took her face in his hands and brought her lips to his. She touched his chest, feeling his sporadic heartbeat. She loved bringing that reaction out of him. He pushed his fingers through her hair, bringing her closer. He held her with an intensity that only made her want to sink deeper into him. His lips found their way to her neck, and then her collarbone.
She slid her hands underneath his shirt, wanting to feel every inch of him. She skimmed her fingers behind the waistband of his boxers, and he gripped her shoulders with a moan. He drew back slightly, staring into her eyes with a desire hot enough to melt the ice below them. “You drive me crazy,” he panted.
She reached up and nibbled on his ears. He dug his fingers into her arms.
“We have to go back,” he said.
She frowned. She didn’t want to go back. “I know.”
“But I will visit you tonight.”
Her heart lurched forward, and she nodded.
“Want one last look?”
She brushed his hair aside, and gazed at him. “Okay. I’m ready.”
“I meant the Northern Lights.”
“You’re all I want to see.”
He smirked and kissed her once more.
Under an Onyx Sky (Elemental Enchanters Series Book 4) Page 17