by F. G. Adams
“Baako is none the wiser. The baby is shielding our interaction. He has no idea we will be showing up on his doorstep later tonight.”
Marcus nods. “I agree, Aldin. He is unaware. We have the element of surprise on our side.”
“We need to find a weakness in the wards surrounding the doorway, something to break down the defenses so we can enter his domain,” explains Jada, continuing to read from her spell book.
Hours pass by at a snail’s pace. Marcus, Jazmine, and Jada have been tirelessly working on opening the doorway to Wren. Marcus receives emotions from my son through me. The bond between son and father is strong. I can feel his power growing steadily. He will be a force against the darkness we are fighting against. It shouldn’t be long before they will be able to conjure a doorway to their location. Every minute they are within Baako’s clutches is one too many for me.
A knock on the door surprises me. I hadn’t heard the approach. Taking a deep breath, I inhale and respond, “Come on in, Fox.”
The door opens and Brenton Fox saunters in. “The natives are restless, Kovac. What’s the plan?”
Jada responds immediately, “You will be told when it is time, sir.”
Brenton turns to her about to say something when Jazmine speaks. “Sister, you know the human is anxious. Please be patient.”
Brenton’s head goes back and forth, searching the twins. He’s making me dizzy and I take pity on the man. “Agent Fox, this is Princess Jada and Princess Jazmine, known to everyone as the most powerful magical Immortal twins.”
He extends his hand and, at the same time, the twins reach for him. The air in the room thickens and Jada snatches her hand away from him.
“Nice to meet you, ladies,” he offers.
Jazmine hasn’t moved. Her eyes are securely fastened on Brenton’s face. A staring contest perhaps? Marcus comes back and sees what is taking place and I watch as his face clouds with anger. Thunder booms outside the windows and lightning flashes. A demonstration of his protective nature towards his sisters is being presented outside. A storm like no other has suddenly descended upon the city and I’m afraid until Fox releases Jazmine, it will continue.
“Remove your hand from the human now, dear sister, or I will be forced to remove his from his body,” Marcus explodes.
The room goes silent.
I have witnessed Marcus angry many times, but never to the extent of what he is displaying towards Agent Fox. I’m concerned for his well-being and intervene on his behalf. “Fox, we need to gather the troops. I believe the doorway will be ready soon. Notify them to be ready for action. We are taking Jackson down.”
He reluctantly releases Jazmine and turns to face me. “Are you sure you are ready for this after your blackout spell earlier?” asks Fox.
“I am more than ready. I have a million reasons to succeed and nothing will stop me from saving my true mate. Jackson has flaunted his depravity and sickness far too long. Tonight, we exterminate him from our world,” I counter with a newfound confidence because of the bond I share with Wren and the life we have created.
“I will let them know we will be moving out soon.” Fox replies. He glances in the direction of the twins, longing and interest covers his scared face. He salutes them as he walks out of the room.
The storm brewing outside subsides as the dribble of rain hits the glass windows. I peek a glance at Marcus. He is calming now. Slowly, the rain ends and a ray of sunshine filters into the room. I make my way closer to him. He is sitting in his prized chair, staring out the window at the skyline. Not one to always dwell on comforts, he allows himself one.
The corner of his lips raise, and I know my son is communicating with him now.
“Your blood is strong in the little one. His powers grow stronger by the minute,” I mention to him.
“He is absorbing the knowledge required to help release Wren from the stasis Baako has her body in. He will need help from me to draw on his powers. He is learning quickly,” Marcus notes.
Jada and Jazmine move from where they are sitting across the room and walk our way. “My brother, it is time. We have found a way in.”
At their words, my heart soars at the prospect of holding Wren again. Not much longer, my love. I’m coming for you.
Chapter Twenty
Aldin
We are all assembled in the foyer of the penthouse when Marcus and the twins appear in their royal ceremonial paraphernalia, clasping hands. The long white robes trimmed in gold accent the jeweled crowns upon their heads. Each is slightly different, representing the Enchanted Immortal races. The thrum of excitement and anticipation echoes off the walls. Few have witnessed the King and Princesses together in all their regal glory. Their power envelopes the crowded room waiting for instructions. Jazmine’s eyes quickly glance Brenton’s way and back before Marcus’ deep voice captivates the audience.
“Aldin, once the doorway is open, Jada, Jazmine, and I will enter first. You will follow with the others. You will know when the time is right. Do not question yourself; allow your power to guide you. As for everyone gathered here, our mission is to retrieve Wren Bishop at all cost. She is more important than ending Jackson Parrish. She holds our future within her.”
He does not wait for a response from me. His hand extends outward, the palm facing the floor, and moves his hand in a perfect circle. A bright light shimmers in the middle of the large foyer as the doorway to Wren appears. Stepping forward and united by their bonded hands, one at a time they enter the light—one moment here, the next transported to another realm.
I am momentarily dumbstruck with how my life has drastically changed in such a fleeting span of time. This time last week, the only priority I had was building Marcus’ vast wealth and policing the rogues when necessary. Now, I have a true mate and a son on the way—something I never dreamed possible as an Enchanted Immortal. A calling forward touches me deeply, and I recognize the time is now.
“We enter now. Quietly, so as not to draw attention from Marcus.”
I lead the Enchanted Immortals and Hunters one at a time into the open doorway and what I see once I arrive startles me. Marcus and the twins stand in a semi-circle around Baako with Jafar at his back. There is an iridescent shield protecting them as Baako attacks using fireballs that changes colors as the fire is consumed by the shield.
“You cannot defeat me!” Baako screams wildly, releasing a large ball of fire towards the threesome.
“You cannot win, demented one. Only the righteous will prevail. We are more powerful than before and your time grows closer,” Jada responds, only angering the beast more.
Jasmine taunts, “Your schemes have no power over us. I sense your terror, old one. How does it feel to know your end is near? Are you scared?”
“You always were the one that didn’t know when to shut up. The favored one. Without them, you are powerless,” Baako quips snidely.
Marcus remains eerily immobile during Jada and Jazmine’s goading of Baako.
“Do not be afraid, little one. I am here.” The words filter in my consciousness. Marcus is comforting my son and has opened a channel for me. “We are here to help release you and your mother. Where we go, no evil will follow. You will be safe.”
I feel power radiating within me, and soon I am joined by two familiar beings. Three pieces meld into one: Marcus, my unborn son, and mine, a commanding force against evil. Light battling darkness.
Marcus directs the influx of power at Wren’s imprisonment.
I hear him chanting and join in. “Shed not innocent blood, release thee from his power into the light.”
The soft sound of chimes harmonize as we rhythmically repeat the phase over and over, opening the web holding Wren. At once, the gradual increase peaks and I’m thrown back into the present time alone.
My attention is torn away from the intense spell when I feel Wren’s eyes on me, closing the gaping hole in my soul. She is awake. I become fully aware of that fact when a smile forms on her beautiful f
ace, causing her eyes to sparkle with life. We have released her from being under Baako’s spell.
I want her in my arms again where she belongs. I’m unsure now if I will be able to let her out of my sight once we are away from the danger here. Maybe years from now, I will allow her to venture from my side, but not before I’m ready.
We move towards each other. She is almost within my grasp when Jafar yanks her body back, stopping her forward progress. She kicks and pummels him with her fists, but her attempts don’t phase the centuries-old Vampire. He is immune to her puny efforts. At her burst of anger, he lifts her off the floor and holds her closer.
“Let go of me, you big oaf! Gah, your breath is horrible,” she squeals.
Jafar ignores her. He directs his loathing at me. “You are pitiful to think you could get away so easily with our vessel, young one. My liege has use of the unborn she carries.”
I stop at his challenge, his words echoing in the pit of my stomach. Wren gazes at me. She is furious. I’ve got to get her away from him before she does something to anger him.
“Who do you think you are? Let go of my mate or suffer the consequences,” I sneer, lacing the threat with all the pent-up anger I’ve held inside.
Movement behind Jafar catches my attention. Brenton is making his way closer to the Vampire. Jafar is preoccupied with his capture of Wren that he hasn’t heard his approach. Jafar shifts forward as Brenton sinks the sharp hunting knife into his shoulder blade, causing him to drop Wren.
She runs into my open arms. The moment we reunite, I feel a surge of light within me.
But we are not yet safe. Hunters move in to protect Brenton from Jafar’s wrath. I motion for Brenton to take Wren through the doorway to safety. I know she wants to stay, but her welfare comes first. “Go with Brenton and the others,” I tell her. “Protect our son. We can talk about all this later, my Wren.”
She nods, accepting my command. Brenton directs her to the doorway. First the Enchanted Immortals enter, then Wren, and the Hunters follow, protecting her at all costs.
Baako is engaged with Jada and Jazmine as Wren slips away. He only now realizes that Wren has departed his realm and is no longer under his spell. Baako erupts, sending balls of fire my way. With a wave of his hand, Marcus deflects the inferno into the walls beside him.
Marcus, who has remained silent until now, turns his wrath on Baako. “Stop playing like a child, Baako. If it wasn’t for your selfishness, we would not be here. You are the reason we suffer now. Instead of enjoying our rich existence, you had to ripple the waters, changing the world to your liking. Why couldn’t you have left them alone? They loved you unconditionally, yet you chose to use that love for evil. My promise to you, they will be found and returned. You cannot stop the chain of events that have begun. Choose your path wisely, my brother, or you will find yourself lost forever.”
“So hopeful, Maarku,” Baako sneers. “They are lost and your search will end up the same way it has over the last eight hundred years: empty and fruitless. As for your creation, I will use the baby as a vessel. You won’t return my body, so I’ll take his as mine. You lose either way.”
I can no longer remain quiet. “I will never allow you near my son!”
Hideous laughter bounces off the walls, and a new doorway opens. Baako and Jafar walk into the light. Just as quickly as it appeared, the doorway vanishes and all traces of Baako with it.
A hand rests on my shoulder and I look up to find Marcus standing beside me. “Let’s go home, Aldin. We live to fight another day. Your true mate awaits your return.”
I walk into the light and waiting on the other side is my Wren. She wastes no time striding across the foyer and leaping into my outstretched arms.
“I love you, my Aldin. I don’t want another minute to go by without you hearing it from me. I never want to lose you because my life has become more since you found me. I’d be lost without you. I love you.”
“Ah, my lovely, feisty mate. Since the moment you came into my life, I knew you were the one I'd truly love ‘til the end of time. My love for you is a journey starting at forever and ending at never. I love you too, my Wren.”
She wraps her legs around my waist and her lips find mine. My Wren loves me. I’m minutes from ripping the jeans I am wearing from my body when a loud clearing of Marcus’ throat has me refraining.
“I won’t be available for a long, long time, my lord.” I chuckle and smile at Wren. “We are going to talk among many other things, my Wren.”
Laughter and well wishes are said as I make my way down the hall to my bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-One
Wren
We pause at the entrance of the stairwell inside the depths of the Great Pyramid in Egypt. Taking the steps in a single file line, the air becomes cooler and cooler as we descend. Glancing back, Aldin is watching me protectively, possessively. His face reveals his dominance, controlling my every step in his mind. Smiling to myself as I turn back around, I follow Marcus further into the recesses of the monolith, carefully taking each step because, duh, baby on board.
Today is our bonding ceremony. We will pledge ourselves to each other forever, which I’m committed to one hundred percent. It took me all of, what, a few days? Some things just happen that way. I can’t deny the connection. Honestly, after all that transpired, I no longer want to. Aldin explained that all bondings take place at the Temple of the Forever Living Immortal Scroll, a living entity within itself that keeps a log of all Enchanted Immortals where my name will be added next to his. The doorway is located in this pyramid, hence the reason we are in Egypt with our friends and family.
After our rescue, the events that followed caused my head to spin. I am other. I come from the Necromancer lineage on my mother’s side of the family. I’m not a full-blown Enchanted Immortal yet, although the process has already begun. Yesterday I really wanted pickles and peanut butter and—poof, they appeared! I can get used to this. At first, it all seemed so unreal. I’m not into craziness, but I now understand.
And my life is beautiful. Complete.
Aldin is the other half to make me whole—the piece of my puzzle I didn’t know I was missing until I met him. Not only that, but he has given me something I feared would never come to pass for me: my little baby Aldin. He’s growing inside of me at a rapid rate, unlike a normal human pregnancy. From my calculations of his growth, I am well into my first trimester when it’s only been a few weeks. At this rate, baby Aldin will arrive in a little over three months. Awesome, right? Cutting my pregnancy down to a third of what a normal human pregnancy entails. Of course this is all speculation at best. Uncharted territory. I am the mother of an Immortal god. Try wrapping your head around that. But I couldn’t be happier.
My mother is not nor has she ever been crazy. I am so grateful to the twins, Jazmine and Jada. They released my father from the bond my mother unknowingly cast upon his spirit when he died in the car accident.
“Your mother has bound your father’s spirit to her,” Jada explains.
“She will not be made whole again until she frees him from this world, sending him to the realm of light,” Jazmine finishes.
“We will help you, dearest sister of magic. Let us take this burden from her so she may live out her days in peace,” the sisters relay in unison.
We gather hands around my mother’s bed, connecting each of us. Mother, Jazmine, myself, and Jada—a perfect circle connecting us together as the chanting begins.
It is an emotional moment for my mother and me. We both get to say goodbye to my daddy. He is set free, released of the bond to my mother and able to pass on into the light.
A blessed day, that was. It was wonderful to bring mother home from the psychiatric hospital. We’ve had many question-and-answer sessions now that she’s lucid again. I’ll take it any day. She’s going to live with us at the penthouse for now.
Marcus stops as we enter into the subterranean chamber lit by torches and decorated with gold and gems and hier
oglyphs. At the far end of the room, a door-shaped structure illuminates the room, giving off the illusion of water, gurgling and swirling within it and beckoning for us to enter. Standing guard by the doorway are three Enchanted Immortals: a male Shifter, a male Vampire and a female Necromancer. Their races are distinguished only by the garments they wear, indicating them as sentinels protecting the doorway to the scroll.
As Marcus approaches, the three each take to a knee, bowing to their King in devotion.
Aldin grabs my hand, leaning down to whisper, “All is well, my Wren. Nothing can harm you or my son here.”
So bossy. His son? Well, I’ll give him that one, today. He is my baby daddy. Besides, I love his dominant side. My nipples tighten and I squirm a little, pushing my legs together while trying to fend off my attraction for him.
Aldin’s nostrils flare as he smirks with a knowing glance. I grasp his hand tighter while we walk through the liquid phosphorescence. An excited flutter begins within my belly. Emotions of love and coming home encompass me as we exit the brightness into another cavernous room.
The room fills with quiet reverence and gasps echo throughout. The humans in our bonding party grapple to comprehend what they see. Unlike the chamber in the pyramid, the room appears to be made of solid gold dotted by intricately placed gems of every precious-colored stone imaginable.
My eyes are drawn to the focal point in the room: a large scroll-like structure is erected in the center of the space, suspended from ceiling to floor and as tall as a two-story building. It is the Forever Living Immortal Scroll. As if it understands why we are here, the object glimmers. Delicately scripted crimson words appear on the living parchment. Aldin squeezes my hand and nods.
“My name, written down two hundred years ago. After the ceremony is complete, my Wren, yours will be added beside mine. You will be mine, forever. And one day when our son is born, his name will appear with ours.” A smile radiates from his face and I grin back in return.