James looked directly at her. “That doesn’t mean you can’t do it. People are dying, Ash, and Guardians are even falling because of these creatures. If we don’t win today more will follow. You have to try.”
Biting her lip to stem the flow of renewed tears, Ashley looked into her brother's pleading gaze and knew he was right. She could feel pain all around her, and they’d come here knowing sacrifices would be required. She nodded ever so slightly, and in a voice full of emotion said, “Okay tell me what to do.”
Staying low, James scooted closer to his sisters and handed Ashley the circular device. “Forty feet, Ash, that’s all we need. We need it high enough we won’t lose the currents directly to the ground.” He looked to Tracy next. “This will amplify whatever electrical energy you can create and help direct it. The only problem I have is there is no way to keep it from hitting our allies. I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it either.”
“Yes we can, Ashley and I can use a spell of protection like we cast on the jet. It worked last time,” Tracy explained. “We’ll do it together and hopefully between the two of us it will reach far enough to protect everyone.”
“It would have been stronger with Mom’s help,” said Ashley, looking down at the blood on her hands.
Tracy gripped her hand and squeezed it tightly. “She’ll be with us, I know it. She won’t leave us hanging. Not even death could stop her from helping her children.”
James laid his hands protectively over both of his sisters, the device underneath the pile. “We wanted to be a part of The Brotherhood, and now we are. After tonight—” He felt the grief in his chest clog his throat and he swallowed hard. “After tonight nothing will ever be the same, but I’m glad I’m here with you. No matter what happens, I’m proud to have you both as my sisters.”
Reaching out Tracy pulled her siblings together, and they huddled close with tears glistening in each of their eyes. “All for one, and one for all.”
Ashley laughed through her grief. “When did we become the Musketeers?”
James smiled and sniffled at the same time. “Together then?”
“Together,” the girls said in unison.
The three siblings rose from the protection of the small dune where they had been hiding. They scanned the chaotic scene and spotted Delphene fighting close to Jonah and Nate not far from where their mother had taken a spear. They fought furiously to protect the area where the Williams children had gathered.
Nate jumped up and kicked one demon in the side of the head while using the momentum to land on another’s back and, gripping the large monster’s greasy thin hair, he used his haladie to slice through its neck. As it turned to ash, he fell into a crouch and another creature tripped over him in its run toward Delphene. She gripped the stumbling heathen with sharp claws. It screeched and squirmed as she lifted it and threw it into the oncoming masses, and several demons were bowled over by their flying companion. Jonah, still fairly new to the supernatural underworld, did not disappoint. He was engaged in a fierce fight, holding a dagger in each hand while his opponent used its claws to keep him at bay. He sliced out like a streetfighter again and again, deeply cutting the creature each time it darted in.
“We have to do this now!” James shouted. “I’ll help them and keep the demons away from you two. Get it in the air, and pour all you’ve got into it,” he instructed, praying it would work. With a last look at his sisters, he ran into the pandemonium, picking up a fallen sword along the way.
Tracy turned to Ashley. “The protection spell first, then the device and lighting. I’ll start.”
Ashley nodded. “What if I can’t?”
“You can,” Tracy insisted. “Don’t let yourself think anything else.”
Ashley nodded again and set James’s creation on the ground between them. With fear in her eyes, she reached out for Tracy’s hands. They gripped each other tightly and cleared their minds as best they could. Delphene, Nate, Jonah and James circled them to keep them safe. The energy of that support bolstered the girls, offering them confidence. Closing their eyes, the sisters reached for the magic of their birthright.
“I call to the north, I call to the east,” Tracy began.
“I call the south, I call to the west,” Ashley followed.
“I call the wind, and I call the fire.”
“I call the earth, and I call the sea.”
“We call for guidance, we call for power, secure us in our darkest hours.” Their voices rose together, their eyes turning white as the magic rushed through them. “Shield the light, the pure in heart from the dark, keep them safe, make the mark.”
On the ground beneath them, scrolling lines appeared in the sands, and the girls felt the magic pull from them as the protective runes were drawn. The spell built, and for a moment Tracy and Ashley, feeling the drain, worried they may have asked for too much in their effort to protect everyone. The golden lines in the sand continued to spread, and the wind rose up, whipping around the two sisters. Fire flared and encircled them, then receded to burn low at their feet.
Ashley knew she couldn’t hesitate. Her heart beat in rapid succession as the adrenaline mixed with the tingling magic. She shut out the sounds of the demons, let go of the grief for her mother, and the worry for her friends. She pulled on her recently discovered love for Nate and the strength of the bond she had with her family. She saw images of her mother, memories of her life in her mind, and felt a great force of might course through her heart.
Throwing back her head, Ashley embraced what she was, and the rush of power enveloped her. “Stir the wind, follow my lead.” The words poured from her more naturally than she expected, and her body felt renewed. “Come to my call, heed my needs. I am the wind, and the wind is me.” The wind brushed all around her as if it were embracing her. She focused on the object at her feet and felt it rise at her direction as she repeated the call. The rain came next, stunning everyone. In the middle of the desert, clouds formed, and the sky wept all along the battlegrounds.
The strength of her sister’s magic mingled with her own, coursed through Tracy, and she understood together they were almost frightening. She even had time to wonder how they had missed this in Ashley.
The runes in the sand had spread further than they expected, but the sisters’ magic hadn't even peaked yet. She saw the curving, flowing lines as the magic sought their friends and allies and built temporary shields around them. Tracy glanced to Jonah and their eyes met before she turned her attention back to the task set before her.
The first sign it was working was when an archdemon went for Jonah’s back. Because of his distraction, the monster would've had him, except the snarling beast bounced off an invisible wall. Gold light flared, burning the creature's hand. All over, the demons hissed and growled in fury as they tried to attack and were repelled by the magical barrier.
As James’s invention rose, Tracy turned inward, heeding the call of magic to complete her spell. She understood that she would have to devote all she was to this next part. “I call to the storm, I call for light. Let them feel my fury, let them feel my might. I am lightning and it is me.” Her voice rose as the electricity rippled gently over her skin. “Light the sky, through the dark. Use light and storm, seek the evil of the devil’s swarm!” Letting go of Ashley's hands, she lifted her head as the magic crawled through her. Twin bolts of blinding lightning shot down from the sky. She yelled as the elemental energy became a part of her and struck its target as she commanded.
When the lightning hit, it took two seconds for the electricity to circulate through the coils inside, and for those one-hundred and twenty milliseconds, James feared he’d failed. He could feel those single seconds ticking in his mind as his sister pulled on every last ounce of her fortitude. Three more bolts streaked down, Tracy fell to her knees.
Then it happened. Coils charged and amplifying the effect, the sky lit up with electricity. Bolts of lightning shot out in every direction, seeking a target as unearth
ly screams rent the air. The peeling sound was nothing like any they had heard before. It caused the allies to cover their ears as the phase demons were hit by bolt after bolt.
Other demons tried running from the dangerous energy, but it quickly found them. The weary Guardians wasted no time and added their power to madness. Bursts of white light emanated in random succession. The Brotherhood allies also capitalized on the event, striking any demon close to their protective area. Nate tossed two grenades to Jonah before picking the last one off his belt for himself. Together they pulled the pins and lobbed them into the masses. They smiled as explosions flared. A fourth explosion went off to their left as Cody lobbed his last grenade.
The monstrous horde no longer wanted anything to do with The Brotherhood, and since there was no loyalty among them, they cut each other down in their efforts to escape.
“Nooo!” Ashley cried out, drawing all of their attention to the sisters. The magic was ebbing, and as it began to dissipate from Ashley, empathy had rushed through her. It was in that moment she realized her mother was not the only one they lost tonight.
She too fell to her knees trying to keep the device in the air, but the strain had reached its peak. The spell was done. Right before everything went black, Ashley remembered Jeffery and heard his words in her mind. Magic has a price, be sure you’re ready to pay it.
Snarling, Jarrett managed to get one hand free and raked his claws at the demon who was gripping his other hand. Teeth sank into his shoulder as a leech demon jumped on his back. A greater demon bore down on him, its serrated teeth grinning stupidly as it attacked him from the front, and two fiends tried to keep his arms entangled.
Logically he couldn’t take this many—they were everywhere—but he refused to give in. For the first time in his life, he had something to live for, and would not go out this way. Suddenly, a silvery blade appeared, protruding from the greater demon’s chest. The beast looked down, stunned, then fell to ash. Collett stepped forward taking its place.
With a warrior’s cry, she slashed out, cutting down the creatures holding Jarrett. He had a moment to consider her in action since he was still being held. She was amazing—she flipped, kicked, twisted, and slashed. In a couple of minutes she took down three, freeing him.
Once freed, Jarrett exploded into action. He picked up his sword and embraced the animal inside. He demolished the creatures trying to keep him from his brother. He thought he was making headway until he looked around and realized they were utterly surrounded. He growled in frustration. Looking up, he saw Cade hanging in Bellig’s grasp and wondered how he would reach him even if he got clear.
Above him, the sword still protruding from Cade’s shoulder pulsed and burned like poison. It hadn’t hit his lungs, nor had the red steel reached his heart, but as he dangled above the desert, Cade wasn’t sure how any of it mattered. His clawed hand scored Bellig’s arms as he clutched it to prevent any more damage. Bellig’s other hand tightened with an impossibly strong grip on Cade’s neck. The demon lord magically manifested long, sharp claws of his own that cut into Cade’s skin.
Cade tried to glance down to find Jarrett, hoping his brother had broken free, but Bellig would not allow any leniency. He squeezed, cutting off Cade’s air, then let up just enough for him to catch a breath. He tipped his head and grinned, and Cade understood he was enjoying the torture session.
The cold seeped into him. From Jarrett’s description months ago, Cade understood it was the same magic that almost killed his brother. Bellig’s eyes pierced him with evil intensity, and this close to him, Cade saw the sweat bead on his brow and the vein bulge in Bellig’s neck. As the wicked feeling snaked through his body, Cade realized Bellig’s power had limits too. The icy sensation invaded his bones and chilled his blood. His muscles contracted, and Cade closed his eyes, trying hard to relax. He hoped if he could force Bellig to work harder to kill, it may weaken him enough for Jarrett to finish the job.
He concentrated on his breathing and reached for every ounce of strength he possessed. His sensitive ears heard Bellig’s heavy breaths, and there was satisfaction in that small victory, but as the frigid burn followed the freezing magic, Cade wasn’t sure he could hold out much longer.
Bellig squeezed again, and instead of clawing and fighting for air, Cade recalled Jarrett’s proclamation months before—I should be dead right now, but he arrogantly prolonged my suffering for his own pleasure.
This memory fortified Cade. He allowed Bellig to cut the oxygen off without fighting as he’d done before, and in doing so, stole the pleasure of the act from his enemy. When Bellig let up again he breathed in deep and kept focusing on his strength of will to tire the ex-Guardian out.
Bellig seethed. No one had ever been strong enough to hold out against the icy pain this long. He drew on all he had to try to force Cade’s heart to stop. Furious, Bellig even tried taunting him. “You never had a chance. You and your brother, you’re nothing, barely a speck on my shoe. When I’m finished with you, Collett will be next. This time I’ll take her head to be sure there’s no coming back.”
Cade had to put every bit of energy he possessed into staying calm. As the vicious cold surrounded his heart, he knew he was running out of time. Cade was panting rather than breathing, but he strained for a simple rhythm to retain his focus. He kept the magic from fully consuming him with sheer strength of will, and that empowered him.
“Now I’ll kill you as the pathetic weak man you are,” Bellig promised, and twisted the sword.
Biting back a cry of protest, Cade sensed a shift inside. He realized Bellig was trying to force his body to transform into a man again. Understanding he was out of time, Cade snarled and fought against the magic even harder. He used Merilynn's long-ago lessons of control, forcing himself to stay in his hybrid form. It was during that struggle an idea struck him.
He opened his smoldering red eyes as the indescribable agony assaulted him. Embracing the pain and what it represented, Cade turned the physical agony into righteous purpose and drew strength from it. He’d finally learned every emotion had power. These last months had taught him about love, loss, hate, anger, and rage, and how to use those emotions for a purpose. He understood how to control and embrace them all, and he knew how wrong Bellig was. Cade wasn’t weak, Jarrett wasn’t a monster, and Bellig was afraid of them both!
Cade drew on his love for his brother, and he promised himself that even if he didn’t live, his brother would be free of Bellig forever. Finally, with the image of Collett’s sacrifice to save him months before fresh in his mind, he drew up his legs. Fighting against the contracting muscles, Cade commanded control of his shifting body. Quicker than Bellig thought possible, Cade transformed from his werewolf form into a more natural body. He became a large, black wolf, and Bellig lost his grip on Cade’s neck as it changed shape.
A pain-filled whine emanated from Cade’s muzzle as the weight of his transformed body hung fully on the sharpened blade, but the wolf went for Bellig’s throat anyway. Deadly canine jaws tried to find a weak point in the black armor Bellig wore. Horrified, Bellig shoved against Cade and pulled his sword free at the same time.
Then Cade was falling.
Fighting for his life, Jarrett’s attention was drawn up to the sky when he heard Cade’s canine yelp. Looking up, he witnessed his brother’s fall and tried to fight his way through the massive swarm to get there. He knew Cade would be too injured to land properly and also understood Bellig would be there to finish him. “Cade!” he barked with his raspy animal voice.
Understanding his motives, the surrounding creatures tripled their efforts. It didn’t matter to Jarrett—he kept pressing through them an inch at a time.
Suddenly, a bluish light appeared where a greater demon stood. Surprised, he looked back to Collett. He’d seen that light before, but he’d only been a twelve-year-old boy then.
“Go!” she ordered and turned back to sweep her sword out, slashing a charging fiend.
Jarrett hesit
ated. He couldn’t leave her alone in the middle of this mess. He felt a strange wind stir around them and turned away from the portal.
Sensing his worry for her, Collett turned. “Jarrett, you have to go!”
Still, he hesitated.
“I am Victory,” she pronounced, and shot a blast of light from her hand, disintegrating two of her attackers at once. “I offer hope for the hopeless.” She stabbed a leech through the heart. “I help bolster innocent victims of wicked wars, and I help empower those who need it most. In the battles between good and evil, I ensure the light always shines as a beacon through the dark.” She took another demon’s head and stared straight at Jarrett. “I cannot force you to step through the portal, but I am asking you, for once in your life, to have faith. Help him, Jarrett. You’re running out of time.”
Growling in frustration, Jarrett glanced at the portal and back into Collett’s pleading eyes. Finally, he did as she asked and put his faith and trust in her. He stepped through the light and felt the water drops on him as the rain fell.
On the ground once again, Bellig used his booted foot to bear down on Cade’s torn torso. Cade grunted but did not yell or cry out. The tip of the wicked man’s sword rested, ready above Cade’s heart.
“After I’m done with you,” Bellig sneered, bending closer to Cade, “I’ll finish your brother. If he’s not dead already.” He flicked his wrist and pronounced, “Behold, The Hunter’s last stand.”
As the rain started, Bellig laughed at his own joke. “He’ll be lucky if he escapes that mess, and if he does, he’ll be in no shape to take me on. It’ll be easy.”
Stepping out of the light, Jarrett heard the proclamation. He glanced around to gain his bearings. Rain fell and soaked his clothes, but he wasn’t afforded any time to consider the oddity of the storm in the desert.
Jarrett noticed the amassing army of demons directly across from his position, and he realized Collett had put him on the opposite side of where he’d been a minute before, completely out of reach.
The Truth of Victory: A Powers of Influence Novel Page 38