Synchronicity (Scintillate Series Book 3)

by Karen Tjebben

Kahan knew he wouldn’t run. He couldn’t. Pride swelled within him. How would he look if he ran from a little band of Asteri? No Nephilim or Dolum would never again show him any respect. He’d be faced with servitude to a higher power. “I will not leave,” he said through gritted teeth. “We will fight and kill these spineless half-breeds.”

  A great noise on the other side of the door grabbed their attention. Hayden craned her head so she could see the doorway. Her heart raced as excitement and fear flooded her body. Would Nick be on the other side? How would he look? It’d been so long since she’d seen him that she prepared herself for anything. She hoped he would not be disappointed by what he saw. She feared she would no longer be beautiful to him.

  The doors rattled again. Kahan strode to the wall and plucked a sword from its elaborate mounting. “Leaders don’t run,” he said as he cut the air with the blade and adjusted to the feel and weight of the sword.

  Daevas scooted closer to Hayden as the doors crumbled, and Netra stepped over the remnants that littered the floor.

  Kahan recognized the Oracle. He’d never met her, but he’d heard stories and seen pictures of her. She’d caused many a problem in the past. She’d disappeared for a while and many rumored that she’d died. But now that she stood before him, Kahan wasn’t fooled by her change in appearance. “So we meet,” he said. “So happy that I’m a witness to your resurrection.” His serpent tongue traced the curve of his lips.

  Netra took in the room. Three hostiles and Hayden. This would be easier than she imagined. “I live to impress,” she said as Nick entered the room behind her.

  Nick scanned the room and his eyes landed on Hayden. His heart broke at the sight of his beloved. Her suffering at the hands of these monsters was evident upon her body. Scars marred her creamy skin. Her gorgeous red hair was chopped and matted, and he swallowed hard as he gazed into her red-rimmed eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks, streaking the grime that covered her.

  Hayden fought to control her body as Nick’s eyes roamed over her. Tears streamed down her face with each blink of her eyes, but she would not allow herself to sob uncontrollably. He needed her to be strong during this battle, and she would not fail him.

  When Kate entered the room, Hayden knew everything would be all right. Kate stood confidently and energy pulsed off of her. As Kate studied the room, she sent a bolt of energy towards the chains that held Hayden to the column. The chains fell loose, and Hayden scooted away from the column and searched for a weapon. She needed something she could use with her hands still bound. Several knives and swords lined the room. Kahan kept his weapons close by, displaying them proudly.

  When the bolt of energy cut through the air, Kahan realized his mistake. This new female was stronger than any he’d ever seen before. She would definitely be a problem.

  Ergo knew their group was larger than he originally anticipated because the sounds of fighting filled the hallway. But when three more Asteri entered the room, he recognized his friend and wondered how he’d been dragged into this. Li had served him well, keeping tabs on the Asteri population for him. But seeing him with blood on his sword piqued Ergo’s interest. Which side was Li on?

  Panic flooded Li’s body. He’d never expected Ergo to be here. He’d hoped his part in this rescue mission would never be revealed, but that hope was now moot. Li gripped his sword more tightly and prepared for his shaming when the truth was revealed.

  Gabriella noticed the heavy eye-play between Li and the Dolum. She shifted her stance, not knowing what to expect.

  A slow, mischievous smile slid upon Ergo’s face. He pointed his sword at Gabriella. “Does she know?” he asked.

  Li stood frozen, feeling his heart constrict. She would never forgive him. He’d lose her forever.

  “Know what?” Gabriella asked, her eyes darting to Li.

  Kate didn’t like where this was headed. They didn’t need to be divided or distracted right now. “Ignore him,” she said. “He’s trying to rattle your cage.” She stepped closer to Ergo.

  Ergo devoured the young blonde with his eyes. The accounts of her successes impressed him, but that didn’t mean he’d let her live through this. “Go play in the corner, little one.” He smirked at her. “Let the big boys talk.”

  Kate admired Ergo’s spirit, but he’d be dead soon enough. She tilted her head and studied him. She hadn’t learned how to read all the markings on Dolums yet, but she could tell this one had a long history of doling out death and mayhem. With a quick flick of her wrist, Kate tossed him into the air and then slammed him onto the marble floor with a loud crack.

  Blood flowed from Ergo’s nose as he righted himself. He wasn’t going to let the blonde steal this victory. “You have a traitor in your midst,” he growled, his long, sharp fingers pointing at Li.

  Gabriella looked from Li to Ergo. “You’re a liar,” she rebuffed. “You’ll say anything.”

  “But what of John and Clara?” Ergo asked. He knew how precious those two had been to her. Demented pleasure coated him as he swiped his arm under his bloody nose.

  Gabriella eye’s burned as she stared into the Dolum’s mesmerizing gaze. John and Clara’s names had haunted Gabriella for so long. When she’d come upon their bodies in the barn she’d prayed their deaths had been quick. Pride, just a tiny foal, paced beside them, his hooves trampling through the blood that poured from their necks.

  “That’s right.” Ergo nodded slowly. “You’re friends are no longer with us,” he cooed. Using them to manipulate Li had been a goldmine. That stupid Asteri loved a woman who was unattainable, and Ergo used that lust to his advantage.

  Li stepped closer to Gabriella. Justin noticed the subtle movement and prepared to defend her if needed.

  Ergo pointed his sword at Li and said, “Li killed them. It was his blade that parted their flesh and spilt their blood.”

  “That’s not true,” Li shouted. “It wasn’t my fault.” His breath came in quick bursts as his heart pounded. His blood rushed through his veins so quickly that with each beat a tremor racked his body.

  Gabriella faltered. She’d always believed that her Asteri connection had somehow led to their violent murders. Ergo’s deep chuckle vibrated around Gabriella as she felt his wickedness embrace her.

  Ergo was confident he could kill Gabriella. He could take them all. He’d been around for a long time and mastered many skills that others thought were merely legends of old. The young blonde was not the only one with impressive powers. He would show them his true power, so with a pulse of his fingers, a light split the air.

  Li threw himself in front of Gabriella as the flash of energy thundered towards her. They both fell to the marble floor, Li landing on top of Gabriella. Pain convulsed through her body from the impact. Li could barely breathe. Each inhalation burned his lungs as he gasped for air.

  The pool of blood that slowly spread from under Gabriella sent Justin racing to her side. He tossed Li aside and instantly had his hands on her body. Blood stained her clothes, and Justin tore through the unicorn leather to assess her injuries.

  “It’s not me,” she panted, trying to shove Justin’s hands aside. “It’s not me.” She sat and the world spun as she got up too quickly. She crawled to Li, staring at the gaping hole in his chest. The bolt of energy had sliced through the protective wear to his flesh with the ferocity of cerberi’s claws.

  Li felt peace. The secret that haunted him was out. He wanted to tell her the truth. She needed to understand his motives. “It was you or them,” he squeaked out. “I had no choice.”

  “No,” Gabriella pleaded, her eyebrows scrunched together. She couldn’t be the reason her friends had died. She would have laid down her own life to save them. She reached towards Li’s chest to heal him. She needed him to explain his actions. She needed to understand.

  “No,” Li panted. His cold fingers found her hand and rested on his chest. “I want to die. I cannot live with this shame anymore.” The tears that dripped from Gabriella’s eyes sprinkled hi
s face. “I saved you,” Li mumbled. “Let me die.”

  Gabriella couldn’t process this new information. “Why?” she shouted, raising her eyes to Ergo’s.

  “You’re more valuable alive than dead,” Ergo said. “Li traded your life for theirs, along with any information you gathered on the Asteri. I’ve had a noose around your neck for longer than you can imagine. Li had started to fail me, so I motivated him by threatening your life. He bartered for you. When Li killed John and Clara, I knew that he took protecting you seriously. If he hadn’t kept to his end of the bargain, you’d both be dead.” Ergo chuckled slightly, “I guess you’re both dead anyway. It really was just a matter of time.” He shrugged. “It looks like your time is now.”

  Kate hadn’t expected Ergo to throw the flash of energy at Gabriella. She wouldn’t underestimate his powers again. She focused, gathering her strength, and threw a fireball at Ergo’s head.

  Ergo’s defenses kicked in as the fiery ball rushed towards him. He dove but felt the heat of the fire as it passed him. The fireball smashed into an antique sofa and set the fabric aflame. He gaped as the fire consumed the sofa and then snapped his focus back on the blonde. Not many Asteri could do what she’d done, create fire from the energy around her. There was no denying how dangerous she was. In that instant, his self-preservation instinct kicked in, and he bolted out the side door.

  Kate raced after him with Alex on her heels. As she neared the door, Hayden cried out and held up her hands, showing Kate the chains that still bound her wrists. Kate sent a bolt of energy towards the chains and freed Hayden.

  Netra disliked the chaos in the great room. She wanted to get control over the situation, so she tossed a grenade at Kahan. It exploded, sending the fine fire powder particles dancing through the air. Kahan and Daevas screamed as the fire powder sizzled their flesh and rendered them powerless. They wiped at their faces, but each inhalation sucked more powder into their lungs.

  Kahan powered through the pain and raised his sword. He eyed the door behind Netra that led to the hallway. Cerberi and Silvestri fought in the background. The sounds of their struggle filled the great room. Kahan glanced out the side door that Ergo had fled through. That was not an option. Outside, flaming Silvestri devoured his men and cerberi. He had no true exit. He would have to kill the Asteri if he wanted to live.

  Hayden recognized her chance when Kahan faced off with the Asteri and put his back to her. She stood and reached for the short dagger that lay on Kahan’s desk. For so long she’d been nothing to him. He’d forgotten that she was a warrior too. Not keeping his eye on her was a big mistake, one she’d use to her advantage. Her pulse pounded and she felt strong, stronger than she had for nearly two centuries.

  As the cold blade glided across his neck, Kahan noticed the thin arms that embraced him and dragged him to the floor. He clutched at his neck, his fingers damp with the blood that poured from his wound. Hayden’s weight pressed his chest to the floor, and her feet dug into his shoulders as she straddled his back. He recognized the irony as her thumbs locked under his jaw and her fingers scraped his skull as she tightened her grip. He would die by the hands of his most treasured prisoner.

  Hayden dug her nails into his scalp, pressed her feet into his shoulders and used her body weight to her advantage as she sat on his back. With a great jerk, she pushed against Kahan with her feet, twisted his head, and his neck gave way and snapped. His eyes stared up at the ceiling as she stared at his head cradled in her hands. It was over. Still holding his head, she watched as the blood poured from his neck and spread on the marble. She’d dreamt of killing him so many times, but she never believed that he would actually die by her hands.

  Hayden startled as she reached for the dagger that lay on the floor. She felt his presence in the air around her.

  “Shh, shh,” Nick soothed. He was afraid to touch her. Bruises, welts, and scars covered her. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he wanted to feel her once again. She was his source of life and love. She smoothed out his rough edges. He drank in her scent and gently touched her hands as she grabbed the dagger.

  At his caress, memories of her past with Nick bombarded her. Tears flooded her eyes as she turned to him. Stubble tickled her palm as she pressed her hand into his rough cheek. He hadn’t changed at all. His essence was exactly as it had been. He was strong, noble, and faithful to the end. He hadn’t given up on her.

  Nick caressed Hayden’s hand against his cheek and wrapped his other hand around her waist. He pulled her up and just stared at her, too afraid to pull her to him and hurt her. Hayden’s rags concealed nothing from him. It was clear that she’d done her time in Hell. Now he would spend his time healing her, physically and emotionally.

  “You came for me,” she whispered as she trembled before him. Shock struck her dumb for she could think of nothing else to say.

  “I’m sorry it took me so long,” he said. “I didn’t know.” He wasn’t sure he could ever forgive himself for his failure to find her sooner.

  She leaned in close, pressed her ear against his chest, and meditated on the pounding of his heart. His fingers traced down her back as his arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

  Daevas gripped the ring on his finger. He may be powerless, but the power of Vires was not affected by the fire powder. He stumbled to the wall and pulled down a sword. The metal sang as it burst free from the sheath. Daevas now stood ready to fight. “You may kill them,” he coughed out. “But you’ll never kill me. Try to strike me, and I will hand you your head.

  Netra stepped closer to Daevas, her eyes never leaving his. “Do you still think us so foolish that we’d come unprepared?”

  Daevas wasn’t sure what to think. So far this little band of Asteri rebels was upheaving his world, but surely there was nothing that could conquer the power of Vires. He repeated his belief that he was indestructible. “There’s nothing you can do,” Deavas snapped.

  Netra heard the worry and fear in Daevas’s words. His muscles flexed and his jaw twitched. He continued to alter his grip on the sword. She quirked her lips into a smile and pulled a pouch from her pocket. She slowly opened the pouch and reached in, scooping out the fine-ground powder. She took a pinch and let the powder fall into her palm and said, “Nothing is indestructible.” With a puff of air from her lips, the powder jettisoned towards Vires.

  Daevas ducked and tried to get out of the powder’s path, but he couldn’t move fast enough. It was like the powder had a connection to the magic of Vires, for the powder surrounded the ring on all sides, the way magnetic shavings congregate on a magnet.

  His eyes bulged as his flesh around Vires began to burn. Red boils spread along his hand and his flesh discolored, as if being eaten by acid. He screamed and panic overwhelmed him. His sword clattered to the floor as he clutched at his burning hand.

  Michael enjoyed the spectacle that Daevas gave, but enough was enough. He strode to Daevas, gripped him around the neck, and pressed Daevas’s hand against the desk.

  Daevas struggled against Michael, trying to jerk free of his grasp. Michael maintained his grip on Daevas even as Daevas’s flesh fell from his bones like perfectly smoked rib meat.

  Michael gripped Telum in his free hand and quickly lowered the magical blade onto Daevas’s wrist. Daeavas collapsed onto the floor beside the desk. He held up his arm, horrified, as blood pulsed from the stump. Michael slipped Vires from the bony finger and tossed the bloody hand into Daevas’s lap.

  Daevas grabbed his hand and took off for the door. In his panicked haste, he clobbered Netra. They fell to the floor. He sprung up, leaving his hand beside her. She couldn’t help but enjoy the panic that washed off of him.

  Daevas ran into the hallway, hoping to leave behind the threat in the great room. He heard the growl and felt the heat a moment before he was violently thrown against the wall. He collapsed onto the floor. Before his eyes shut forever, he saw the Silvestri snarl as its fiery paw descended on him.

  Michael watched as
the Silvestri devoured Daevas. He felt no pity for the monster that’d held him captive and killed countless Asteri and humans in the past. Michael extended his hand to Netra, and she placed her hand in his. He helped her up and said, “I think this is yours?” He handed her the ring.

  “Yes, it is,” she said as she slipped Vires onto her finger.

  “Can you respell it?” Michael asked.

  She shrugged, “Harder things have been done.” Her smile brightened her face and elevated his spirits.

  With a nod, Michael left Netra and raced down the hallway. There were others that needed his help. Gabriella and Justin followed him and sprinted down the fortress stairs towards the dungeon.

  ~ ~ ~

  Kate and Alex followed Ergo into the night. The outbuildings roared with fire. A few griffons circulated through the lawn, picking off the last of Kahan’s men. The dead bodies of cerberi, Nephilim, and Dolum littered the grass, and the Silvestri feasted on the monsters’ flesh.

  Ergo cut through the maze of death and sprinted towards the woods that lined the periphery of the fortress. If he could make it to their cover, then maybe he could disappear. She’d be left to wander through the dark, weaving her way between trees and wondering when he’d ambush her.

  Kate wouldn’t let him escape. She halted and stared at his fleeing back. She inhaled and breathed out a curl of fire that grew. She controlled the growing flame with her mind, and it danced before her like a giant snake. She puffed, as if she were blowing out a candle, and the fiery snake pulsed through the air, hitting its mark. The fire wrapped around Ergo’s legs and he fell to the ground.

  Indescribable pain shot through Ergo’s every nerve as the fiery snake slithered up his body, wrapping him in coils of fire. The snake stared into Ergo’s eyes as it bobbed mere inches from his face. A hot, forked tongue slashed across his cheek. Ergo screamed in terror as the snake’s head grew and its jaws adjusted. The fangs scraped over his skin as the snake slowly swallowed him whole.