by Chanda Hahn
“I want to stay here with you until I die.”
“Which will be any minute. Don’t waste your life feeling guilty. Because the thought of losing you will kill what’s left of me for sure.”
“I can’t.” She felt her lip tremble, and Teague leaned down, his lips gently brushing against hers in the softest of requests. Asking for her love in return. They brushed against her lips again, and she met him for the kiss. His hands wrapped gently around her face to hold her in place as he deepened the kiss.
She was drowning in the kiss. Losing herself to the feelings. Her lips started to tingle and go numb.
The kiss changed. Teague pressed his lips down and blew into her mouth, forcing her to breathe. Mina opened her eyes in surprise and gasped for breath before rolling over on the beach and emptying her lungs of water.
Her hair stuck to her face, and she peeled it away to take in her surroundings.
She was utterly alone on the beach—at the edge of a warzone. Her heart broke all over again, and fresh tears stung her eyes. Mina collapsed back onto the sand, trying to ignore the way it rubbed against her. And—was she sitting on something? Her bag! She tugged it out from underneath her hip and checked inside. Relief flooded her. She hadn’t lost the Grimoire in the bay.
Fighter jets race overhead toward what was left of the Golden Gate Bridge. Helicopters whirred in the air. Everything was over—displayed on the news. The Fae were exposed. The siren ship lost its glamour, and the helicopter moved in, cameras homed in on the Fae ship. The world wouldn’t understand that not all Fae were bad. The sirens were about to be attacked.
It appeared more than the Coast Guard had joined in the battle for the world. Humans in fatigues ducked in and out of the abandoned cars on the streets. More Fae army boats docked, and suddenly Mina knew who they were.
Gnomes. Gnomes and Reapers. Annalora was keeping her word. The gnomes and Reapers ran through the streets, targeting the human soldiers.
With legs like gelatin, Mina struggled to stand and make her way up the beach to the street. If she stayed still for too long, the omen would find her.
One foot in front of the other. Through pain and exhaustion, she moved, then walked, then jogged until she got up to the main road. She passed an abandoned vendor booth and grabbed a compact mirror from the display table. Had they run? Or were they too busy recording the battle on the Golden Gate Bridge?
Her side was aflame with pain. Mina pulled up her shirt to see a long black scratch on her stomach.
So Death had marked her after all.
Mina felt Death’s presence and knew he was drawing near. Picking up her pace, she ran down another street and turned. Nothing looked even remotely familiar until she collapsed, hitting the pavement on her knees. Then, she remembered the vision she’d had the night she drank Winona’s blue tea. She knew what was going to happen next, yet couldn’t fight the curiosity.
She had lost. Charlie—Charlie!—and her friends were either dead or soon-to-be dead. She’d failed them. Teague was only a memory. What did she have to lose? She wasn’t afraid to see her death coming.
“I’ll be with you soon,” she whispered, as she thought of both of her parents and Charlie, and of the one her heart lost. She opened the compact and scanned the area behind her.
Her mother was right. Only in hindsight can you see Death coming. Mina saw the omen’s pale white eyes glowing behind her. It snarled and growled, saliva dripping from its canines as it tensed to attack.
Mina took off her bag, set it on the ground beside her and closed her eyes, waiting. She let the mirror fall from her hands, and it shattered on the pavement.
***
She heard the growls, but the attack never came. She looked over her shoulder, seeing nothing.
But she heard everything. Including his voice.
Mina snatched up the broken mirror and held it up, desperately trying to see in the only intact piece left in the frame.
“Come on.” She turned and angled the mirror. And almost dropped it again.
Two of them appeared in the reflection, fighting to hold back her death. Her heart burst, and she couldn’t control the tears. Jared and Teague. She turned, searching for them with her eyes but saw only an empty street. Was it because they were both dead? Was that the only way to hold back Death?
Jared cried out as the omen bit his shoulder, and he lost his grip on the dog. The dog rolled off and faced Teague, who stood directly in front of her. Shielding her with his body. He held his arms wide open like she’d seen her mom do, and he said in a loud voice, “Death, you’ve been trying to claim me for over a century. Take me instead. For I no longer fear you. I am free.”
Jared yelled at his other half and dove for the dog, but the omen was too fast. He opened his mouth and lunged at Teague.
In a blast of black smoke, they both disappeared.
Mina screamed Teague’s name and stood, but the parking lot was empty. Only a black circle remained on the ground where Death had claimed Teague.
“No, no, no.” Mina stared at the blackened spot, vision blurring, and she clenched her hands. A tingle on her hand told her Jared was still there, although she couldn’t seem him. She closed her eyes and opened her hand. His fingers slid between hers and gave a gentle squeeze.
“Please don’t go. I can’t lose you. I need you.”
She felt another slight tingly sensation on her cheek and brought her hand up to touch the spot where Jared had kissed her. It felt like a goodbye kiss. This couldn’t be happening.
How could he even be here? She was losing him again.
“Jared, how are you here?”
“They’re here because of me,” Taz Clara spoke. Her eyes glistened with power. “The power I gleaned feeding from you and from the prince’s death afforded me enough strength to pull… memories from him as he died. What I learned surprised me. The prince, being separated for so long, created two distinct souls. They never fully fit together properly again. It was easy to sort through and find the largest group of memories. They came to me almost eagerly, so I took them with me. Strangely, both souls were attached to the memories, like they were a puzzle piece connecting the two princes.”
“And the omen?”
“Well, you saved Teague. I suppose sacrificing his soul for you was his way of saying thank you. Don’t be fooled, girl. Both souls loved you dearly. And you still have one part of him left, although I can’t sustain him in this form very long.”
The sprite who had once divided the prince waved her hand in front of Jared, and he became corporeal in front of Mina.
“Oh, Mina.” He hugged her to him.
She took a deep breath and let the scent of Jared roll over her while the streets around them rumbled with dangerous activity.
“I never thought I would get to hold you again. I’m sorry for not telling you how I felt sooner… and for all the things that the poison of that hate blade did to me—to us. It lied and used our deepest insecurities against us.”
“But the omen and my mother? You said you sent it, or Teague said that. I’m not sure what to believe anymore.” She buried her head against his shoulder and felt him nuzzle the top of her head.
“No, that was a lie. I control the Fae Reapers, but the Death Reaper or omen is controlled by the one who has the bone whistle.
“Annalora.”
“I believe so.”
“How do we stop this?” Mina had been so wrapped up in her own near death and Teague’s sacrifice and Jared’s presence that she hadn’t thought about the battle for a while. But it raged around them still. Annalora’s gnome army was here.
“I don’t know.” He grimaced and flickered.
Mina looked to Taz in alarm. “What’s happening?”
“His soul can’t survive like this for long,” she answered simply. “You destroyed his body beyond repair. I just saved a bit of his soul for you. I thought you’d be grateful.”
“No, I am. I just don’t want to lose him.”
“Then don’t,” she challenged, as if it were nothing. “Do something about it.”
“I don’t know how. I can’t lose them both.”
“It’s okay, Mina.” The corner of Jared’s mouth lifted, showing off his unbelievable grin. “You can let me go. I’m ready to leave.”
Helicopters thwacked and thundered overhead.
“I can’t let you go. Not now, not ever.”
“You don’t have to. I already told you, I will live on in here.” He pointed to her heart.
“So that wasn’t a dream?”
“No, we wouldn’t let you give up on yourself.”
“Then I’m not giving up on you. What can I do? I’m so sorry I caused all this in the first place, but I love you. I will fight for you.”
Jared pressed his forehead to hers. “I know, but there’s nothing I can do. It’s Taz’s power that’s sustaining me now.”
“The Grimoire!”
Mina reached into her bag and pulled out the Grimoire. “Taz split you before and bound your soul to a book. What if we did it again? What if we anchored your soul again?” He flickered, and urgency made her heart pound.
“To anchor my soul is to bind me eternally to you. And I can’t do that, Mina. As much as I love you, I can never be a slave to another’s whims again. Even if it’s a very pretty whim.” He kissed her nose sadly. “I don’t want to be enslaved.”
She pushed him away. “Why are you being so selfish? Why can’t you think of anyone but yourself?” she yelled, instantly regretting her words. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Taz Clara spoke. “We have a problem.” She pointed to the tanks that rumbled past them.
Mina looked to Jared. Even as he flickered, his determination solidified. He nodded, and they began to run down the road after the tank. They were surprised when they met up with another Fae along the way. The young man had pointed ears and the bluest of blue eyes. He pulled a small sack of powder out of an ammo bag and tossed it on the tank’s wheels, turning them to cement.
“Who are you?” Jared asked.
“Theo, of the SFGG.” He saluted, then climbed up on top of the tank and used another bag of powder from his pouch to seal the door shut.
“The SFGG?” Mina asked.
“San Fran Godmother’s Guild at your service. Constance and the others are already on the bridge trying to control the situation.” He laughed and jumped down to run to another tank, disabling it just as fast. “Hey,” he shouted from the top. “I think I know you. You’re the Grimm.”
“Yes,” Mina answered.
“Then if you keep going forward,” he gestured with his hand, you’ll meet up with our leader. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
“Thank you,” Jared answered pushing ahead.
“Are you going to disappear on me?” she asked him.
“I’ll try not to.” He looked over his shoulder. Taz had retreated and was following them along the water line. “She’s taken back to the water. I think I’ll last as long as she has the strength.”
“I hope. I guess that’s the best answer I’m going to get.”
“Yep.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, and they ran together. She stumbled once or twice, and he helped, pulling her along after him. “By the way, I like what you’ve done with your hair.”
She blushed. “It’s apparently a family trait.”
“You should keep it.”
“I think I have to.”
He laughed and squeezed her hand again.
Theo was right. They soon met up with a large group of onlookers, who were really a group of Fae. It was easy to spot the one in charge. He was tall—impossibly tall—towering over seven feet, with a voice that carried easily. His arms and hands were like giant mallets, and he flung them around as he gave orders to his guild.
“It’s Strong Arm,” Jared said in surprise. “I thought I destroyed his guild long ago, but leave it to him to rebuild again. Think metallurgist—or, um, you would call them blacksmiths—but Fae.”
To his side, she saw Constance. Next to Constance, she saw a face that made her cry out. “Charlie!” Mina ran forward, pushing through the crowd.
Charlie’s eyes lit up. He flew off the podium and ran to jump into her arms.
“You’re safe,” she cooed, struggling under his weight. “And you’ve grown!” She laughed and put him down. Nan and Brody were on Charlie’s heels, and Nan was the second to wrap her in a hug. “Oh, it was terrible. The Reapers grabbed us at the pier but…” Nan stopped talking when she saw Jared. “You!”
Brody leaped in front of her and grabbed Mina, pulling her behind him.
Jared’s jaw ticked with anger, and he squared off in front of Brody. “Take your hands off of her, before you lose them.”
“No,” Brody growled, doing his best to be intimidating.
“Brody, wait.” Mina looped her arm through his and met his eyes, pleading. When she turned to look at Jared next, she swallowed. His gaze was locked on her arm holding Brody’s. He was about to let someone have it. Mina quickly let go and stepped in front of Jared. “He’s okay.”
Now it was Jared’s turn to pull her behind his back and keep her out of Brody’s reach.
“I won’t let you hurt her,” Brody threatened. He crossed his arms over his muscular chest.
“I’m not going to… ever.” Jared’s voice dropped low.
“If you do, I’ll kill you. Whatever it takes.” Brody eyed Jared, and something passed between the two boys. A silent conversation.
Jared squinted.
Brody raised his chin.
A minute passed.
Mina sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Agreed.” Jared laughed. “I can live with that.”
Nan pushed past Brody. “Are you the evil one?” She jabbed him in the chest, and he stepped back with a look of chagrin. But it was clear he approved.
Mina couldn’t help but smirk. “Evil never won.”
She couldn’t say anything else, because Strong Arm pointed at the gate. More boats and ships filled with warriors came through. A small dragon suddenly hovered over her shoulder, nodding to her.
Anders. Faithful through everything.
“I swear those are not my men,” Jared answered.
“But how is it staying open so long?” Ever seemed miffed. “We only had window of a few seconds to get through.”
“I froze the moment in which the gate opened.” Jared shrugged like it was no big deal.
“They just keep coming,” Nan said, her voice full of panic.
Mina looked at Jared and then back at the gate, her face filled with anger. “Then we have to finish what you started. We have to destroy the gate—even if it means we destroy the bridge. We can’t let any more come through.”
Jared seemed surprised at her answer. “There’s that siren side of you!”
He ran up to speak with Strong Arm who agreed. He divided his and what was left of Constance’s Godmothers, and they headed out toward the bridge.
Ternan’s ship was still trying to retreat, under constant fire from the helicopters. A few of the Godmothers helped cloak it again, and it went invisible.
Kino rose up from the shoreline, limping, and shook the water from his hair. A boat of gnomes paddled furiously toward him.
“Godmothers!” Strong Arm pointed, and a few broke off to rush down to the shoreline to meet the oncoming hoard.
Kino crawled, barely able to get away from the gnomes. Brody rushed down and put Kino’s arm around his neck. He half-dragged-half-carried Kino up to them.
“Siren.” Strong Arm’s voice only had one volume. “Are you still with us?”
Kino, visibly shaken, was covered in cuts and bruises. Mina didn’t think he could fight anymore.
“Can you bring the bridge down?”
Kino followed his gaze to the Golden Gate Bridge and paled. “Not on my own I can’t. I may be good, but I’m not that good.”
Charlie rushed
forward out of Nan’s grasp and stood by Kino. He pointed his thumb toward his chest and back at the bridge.
“Charlie!” A strange mixture of pride and fear coursed through Mina. She’d seen him use the power of his siren gift—his heritage—before, but so much was at stake here. She just couldn’t make herself believe he was safe. She ran to him and fell on her knees in front of him. “I love you, Charlie. Please be careful.”
Charlie’s lip quivered, and his eyes turned glassy. He gave Mina a thumbs up and grabbed Kino’s hand.
“You protect him, Kino,” Mina stated loudly. “Or I’ll do more to you than make you jump overboard.”
“Aye, aye, Princess.” He swung Charlie’s hand in his own and looked down. “Hey, little Prince, are you ready to see what a real siren call can do?”
Charlie just grinned crookedly at him. They turned and saw that Strong Arm’s guild had incapacitated the boat of gnomes. One of the Fae gestured for Charlie and Kino to get in the boat. Taz rose out of the water and used a large wave to propel them toward the bridge.
“We need to clear the bridge.” Constance said. Anders spun around excitedly above her head. “Warn any of our Fae to get away.”
Anders darted through the air toward the bridge. Jared’s hand slid into Mina’s, and they watched as her little brother and Kino were thrust into the main battlefield, right into the stream of gnomes coming through. Her heart felt like it would stop beating any second.
Kino leaned down to whisper to Charlie. A few seconds later, a shriek ripped through the air, causing their own little boat to move backward in the water. A portion of the bridge crumbled.
Charlie and Kino let forth blast after blast and began to knock down the Golden Gate Bridge piece by piece. It crumbled and fell onto the gnome ships passing through, sinking them.
Fighter jets returned and started firing into the water at Charlie and Kino.
Mina screamed, but then Kino turned and directed a blast at the jet, sending it into a tailspin. The pilot ejected himself before the jet crashed into the water, where it skimmed the surface and took out another of the gnome ships.