Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances

by T. M. Franklin

  I looked around and saw Scorpius was tied up again. And this time he had a meteorite resting on top of him.

  Avery followed my eyes. “It was a joint effort. Scorpius didn’t stand a chance. We were all ready to destroy him after he—”

  “Killed me!” I jumped up, surprising everyone, and ran over to the net. The meteorite was pinning Scorpius’s tail to the ground, but the stinger was exposed. I grabbed a big rock off the ground and smashed it against the stinger. Scorpius screeched in pain, and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I slammed the rock down again and again.

  “Ella!” Avery grabbed the rock from my hands and tossed it aside. “It’s over. Let it go.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned down so we were eye to eye. “He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let him.”

  I focused on Avery, ready to give him hell for stopping me. Ready to tell him he didn’t know what it was like to feel your heart stop—to come back from the dead. But the pain on his face said otherwise. He knew what it felt like to watch someone you love die. I couldn’t imagine what he’d gone through while I was dead. He was right; Scorpius hadn’t stood a chance after he’d killed me. I was sure Avery had given him the beating of his life.

  I threw my arms around him and hugged him as tightly as I could. I buried my face in his chest and breathed in his scent. For a moment, I let myself get lost in it.

  “Ell,” Avery said, “if you squeeze me any harder you’re going to break a rib.”

  I pulled back. “Sorry. I feel unusually strong.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, well next time you want to hug me, give me a five-second warning so I can put my armor on first.”

  I smiled and took his hand. We walked back to the rest of the group. Everyone was pretending to talk, making it seem like they hadn’t been eavesdropping and had the common decency to give Avery and me some privacy.

  Derek raised an eyebrow at me. “You can hug me anytime.”

  Avery laughed. “You couldn’t handle her.”

  I smiled at him and walked past Derek, straight over to Ophi.

  I bit my lip, trying to find the words. “I can’t even begin to thank you for what you did. I wouldn’t be alive right now if it weren’t for you.” Serpens flicked his tongue at me. “And you,” was all the gratitude I could force myself to show the snake.

  “I owed you.” Ophi raised one shoulder, tossing Serpens playfully in the air. “And this one owed you big time.”

  “You’ve more than made up for anything you’ve done wrong.”

  “We’ll call it even. After all, I was only doing my job.” He was trying to play it cool, but he didn’t fool me. He hadn’t saved me because it was his job. He’d saved me because he cared.

  I stretched up on my tippy toes and kissed Ophi on the cheek. “Thank you.” Serpens moved toward me, and for a moment I thought he was expecting me to kiss him too. I stepped back, pretending I didn’t notice. I couldn’t forgive Serpens quite that easily. Somehow I felt like saving my life once didn’t make up for trying to kill me countless other times.

  I turned to Melanie. “So, I guess we should get the constellations back home now.”

  She was crying in Hercules’s arms. I thought about my good-bye with Avery at the portal. It was torturous, and we were only saying see you soon. As much as I didn’t like Melanie and what she had done to all of us, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. She loved Hercules, and this wasn’t just a see-you-soon. After what happened, I doubted Hercules would return to Stellaris again. At the very least, it would be a long time from now.

  We all turned away, letting Melanie and Hercules say good-bye in semi-privacy. I squeezed Avery’s hand, and he nodded over my shoulder. “She’s ready.”

  I turned to see Melanie walking away.

  “She could really use a friend right now,” Avery said.

  The problem was she didn’t have any. She was going to have to settle for me. I nodded and put on my best fake smile.

  Avery shook his head. “Try to be nice.”

  “See you soon.”

  I caught up with Melanie and walked beside her in silence almost the entire way back to the castle. I couldn’t think of anything to say that didn’t sound totally stupid. Nothing was going to make her feel better right now anyway. She looked at me once, and I gave her a half smile, trying to communicate that I understood how she felt. But I didn’t think she got the message because she sighed and lowered her head again.

  “I can’t forgive you for what you’ve done to people like me. But bringing us here now to save Stellaris—well, I get that you were desperate, and you did the only thing you could think of at the time. It doesn’t make it right, but I do understand why you did it.”

  “I think Avery is rubbing off on you.” She didn’t look at me, but her voice was warm.

  “Yeah, I think he is.” Avery was the best person I knew. I didn’t mind at all that he was having an effect on me.

  “You’re rubbing off on him too.” She peeked at me from the corner of her eye. “I saw the way Avery stood up to Bobson for your sake.”

  I smiled. “He’s got some fight in him.” I turned away, looking out past the trees on the other side of the castle. I saw figures moving through the grass. “I can see some of the people Ophi brought back.”

  Melanie nodded. “They’re probably busy rebuilding their houses. The constellations destroyed everything.”

  “What’s their part of Stellaris like? I’ve only ever seen the boulders by the portal, the forest, the open fields, the beach, and the hills. Other than your castle, I haven’t seen any sign of civilization.”

  I hadn’t gone farther than the castle. Every trip I’d made went in the direction of the portal or the valley beyond it. The only time I’d even looked in the other direction was when I watched the Stellarians walk away from the crypt.

  “They live on the other side of the hills. It’s very much like the valley just past the portal,” Melanie said. “There’s only one town. Everyone lives in one area. It’s nicer that way. Everyone gets along well, and we believe in having a sense of community.”

  “Sounds like Independence.”

  “Excuse me?” She narrowed her eyes at me, and I realized she thought I was being sarcastic and critical of the way they lived.

  “No, no.” I waved my hands in front of me. “Independence is the name of the town where I live. It’s small, and everyone knows each other. It sounds like Stellaris is very similar.”

  Melanie raised her eyebrows. “You must hate it then. Living in such a small town.”

  “Sometimes. But you’re right. Having everyone look out for each other like one big family is nice. Up until Bobson kidnapped Avery and me, it was the safest place. We could walk everywhere, no matter the time of day. I never thought I’d say this, but I like living there. It’s nice that it’s the same way here.”

  Melanie smiled. “Be careful, Ella. You’re starting to sound like you don’t hate Stellaris as much as you used to.”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m still dying to get out of this place.” I laughed. “No offense.”

  “I imagine if someone took me from Stellaris and had me fight to save another world, I’d be eager to leave too.” She inhaled deeply and then said, “We used to be self-sufficient. We had farms and made everything we needed ourselves. But then Stellaris started changing. The crops died, and we didn’t have any other choice but to send people to your world. I don’t want this place to be destroyed, but even without the threat of the constellations, it will be one day anyway.” Her voice was sad, and I wondered if this was her way of apologizing for what she had done to me and the others.

  All I could do was nod. I understood what she was trying to say, but I couldn’t tell her it was okay or that all was forgiven. Part of me still didn’t think she deserved to get off that easily. So, we walked the rest of the way in silence.

  We went straight to the orb room, and Melanie began prying the broken boards off the
window. I helped her without knowing why we were doing it. I tried to just go along with whatever it was she was doing, but my curiosity was killing me.

  “Can I ask why we’re taking these boards down?” I laid the final board on the floor.

  “I want a clear view so I can see when they launch the meteorites.”

  “Why don’t we ask Sagittarius to tell us when they do it?” I pointed to the orb.

  Melanie giggled, and it sounded so strange coming from her. “I guess we can.”

  “It’s about time you start giving the constellations a more active role in Stellaris. They could really help you, and it would make their lives have some sort of purpose. Maybe it would even stop this kind of thing from happening again.” I shrugged. “Who knows, maybe together you could all find a way to save this world.”

  “Sometimes I think you were the one who was meant to be a god.” If she hadn’t kept a straight face, I would’ve thought she was messing with me again. “You’re intelligent and a true leader, Ella.”

  “Listen, I’m not all that into heartfelt moments, but thanks.” We both fidgeted, not knowing what to say. “Maybe you should ask Sagittarius how things are going with the meteorites.”

  “Right.” Melanie walked over to the orb, looking as relieved as I was to have something to focus on besides the awkwardness between us.

  Sagittarius answered before Melanie could say a word. “The constellations are ready to go. Hercules decided to untie Scorpius. Ophi’s going to hold on to him.”

  “But why? What if he—?” She stopped herself. “Hercules is making a grand gesture to demonstrate the partnership I have with Ophi.” She sighed. “Sometimes that boy is too trusting.”

  “I think it’s a good idea. Ophi’s a good person. He just got a little confused before. And I don’t think he would’ve suggested untying Scorpius if he didn’t think he could keep him under control. He knows what Scorpius is capable of.” I got goose bumps just thinking about it. I took a deep breath, reminding myself I was alive again and that was all that mattered.

  Melanie was staring at me. She didn’t ask if I was okay, and I was glad she didn’t. “All right, Sagittarius,” she said. “Tell us when they’re ready.”

  “Draco’s going first, and he’s still knocked out. You’ll need to really shake the meteorite to get him free from his chains when he’s in place.”

  “I think I know how to—” Melanie cut herself off again.

  I laughed. She was trying to change, but it was obviously going to be a slow process.

  “Ready or not,” Sagittarius said. “Hercules shot putted the meteorite into the sky.”

  I pictured it and wished I could’ve seen it for myself. The guys must have been going crazy, like Hercules’s own little cheering section.

  “Ella, are you looking for the meteor?”

  “Oh, yeah.” I stood by Melanie with my right hand hovering over the orb, waiting for the meteor to appear.

  “There it is,” Melanie said.

  We moved our hands to the meteor and dragged it around the other constellations to Draco’s position in the sky. Melanie jolted the meteor every chance she got. I figured she was getting out some of her pent-up anger. I was fine with that. Draco deserved a little pain, and I hoped he’d knocked his head against the meteor a few times. Thanks to Avery’s arrow, Draco was still out cold and couldn’t fight us no matter what we did to him. We shook the meteor back and forth until Draco came free and was back in place. Then Melanie showed me how to make the meteor burn itself out so it didn’t harm the other constellations. We spun our fingers in tiny circles, faster and faster. I felt like I was mixing brownie batter with my index finger until it was about to fall off. But it worked. The meteor burned and crumbled into dust.

  “Ouch, that was hot!” I blew on my finger.

  “Sorry, but we can’t let go of the meteors until they are completely burned up.”

  Just great. That meant I was going to get my finger burned two more times. It didn’t seem to bother Melanie at all, and I figured it must be a god thing.

  Ophi, Serpens, and Scorpius were next. Sagittarius gave us the cue, and we found the meteor. This one was easier because Ophi did most of the work. All we had to do was direct the meteor. He got Serpens, Scorpius, and himself back into position. He winked at me as we burned out the meteor.

  “Oh, this is awesome!” Sagittarius said. “Hercules is swinging the meteorite over his head by the chain. He’s going to fling it up in the air and dangle beneath it.”

  “What?” Melanie’s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets. “How is he going to hold on to the meteorite and Cerberus at the same time? It’s insane!”

  “It’ll be fine,” I said, although I didn’t really believe it. “As long as he holds on to the chain, we can get him back into position.”

  “But what if he loses his grip?”

  “He’s Hercules. If he can’t hold on, no one can.”

  She didn’t look satisfied, and I couldn’t blame her. If Avery had tried something so dangerous, I’d either be throwing up or peeing my pants.

  “Up and away!” Sagittarius shouted, sounding like he was enjoying the show a little too much.

  “Is he okay? Is he holding on?” Melanie’s face went completely pale.

  “Yup. He’s good. Looks like fun too.”

  Melanie searched the orb. “Well, where is he? He should show up in the same place as the other two.”

  She was right. Something was wrong. I couldn’t find Hercules on the orb.

  “Give it a minute,” Sagittarius said. “The meteor is moving a lot slower than the others did. Hercules and Cerberus are dragging it down. You’re really going to need to work if you’re going to direct this one.”

  “We have to find it first!” Melanie shouted.

  I raised my finger to the orb, getting ready to help it along the moment we spotted it, but I pulled back in fear. My finger was dark and shadowy. I opened my hand and saw it was an almost perfect match for the other fading one.

  “Melanie.” My voice cracked, and it was barely a whisper. “Melanie, look,” I said louder.

  “Do you see the meteor? Where is it?” She leaned closer to the orb.

  “No, it’s my hand. Look!”

  “Ella, I don’t have time for this. I have to find—” She did a double take at my fading hand. “That’s the bad one, right? You still have the other one to direct the meteor.”

  I held both hands up in front of her and shook my head. “No. I don’t.”

  “No! I need you to help me. I can’t do this on my own!”

  Typical Melanie. I was the one fading, and all she cared about was how it affected her. “I’m so sorry my fading limbs are an inconvenience for you.”

  She scowled at me.

  “Hercules is in the heavens,” Sagittarius said.

  Melanie turned back to the orb and found the meteor. She put her hands on it and struggled to direct it. “Ella, I need help! The meteor doesn’t have enough momentum!”

  I placed both fading hands on top of the meteor next to Melanie’s. I could barely feel the warmth of it under my fingers. We tugged the meteor, but it was losing speed. Hercules dangled beneath it. Cerberus was barking his heads off.

  “What’s happening?” Hercules yelled.

  “Ella’s hands are fading. She’s not helping!” Melanie screamed.

  Not helping? I was doing everything I could! I took my hands off the meteor and leaned my forearm into it.

  “What are you doing?” Melanie cried.

  “Getting more force behind us.” I grunted and pushed my weight into the meteor, hoping I wouldn’t knock the orb off the pedestal in the process.

  “Look out!” Hercules yelled.

  “He’s going to crash!” Melanie screamed.

  I eased off and saw Hercules heading straight for Draco. And Draco was awake again.

  25

  Draco lashed out and wound his tail around Hercules. He
disintegrated the meteor with one puff of his fiery breath. Apparently being in the sky again had rejuvenated his strength. I could hear the air rushing out of Hercules’s body as Draco squeezed him tighter. He was doing a perfect impression of a boa constrictor. Serpens would’ve been proud.

  “Let go of him!” Melanie yelled.

  Draco laughed and continued to squeeze Hercules. “I knew I’d have my revenge!”

  Cerberus was still in Hercules’s fists, but he wasn’t trapped in Draco’s tail. He was right below it. If I could get him to bite Draco’s tail, we might be able to free Hercules. But how was I supposed to talk to Cerberus without Draco hearing every word I said?

  My eyes searched the room. I had no idea what I was looking for, but it didn’t matter because there was nothing in the room other than the orb.

  “Let go of him now or I’ll hurl a meteor into your head before you can even blink!” Melanie’s voice was full of rage, but her eyes showed how scared she actually was.

  Draco laughed, calling her bluff. “You wouldn’t dare throw a meteor at me while I have your precious Hercules wrapped up in my tail.” Draco curled himself tighter around Hercules. “On second thought, why don’t you give it your best try? I want to see if The Strong Man here would make a good shield.”

  Melanie leaned closer to the orb. “I promise that when this is over, I will make you pay for what you’ve done,” she said through clenched teeth.

  I felt more useless than Melanie. I mean, sure she was a god in training who hadn’t come into all her powers yet and couldn’t control one little constellation, but both my hands were fading. I only had partial control over one of them. What good was I to anyone right now?

  Still, I couldn’t stand there and watch Draco kill Hercules. I had to find something to distract Draco, or better yet, hurt him. I ran from the room and down the hall. Melanie shouted curse after curse at me, but I didn’t have time to stop and explain what I was doing.