by Linsey Hall
Del leaned over me and gasped. “Yeah, that’s a deep cut.”
“Have the FireSouls meet us in a few hours for a recap,” Ares said. “Nix will need to rest.”
“I’m okay, I can—” I gasped at a strike of pain. “Yeah. Just a few hours. Be ready to fight.”
I glanced at the clock on the side table. Three o’clock p.m. That would give me enough time.
“All right.” Del hurried away. “I’ll be back to check on you.”
I waved, or at least tried to. My hand only moved a few inches off the couch cushion.
“I’m going to have to heal you,” Ares said.
I nodded weakly. He raised his wrist to his lips, his white fangs extending. He bit, puncturing the skin, then withdrew his fangs. A strange hunger welled inside me as he raised his wrist to my lips.
“You’ll heal better if you drink,” he said, his voice raspy.
I nodded weakly, pressing my lips to the puncture wounds at his wrist. As soon as the warm blood hit my tongue, pleasure exploded through me, followed by light and strength. I moaned, drawing deep.
The blood was hot and sweet, delivering strength throughout my entire body. The pain dulled as the rest of me warmed.
Like last time, Ares’s eyes burned hot and fierce. His lids dropped low as he watched me. Eventually, he raised his other hand to my jaw, pressing gently to release my bite.
“Careful, or you’ll get drunk,” he said.
I drew away, licking my lips. Exhaustion still pulled at me, but the pain was gone. I looked at my leg. The wound was quickly knitting itself back together, an eerie sight.
“Thank you.” I gripped his hand.
“You need a few hours for the full effects.”
I pulled him toward me, kissing him. His lips were firm and warm beneath mine. Despite the pleasure that made me moan, my vision grew even hazier.
He kissed me hard, a parting kiss, then picked me up in his arms. “Come on. We need to get you to bed. A few hours, and you’ll be ready to fight anew.”
I laid my head against his shoulder, the memory of the pleasure streaking through me. “That’s not all I’m going to want to do anew.”
He chuckled and laid me gently on the bed. I reached up and gripped his arm. “Stay.”
He nodded. Whatever he said, I couldn’t hear, as sleep was already taking me.
I was in the forest again, on the outskirts of Elesius. I sprinted through the forest, darting between skeletal trees and leaping over exposed roots.
Where was she?
Frantic, I searched the area around me, looking for the only one who might be able to help me save the forest. All the water in the stream made no difference. Elesius had no shortage of water.
So something else was killing the forest. I just had to find her to help me save it. It felt like I sprinted for hours, my lungs burning and my muscles aching. But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t. I couldn’t.
Finally, in the distance, I caught sight of her. Her long white dress glowed in the dim light of the forest, and her pale hair cascaded down her back. I raced for her, drawing up short when I realized that she was nearly transparent.
“What happened to you?” I demanded.
She turned to me, beautiful as ever. The leaves that were her hair were no longer a pale green, but rather a faded white. And I could see through her body to the tree beyond. The sparkle in her eyes was the same, but that was all.
“Time.” Her voice was wispier, weaker.
“I don’t understand.” I shook my head, horrified.
“You do not understand now, but you will.” She started walking away from me, gesturing for me to follow. “But now is not the time for the past. It is time for the present. You must save Elesius, Phoenix.”
“Save the forest? How? It is dying.”
“Save it all.” She led me toward the edge of the magical barrier that protected our town. But it was no longer the glimmering white that I was so used to. Instead, it was a hazy black smoke.
“What happened?” I reached for it.
“No! Don’t! You do not have your sword.”
“I have no sword.”
“You will. When you return to save Elesius from Drakon, you will have the sword.” She pointed to the hazy black mist of the barrier. “And you will sneak into the city here, through this weak spot.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I stepped closer to the barrier, inspecting it.
She was right. The hazy black mist was weaker here. It was so transparent that I could make out the wide river on the other side of the barrier.
“You must hurry, Phoenix. We do not have much time. I created the weak spot in the barrier, but it will not last. You must save us.”
I turned to ask her more questions, but she was gone. I was alone.
Chapter Fourteen
I gasped, bolting upright in bed. Ares was nowhere to be found. With a shaking hand, I turned on the bedside light. It shined golden. I blinked.
Ares popped his head into the bedroom. “Good, you’re awake. The FireSouls will be at P & P in thirty minutes.”
“What time is it?” I climbed out of bed, the wound in my leg no longer bothering me. A quick glance showed that it was gone. Ares must have pulled my dirty jeans off of me. He’d left the panties, of course.
“Nine. You’ve slept for a few hours.”
“Perfect. That will give us a chance to attack before dawn. It’s nine hours ahead there.”
“I like how you think.”
I smiled. “I’m going to shower. I’ll meet you in the living room soon.”
He nodded and left the bedroom. As I climbed into the shower, the dream raced through my mind. That woman had been familiar. She was the ghost I’d seen in the forest when I’d first arrived in Elesius last week.
At that time, I’d thought I’d never seen her before. But the truth was more complicated. If my dream was to be trusted, I’d known her before she’d faded away.
But who was she?
None of it made much sense, other than the fact that she’d definitely shown me a weak spot in the barrier trapping Elesius, and that my sword was supposed to be able to cut through it.
Thirty minutes later, Ares and I walked into P & P. It was warm and bright inside. Everyone was already gathered, chairs pulled up to form a big circle. All twelve FireSouls, my deirfiúr and their men, Connor and Claire, and even Aerdeca and Mordaca.
Connor had put carafes of coffee out on a table, along with trays of leftovers from the day. No time for custom orders now that we had a rescue operation to enact.
I’d just gotten a glimpse at everyone when the door opened behind me. I turned to see Bree and Ana enter.
I smiled. “What are you doing here?”
“We wanted to help you save your friend.” Ana scowled. “It’s not right, how he’s trapped like that.”
“Thank you. It could be deadly, though.”
Bree shrugged. “Not a problem.”
“Thank you.” I turned back to the room. The twelve members of the League of FireSouls were all dressed in burnished red leather armor. Their gazes were hard. Ready.
Mordaca and Aerdeca were both dressed in black tactical wear, Aerdeca having forgone her usual white, no doubt knowing that we’d be attacking at night.
I took one of the closest seats, Ares at my side. Bree and Ana went to the food table and dug in.
“Thank you all for coming.” I looked at Mordaca and Aerdeca. “Did Aethelred tell you we needed help?”
Aerdeca nodded. “He may have mentioned something.” She caressed the sword sheathed at her hip. “And my blade is thirsty.”
Mordaca just grinned, her lips the color of blood.
“You’ve found Alton,” Corin said.
“We have. We’re going to try to save him tonight. It’s nine hours ahead in France, but we still have at least an hour of darkness to shield us.”
“What’s our plan?” Corin said. “Where is he? France
?”
I explained to them what we’d seen. “So you can see that our odds are poor. Drakon has an army. It’s dozens, probably more. Maybe hundreds.”
“We didn’t get a great look,” Cass said.
“Too busy running for our lives,” Bree added.
“Then we need stealth and cleverness,” Fiona said. “Do you have a plan?”
“I do. But it could be a death sentence, depending upon how many warriors Drakon has. And how well I perform my part.”
“We don’t leave a FireSoul behind,” Corin said. “We’re in.”
“All right, then.” I nodded, then looked at Connor. “How much invisibility potion do we have?”
He studied the assembled crowd. “Enough for everyone, but only for about thirty minutes.”
I nodded. “It’ll have to be enough.” I turned to the group. “Here’s the plan…”
Since cars wouldn’t be able to penetrate the thick tree line protecting Drakon’s creepy blue lightning cage, we all transported one by one without vehicles. Several of the FireSouls were transporters, which helped.
I arrived in the valley below Drakon’s mountaintop, along with Ares and Del. Within a minute, everyone else arrived. We’d already taken the invisibility potions, so speed was vital. We had to get into position before we became visible again.
All eyes turned to me. I nodded, giving everyone the thumbs-up. I caught Cass’s eye, and she nodded back.
Then we turned and ran, racing toward the river. Del used her power over sound to muffle our footsteps. My breath heaved as we sprinted across the river, jumping from flat stone to flat stone.
On the other side, the group split. Ares accompanied me, my escort toward the smoky black barrier. Everyone else ran up the mountainside, determined to get as close to Alton as they could. They’d hide in the treetops and wait for my signal.
The dragons weren’t here, but Jeff had done us a favor by killing so much of Drakon’s army. There were more though—probably a lot more—and I prayed we’d make it out alive.
The moon was bright in the sky above, illuminating the form of the smoky black dragon that swooped above Elesius.
Drakon.
I swallowed hard, my skin chilling. I shook away the fear and ignored him, sprinting for the part of the barrier where the forest spirit had indicated I would find a weak spot. My dragon sense pulled me toward it.
When I reached it, I stopped, panting. I turned to Ares, then leaned up and kissed him hard. We didn’t know if he’d be able to accompany me in because I was the only one wielding the sword that could cut through the mist, but I doubted it. He squeezed me once, then let go.
“Be safe,” he whispered.
“You too.”
I stepped up to the barrier. On the other side, I could see the faint flow of the forest spirit. She waited for me.
I drew the Valkyrie’s sword from the sheath at my back and struck out for the barrier. My blade sliced through cleanly, leaving a gash. With a deep breath, I stepped through, turning back to face Ares.
As I’d expected, the black mist closed up again before he could enter. He reached for it, trying to force his hands through. He pushed and strained, but wasn’t able to break through.
“Go.” I could barely see his features, but I could feel his scowl. “I’ll meet you at the battle.”
He nodded, the motion hard to see, then turned and raced for the battle. With his superior speed, he should be able to make it into the trees before the invisibility potion wore off.
My blade seemed to cut through the spell, protecting me from the freezing charm, but I could see it all around me, a black haze on the air.
I turned to the forest, meeting the eyes of the forest spirit. She was very transparent, her white glimmering form the only point of light in the whole dark place.
“You don’t have long,” she said. “Come.”
I followed her through the forest, toward the town. I couldn’t see it yet, but my dragon sense told me that we were going in the right direction.
“Who are you?” I asked as we ran. Well, I ran. She kind of floated.
“The forest. You.”
“That’s not very clear,” I whispered. I didn’t think Drakon could hear me all the way down here underneath the smoky black dome, but maybe.
“You will understand.” She raced ahead and I followed.
Running alongside her felt familiar. There was a connection between us.
“Are you the spirit of the forest?” I asked.
“In a sense.” She slowed as we neared the base of the town, then pointed to the street that sloped upward along the valley ridge. The buildings crowded it on either side, turning it into a narrow alley. Lights gleamed on lampposts, illuminating the dark. “You will find the blue lightning at the top, in the courtyard. Your blade will do what it must.”
“Have you seen my mother?” I had to know that she was all right.
“I have not.” She made a shooing motion. “Now go. Your invisibility charm is fading, and you are running out of time.”
“Thank you.” I turned and ran, sprinting up the street.
As I passed by houses with their lights on, I saw the inhabitants, frozen inside. Everyone was stopped in midmotion—eating, sitting, cleaning, walking. I shivered at the eeriness. There were even frozen people on the road.
I dodged them, hurrying toward the blue glow at the top of the street. The town was nearly silent save for the water that flowed through the fountains set into the building walls. The trickling of water obscured the rush of wings until it was too late.
I turned, following the noise. The dark shadow swooped down between the buildings, aiming straight for me.
Drakon!
I tried to lunge out of the way, but I was too slow. He dived low, his shadowy form knocking me to the ground. Though he was transparent smoke, he hit me with the power of a freight train, a combination of electric shock and sonic boom. I slammed down onto my front, ribs aching and breath forced from my lungs.
I nearly lost my grip on my sword and felt the freezing bindings of the black mist. I gripped the hilt tighter, scrambling to my feet. My ribs and knees ached. My insides felt like a prizefighter had beaten up each organ.
I did my best to shake it off, and continued up the street, keeping my gaze alert for Drakon. He was here, somewhere, regrouping and planning a second attack.
He must be able to fly within the freezing mist because he, too, was incorporeal. Or maybe his power was like that of my blade—so strong that it was impervious.
It didn’t matter why—only that he was here, and I had to avoid him.
My lungs burned as I ran. I kept my eyes and ears alert. The rush of wings was my only warning. This time, I threw myself to the ground voluntarily. He barely missed me, swooping overhead and hissing his rage.
“Bastard.” I surged up, and raced for the top of the street, my breath heaving.
His second attack came without warning, as if he were learning to be quieter. He slammed me to the ground again. I skidded on the stone, pain flaring throughout my whole body. He didn’t have the same level of power he’d had in his human form, but his blows were enough to make me feel like I’d been run over by a dump truck.
Aching, I dragged myself to my feet. I was only halfway to the top. The blue glow of the lightning beckoned, but it was so far. All around me, the city was silent and frozen. I waged my own battle in this frozen world, fighting a shadowy dragon that I couldn’t hear coming.
Muscles screaming, I ran, half limping. Touching Drakon was like sticking my fingers in a light socket.
The next time, I heard him coming. Just barely, the rush of wings. I was used to listening for Jeff’s wings, and I used the skill on Drakon. It would be an attack from the side—from the alley right up ahead on my left.
Maybe he was too excited to land his killing blow, or he was lazy because he knew I couldn’t see him coming from the side. Whatever it was, I used it to my advantage.
I raised my sword as I raced toward the alley, meeting him head-on. He flew right at me, level with my head. I dived, plunging up with my blade. The steel sliced at his side, a shallow wound. In his chest, a heart glowed black and bright.
I’d missed. Badly.
But Drakon hissed as steam poured from him. It burned. I shrieked and rolled away. He swept up into the sky.
I scrambled up, clutching my sword tight, and raced for the top of the street, pain engulfing me. Almost there. Just thirty meters to go. I was close enough that I could see the streak of blue lightning.
The sky was brightening as the sun approached the horizon. High above, Drakon swooped overhead. I needed a more direct shot. To his heart.
I sprinted faster. Maybe I could beat him to the lightning.
I was wrong.
He dived right in front of me, then swooped low over the street, hurtling toward me. He flew so low to the ground that he filled the narrow street, giving me nowhere to hide. There were no side streets and no way for me to dodge him. The direct blow could knock me unconscious, and at this angle, reaching his heart was impossible. Beheading was even less likely.
Fear chilled my skin.
Then my eyes caught on a set of stone steps set into the wall on my right. They climbed upward along the building’s front face, going toward Drakon. From his angle, he probably couldn’t even see that steps were there.
My only shot.
I sprinted faster, lungs burning. Drakon was nearly upon me when I leapt onto the steps to my right and raced up them. Drakon slowed, just slightly. He was right under me.
I leapt off the steps, blade plunging downward. I landed on Drakon, the contact shooting pain through every atom. My steel sank into Drakon’s back. Not over his heart, but close. He shrieked. The wound was deep, pouring steam. I fell off him, keeping my grip tight on my blade. Agony surged through me from touching him, the prizefighter going for my organs again.
As I crashed to the ground, Drakon swooped upward, going for the sky. His wings faltered.
Jackpot.
I hadn’t killed, but I’d done some serious damage.
Gasping and shaking, I dragged myself up, stumbling the last few meters up the street. It opened up into the main courtyard—the center of town.