Ascension

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  My cousin’s black robe swished while he paced in front of my prone body. He spun and faced the monster who tortured me. “Has your observations of her current condition changed?” King Roland and two of his knights slipped from the throne room.

  “No.” The hair on my arms raised at every syllable coming from Apollo’s lips. “She’s human.”

  My uncle and friends laughed at the admission.

  “That’s preposterous! Kitra!” Ryn moved towards the ring of Dark Ones surrounding them. “Sparkles, please say something. Tell them you’re alright! Tell them you’re healing!” Green light glowed from the robed figures’ palms, but they didn’t move as Ryn fell against them and slumped to the floor when I didn’t answer. “She’s still a supernatural.” Dannick pulled him back into their group and pushed Ryn behind him.

  “Not anymore.” Apollo lifted his nose in the air and inhaled deeply. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but her blood is human. Smell for yourselves.”

  Each shifter sniffed and their brows rose, drawing their heads back quickly. Uncle Kalen’s eyes widened, and he grabbed Lucian’s shoulder, mumbling under his breath. “He’s not lying.”

  “She’s useless to me now.” Aelfric huffed and walked next to Apollo. “The only positive to this situation is that I can make more, and I have to find a certain misplaced she-wolf before she comes to term.”

  “Let Kitra go then.” Uncle Kalen stood in front of my rumbling Guardians. “We can leave, and you will never hear from us again.”

  “If only it were that simple.” Aelfric glanced back at me and shook his head. “A Seelie princess is still a threat to my reign, human or not.”

  “No!” Ryn pushed against the throng, his own fae magic gathering in his hands.

  “Stupid boy.” Aelfric clapped when two of his followers attacked Ryn with streams of olive light. Ryn fell backwards and Bretton caught his Commander under his arms. “Not enough to kill him, but enough to show him his place.”

  King Roland opened the door, his frosty demeanor made more cold with the twisted turn of his lips. “I come bearing gifts.”

  Behind him, one of his reptilian guards carried one of his presents. Aunt Mauve’s unconscious body was tossed over the knight’s shoulder, her long blonde locks hung below his knees. Near her ear, red was soaking into her hair, darkening the strands as she was placed on the floor. Behind the first Unseelie knight, the other shoved Caden through the entrance. His hands were bound with a glowing blue rope and blood was smeared under his nose. My hand twitched, ready to take them all out, but the time still didn’t feel right. I had to time my attack perfectly or we all would fail.

  “Caden!” My Guardians held Lucian back when green light surrounded them. “Are you all right, son?” Caden nodded and stared as I lay as still as a statue on the floor.

  “You did this!” Ryn watched Caden drop his head and he jumped to his feet. Bretton and Dannick grabbed his arms and locked him in place. “You were supposed to protect her, Caden!” Spit flew as his mouth formed each word. “I’ll never forgive you for this!”

  “I won’t forgive myself.” Caden’s head fell and another piece of my heart chipped away.

  Roland’s knight kicked Caden’s back, knocking him to the floor and his head bounced with a sickening slap on the stone. Caden grunted and pushed himself to his knees, his blue eyes locked with his father’s gunmetal irises before his gaze landed on me. The door opened one more time and the curvy feminine form I learned to hate waltzed into the room, swinging her hips.

  Morgana was dressed in a skin-tight black dress with thin straps over her tanned shoulders. Her lips were painted bright red and her green hair was pulled into an intricate knot on the top of her head. Large black crystals dangled from her lobes, and a piece of obsidian nestled above her cleavage on a thin chain. Gone was the peasant girl from our first meeting.

  Roland’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as his eyes followed her sashay. “Ah, Morgana.” He held his arms open and she closed the distance, kissing his cheek. “All you need now is the crown you deserve.”

  She giggled and spun out of his grasp, setting her sights on Caden. “Please tell me I get to keep it.” She clutched Caden’s cleft chin between her red nails and pressed her lips to his. I bit the inside of my cheek as Caden jerked his head back and spit. Morgana cackled when the Unseelie knight punched Caden in the face.

  “Anything for my son’s future Queen.” Roland smiled and focused on Aunt Mauve, squatting next to her. “Sister, it warms my cold, dead heart to see you in such a position.” He skimmed his fingers through her bloody hair. “Your reign is over.”

  My friends and Uncle Kalen appeared lost; their stares vacant. Gwen and Allie still stayed by Austin and Phobos, but neither had moved since I was carried into the room. Lilly whispered to Lucian and Uncle Kalen, trying to snap them out of their zombie-like states as they watched their children. I pulled a small breath through my nose when the Creator whispered it was almost time. I was ready to prove I was more than a threat to Aelfric’s reign. I was his end.

  Morgana slinked over to my cousin and wrapped herself around him. For a split second, I noticed revulsion pass over Aelfric’s features when she touched him, but he quickly schooled it. “We will rule the world.” Her red lips found his and her fingers tangled at the back of his head. Bile rose in my throat as her tongue wrestled with his.

  Aelfric gripped her fingers and pulled them down to his chest while putting distance between them. “We will have time for this later. Now, we must secure our thrones.” Apollo stretched his neck from side to side and cracked his knuckles when his master moved to the center of the room. “Kill them all.”

  “Now, Chosen One.” I gasped as my power merged with my wolf and the shift left my white wolf crouched on the floor.

  “What is this?” Aelfric turned to King Roland and Apollo. “You said she was human.”

  “The white wolf.” Apollo sheathed his sword and his mouth flapped opened and closed several times. “I…I…tortured…the…w…white…wolf.” His dark face morphed to a sickly pallor.

  “Kill her you fool.” Aelfric’s hands swirled and a tangy scent permeated the air around him.

  “Don’t touch her!” Apollo’s claws slashed out at his master. The irony of my torturer's attempts to protect me wasn’t lost and I even felt a moment of regret when a blue orb smashed into his chest. He fell forward, the light left his yellow eyes.

  “Now, it’s your turn.” Aelfric slung magic in my direction as I jumped to the side. The orb flew over my head and exploded, sending huge chunks of stone to the floor. His eyes remained on his dead ally when the dust settled.

  Roars filled the air, and everyone attacked at once.

  The Dire Wolves shifted, leaping onto the closest Unseelie Knights with their jaws snapping. Gwen and Allie pulled out their weapons and guarded our unconscious friends. Bretton, Dannick, and Ryn charged, dodging orbs of green and blue magic from the Dark Ones and Roland while Ryn threw his own magic into the fray. Caden kicked the Unseelie knight next to him, spinning in the air and landed a roundhouse kick to another knight. Lilly’s attack was an intricate dance of lethal accuracy. She soared into the air, her feet used each obstacle in her way to launch herself higher until she flipped over several knights and relieved them of their heads.

  Morgana gasped when Lilly’s stare landed on her. “You dared to hurt one of my loved ones.” Lilly sprang into action and Morgana screamed, fleeing the throne room. Once the evil bride-to-be escaped, Lilly turned her sights elsewhere.

  I leapt with a burst of power from my back haunches and my mouth open. My teeth sliced through Aelfric’s robed arm and pierced his flesh, filling my mouth with the taste of copper. He screamed as loud as his future wife, and I used the moment to toss him across the room. He landed in a heap, crushing two of his followers. Roland moved to his son’s side, attacking anyone who came too close.

  I closed my eyes and my magic pulsed, finding each of my G
uardians. I pushed a trickle of power into them, making their attacks stronger and faster. I still feared sending too much into them after I lost my control in the arena and almost lost Linc. Caden’s gaze found mine and his chest rose with the influx of my magic. He pulled at the ropes around his wrists, but nothing happened, and his brows furrowed. I concentrated on breaking the magical ropes around his wrists, but then my mind was pulled to Austin.

  Austin? Can you hear me? I pushed as much fae magic behind my words as I was able to and heard his cry for help. Austin! Tell me what to do!

  You’re already doing it. I only need a little more then I’ll wake up. Austin’s voice in my head was less than a whisper. A Dark One crept towards me, and my wolf form was consumed in purple flames when the robed figure grabbed me. I didn’t watch as they disintegrated into ash but ran to Austin when he sat up. Gwen kissed him hard, while Allie fought off one of the Unseelie knights. Her butterfly sword sank into his side and she used her foot to pull it free. Are you okay?

  I don’t know what Morgana tossed on us, but whatever it was, it made me a prisoner in my own body. He looked down to Phobos and I tried pushing my magic into him, but nothing happened. I believed my bond was different with the phouka, but I didn’t understand why I couldn’t help him?

  I can’t do the same with Phobos! Can you heal him? The flames from my fur coat dried his clothing and Phobos’s gray and white pelt. Allie threw her arms around him when Gwen finally let him go.

  I…I don’t know. I’ve only ever tried with you all. His hand hovered over my new friend and his healing yellow light seeped into the husky’s body. I…I think it’s working.

  I will keep Aelfric and the others off you. Once Phobos is awake, he will take them all out and this will be over. Austin nodded as Gwen and Allie took their place in front of him again.

  Aelfric was on his feet again, he and Roland fought Bretton, Dannick, and Ryn. More soldiers entered the throne room and Roland laughed. My wolf smiled herself, knowing Roland’s merriment was doomed to be short-lived. The others ripped a hole into the new ranks, and my magic strengthened my Guardians even more.

  A tug in the center of my chest pulled. Something I’d never felt before wanted to break free. When I watched Caden take down another adversary with just his legs, the tug pulsed out of control and he turned towards me. Purples flames danced in his irises and the bindings on his wrists finally snapped. Caden’s head tilted to the right and his grip latched onto the throat of another Dark One. The robed figure wailed as dark veins spread over their skin, clawing at Caden’s hands. The person’s face sank in, hollowing out their cheeks.

  “The phouka is waking!” Roland shoved one of his knights in front of him.

  My attention snapped from what Caden was doing to the Dark One and the power surge I fed him drizzled away. More of Roland’s reinforcements poured past the door. My wolf was ablaze once more, and the battle frenzy increased. All my friends and family dodged magical orbs. Roland picked up Aunt Mauve and threw her limp body over his shoulder.

  “Stop him!” Allie threw one of her butterfly swords at Roland, but a giant knight blocked it with his own blade.

  Time slowed down as Lucian leapt into the air. Roland’s hand swept out, releasing a blue orb. Caden and I both fought our way towards him, and Ryn charged towards Roland from another direction. The orb crashed into Lucian’s side and he yelped, shifting back to his muscular form.

  “Dad!” Caden roared and lashed out at anyone near him. The giant knight wrapped a sword around Caden’s throat, stopping him in his tracks.

  “Caden.” Lucian’s lungs rattled once more, and my heart ripped in two when my father’s best friend took his final breath.

  “I will kill you for this.” Spittle flew from Caden’s lips and Roland smirked.

  “No!” I shifted without thought and slid next to Lucian. “No. Don’t go.” I was too late. His life already faded from his eyes.

  Austin slid next to me as Phobos stirred and tried to heal Lucian, but he couldn’t call forth his healing light. “I’m so sorry, Kitra. I used up my energy healing Phobos. T…there’s nothing I can do.”

  Caden and I hissed at the same time. Above the crescent moon on my wrist, I watched as a translucent violet paw print formed under the skin. The mark I had questioned Lucian about when he first visited Frost Manor after our return to Serenade Falls disappeared. Caden held up his arm with tears streaming down his cheeks and his body trembled when he glanced at the alpha mark now glowing on the wrist opposite of the one that held our bond mark.

  Uncle Kalen and the other Dire Wolves threw their heads back and howled as the Dark Ones and Unseelie surrounded us.

  “Don’t even think about it, phouka.” Aelfric pointed to the knight with the sword against Caden’s throat, and a line of blood formed where it touched his skin. Phobos’s form blurred in my watery gaze.

  I glanced at Caden. Sobs shook his frame and worsened the cut on his throat, but he didn’t seem to notice. Aelfric clapped, claiming his victory but this battle wasn’t over.

  Chapter 23

  “T HIS IS PERFECT!” AELFRIC patted Caden’s cheek. “I lost a dog and gained an alpha.” Caden spit in his face and Aelfric punched him in the stomach. “I’ll have you trained soon enough, pup.”

  “You won’t get away with this.” I stood and Roland grinned.

  “We already have.” Roland watched my hand move through Phobos’s fur. “Don’t even think about it.”

  Princess, I failed you. The phouka’s fierce growl filled the room and Aelfric’s followers took a step back. But I will kill every enemy in this room. All you have to do is say when.

  You didn’t fail me, Phobos. My fingers spread in his hair. I’m the one who failed. Be ready.

  “If your phouka moves an inch, I will have my knight slit your mate’s throat.” Roland motioned with his fingers and Caden winced, standing on his toes. “You have a choice to make, niece.”

  “Don’t call me that.” Flames danced in my eyes and my new mark glowed brighter. “We’re not family.”

  Roland passed Aunt Mauve to another knight. “The new Dire Wolf Luna has some spunk, but she’s going to get everyone she cares about killed.”

  The others gathered at my back. “What choice do I have to make?”

  “Aelfric and I are leaving.” Roland stepped backwards and his hands glowed. “These two are our insurance policy.”

  “Where’s the choice?” Linc’s nostrils flared.

  “You let us leave and fight your way out.” Aelfric got closer to his father. “Or we kill everyone in this room starting with these two.”

  “Kitra, get out of here.” Caden’s neck reopened and he bared his teeth. “Get my father home and lay him to rest. I will find you.”

  “No, I’m not letting them take you.” The power in my blood sang as I lifted a couple inches off the floor. My hair floated around me and violet bolts of lightning crackled around the room.

  “Ryn, protect her.” Caden was pulled back by the giant holding him hostage.

  “It can’t be.” Roland’s chin unhinged when he stared at the electricity coming from my body.

  A bolt of lightning pierced the armor of an Unseelie knight, blackening his chest. “Kill her!” Aelfric slipped out the door and Roland followed behind the knights escaping with their cargo.

  Lightning arced across the room and Phobos and I went on the attack as the others let out war cries. Within seconds the room was quiet, and my feet touched the floor. I raced out the door as Curtis scooped up Lucian’s body.

  “Caden!” The hallway was empty and so was the main foyer. “Aunt Mauve!” The palace was quiet as the others joined me. “No, they can’t be gone! What do we do?” I turned and saw Lucian draped in the arms of Curtis. “We can’t lose them too.”

  Uncle Kalen pulled me into his arms, and I fell against him. “Shh. We’ll find them. I promise. This isn’t over.”

  I sobbed until my eyes refused to produce any more tears
. A hole filled my soul and I wondered if our lives would ever go back to normal. Aelfric’s reign of terror stole another precious friend from me, and if what I’d learned in school about war was true, Lucian wouldn’t be the last if Aelfric and Roland had their way.

  Our group was quiet while we each processed our grief. Dannick stood in front of us and exhaled with his hands on his hips. “I know you’re hurting. We can gather the rest of the Royal Guard to secure the palace. Then, we’ll arrange a search and rescue for the Queen and Caden.” Ryn nodded and Dannick and Bretton left our gathering.

  Uncle Kalen released me as Ryn got closer and I stepped into his arms and squeezed. A wet tongue swiped over the tips of my fingers and I looked down into the blue eyes of Phobos. He didn’t say anything in my head but sat at my feet and leaned against my leg.

  “We’ll get them back, Sparkles.” Ryn kissed the top of my head and then let me go.

  “Luna, we should return Lucian to the pack for a proper burial.” Zander dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “Our people should lay him to rest.”

  “Don’t bow to me, Zander.” I tugged at his arms. “Stand up.” He rose, but his eyes stayed on the ground. “Whatever this means.” I motioned to my new mark. “It doesn’t change anything.”

  “Actually, it does.” Linc held my shoulders and dipped his head to meet my gaze. “You’re the leader of the pack in the absence of the alpha.”

  “I…I can’t do this.” I looked at Lucian and bit my lip.

  “You’re not alone, Kitra.” Allie pulled me into her arms and Gwen joined her. I couldn’t help but remember the same words coming from the Creator and nodded. I wasn’t alone. “We’ll help you.”