Second Sight (Hollows Ground Book 1)

by J. A. Culican

  “The Wraiths had no part in what was done to them. Something you have ignored. Now, we must hurry. This is something only Mirela can stop.”

  The Wraith from earlier pops up behind Talon. “Sir, you need a ride?”

  “What's it going to be, Mirela? You plan on hiding behind half-truths? Fighting for a side you know nothing of?” Talon’s eyebrows furrow. “Or will you let me show you the truth?”

  Luka vibrates with anger next to me as I blow out a breath. It is time to make a choice. A choice I hope is right.

  Tension is high as Luka and Talon glare at each other. Neither makes a move toward the other as both await my move. I walk between them, breaking their standoff.

  “I feel no fear from you toward these two Wraiths,” Luka spits out. “Why is that?”

  “I’ve met Talon before.” I go with the truth.

  “Where exactly did you meet him?” The confusion is evident on Luka’s face.

  “Not long ago. Right here.” I pause. “Right here in Hollows Ground.”

  “Impossible, the alarms would have sounded.”

  “Would they?” Talon taunts. “You forget. I once was just as naive as you.”

  “We thought you were dead. If we’d known you―you're a traitor!” Luka yells.

  “Did my father tell you I was dead? He’d rather kill off his own son than face the truth. I saw what they were doing. I confronted him. He would have killed me if I didn't get away.” Talon explains, dropping his sword to his side.

  “He can’t be trusted, Ela; this just proves it. He turned his back on his own family. And if that wasn't bad enough, he then brings a war to their steps. He’s responsible for the deaths of countless Shades.”

  “The war I brought here is to free the people you’ve kidnapped. The Gypsies your people are killing right now. I saw them doing it.” Talon points to his chest. “I tried to stop it. I told my father to stop and instead he tried to kill me, his son.”

  “The Shades do nothing but protect those who you want to use. The Wraiths have been kidnapping those with magic since the beginning. You just want them back to use whatever gifts they have.”

  “Stop.” I hold my hands out to the two men.

  I believe them both. They both believe they’re right. That the side they fight for is the right side. I need to see the truth. I need to see what is going on right now with my own eyes.

  “You say the Shades are killing the Gypsies right now?” I ask.

  “Yes, we have eyes on them but the Shades have them surrounded. We’re working on getting through now,” Talon explains.

  “I can get through, they’ll let me through. I need to see.” I breathe out, scared for Luka’s reaction.

  “You're going to go with him? A traitor? A Wraith?” Luka is furious.

  I turn to face Luka; a look of disappointment mars his face. “I have to.”

  Luka’s jaw is tight as he grinds his teeth. “Fine. But I go with you.”

  “You can’t. If Kasik or someone sees you―”

  “I made a promise to you. I will stand by your decisions.” Luka takes the few steps that separate us and grabs my hand. “You're not alone in this, no matter how much I wish you would just let me kill him.

  “I need to see.”

  Luka nods. “As do I.”

  A loud clap makes me jump.

  “Great, let's go then, shall we?” Talon asks.

  The Wraith behind him grabs his hand and holds his other out for me. I squeeze Luka’s tight as his fingers entwine with mine and grab ahold of the Wraith. Air speeds around us at a dizzying pace as we are instantly transported to the side of the safe house.

  Talon pushes me to the ground as a bolt of lightning strikes the brick exterior, causing it to explode around us. We crawl through the mud to the back of the building and meet up with Luka and the other Wraith in the chaos.

  “Erek,” Talon calls. “Can you get us inside?” Talon addresses the other Wraith who now has a name.

  “No. There is some kind of interference.” He sticks his tongue out, tasting the air. It’s an odd move, but I’m sure it means something.

  “Luka, you know how to get in?” Talon turns his sight on us as Luka pulls me off the ground.

  With a deep breath, he nods. “Don’t make me regret this, Talon. I swear to God I will kill you myself, for real.”

  “If what I say is wrong, I’ll let you.”

  The two stare at each other a moment longer before Luka kicks at a rock on the ground. With a shake of his head, he gestures for us to follow him. Luka leads us to the other side of the building. A group of Shades is guarding the entrance as a battle between Shades and Wraiths wages in front of them.

  “Stay here.” Luka pushes Talon against the wall beside us. “I swear to God, Talon. She better be here when I get back. Completely unharmed.”

  “You have my word. I will protect her with my life.”

  “Your word means nothing to me.” With one last look my way, he disappears around the corner.

  The three of us wait in silence as explosions go off around us, lighting up the sky. The purple hue of the moon is hidden behind clouds as streaks of light zip past us.

  “Let’s go.” I grab my chest and jump as Luka appears right in front of me. “We only have a few minutes before they wake.”

  We slink around the corner of the building and through the front doors. The guards lay passed out on the ground. Talon and Erek grab their weapons as we pass by them, quickly sheathing them in their belts.

  Men and women in locked cages line the walls. Shock and fear shine in their eyes at our appearance. Many are crying as Talon and Erek instantly go about breaking the locks. The Gypsy men start helping the women and children out of the cages as Talon and Erek make their way down the long room.

  “I―” Luka stares at the cages, frozen where he stands.

  “Luka, you didn't know.” I grab his hand and pull him down the long hallway.

  The inside of the building looks familiar. Like I’ve been here before. I desperately try to focus on where I’ve seen it before.

  “Mirela?” A voice comes from behind me.

  I turn and am faced with two people I never thought I’d see again. I grab at the necklace still hiding behind my shirt as I take in the ragged appearance of my parents.

  “Mom?” I whisper. “Dad?”

  Everything fades around me as my mom's arms envelop me, her once familiar scent surrounding me. I’m instantly calmed by the feeling of her arms around me. Her hand runs through my hair as she pulls back to look me in the eyes.

  “Mirela. I can’t believe it’s you.” Tears run down her cheek. “You need to get out of here.” Her eyes go wide. “If they know what you can do . . .” She starts to panic. “You need to run.”

  “Mom, I’m here to help you.”

  “Ela, let's go. Erek is transporting people out of here,” Luka calls to me as he ushers a woman holding a small child out of one of the cells. “We must hurry.”

  “Come on.” I pull my parents to where Talon is lining people up for Erek to teleport out.

  Erek reappears just as quickly as he disappears, taking a handful of people with him each time. I hand over my parents and turn to the few remaining Gypsies in line. All the women and children are gone, leaving behind just a few men.

  “I’ll be right behind you,” I reassure my mom as she disappears.

  “You're not going anywhere,” Kasik’s voice echoes off the walls.

  Kasik, Luna and an army of Shades block the entrance of the safe house. A popping noise behind me alerts me of Erek’s reappearance. Talon tells him to get the rest of the Gypsies out while we handle the Shades. It dawns on me then that Erek is able to teleport in and out now. Something has changed.

  Luka steps in front of me as he stares Kasik down. “How could you do this?”

  “You have no idea what you’ve done tonight, boy. You aided the Wraiths and set our prisoners free. All that magic is now in the hands of o
ur enemy.”

  “Prisoners? Were supposed to be protecting them.” Luka shakes his head. “All this time, I trusted you.”

  “And what a good little soldier you were. It’s a shame I now have to kill you.”

  “Like you killed me.” Talon pushes through us.

  Kasik’s eyes go wide and for a brief second he looks surprised.

  “Talon?” Luna whispers.

  Talon and Luna have the same bright green eyes. Looking at the two of them now in the same room, their resemblance is uncanny. Brother and sister, no one could deny it.

  “You turned your back on the Shades. Brought the enemy into your home. I should have killed you when I had the chance. I had hoped you’d come to your senses. See the purpose. The end goal.”

  “All I see is death. You're a murderer. You kill innocents. And for what?” Talon asks.

  “For the greater good.” Kasik sighs as he looks to Luna next to him.

  Luna is still staring at Talon as if he were a ghost. I guess to her, he is.

  “Arrum,” Kasik calls. “Kill them. All of them.”

  Arrum steps up next to Kasik and looks to the four of us. I feel Erek step up behind me and place his hand on my back. There are still a few Gypsies who need to be teleported out. He needs to get them out, not focus on us.

  “Get them out,” I whisper under my breath. “Hurry.”

  Erek’s hand disappears as another popping sound pierces the air. Arrum takes it as a sign to blow the lights and rain sparks on us. Each flicker of electricity sizzles as they bounce off us. I’m once again pushed to the ground. Talon and Luka charge Arrum and the other Shades. Erek pulls me off the ground as he grabs hands with the last group of Gypsies.

  With a shake of my head, I pull my hand away and run toward the pandemonium in front of me. A cage door flies open and knocks me to the ground just as I’m about to reach Luna. With a wave of her hand, the door flings shut again, trapping my legs between the door and the bars.

  With a sneer, she turns toward Luka who is in a hand to hand battle with Kasik. Throwing her hands in the air, she sends a whole cage hurtling toward Luka. That’s when it hits me. The vision.

  “Luka!” I scream as I pull on the door, trying to dislodge it.

  I watch in horror as the cage slams into Luka’s side and pins him between the cage and the other wall.

  Pulling my legs out of the gate, I race toward Arrum, tackling him just as a bolt of electricity leaves his hands. We hit the ground in a rush as I flip out my knife and plunge it into Arrum’s side.

  My eyes find Luka. Electricity races around the bars of the cages.

  I was too late.

  Time stands still as all fighting ceases. Luka doesn't move, and I know he’s dead. I’ve seen his death once before. His lifeless body, pinned between bars. His head fallen forward, his tousled blonde hair cloaking his brown eyes. I watch his chest for any sign of movement. Any hope my vision was wrong, that I did indeed save him. Nothing.

  My breath stutters as pain races through me. Luka is dead. I couldn’t save him. Luna and Arrum have killed him. Killed him on Kasik’s order. A laugh breaks my thoughts as my attention shifts to Kasik. This is his fault.

  “Did you honestly think you’d win against me?” Kasik addresses Talon. “I’m your father. The one who gave you your magic.” Kasik smirks. “Four young’uns against the most powerful Shades in Hollows Ground.” He shakes his head.

  “He was loyal to you, just as I was. The second someone questions you, you kill them. No.” Talon shakes his head. “You have your little minions do it. Everyone here knows you can’t kill on your own. You're not strong enough. No, all you do is elicit fear.” Talon shakes his arms out and raises his sword. Emerald gems sparkle off the handle as light bounces off the blade.

  A frown mars Kasik’s face. “Luka had so much potential, just as you did. But neither of you had it in you to do what was right for the greater good. The Shades are the most powerful force in our world. Why do you think that is?” Kasik walks toward Talon. “This time I will kill you, son or not. Your little tantrum tonight has lost me too many soldiers.” He gestures to Luka. “Not to mention the Gypsies you stole from me.”

  Rage boils within me at his disregard for life. He killed Luka. He planned on killing the Gypsies, or worse, using them for their magic.

  “No.” I jump to my feet. “You killed them. You killed your own people. You’re selfish and callous.” I exhale roughly. “You're the evil one. You tried to make me think you were saving those people. That the Shades were the good side.” I pull my last knife from my belt.

  “It's all about perspective.” Kasik smirks.

  “I fought for you. I killed for you.” The truth makes me gasp. I blindly followed a man I never trusted. I bid his evil. My eyes roam to Luka. Still unmoving.

  “Luka’s parents,” I whisper.

  “Those fools thought they could go up against me. Just as their son did. A pity really. Such magic, wasted.”

  My eyes scan the faces of the Shades still flanking Kasik. None look surprised by the words Kasik is spouting. They’re ready for battle. They all knew the truth. Knew what was going on. And still they fought. Killed. Luna still stares at Talon. She didn’t know. At least not that her brother lived.

  Anger and hatred cause my body to tremble. I see it. I know what's about to happen. And for once I’m not looking to save anyone. Death will find them.

  Erek grabs my arm as I start to charge toward Kasik. We fly through the room unnoticed. With only one destination in mind. Dropping directly in front of Kasik, I plunge my knife forward without a thought as Erek grabs us both and drops us back behind Talon.

  Kasik drops to his knees, hands covered in blood as he attempts to stop the bleeding in his gut. He won't. No healer will be able to save him now. It’s the fate he deserves. A shimmer encloses us as Talon drops to his knees, spreading his arms wide. Luna’s anger is palpable as she throws one thing after another at the shield. Arrum, on hands and knees, throws a weak bolt that sizzles and dies without so much as a dent to our cocoon.

  “His power always amazed me.” Kasik eyes Talon. “The strength both my children possess.” Kasik swings his eyes to mine. “My death won't stop the Shades. It will only fuel them. They will avenge me. And you, my girl, will be at the top of their list.”

  “We’ll be ready,” Erek states from behind Talon.

  Kasik’s body sags, his weakening state evident the longer we stand here. Our eyes lock. In just a matter of minutes, Kasik’s death will be added to my never-ending list of deaths I could have stopped. The light in Kasik’s eyes dulls right before he slumps to the ground. Dead. Like Luka.

  “You killed him. Your own father. You let her kill him. A nobody. How could you?” Luna rants at Talon from the other side of the shield.

  The fire in her eyes is ready to combust. I know she will have to be next. It’s she who will lead the Shades now. Another death I can control.

  “Drop the shield,” I order Talon.

  “We need to leave. This fight is over for today.” Talon continues to hold the shield.

  “Lower it,” I growl, ready for Luna’s attack.

  Wiping my now bloody knife off on my jeans, I prepare for the shield to drop. Talon curses as the force field falls to the ground. Eye to eye, Luna and I assess one another. Not too long ago we were locked in a similar showdown. Just like before, I will give her the same choice. The choice of life or death.

  “Your choice, Luna,” I state as I bounce on my toes.

  “You leave me no choice. You killed my father. Our leader. You're a traitor. Just as my brother is. Just as Luka was.”

  “You know your fate. Is today that day?” I blow out a breath waiting for her move.

  Luna looks over my shoulder at her brother. Erek steps between Talon and myself, preparing to transport us out of here.

  “It seems your side has already made that decision. Like the cowards that they are,” Luna sneers.

&nbs
p; “You can change your mind, Luna,” I attempt to reason. “Kasik’s dead. The Shades will listen to you. You can lead them in any direction you choose. You can choose good.”

  “What you don’t see is I agreed with my father. I’m the one who made the choice to start kidnapping the Gypsies. Stealing their magic-born. The most powerful magic has always resided with their clans. And magic is power.”

  “That power will be your downfall. I’ve seen it. You have the opportunity to change your fate.”

  “Fate’s a tricky thing. You’ve meddled in it long enough. I think today should be your last.” A slow smile graces Luna’s face.

  I shrug my shoulder and raise my knife. Blood thumps in my ears as I prepare myself for her attack. That familiar swirl of magic appears just as Luna raises her hands. Cages rattle around me as I hold my ground, waiting to see what will come at me first. Doors slam open as the clinking of bolts hitting the ground echo around the room. Exhaling, I lunge at her.

  I hit the ground hard as I collide with Talon’s shield. How did I miss that he’d installed it around me? Erek helps me off the ground as Talon steps up to Luna, his shield the only barrier between us.

  “This was your chance. I hoped that once you knew the truth you would have joined me and fought with the Wraiths, or better yet, brought the two group together and become one. It never crossed my mind that you already knew. That you were a part of it.” Talon doesn't even attempt to hide his hurt where Luna is concerned. He thought she was innocent this whole time.

  “The night you ‘died,’” Luna says, making air quotes. “That was the first raid I was a part of. The raids had happened a few times before that, but only when father knew for sure a child with magic had been born. I convinced him to raid all Gypsy camps we came across. You just never know what we’d find. The Gypsies had grown careful; they knew we were after them.” Luna turns her attention to me. “Why waste all that time and manpower watching when we could just go in, take and go?”

  “And kill,” I add.

  “Casualties of war.” Luna waves her hand at me. “You―” She shifts back to Talon. “The two of us, our power together would be limitless. But no, you had to go ahead and threaten Father. You couldn’t just let it go.” She sighs. “I thought he killed you. He told us he did. He said you left him no choice.”