The morning sun had yet to show itself, and the cold breeze off the water chilled them to the bone. The hiding spot was a couple miles down the beach, but this group composed mostly of children and women kept a steady pace. Darion had completed the project with Andre late last night, and once sealed inside, the only exit would lie below sea level.
Another wave curled up the shore and sent a light spray of water over them. Several children squealed and were quickly quieted by their caregivers.
Becca couldn’t help but think of the stories her mother had told her of the prophets of old parting the sea. Maybe they were magicians in disguise? Her mother would have called that blasphemy, but this was the same woman who put a hand of Mary tattoo on Becca’s back, blocking her magic since birth, so Becca thought the jury was still out.
Mom? Liz spoke to Becca in her mind, and a feeling of longing surged into her. Becca and Darion were on both sides of Liz, helping her walk, though her feet rarely touched the ground.
“Yeah, I miss her too,” Becca told her sister.
Liz managed a sad smile. Becca needed to learn how to block or protect her sister from Becca’s darker thoughts or worries.
Darion watched the exchange between the sisters. “I take it you established your connection with Liz again.”
“Yeah.” Part of Becca worried about the connection. How many of her thoughts were subconsciously traveling to her sister? Becca had been consumed with her own worries to much lately to focus on their connection.
“Less talk, more moving,” Leon barked from the rear.
Navina, who walked in front of them with her mother and younger brother, turned around and smirked at Becca.
She made a weird face in return. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Darion smiling at her. She loved that smile that rose up on one side. It hurt a little to think about the day ahead, and not knowing for sure if she’d see it again.
The sun peaked over the horizon, bright and clear by the time they arrived at their destination. Because of the small opening, Darion carried Liz through, and Becca followed. The narrow opening traveled up at a steep incline for ten to twenty feet, before opening into a large gathering area.
“Andre has been busy.” Becca moved to the side and helped lower Liz to the ground.
After giving Liz some water, Darion took a long drink and handed the canteen to Becca. “It’s been here for a while. He wanted it for an expansion when more people joined him, but he slowly turned it into a hideout, adding the magical protection more recently.”
Darion left to help the other men unpack supplies, and Becca tended to Liz. For as large of a group as they had, it all went very smoothly. Even the children helped out in carrying bedding and food.
Leon stood in the middle of the great room with hands behind his back and waited for everyone to settle down. Greg, who Becca had seen often working with Jemi and Leon, stood behind him. He had close-cut brown hair, peppered with gray, but his thick, muscular body didn’t reveal any weakness of his age.
Once everyone arrived, the main gathering area was cramped.
Leon cleared his throat. “There are three exits to this place. One is the beach, which will be submerged soon by the tide. One exit will head to the top. My team’s going to leave that way, and we’ll magically close up that entrance, securing your location. Lastly, there’s a small exit through your latrine area. It’s not an easy exit. It was made that way on purpose. But those who have lived underground for years should find no problems navigating it. It travels for a couple more miles to another coast. Greg will be in charge here. He has a shortwave radio to stay in contact with me. His word goes. Listen to him. He knows what he’s doing.”
Greg, arms clasped behind him in a familiar military way, gave a small nod. “Thank you. We will be fine.” He might not have been overly friendly, but his quiet strength helped build her confidence in the man.
“Any questions, please consult Greg. Okay, team, let’s head out.”
Already? Becca hadn’t realized she’d have to say goodbye to her sister so soon. She helped Liz sit down next to Doc.
“I’ll take good care of her.” Light red stubble covered his tired face.
Becca found comfort in his kind eyes. He’d been a constant through her whole stay here. How could she thank him? “Doc, I—”
“I know. Thank me by coming back.”
“I will.”
“Liz.” Becca turned to her sister and pushed her hair out of her face. She stirred under her hand and opened her eyes. “I love you.”
Darion’s hand touched her back.
Becca turned to him. “I know. I’m coming.”
“No.” He shook his head, worry heavy on his face. “Leon ordered you to stay and help protect these people.”
Becca straightened. “What are you talking about? Of course I’m coming. You need me.”
“We don’t have time for this, Becca.” His voice tightened. “Please, don’t make this difficult.”
Difficult? “Then why spring this on me at the last minute? We said we’d stick together. Fight together.” Her voice rose, echoing in the large room.
Some of the others gave them space and others stared. She didn’t care.
Leon marched over to them. “Cut the dramatics. We’re all soldiers fighting to save the most lives possible. Andre said you were powerful and wanted you here. We expect you to help Greg and keep these people alive. No one has an easy task, but we’re all expected to do it.”
Andre had done this on purpose. He was the only other person who knew about Liz’s vision. Did he really think Becca could protect all these people or help them after he dies?
She gulped down her pride at being left out, but for once trusted that maybe he knew what he was doing. “Okay.”
Darion squeezed her hand, and a wave of magic surged through her. “I’ll see you soon.”
She nodded, not trusting her voice. And they were gone, disappearing into the darkness of the cave.
“Okay, people. Let’s get to work.” Greg barked out orders to start organizing everyone.
Becca stayed with Doc and helped him arrange his gear in a small room near the front of the cave. They set up a cot for her sister and headed back to the great room where they left her with a couple of women for company. When Doc picked up Liz’s light frame, she released an unearthly scream.
Becca cringed at the ungodly noise, and then turned to her sister and Doc. He, along with everyone in the great room, appeared unfazed.
“You okay?” Doc watched her wearily.
“It’s Liz.” Becca placed a hand to her pounding head.
Becca. Liz’s voice reverberated in her mind. They are going to be attacked. Darion and the others, when they leave the cave.
“Greg,” Becca called. This couldn’t be happening already.
Thankfully still in the main room, he appeared at her side. “What is it?”
“Darion and the others, they’re walking into a trap. I gotta warn them.”
He grabbed for his radio. She didn’t wait for his answer but took off down the cave. She grabbed a nearby torch with witch light and hurried to the back where she’d seen them disappear.
Someone shouted behind her, but she couldn’t make it out. It didn’t matter. Between one step and the next, something exploded up ahead. Falling to the floor, she covered her head as the blast washed over her. Her witch light vanished as a light layer of dust and dirt traveled over her. They had just sealed off the path and their fates along with it.
She pounded on the ground, the hard stone cutting into her fist. Angry tears burned her eyes. Dammit! How could they have left her behind? First Caleb and now Darion. She wiped her face and stood. Did this mean she couldn’t change Liz’s vision? Liz saw her in the battle, so there had to be a way.
Becca stood, dusted off her clothes, and pushed her hair out of her face. No use in looking crazy. Greg waited for her in the main room. Anger radiated off his whole body.
Are
you okay? Liz was perched up on one elbow, eyes following Becca closely.
Yes, I’m fine. Just going to talk to Greg, Becca replied.
“Becca.” Liz’s voice rang out loud, a demanding voice Becca hadn’t heard for some time. Liz was returning to her old self, piece by piece.
Becca stopped to stare at her sister. “Yes?”
Liz spoke in her mind again. You need to go. You need to kill Ryma. He has so many people trapped, like I was. Let them all go.
Was this a vision or advice? It didn’t matter. Becca’s gut told her the same thing.
I will, Becca reassured her and turned to Greg. “A word, please.”
They walked to the cave opening for privacy. The waves crashed against the stone higher and higher, sealing them in. Her only way out was disappearing with every passing second.
“You can’t go running off,” Greg started. He must have read her intentions. “You’ll get yourself killed.”
“More will die if I don’t.”
His brow furrowed in doubt.
“My sister is a seer. Did you know that?”
“I heard, but I also heard she was still not in her right mind.”
She ignored the insult and possible truth. “She’s becoming clearer every day. She predicted the fire and has been seeing glimpses of this battle for days now. We share a bond, and I’ve seen it too.”
Greg remained impassive, not giving her anything to work with.
Becca took a deep breath and hoped that if Andre learned what she was about to do, he wouldn’t drown her. “Andre’s going to die if I don’t get out there.”
Greg raised a brow. “That’s hard to believe.”
“I already told him. He was willing to sacrifice himself. But he doesn’t realize if we lose him, we lose the war. I need to get back to the beach. I have to help him.” That statement might not have been a hundred percent correct but she’d do what she had to do.
“And what about these kids and families that I’m responsible for? Your sister?”
He was right. They needed a chance to escape.
“I’m bonded to my sister, and she’s a seer. If a retreat is needed, she’ll give you a head start before they can get to you. And we can communicate faster than any radio.”
His silence told her he was considering it.
“My sister’s here. I’ll make it back and will help with the retreat if needed. But if I don’t go, Ryma wins.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “I hope you know how to swim.”
She turned to the frigid water and dreaded what lay ahead.
“If what you say is true, you better hurry.”
He was right. She didn’t think, just jumped.
Walking to the battle amid the hundreds of men and magic, Nikki struggled not to be overwhelmed. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. She concentrated on the shield she’d built for herself and Nevada, and made sure it was secure.
Positioned in the rear of the group, Nevada was supposed to work illusions on the fight scene, not be involved in the actual fight.
“You okay there?” Nevada walked next to her with a genuinely friendly demeanor that surprised her.
“Sure.”
“Not every day you get to watch a battle this size.”
His jovial words didn’t help the unease in her gut.
“Why are you here? Surely your boyfriend there would make enough money for the both of you. Would he really chance your life too?”
“He’s not my boyfriend.” She wasn’t sure what was between them, but last night proved there was something. “But no, he’s not happy I’m here.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Money.” She kept her gaze straight ahead.
“Sure.”
Ryma motioned to the group, and the men split into several factions. Ryma led his group of men to the coast, while the blond wizard continued straight into the woods. Nevada and Nikki stuck to the center, not moving much. Nevada had to cover as much area as possible.
She scanned the area, wondering how much damage she could do. Taking out Nevada might have helped, but that wasn’t going to be an easy task, either, and it would attract a lot of unwanted attention.
Nevada spoke to the Soultorn at his side, a teenage boy with dark hair. Its hungry gaze unnerved her, and she wondered about the poor boy trapped inside, a prisoner in his own body. She knew there was no help for the boy. Liz wouldn’t have survived if not for Becca’s insane behavior.
“Does it bother you?” Nevada must have noticed her gaze.
She couldn’t answer that. “Why are you here?”
He laughed as if acknowledging her abrupt change of subject. “I don’t have a choice, unfortunately. I’m blood bound to the bastard that’s running this whole show. I just do what I’m told. Speaking of which...” He stopped and placed a hand to his head. “The show must go on.” He closed his eyes and began to speak a steady stream of Latin. Before her eyes, the forest began to morph. Vines trailed down from the trees, large enough for her to climb. Trees grew up out of nowhere and others disappeared. His hands moved like a maestro conducting a great orchestra. A masterpiece in this case. It was quite a show. She worried how her family would fight it.
Darion’s group didn’t even make it a half mile before he heard others. Leon motioned to the men to stop, and they complied, taking cover through the forest. Early morning rays filtered through the trees, and birds flittered above. A perfect, picturesque morning. Which is when the shots began to ring out.
Darion dropped to the floor and focused on his magic. Heat radiated off the weapons in the men’s hands, and while many were protected by magical shields, there were a few left unprotected. Making sure he focused on the correct weapons, Darion ignited the bullets still in their chambers, and explosions rang out through the forest, followed by the screams of pain.
Leon barked orders to his men as they fanned out through the forest. Before Darion could follow the others forward, someone attacked. Their magic crushed Darion’s defenses, and he buckled under the pressure. Darion pushed back but struggled to draw a breath. He tried to fight, but it didn’t matter what spells he tried. Needlelike pain spread throughout his body.
Leon appeared at his side and crouched low. “Where is it coming from?”
Darion pointed in the direction of the spell and dragged himself up against a tree. His body screamed in protest. Leon stayed low, running through the forest and dodging behind trees. Darion bit his lip to hold in the pain and prayed Leon would make it. In a last-ditch effort, Darion started a small brushfire near the source of the spell. He hoped the distraction would give Leon the advantage.
The pain vanished, and Darion’s body sagged with relief. It took another second before he felt steady. This wasn’t Ryma’s main force. It couldn’t be, or Darion would have been dead already.
He didn’t feel much magic among the remaining men. Leon’s men fought hard, and without their leader, probably the one that Leon killed, the others fell quickly. Leon’s men had been fighting together for years, and it showed.
Darion did what he could. Thankfully the morning frost kept the ground damp, so it helped control the small blazes he set to prevent others from escaping.
Leon moved swiftly and precisely, a power in his own accord. Before these weak magicians realized that Leon’s mind and body couldn’t be directly affected by magic, he had taken them down. He used a knife, as it was harder to magically manipulate, like Darion blowing up guns. Leon’s team worked together smoothly, and soon all the threats were neutralized. Darion didn’t sense any magic nearby.
“All clear,” Leon said. “Regroup and let’s move out before their friends come.”
Darion moved next to Leon who stood over the magician who had almost killed Darion.
Leon frowned at the body. “Why would they send Arturo unarmed out here?”
“No idea.” Darion had never met Arturo before. Still, empathy rose. The man was another of Ryma’s tools, n
ow dead, and Ryma would never blink an eye over his loss. “This fight was too easy. This couldn’t be the attack we were waiting for.”
“No. They were probably covering the escape route. It disturbs me that they knew about it.” Leon wiped his knife off on his pants. “And trust me. Where I was standing, it wasn’t easy. We have four wounded men that we’ll have to leave behind.”
“Better than burying them.” Darion remembered all too well what was at stake for them.
“True.” Leon turned to the others, giving orders for the injured. “Let’s move out.”
The group continued carefully through the forest. Darion kept his shields high, but didn’t feel anything for another couple miles.
The magic reached them subtly at first. A man ran into a tree. He swore quietly. Then another man tripped. Darion walked directly behind Leon, so it took him a minute longer to see it. He figured it out, though, when Leon walked directly through a huge bush, not a sound or scratch on him.
“Leon,” Darion called.
Leon turned and walked back through the bush with no reaction.
“The illusions. They’re starting,” Darion told him.
The shadow of an animal appeared overhead. Some type of monkey. Darion blinked a couple times, and the brown monkey stared at him with those beady black eyes.
Unless Ryma had the whole coven with him, the only magician Darion knew who could perform this kind of magic was his friend Nevada. If Ryma had Nevada bound to him, then this fight just got a hell of a lot worse. Not only for Darion, but for his friend tied to the man Darion needed to kill.
“Those that have amulets or any protective tokens, make sure to use them.” Leon, not seeing any of this, watched his men, their gaze traveling to the forest growing up around them. “Just when I thought fighting damn wizards couldn’t get any weirder.”
Chapter Seventy-Four
The water felt like frozen spikes stabbing at Becca as she swam through the waves. The current wanted to drag her out, pulling at her heavy clothes as each wave pounded her. Her heavy feet kicked and struggled against the tide. All feeling in her hands had fled.
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