Dark Rising Trilogy

by DeAnna Browne

  Finally, the man on top of the beast spoke, louder than a human voice can carry. “You men are free. No longer tied to the covenant that forced you to fight. Join me, Lazaro, and help me quash this rebellion. You will be rewarded for your loyalty.”

  Lazaro had killed Patrick without much apparent effort and forced everyone else on their knees. Nothing like Caleb imagined. As Lazaro’s hold on the people loosened, Caleb turned to find Nikki several feet to his right. They needed to retreat, but not so obviously. He didn’t know how many of Patrick’s men were loyal beyond their blood bond, and he didn’t want to stick around to find out.

  Once the dragon with Lazaro on his back lifted into the air, commanding the others to fight, Caleb grabbed Nikki’s hand and headed back to the others. Racing through the woods, they kept their guards up, watching for anyone else.

  “He’s stronger than Scarlett or my dad imagined.” Nikki said in between breaths. “We have to warm them.”

  “They’ll know. They’ll know.” He told himself as much as her. He didn’t want to admit how much that last image of Patrick being devoured, rattled him. It was war. Magicians and their demons shouldn’t surprise them anymore. They found a small abandoned truck that they could use.

  Caleb knew enough about running engines that he hot-wired the truck and they headed in the direction of the others. A few miles to the south, they should run into Andre. Scarlett and Richard’s forces were more to the east. They found the fighting easy enough, as Andre’s people had large guns and rocket launchers and the explosions screaming through the sky. They would need those.

  Abandoning the truck at the edge of battle, they had to find someone in charge. The first person they came across with a radio was Gail.

  Gail noticed them both and rushed over. “What happened?”

  “Lazaro took over Patrick’s coven. He’s riding a beast in the air. Warn the others,” Caleb told her.

  “Patrick?” the witch asked.

  “We’re sorry. There was nothing we could do,” Nikki said.

  “Don’t tell her yet,” the pain evident in Gail’s eyes. “Scarlett doesn’t need the distraction.”

  “Of course,” Caleb said.

  The unspoken relationship between Scarlett and Patrick was obvious on some level. Caleb wasn’t going to pry or be the one to share that grief. Patrick was a good man and a great leader.

  Gail turned around, silent for a moment. Then, clicking on the radio, sent the message to the others. Her chest heaved and then she turned back to them. “Leon and Andre are holding this line while Scarlett and Richard are further east. Report to Leon up at the front, he could use you. Anyone else coming your way?”

  “Lazaro was recruiting others when we snuck off. Many were dead, and no one left was going to fight him,” Caleb said.

  “Nevada has set up spells to protect us from any illusions, but there may be spots. Listen to your other senses when all else fails.” Gail turned back to her radio. “God speed.”

  Caleb followed Nikki through the sparse woods, worn down by the people and equipment carried through. She could find her father easier than anyone else and that should lead them to the rest of the group. Soon the edges of a town appeared. Smoldering piles of what used to be homes stood in the distance. A small store sat off the main road on top of a hill. They could hear the fighting on the other side.

  “They are up there.” She pointed to the store.

  Picking up their pace, they continued forward. Both silent, Caleb’s imagination starting to taunt him. How many of his friends would he find injured or dead on the other side? With everything else, he knew the odds of finding his own death on the other side were pretty good as well. He’d give it all, but just hoped that it made a difference.

  Just above the hill, he spotted something in the sky. “Do you see that?”

  She didn’t answer, just started to sprint. Staying at her side, he spotted Andre not far from the store, but out in the open enough to be vulnerable. He was a target, a target they couldn’t afford to lose.

  Racing straight to Andre, Caleb noticed Leon in the distance and put his fingers to his mouth for a loud whistle. Something Leon had taught him. It cut over the noise and several men turned Caleb’s way. Staring at Leon, he motioned with his hand. A simple command they trained over and over for. It changed the target, and Leon understood in a second.

  Soon they all headed towards Andre, who currently fought several Soultorns. He could handle them, but they were a distraction to a bigger threat. Using his magic, Andre swallowed one whole in the earth. He had to be careful with earth magic in close quarters though, as any major shift in the earth affected everyone around.

  Closer to the target, Caleb got in front of Nikki and jumped on the back of the first Soultorn they came across. With a fast slice, he cut its throat and tumbled off him. The next one was more prepared and pounced on him.

  The fight continued longer than he wanted, but these weren’t idiots. These Soultorns weren’t just powerful, they were smart. Leon rushed in and took the second one out with a hit to the back of the knee, then a snap of the neck to make sure it was dead. “Where’s the threat?”

  “Up there.” Caleb point to Lazaro and the demon who circled above. “He’ll go for Andre. He already took out Patrick and scooped up his men afterwards.”

  Before Caleb could turn to take on the next oncoming threat, the familiar push of power forced him to the ground. Momentarily paralyzed, he lay helpless watching the familiar scene play out. This time though, Leon continued to race towards his brother, not bothered by magic, as the dragon dove towards Andre.

  Andre remained frozen in place, just like Patrick. Elizabeth had told them of visions of monsters and claws as big as a man’s forearm. As the demon reached for Andre, Leon jumped on the dragon’s back. Hope rose in Caleb as Leon lifted a short blade. But as the dragon climbed in the air with Andre in his claw, Leon flipped backwards. A collective cry went up as it looked as though he’d lost his grip, then at the last moment Leon slammed his knife into the edge of the flying beast and hung on.

  The demon reared back to bite into Leon, but he remained just out of reach. With each twist and turn, the knife dug in deeper and the beast bellowed. If anyone could take on a creature of that size, it was Leon.

  Caleb sat up, realizing the spell that held everyone down had lifted, but most people remained entranced by the scene above them. One hand on the tail, the other on his knife, Leon appeared to be moving up the back of the creature.

  Caleb wondered if Lazaro had ever encountered anyone like Leon. It didn’t look like it. Leon pulled out the knife and dug it in deep again. The beast went wild trying to get at Leon and began to spin and tumble to the earth. Still thirty or more feet above the ground, the beast let go of Andre.

  Nikki’s scream cut his heart, joining with his own painful gasp, and in that instant, he knew nothing would be the same.

  The beast dove towards Andre’s lifeless body, but Leon, a warrior through and through, held on, using his knife as leverage to move up the hide. Lazaro turned in the saddle and pulled something Caleb couldn’t see. But everyone heard the gunshot ring through the valley and watched Leon fall from the beast.

  Rage ignited Caleb, and he was on his feet sprinting towards Lazaro and the beast as it touched ground. Obviously wounded, the beast stumbled a little on his landing. Now steady, it continued towards Andre to claim the spoils of his victory.

  Lazaro shouted something Caleb couldn’t understand, and the world changed in an instant. A sandy dune surrounded him, miles and miles of sand and nothing else. An illusion. Except he wasn’t alone. The sounds and smells of battle surrounded him. Closing his eyes, he focused on all he didn’t see and pulled the bow off his back.

  The picture in front of him blinked in and out. Nevada must be fighting this magic. Shouts erupted around him. He glimpsed the creature and took aim. The picture blanked out again, but he didn’t move. Closing his eyes, he remembered exactly where the bea
st stood, and he let his arrow go.

  It roared, echoing through the battle. The illusion faded and Caleb saw the arrow sunk deep into the beast’s nose. Then Caleb flew backward head over feet, the world spinning around him.

  The news of Andre’s death came over the radio in the Med unit. Leon was severely injured as well. Like the others, Elizabeth stood motionless, not believing the words. Andre couldn’t be dead. He not only provided a haven for hundreds of magicians and Mundanes alike but was a friend and someone she looked up to.

  The moment of mourning didn’t last long in the Med unit. A new batch of injured arrived, and Doc and Brianna hurried from patient to patient, struggling to fight off the hand of death. The smells of death and cries of pain smothered Elizabeth, and she couldn’t stand another minute.

  Wearing a bloody apron, Brianna came over. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just need some fresh hair.” Elizabeth stood, pushing back stray hairs.

  “Why don’t you go to the other tent, where the others are recovering? It’s a bit calmer in there.” Brianna looked unraveled and sweaty.

  “Alright.” Even though Elizabeth didn’t want to go to another tent full of sick and dying people, she felt guilty for taking Brianna away from those that truly needed her. She agreed and stepped outside.

  Breathing in the clean air, she walked over to the other tent, but stayed right outside the door. She couldn’t face anyone else right now. Sitting on a wood log, she took a moment to herself and let herself mourn the news.

  Andre is dead. She couldn’t even know where to start with that. Oh my God, Nikki? She would now be an orphan like so many here. Tears fell in her lap as the ache in her heart widened.

  Then in the middle her pain, an unwelcomed voice joined her. You won’t be alone, little bird. I’m coming. Then you’ll never have to be alone again.

  Flashes of Lazaro overcame her. This man, riding a beast, would break through the Med unit, not caring who he killed. Brianna would stand against him, and she would die. The scene unraveled in front of her. The terror struck her, but instead of crumbling, she hardened her resolve.

  No, no! They weren’t dead yet. Not if she could help it.

  Lazaro may get her, and she may not be able to do anything about that. But she wouldn’t let all these people die for her. Not Brianna or Doc or anyone else. No one would die because of her. Feeling through her thick skirts to the knife strapped to her thigh, she checked to make sure no one was around. She took off through the woods. Running and running, until no one could find her.

  Chapter One Hundred Seventeen

  It was one of the longest nights as Becca searched for a plane and a pilot. Granted when she had the powers of a Demon Queen, it was easier to persuade people to cooperate. A sense of urgency settled deep in her bones. Becca didn’t need sleep, she needed to get out of this country.

  When she returned to the ruins on a small motorcycle she stole, the sun hinted of its appearance in the east. The Queen had killed everyone that resided inside the pentagram, but there was no sign of their bodies. Becca realized she’d probably taken them to the other dimension, to be their own sacrifices for the first time—a just reward.

  Smelling smoke on the wind, Becca sped up. Fire came from the pyramid where she left Darion and Navina. No! They had a deal. The Queen agreed to stay inside the pentagram when Becca left. While Navina and Darion would remain outside the pentagram for safety.

  Revving the engine, she jumped from the motorcycle as she approached. With her new abilities, time slowed as she landed in a crouch, rolled to a standing position, and sprinted towards the small stone doorway.

  Before she entered the pyramid, Navina screamed her name from the side. Becca slid to a stop, her stomach sliding back to where it belonged. She hurried over to where Darion and Navina stood, the girl’s face in shock. “What happened?”

  “How did you do that?” She pointed to the bike that now lay on its side.

  Becca ignored the question, not wanting to talk about her bond with the demon and turned to Darion. “What happened?”

  “It’s burning everything. All the books, the spells, and research. It’s gone.” His gaze looked hollow.

  Becca knew how much that information meant to him, meant to all of them, but the game had changed. “It was part of the deal. She gets to destroy any information on how to call demons or anything with her people. It’ll be alright. I have a plane. We need to go now.”

  “Good. I’m done here.” The Demon Queen appeared next to her without warning.

  I hate when she does that. Becca went over to pick up the bike—Darion and Navina would need it.

  “The plane isn’t too far from here.” Becca joined the others and headed towards the path.

  The Queen stopped, remaining inside. Becca turned back.

  The demon spoke in her mind. I cannot cross without you.

  Becca paused, already knowing this. Darion had to help Becca leave the pentagram built under the pyramids and The Queen would need Becca’s help. A small thread of fear spun around her mind.

  Just hold my hand and take me through. The Queen ordered.

  Looking up, Becca found Darion staring at her. “We can find another way,” he said.

  A flash of uncertainty gripped her. “There isn’t another way for me. If you really don’t think I should do this, I’ll stay. I can’t go without her. I made a bond that I can only break upon my death.” Becca swallowed and glanced at the fear in Navina’s eyes. “Go, Darion. The pilot will be waiting only a few miles to the southeast. He’ll take you back home.”

  He gently looked at Navina. “It will be okay.” Then he stepped towards Becca. “There is no back without you. I won’t let her have you.”

  He reached for her and pulled her in for a deep kiss. The fire in his mouth consumed her, and for a moment she was lost in his heat. But the connection to the Demon Queen remained in the back of her head. Her presence tainted everything, even this.

  Becca pulled back. “I can’t. Not now. Even in this, she is present.”

  The Queen stood several feet off. “You can be free when I kill Lazaro and burn all knowledge of this dark magic off the Earth. Both of our worlds will have a freedom they lacked.”

  Becca knew she was right. Extending a hand, she took the Queen’s hand and helped her cross. Outside the pentagram, her power flowed abundantly. Anger ignited a fury in the demon’s eyes and for a moment Becca feared she made the wrong decision.

  The Queen twisted her neck as if stretching it out, then turned to Becca. “Let us not waste time. His blood begs to be spilt.”

  They hurried to the plane. Becca had secured the pilot earlier with a bit of magic and the promise of money. She’d worry about the cash part later. The plane lifted over the jungle as the sun rose in the sky.

  Becca confirmed directions with the pilot. She knew the battle would take place in New York. As they got closer, she would have to rely on her magic. Her connection with her sister may be spotty lately, but she hoped to be able to still locate her. Yet even in a plane, it would still take hours to get to the north.

  Becca left the Queen up in the front with the pilot. As he was a Mundane himself, Becca didn’t worry about his safety. The Queen knew of his importance, at least for now.

  The plane could hold about twelve people, and Darion and Navina sat in the rear. As she moved past the empty seats, she could feel the fear and worry radiating off them. Fear not only for their own safety, but for Becca’s.

  Her chest ached with regret. “I’m sorry.”

  “What are you sorry for? Going to the seek answers? I agreed with you. Sorry you made the demon choose you instead of me? Well you should be. But if the roles were reversed, you would still be trapped with Navina waiting to be next month’s sacrifice. You did what you felt like you had to. You’ve lived on the streets long enough to know how to survive. Don’t be sorry. Not to me.”

  Biting her lip, she tried to keep her emotions in check. Focus on what�
�s in front of her. That’s what Caleb would say. Focus and hope it would be enough. For if this Queen couldn’t kill Lazaro, then nothing could.

  Legs burning, Elizabeth kept pushing forward, half running, half walking. Trees surrounded her with no path in sight. Keep going, she told herself, keep going until the vision changes. Maybe if she could lead Lazaro away, then he wouldn’t kill the others.

  A vision emerged and filled her mind. It wasn’t of Lazaro but of Scarlett and Richard. She tripped on something and fell on the hard earth. Biting back her cry, she watched the familiar vision play out once again.

  They were in a city or close to one. Someone struck Scarlett off her horse, but she wasn’t dead. Her sisters hurried her off the battlefield while Richard covered for them. He yelled curses, looking younger and more alive than he ever had. He fought with a sword and with magic while more and more men surrounded him. Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her palms to her face, not wanting to watch this again. She couldn’t block it out, and the vision played out like it always had. A curse took him to his knees. Struggling to get back up, he kept a smile on his face.

  It almost felt like the smile was for her. They met only once, but it meant something to both of them. And now, at his death, he knew she would be watching. He didn’t cry out or beg. He fought bravely to the end.

  Elizabeth didn’t know how much time passed, but she returned to the present with the earth pressed against her cheek. Her breath stirred the twigs and dirt in front of her. A silence covered the forest, an unnatural silence. Trying to get up, a sharp pain shot through her ankle. She hissed in pain and touched it gently. Tears pooled in her eyes as a pained sob escaped her lips. She had to get up.

  Using the tree, she pulled herself upright. Walking was near impossible, so she tried to limp along, using trees for support. She wasn’t going to make it anywhere far, but she wasn’t going to be a sitting duck. Lifting her skirts, she pulled out the knife and took in the woods around her. She saw nothing, heard nothing, but something was there.