by Amy Sumida
“And she's the only one who can project her voice and sing underwater,” Daphne added. “She'll probably want to get into the thick of it while we'll be stuck inside a submarine.”
“Elaria will not be getting into the thick of it,” Declan declared firmly. “Poseidon is already targeting her. If he sees her there, he'll try to kill her first.”
“If Poseidon is after Elaria, he'll be after all of us,” Adelaid reasoned.
“Then perhaps we shouldn't be in the same vessel,” Genevieve said. “It puts all of our eggs in one basket.”
Darc frowned at me, clearly confused by the phrase, but I shook my head at him. I'd explain it later.
“Perhaps you're right.” Adelaid scowled at the possibility of someone other than herself being right.
“We go in separately but if needed, we swim to Adelaid's vessel and unite there,” I suggested.
“Agreed.” A grim look settled on Eilener's face, emphasized by the tattoo of a bass clef on his cheek.
You wouldn't think a bass clef could be menacing but it was more the placement than the symbol that added something sinister to my uncle's visage. A tattoo of nearly anything on someone's face says a lot; mostly intimidating things.
“Swim?” Daphne asked, her big blue eyes going bigger.
“We'll be in underwater suits,” Eilener reminded her. “With respirators.”
“I thought we were going on submarines?” She shot back.
“And what if those vessels are destroyed?” Genevieve countered.
Daphne just blinked.
“You're not scared of the water, are you?” I asked her.
“No, not the water itself,” she murmured.
“Water silences Spellsingers.” Adelaid lifted her chin, her long, blonde braid coiling on her shoulder like a snake. Her stare shifted to me and she amended, “Most of us. Being silenced is our worst nightmare.”
“Yes, I do remember that,” I murmured. To Daphne, I added, “Hopefully, you won't have to leave your ship but if you do, you won't be in the water for long.”
“Hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” my mother said.
Daphne sighed deeply and nodded. She didn't look like she had a lot of hope.
“So, what are we singing?” I asked brightly.
Chapter Fifteen
El Hierro had a nice beach but it was on the populated side of the island so we couldn't use it. Instead, we met on a rocky shore. Despite the unlikelihood of discovery, we chose to rendezvous early in the morning, when it was still dark on El Hierro and we were less likely to be spotted. The shore was crowded with beneathers and their equipment; wet suits, weapons, and breathing apparatuses. Everything was Beneather-made which meant it was alien technology. The suits would not only keep us dry but also warm and the breathing apparatuses were embedded within full-face masks with clear panels of near-indestructible material. In other words; we didn't have to cart tanks of air on our backs.
Half-submerged and lined up along the shore were Beneather underwater vessels with ramps extended onto the pebbled beach, waiting for their passengers. There were so many beneathers to be transported that the number of vessels needed was mind-boggling. There wasn't enough room for all of them to dock at once. So, as the ships filled, they'd close up and move into deeper water to make room for an empty craft and wait. Everyone, and that included the water-breathers, would ride to the battle inside the ships then go into the water once we reached Poseidon's palace. No sense in swimming the whole way just because you can.
“Elaria.”
I turned to see Rathlin, my Phoenix teacher who'd been helping me learn how to control my Goddess fire. He came walking up to my men and me with a serious look on his beautiful face.
“Rath!” I hugged him. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.” He smiled, his golden eyes glinting with flames for a moment. “This is our world too; we're eager to defend it. Although, perhaps not so eager to go deep-sea swimming.” His smile turned sheepish. “Fire fears water.”
“Fire fears nothing,” I countered. “But water does make it nervous.”
Rathlin chuckled. “As you like.”
“I know just how you feel, man,” Kasteo Terrencal declared as he sauntered up with his brother, Kosmos.
The brothers looked like day and night. Kasteo was slim and dark-haired while Kosmos was tall, broad, and blond. The only thing they had in common was their black eyes, as dark as midnight.
“Kas!” I hugged him then Kos. “I didn't know you guys were coming too. I didn't see any cats at the meeting.”
“We told Cerberus that we were in no matter what. All he had to do was tell us when and where to show up.” Kas shrugged. “If you're going to war, we're with you, El.”
“Thank you, but don't do this for me; this is for all of us.”
“Oh, we know,” Kasteo grimaced. “No one wants that crazy sea god running amok over dry land. We aren't doing this merely for you. Though we would.” He winked at me.
“I love you too.” I kissed his cheek. Then I looked from the brothers to Rath. “I see you've all got your wet suits on. Are your people suited up?”
“We're good,” Kos said in his stoic way.
A sharp yowl made Kasteo cringe. “And that's our cue. See you down there, El.”
“Bye, boys,” I called after the brothers.
“My people are ready as well,” Rath assured me when I looked back at him. “The Pyre sent four regiments of soldiers.” He waved an arm behind himself to where hundreds of Phoenixes were marching up the ramps into undersea crafts. “We'll do the best we can, but our main attack will be dampened considerably.”
“Literally.” Cerberus chuckled as he stepped up beside us.
“That was his point, Cer,” I said dryly. “Rath is just more subtle than you.”
“Whatever.” Cer rolled his eyes.
“It's good to see you, Hellhound.” Rath extended his arm, and they clasped forearms like warriors.
“You too, Firebird.”
“We're all glad to have you and your kin with us,” Darcraxis said. “Even without your fire, you're still formidable fighters.”
“Thank you.” Rathlin nodded.
“Indeed, the Host and I are honored to fight beside the Pyre today,” Lucifer said as he strode up, wingless.
It was one of the few times I'd seen Lucifer without his wings, and I was surprised by how handsome he looked. The lack of his feathered appendages made him look more real and less like some ethereal creature too magnificent to touch. It made him look attainable.
“Lucifer,” Rath said warmly and clasped his hand as well. “I'm glad to know you'll be down there too.”
“I, as the humans say, wouldn't miss it for all the world.” Lucifer slid a grin my way.
Side by side, Rath and Lucifer made quite the picture. Both had trim, muscular physiques, though Luke was a bit taller than Rath. Both were also handsome enough to make a woman sigh, but it was their differences that made the duo so striking. Rath's dark auburn hair beside Lucifer's blinding white. They were like masculine roses. I had a sudden urge to paint Lucifer red.
“It's a shame we aren't fighting on land,” Rathlin said. “It would be an amazing sight to see the Host fly beside the Pyre.”
“Perhaps it will happen yet.” Lucifer grinned.
“And perhaps you shouldn't wish for war,” Torin said sternly.
“Poopy pants,” Lucifer made a face at Torin.
We all blinked at Luke. Torin looked as if he didn't know whether to laugh or punch the god in his pouting face.
“Did I say it wrong?” Lucifer frowned. “Raphael assured me that 'poopy pants' is a popular but lighthearted insult.”
“For five-year-olds.” Gage chuckled.
“Wonderful.” Luke grinned. “I enjoy being youthful.”
I chuckled and shrugged at Torin. He just rolled his eyes.
“Well, I just came by to bid you all a good battle. I must rejoin th
e Host,” Lucifer declared.
“I'm glad you're here, Luke,” I said as he turned away.
Lucifer paused and looked back over his shoulder. The smile he gave me was soft and wistful “Me too, my vicious,” he said then went to join his people.
“You ready to get your sing on, El?” Cerberus asked me.
I glanced at my men, all of them looking scrumptious in their wet suits; muscles and other manly bulges on display. If only I had time to appreciate the view. My stomach knotted as I realized that I could lose one of them in this battle. Yes, they were strong and together we had more of a chance of survival than most beneathers. But still, there was always the possibility of failure. Of death. At least my parents were safe in Kyanite. The Sirens couldn't join the battle; with their wings, it would simply be too difficult for them to maneuver, and my mother refused to let my father go without her. So, that made two people I didn't have to worry about.
On my right, two regiments of Angels boarded one of the massive Beneather vessels. I saw Lucifer with Raphael, herding wingless Angels before them. Luke caught me watching him and lifted a hand to me as he boarded. I waved back then looked at my men again. Kyanite, Onyx, and Alexandrite Shining Ones were already aboard our vessel along with Banning's Blooders and Slate's Gargoyles, all waiting for their rulers to attend them
It was time to go to war.
“I'm ready,” I said to Cer.
I stepped across the sand in my diving boots and climbed the ramp that led into our borrowed ship. This one was on loan from Potamoi, the Greek God of Rivers and Streams. Poseidon had most, but not all, of the Greek water gods on his side. Several of them were freshwater gods and then there were some who simply didn't like my great-grandpa; beneathers like Aegaeon, the Greek God of Violent Sea Storms, and Brizo, the Greek Goddess of Sailors. Potamoi was the ruler of the Naiads—Greek freshwater nymphs—and all of his people were with us as well. Luckily, freshwater nymphs could also breathe seawater; they didn't have the same limitations that fish did when it came to salinity.
I glanced up the shore as I strode into the ship. Egyptian Gods stood beside Blooders, Harpies next to Kitsune, and Witches with Loups. All of the races of the Beneath had come together to fight Poseidon, and I hoped that we would be enough. My gaze snagged on a ryū—a dragon shapeshifter from Japan—and I blinked, nearly stumbling. The Ryū are water dragons and their help would be invaluable. But that wasn't what jolted me. Rather, it was a memory. I recalled that the Ryū owed me a favor. If I needed to, I could call on their entire race for assistance. Their emperor had given me a charm to do just that. But our forces were great as it was; I doubted that we'd need more dragons than we already had.
Sweet stones, I hoped not.
“It's too bad we weren't able to get in contact with the Lóng,” Slate said as we settled into our seats.
There were numerous rows of padded chairs bolted to the metal floor of the vessel's passenger compartment. Once we reached our destination, most of our troops would exit through an airlock, but our pilot would stay behind with Gage and me. Gage had to direct the troops and was already in the front of the ship with the pilot, keeping tabs on the other vessels and guiding everyone into position. The rest of my men would be leading regiments into the palace. Those regiments were already in their seats, leaving only a few chairs for us in the front row.
I sat down and strapped in before I realized what Slate had said. “The Lóng,” I murmured. “I forgot about them.”
In addition to the Ryū and the Drachen, both of whom are dragon-shifters, there is also the Lóng. The Lóng is a race of Dragons from the Shang Realm. Some of them settled in China centuries ago. There are two types of Lóng; those who live on land and those who live in the sea. The land-dwellers returned to their planet, but the sea dragons found a home in the Pacific Ocean. Their numbers are rumored to be in the thousands, but no one has seen them since their cousins left the planet. They keep to themselves and stay in the deep ocean.
“They would indeed be helpful,” Torin noted. “But surely we can manage with what we have. I don't care how powerful Poseidon's people are beneath the sea, we have an extraordinary amount of magic on our side.”
“You shouldn't say things like that before war,” Slate grumbled.
“It's the truth.” Torin shrugged.
The vessel began to whir and vibrate then our pilot spoke to us through a speaker. “Buckle up, we're casting off now. You'll be able to view our progress through the windows on your right, but I'll also notify you as soon as we reach our destination.”
The vessel moved roughly, scraping over the sand, then suddenly smoothed out, and I knew we were on our way to the bottom of the Atlantic.
Chapter Sixteen
Once we got going, we were allowed to unbuckle our seat belts and relax a little. A few people got up to peer out the oval windows but there wasn't much to see. The water had been dark, to begin with, and the deeper we went, the darker it got. If it hadn't been for the ship's navigation lights and those of the nearby vessels, we wouldn't have been able to see anything at all. As it was, we caught glimpses of passing marine life but that was it. The journey to Poseidon's palace was uneventful. Dull, even.
“Prepare yourselves,” our pilot's voice came through the speakers again. “We're within sight of the palace. I'll be docking in a few minutes.”
“I'd better join Gage,” I said as I stood.
My men got up with me, and we quickly exchanged hugs and kisses. They knew as well as I that this could be the last time we touched each other. We wouldn't dwell on that dismal possibility, but we wouldn't waste the opportunity for one last kiss either.
“I love you,” I said to each of them before I started into the corridor.
“If you have to, join the other spellsingers, little bird,” Torin called after me. “Don't hesitate.”
I looked back over my shoulder at him. “I will. I have faith in my abilities even if Uncle Eilener doesn't.”
I winked at Torin, and he gave me a soft smile for my effort, but I could tell that he was uneasy, and that made me nervous. Onyx had that pesky premonition thing and if he sensed something bad, Torin would feel it too.
But now was not the time for doubt. I made my way down the echoing hallway to the control cabin, silencing my fear with the pound of my waterproof boots. The room was more like the bridge of a spaceship than a submarine navigation deck. The pilot sat before a control panel that spanned the entire far end. Above him, a window angled down toward the ship's pointed nose, ending at the panel. Just outside the glass, a shining palace stood proudly on the seafloor, lit with soft lights that were brightening as we watched.
“It must be dawn,” I murmured as I came to a stop between the pilot and Gage. “The palace lights are attuned to the movement of the Sun; they get brighter during day, then dim at night. A lot like the lights in a zone.”
“It is,” the pilot confirmed. “It's 6:52 AM.”
“Attack at dawn,” Gage murmured. “We've gone traditional without meaning to.”
The pilot hit a few buttons and the ship settled into a gentle sway. “The stabilizers will keep us in place until we need to move. Our troops should be able to return to us without a problem.”
“Good.” Gage leaned forward and hit a button. “Assemble your troops.” Then he hit another button. “We're docked. Exit at will and assemble before the ship.”
As the troops began to slip out of the ships, I stared at the place I had loved as a child. Half-Cinderella's castle, half-spaceship, Poseidon's palace was built to impress but also to endure. Its soaring towers were covered in glossy mother-of-pearl but beneath that shimmering layer was a foundation of alien metal and technology. Very little could hurt that building but then again, it had never stood against the combined force of the entire Beneath.
I didn't want to see it hurt. The palace held wonderful memories for me. I used to explore the coral gardens that grew behind it, winding my way through the enormous branches
and searching for hidden sea creatures. I had swum through the outer rooms and danced in the central, air-filled ones. With her wings, it was too difficult for my mother to go swimming with me, but she loved watching me from behind the glass of her window. I had launched myself from the top of towers and floated down to her window like an angel then picked sea berries to bring in for her to enjoy. Some of the best moments of my life had happened right there. In that undersea palace filled with ancient art and decorated in a mix of Alien, Old World, and Modern Man. It's a magical place.
That I was about to attack.