Immortals of Indriell- The Collection

by Melissa A. Craven

  “Allie,” Liam said. “The path gets quite narrow up here, just before it turns into a deep shaft. We’ll be climbing soon.”

  She continued to slither through the most difficult passage yet. The rock shelf slanted sharply to the floor, leaving only a few inches to maneuver. With her arms stretched above her, she moved her head and shoulders through the narrow gap and saw the larger tunnel above. The air was fresher, and she gulped deeply, but the tight bands of stone constricted her lungs and she couldn’t move. She sobbed as stars danced in her vision. She was going to pass out.

  “Little one,” Liam murmured. “You must calm down. We’ll get you out. Aidan’s going to push and I’m going to pull, but I need you to slow your breath.”

  Allie did as he said, stifling her sobs. As Aidan pushed and Liam pulled, the shifting rock tore at her body until she was bloody but free. Liam dragged her into the vertical chute where she was finally able to stand and take a few deep breaths. She trembled so violently, she wasn’t sure she could go on.

  “Alright, Allie. Climb up to me so we can keep moving.”

  She grasped his hand and braced her back against one side of the shaft and her feet against the other, making her way up to him.

  “Lex, how did you do this?” Aidan struggled through the tight space.

  “How many times do I have to tell you, don’t call me Lex!” She reached for his hand to help him up.

  “Nephew, it’s been my experience if a woman doesn’t like a certain nickname, you’d better not use it.”

  “Ahh, who asked you, Liam?” Aidan grumbled as they inched their way up the shaft to make room for the others.

  “Looks like one more tight squeeze and we’re through!”

  Allie watched in the dim light as Liam disappeared. She was suddenly alone at the top with nothing above her but the stone ceiling. She couldn’t see where he had gone and started to panic. She frantically searched for an opening. Aidan grabbed her hands, gently tracing her palms with the pad of his thumb, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” She felt tears prick her eyes.

  When he looked up at her, she could feel his pain. “Allie, I—” but Liam reappeared and she realized what she thought was the ceiling was just a ledge. How he got through by himself, she had no idea.

  “Come on, I’ll pull you through. This one might hurt.”

  With her arms over her head, she maneuvered into the awkward space, crying out when her left ear ripped away from her scalp. With head and shoulders through the narrow gap, she continued to struggle and wiggle to no avail. She was stuck and couldn’t catch her breath. Liam pulled until her lower ribs snapped like toothpicks and she scrambled out. She winced, desperately trying to draw a breath.

  “Almost there, little one.” Liam pulled her into a careful hug. The cave wasn’t as narrow here and she was able to slip past him. “The worst is over. Go on and rest. I have to go help the others. Will you be okay?”

  “Go,” she whispered hoarsely. “I’ll be fine.”

  Allie crawled until she felt soft green grass beneath her and warm sunshine at her back. She curled into a ball and shook with relief. Aidan eased up beside her and pulled her into his arms.

  “No!” She pushed him away. “Not if you’re going to go back to hating me!”

  “I don’t hate you. I just can’t. It hurts too much. Here, let me help.” He offered. “I can’t heal you, but I can alleviate the pain. If you’ll allow me?”

  She nodded as he pressed her ribs with his cool hands. She sensed his power seeping into her bones. It went against the grain to allow it, but with the odd sensation of her ribs slipping back into place, the burning ache diminished.

  “There. Now let me look at that ear.”

  She cringed as he prodded her mangled ear, but the pain vanished at the touch of his gift.

  “Aidan!” A small trickle of blood oozed from his nose. “Don’t push yourself so hard.”

  “I don’t mind the challenge.”

  “Thanks.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  “Don’t cry, Allie, I’m not worth it.”

  Jin stumbled onto the lawn with Imogen close behind, and soon everyone was out. Allie wasn’t the only one with broken ribs, scrapes, and bruises. Aidan was busy tending Sasha and Quinn too. She finally took her first tentative steps, relishing the sun’s rays that were like a balm to her ragged emotions.

  Liam was laughing with the boys and drinking ice-cold water left for them at the checkpoint with their second flag. She was so thirsty and her throat so dry, she snatched the bottle and drained it in three long gulps.

  “Allie, no!” Sasha cried.

  “What?” She stared down at the empty bottle with the odd yellow label stuck to the plastic.

  “How much did you drink, Liam?” Imogen asked.

  “Nearly half!”

  “What’d I do this time?” Allie sighed.

  “You should be writhing in agony!” Liam gave her a look that chilled her blood.

  “I can’t believe we all forgot to tell her,” Jin said.

  “No one drinks after me! That’s why I keep the yellow stickers on everything!” Liam said. “Allie, you can’t get close to me unless I’m prepared, you cannot be near me if I’m upset and you most certainly cannot eat or drink after me. Most Immortals instinctively keep their distance! What’s wrong with you?”

  “I-I’m sorry.”

  “I’m poisonous, Allie,” he said gently, taking a moment to get his temper in check. “I’m fatal to mortals when I choose, and Immortals become violently ill for days when they get too close. How are you not affected? You’re a powerful girl, but you should have seized before you finished the first sip.”

  “I didn’t know.”

  “He isn’t mad at you, kid,” Jin said. “He’s confused. You’re either extremely lucky or you’re an anomaly and have thwarted two thousand years of his experience.”

  “Liam, take a walk and calm down,” Darius said. “We need a break anyway.”

  Liam stalked away from the group and Allie felt a pang of sympathy for him. She knew what it was like to have the whole world cringed at your touch. She knew what it was like to get used to that—to expect a life alone. And she understood how it felt to meet someone who changed all that.

  “Here, sit. Eat. I’ll explain.” Darius shoved a few protein bars and a bottle of water into Allie’s hands. She sank to the ground beside him.

  “Most Immortals sense he’s dangerous. But he marks everything with those yellow dots so we’ll know to stay away. His poison is potent and I’m pretty sure we’ve all been affected at some point or another.”

  “But, I was just behind him all through the tunnels and he even hugged me when we reached the end.”

  “He has perfect control, but he has to concentrate every waking moment. Liam’s had a hard life. He blames himself when something like this happens and right now he’s probably just freaking about scaring you. He needs to regain his composure before he can come back to us.”

  “So, how am I not sick?”

  “I have no idea,” Liam said, standing at the edge of the grassy slope, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “I have always thought one person would be immune to my poison.” He ventured a little closer. “I have long hoped that my Complement would be someone I could finally connect with. I said when we first met there was something familiar about you…” Liam trailed off uncertainly.

  “DUDE, YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!” Aidan roared, anger blazing in his eyes.

  “Liam, what exactly are you saying?” Imogen asked.

  “WHOA! BACK UP!” Allie jumped to her feet when she realized what was happening.

  “Oh, no!” Liam laughed. “That’s impossible. My Complement was born two centuries ago. “

  Allie collapsed in relief and Aidan managed an irritable grunt.

  “Shall I clarify?” he asked in amusement. “I’ve always hoped my Complement would be immune, but I never dreamed
anyone else could be. It must be your power. Or it could just be a fluke, and you got lucky.” He shrugged. “We will have to experiment. I’m sorry I scared you, little one,” he said softly, “but heaven help the man who is your Complement. He’ll certainly have his hands full.” He winked.

  “Come on, guys, we’re losing time and we only have two flags!” Darius clapped loudly, urging them to get their minds back on the game.

  “Right, our next challenge will take place at the bottom of the hill. Let’s go team!” Liam called. They ran swiftly down the path to the clearing where the judges waited for them in a small dirt arena.

  “Alright, red team!” Gregg roared with a huge grin. “You’re all looking a little rougher than the last time I saw you.”

  “Do we?” Allie sneered. “Do we really? I can’t imagine why?” She watched as the blue team stumbled into the arena, looking only marginally better.

  “Okay guys, this one’s simple.” Aide stood to address the group. “You’ll compete in a one-on-one challenge. Winner gets the flag and the loser gets a disadvantage. You will decide as a team who will compete. You may send your oldest or strongest, your youngest or your smartest; it’s up to you. My only suggestion is to send me your best boxer.”

  “Not it!” Allie glared, daring anyone to pick her.

  “You’re easily the best among us,” Jin insisted.

  “How is that remotely possible?”

  “I’ve never even trained as a boxer.” Hélène took a step back from the group.

  “Neither have I,” Liam added.

  “You’re two-thousand freaking years old! How have you not trained in everything?”

  “Never found the time.” He gave her a playful nudge. “You’ll do fine, little one.”

  “Sorry, I’m afraid I’m no help on this one either.” Darius winked. “Go get em, killer.’”

  “No, Jin, please!”

  “You’ve trained with Ming. Sorry, kid, but you’re the best by far. I’m confident you’ll do well if you don’t let your head get in the way. And for God’s sake, don’t be afraid to actually hit your opponent.”

  She stepped forward, unable to fathom how she could be the best they had to offer.

  Aidan’s cousin, Erin joined her to represent the blue team and Allie was only slightly relieved she wouldn’t have to face someone a hundred times older. As they took their places at the center of the dirt ring, she noticed Erin was trembling.

  I’m so not scary. She smiled at the irony.

  Erin was the first to strike with an impulsive roundhouse kick that caught Allie’s shoulder with a painful jolt.

  She watched her opponent’s confidence grow. She thinks she’s got me! Allie regrouped, moving into a defensive crouch. She thwarted Erin’s rear-crossing jab and took a step back, hoping for a moment’s respite, but she didn’t get it. Allie attempted a fast uppercut but didn’t put much force behind it. She didn’t want to hurt the girl. She didn’t even know her.

  When she sparred with Aidan, it was different. He was her equal, but Erin wasn’t in the same league and it just didn’t seem right. But she was ruthless—and fast! Erin landed an unexpected blow to her face and Allie felt cartilage snap. Pain blossomed behind her eyes as blood poured from her nose.

  “Attack!” Jin barked. “She’ll recover!”

  Allie blocked Erin’s low roundhouse and managed a few piston kicks and even an uppercut jab, but refused to advance. She knew she could win if she tired her opponent. Allie held back, moving swiftly to avoid Erin’s powerful kicks. The match seemed to go on forever until both girls were exhausted. Their teammates anxiously watched with bated breath.

  She knew she had to end this now if she had a prayer of winning. Catching Erin’s shoulder with a solid crossing jab, Allie ended with a low sweep that she hoped would take Erin out of the fight without hurting her.

  She wasn’t prepared for Allie’s sudden advance, but she recovered and retaliated in an instant.

  The jolt of Erin’s last strike caught her squarely in the face. She lost her balance and fell to the ground in a heap. Her head swimming in a dizzy haze, Allie vaguely heard the sound of a whistle ending the match. The blue team cheered loudly for their win.

  She felt like a failure as she tried to stand.

  “Careful.” Aidan bent to help her up.

  “I’m sorry!”

  “It’s just a game.” He forced a smile. “Now let me look at that nose.”

  She winced as he examined her injuries.

  “The cartilage has already started to fuse. If you want me to fix it, it’s going to hurt, but if I don’t you’ll have hump—”

  “Fix it!”

  “You realize that means I have to break it again?”

  “Just do it.” She steeled herself for the pain.

  Aidan pinched her nose tightly and pulled until she heard a snap and a blinding flash of pain filled her head. He moved the cartilage back into place and she felt the warmth of his healing flood her face and the throbbing subsided.

  “There, that should do it,” he said stiffly and walked away. His cold demeanor was worse than if he’d kicked her in the face. Apparently, their truce ended at the cave and they were back to not speaking.

  “Congratulations, Erin!” Gregg exclaimed. “As reward, I have your clue, which should give you an advantage. You’ll take the path to the left. Liam, take your group to the right. You’ll find your next clue shortly. From here on it’s a race to the finish, and right now blue is up by one.”

  Allie and her team made their way down the path until they found the next checkpoint with their clue.

  Your challenge awaits on the small outlying island at the northwestern shore. You must reach the location through any means available to you. There you must successfully navigate the maze to capture the flag as a team.

  “Let’s move!” Liam called. And they were off, flying along the trail. Following their captain’s lead, they quickly made up time. When they reached the shore, Naeemah and Ming Lao were working together to bring up boulders and mud from the lake bottom, creating a narrow jetty.

  “We’re going to lose!” Sasha wailed.

  “Why didn’t they take the boat?” Quinn pointed to the old boat just big enough for them all.

  “There’s a note. We can only take it if we can start it, but the ignition isn’t working.” Aidan said.

  “Everybody in! Now!” Allie cried. “I’ve got this!”

  “Are you sure?” Darius asked.

  “Positive.” She scrambled on board.

  Within seconds, she hot-wired the engine and everyone cheered as she guided them to the smaller island.

  “Where did you learn that?” Sasha asked.

  “Dad taught me!”

  “Nice job, kid!” Jin paused to blow a kiss at his wife as they passed.

  The maze was made up of trees and thick vines and the path was dark in the dim light of the evening. Liam and Allie rushed headlong down a path with the others trailing behind. The way was complicated with obstacles at every interval.

  “Liam, can you just locate the flag?” Quinn asked.

  “I can only follow people, not objects, so unless someone I’ve met is holding that flag, I’m useless!”

  “Guys, we have to stay together!” Allie called frantically to her scattering teammates. “The best way through a maze is to pick a wall and follow it through wherever it goes and eventually it will lead you out.”

  “Will it be fast enough?” Quinn asked.

  “If we don’t have to think about where we’re going and just run like hell, it might be,” Liam said and they all set off like a shot.

  The island was small, but the maze ran in a snarled mass of twists and turns leading back to the center where the flag waited for them. The blue team was nowhere in sight, but they still had to navigate their way back out with the flag. They continued to run as the last light faded over the horizon. When they made it back to the beginning, their opponents were trailing in
the distance.

  “We’ve got this!” Aidan said. They filed out of the boat, back on the main island where Chloe greeted them.

  “You’re almost there!” she cheered. “There’s a small pond to the northwest where your last challenge awaits.”

  They ran along the narrow icy path, but the blue team was quickly gaining, and resorting to dirty tricks to hinder the red team.

  “Move faster!” Liam roared.

  Little by little, Allie’s group pulled further ahead and they were the first to arrive at the small pond.

  “Congratulations, everyone! It seems this will come down to the very last challenge.” Gregg watched in amusement as both sides fidgeted nervously.

  “Your last task is simple. You and your team must cross this pond by any means available to you, but you must remain dry while doing so.” He grinned mischievously.

  “Jin, can you part the water on our side?” Quinn asked in a rush.

  Naeemah had already taken a running leap with Graham on her back, sailing effortlessly across the pond, immediately returning for her next passenger.

  “We have to hurry!” Sasha cried as they scrambled to find a way across.

  “You guys are making this way too hard.” Allie rolled her eyes. She walked to the nearest tree, pulling the serrated dagger from the sheath at her hip. In the time it took her teammates to suggest a dozen ridiculous ways to cross the pond using their gifts, Allie cut down the tree, creating a perfect bridge for them to cross with minimal effort.

  “Hey guys!” she snapped her fingers to get their attention. “Care to join me on the other side?” Allie quickly tiptoed across to the finish line.

  “Red wins!” Gregg roared as he presented Allie with the final flag. “Leave it to you to see the practical solution.” He winked.

  ~~~

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-ONE

  “Sláinte!” Gregg lifted his tumbler of scotch for a toast.