Dark Moon Falls: Volume 2

by Bella Roccaforte

  “I have to give this witch of yours some credit. I do believe such a spell might work,” Ariana said as she materialized beside Elias.

  The Alpha’s eyes widened and he threw Arania a watchful glance. “Have you heard of knocking before entering?”

  Leira’s mentor snorted. “A little hard to knock on air.”

  “Pretty sure you know how,” he muttered, then turned his attention back to Leira. “Felicity said to dispense the powder however you deem appropriate. It’s light enough to float in the air but it’s also contains metal and can be formed into pellets or bullets. And you can melt it into a liquid if that suits.”

  Leira nodded and smiled at the Alpha, revealing her gratitude and relief.

  Elias simply smiled in response before he said, “The Hunters are here. They’ve taken up position in amongst the trees.”

  Leira frowned. “Will this potion have any effect on you or your pack?”

  Elias nodded. “A little. One of the metals in the potion is capable of inhibiting our powers but it’s not long-lasting. We’ll be fine.”

  “Okay then.” Leira said, more to fill the cool silence in the room. Ciaran had remained silent during the exchange and she suspected he was still trying to figure out what the plan was.”

  Then Arania said, “Have we decided what we are doing with the Book of Anubis?” The two wolves and Leira all turned to look at her. All she said was, “Well? Do we have a plan?”

  Ciaran nodded then cocked a chin at Leira. “Leira’s got a plan figured out. But we all thought it best that she be the only one to know the finer details.”

  Arania’s short laugh sounded like the crack of a whip. “Is that so?” she asked Leira, her tone cool.

  “Yes. Right now, I don’t know who can be trusted. Everyone who wants it gets thrown off the list. That goes for both you and Elias.”

  “Everyone is tempted my dear. But some of us are little less prone to the baser of our instincts,” Arania said, giving Elias and Ciaran each a knowing smile.

  Someone snorted and Leira realized she’d been the one to reveal her disgust at the insinuation. “I never took you for being prejudiced, Arania. Please don’t dispel me of that assumption now. I’m going to do what is best for the safety of this world. Which also means nobody will know the plan. Ever.”

  The high priestess huffed. “I suppose he knows,” she cocked her chin at Ciaran.

  He merely smiled and said, “Nope. She’s the only one who knows. And if you try to touch her to read her mind, you will lose a hand.”

  Arania rolled her eyes, flicking her fingers at him. “Down boy. Don’t worry. Thoughts between djinn can only be transferred willingly. We’re not mind-readers.”

  Leira was about to reply when sometime twanged her senses. She froze on the spot, mentally reaching out in search of the origin of the disturbance. She was aware of movement in the room around her as Elias left the room and Ciaran stood closer to her side, as half a dozen djinn materialized behind Arania and then followed her outside.

  Aldrich’s energy signature wasn’t at all unique. Leira had expected his life force to be a swirling mass of darkness and black ooze but instead it was beautiful. No doubt filled with the beautiful powers he’d taken from his victims throughout his lifetime.

  “He’s close. At the clearing.” She didn’t need to say anything else. Ciaran slid the potion bag into her hand and guided her to the door and out onto the porch where he updated Arania and Elias.

  She was grateful for him, that he’d remained with her, that he’d though to guide her, understanding without her telling him that she’d need help while she kept her mind on Aldrich’s location.

  “Is he alone?” Arania asked softly.

  Leira nodded and knew that Arania was as unsurprised as she was. Aldrich was arrogant, a self-centered creature. He knew he was coming to a fight that he may lose. So he’d forgone backup because the presence of his men would mean witnesses.

  “He could still have brought reinforcements. Or have them held back in case,” Elias said. “Let’s be prepared either way.”

  He began to walk off when Arania asked, “What happens if he kills Leira and goes on a rampage?”

  Elias replied, “Our ammo contains the same potion Leira has with her. And…Leira’s not going to be killed. I suggest you learn to work on your faith in people.”

  If Leira had been able to, she would have laughed at that. Arania wouldn’t be happy but she didn’t argue with the Alpha. Ciaran guided Leira across the snow toward the clearing where she’d fought off Aldrich once before.

  When she was close, Leira tucked the potion into her sleeve and ended her mental connection then focused on the clearing around her. The trap had better work or she was going to be in deep trouble.

  He stood not too far from where he’d appeared the last time they’d met, and his expression was filled with rage. Controlled rage. He looked like a different person now, and a shiver ran down her spine. How had she not known what a danger he was to her? How had she allowed him to get that close to her?

  She walked closer to him and said, “You’re wasting your time. I suggest you leave.”

  Aldrich laughed and the ground shook, leaves and grass and twigs shivered and then rose from the forest floor to hover around them. A show of power and a threat of course. She’d seen him impale his goons without a flicker of regret.

  And he knew she’d seen it.

  33

  Leira

  Silence fell as Aldrich stopped his maniacal laughter and said, “You don’t know who you are dealing with, Leira. It’s best you stop misbehaving and come with me. Or do you want all these nice canines to martyr themselves to save you?”

  Leira glared at him. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” She thrust out her hands and sent a blast of fireballs at Aldrich, hoping to distract him.

  With a swipe of his hands he turned the barrage of fire into wisps of smoke then chuckled. “You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?”

  Leira stepped closer again. “I suppose you’re a lot more powerful than I expected.” She said, feigning reluctance. “You never mentioned being a supernatural.”

  He shrugged. “One doesn’t simply divulge all one’s secrets to a lover, does one?”

  She suppressed the shudder that threatened to take over her body, swallowing down bile that had risen unbidden at the thought of having shared a bed with the hideous freak. “If you care so much then why did you lie to me? Why did you trick me? You should have just told me what you wanted.”

  Aldrich sobered up and took a step toward her. “Would you have listened to me had I told you that I knew what you were? That I knew you were hiding your true power?” His eyes glittered as he spoke.

  Leira nodded. “I would have. I think I much prefer honesty in a relationship.” As she spoke she threw another round of fire at him which he doused with a sweep of his hands.

  He chuckled. “What happened to the display of power from earlier my dear? Surely you can come up with better than that?”

  “I’m not sure how I even did that. I was shocked to see you had a djinn working for you.”

  “Ah yes. I’m certain that would have come as a surprise.”

  Leira wanted to roll her eyes at the smug satisfaction in the maniac’s voice. The potion felt heavy against her wrist and she wanted to just throw it at his face. But she couldn’t give in to her rage and risk her entire plan.

  “Yeah. I figured you’re the surprising type. So why did you make me steal the book if you wanted me instead?”

  He laughed. “Oh the beauty of fate, my dear. I was really after the book. I’d been looking for it for centuries. But imagine my surprise when I found you there.”

  Leira spun the air around her and heated it to near boiling point, then thrust out half a dozen whips of fire at Aldrich. This time he wasn’t fast enough, the tips of two of the whips lashing his arm and thigh and burning through skin. Aldrich yelled out his anger and the sky darke
ned, the rumble of thunder a clear reminder that he’d put her fire out instantly with a sudden downpour.

  Seemed he didn’t understand the full extent of Leira’s powers. Something which satisfied her greatly. To her left, Ciaran was in attack position, his shoulders forward as though ready to ram right into Aldrich the first chance he got.

  She was so grateful he was there with her, grateful because he seemed to be sending her waves of strength. Her imagination of course, simply the fact that she trusted him.

  Trusted him in a way that she’d never trusted Aldrich. Thank goodness.

  Leira focused her attention on Aldrich. Everything was in place and all she had to do was kick the tornado up a notch and dispense the potion. She spun the whirling wind faster and felt the heat of it sear her skin. Over the sound of the roaring wind, Aldrich yelled out, “Do you know how much like your mother you are?”

  His words were enough of a distraction and she faltered, dropping the whirlwind a fraction. It was enough for Aldrich to attack. A blow caught her straight in the chest and sent her tumbling backward until she was sprawled on the ground, out of breath and energy.

  Ciaran took a step toward her and Arania’s voice was soft though clear as she told him to stay put. Leira got to her feet, her muscles screaming at the effort. “Don’t you dare talk about my mother.”

  “Ah so you know about our relationship then. I wonder who….” Aldrich made a show of scanning the faces near Leira and stopped when he spotted Arania. His expression was forced, and overly dramatic when he said, “Oh my goodness. Arania told you? I wonder what her version of the truth is?”

  Leira gathered her nerves and her power and said, “That’s irrelevant. I won’t let you hurt anyone else. Not again.”

  He laughed so hard the sound echoed like gunshots “Brave words but you’ll never best me my dear. Your mother couldn’t and you can’t.”

  “Just watch me, asshole,” Leira muttered under her breath as she drew the tornado around her forcing flames and heat and energy into it. The codex spun around her so fast that Aldrich squinted to see her standing in the eye of her storm. With his vision hindered, Leira let the potion loose, spilling the purple dust into the swirling wind.

  The heat hadn’t yet affected the potion for which Lyra was thankful because she wasn’t ready. Aldrich had taken a few steps away so she had to take the battle to him. She began to run, aware that he was turning to draw a portal or something to take him away to safety, but nothing happened.

  He thrust his hand in the air again and yelled out the words of his incantation but again he failed. The sound of laughter drifted to him. “Don’t waste your time, Menephilos. The portals have been closed to you. If you want to get out of here you will have to use your feet.” Arania didn’t laugh. Leira had expected to hear her sneer at least but the high priestess’s voice was emotionless.

  Aldrich glared at her. “Don’t think you and your people have won. You cannot stop me.”

  While his attention had been focused on Arania, Leira had stopped close enough to him that a jump would have him at her mercy. She launched herself at him but he must have sense her movement because he stumbled out of her reach, eyes widening as he stared at the fury of her tornado.

  “No,” she whispered. That had been her very last chance. She’ couldn’t jump again. He’d simply keep pace with her and remain out of reach.

  Aldrich was laughing, his arms outstretch, staring at the heavens as though it were raining power down on him.

  And behind Leira, a familiar baritone warmed her ear and her blood. “Jump and I’ll get you there.”

  34

  Leira

  Ciaran’s promise was all she needed.

  She ran again and hurled herself into the air just as Aldrich turned and spotted her. His grin was wide and triumphant as he hopped away, and landed, doing a little jig of triumph.

  But he’d been premature in his celebration.

  Leira kept flying toward him, boosted by Ciaran at her back, hidden from Aldrich’s view by whirling wind and flame, by shadows that the necromancer himself had brought when he’d hidden the sunlight.

  Leira landed a few feet from the necromancer, her heart breaking at the thought of what Ciaran would be suffering, would have to suffer in silence to ensure his presence wasn’t revealed to Aldrich. The whirling flame and wind encased Aldrich and he bellowed his fury, thrusting his hands into the air to summon his magic. But the moment he did that, the potion appeared to activate and home in on him like metal to a magnet.

  And then she understood what Felicity the witch had given her. The potion was created to be attracted to magic and the moment Aldrich had called his power to him, the spell had been cast. Purple spots began to grow on the necromancer’s arms and his screams were deafening enough that out of the corner of her eye she spotted wolves and djinn covering their ears and cowering beneath the onslaught of sound.

  Leira took another step closer. She needed to be close enough so that she didn’t waste the moment when the spell finally knocked him out. She reached his side and watched as he writhed on the ground, hurling curses at her that didn’t take, spewing horrible words at her about her mother and her family.

  She heard nothing. The only sign she felt was Ciaran’s touch at her hip. Enough to power her through battles with a dozen Aldrich’s.

  She waited as he stopped struggling and stiffened, his eyes wide as he watched her, stunned that he couldn’t move a muscle. Leira paused, almost hesitant, but Ciaran whispered, “Arania is coming. You need to do whatever you planned on doing right now.”

  “I’ll drop my magic but you need to take me to the stone cliffs. And fast.”

  He didn’t reply but Leira knew he’d heard her. She allowed her magic to dissipate and the last of the potion fragments attached themselves to Aldrich’s cheeks and forehead. Leira bent to grab him but a wet nose pushed her aside. An enormous wolf took hold of Aldrich’s shoulder and tossed the necromancer across its back as though he were no heavier than a sack of potatoes.

  Leira look at Ciaran, wondering what she was meant to do. Climb up beside Aldrich? Could Ciaran even bear the weight of two full grown humans?

  Somewhere inside her mind someone yelled, Get on. And Leira obeyed. She swung up onto the wolf’s back and held tight to the fur around his neck. She was curled over Aldrich but he wasn’t moving anytime soon. His expression was stunned and furious and Leira found herself taking little too much enjoyment from his horror.

  Minutes passed and Ciaran raced up hill and through the trees, and across the ridge of the mountains. He descended halfway down before swerving right until he came to a slow stop. Up ahead was the flat face of the mountain, the stone near black.

  Leira slid to the ground and Ciaran shook Aldrich off. The necromancer hit the ground with an unceremonious thud as Ciaran shifted into human form. Leira stared at Ciaran, wanting to thank him for what he’d done, to ask him if he was okay. But he cupped her cheek and smiled at her, his eyes filled with encouragement and admiration.

  And affection.

  Leira had to force herself to concentrate as she summoned her fire and focused the worst of it on the rock. The longer she plunged her fire into the stone the more malleable it became and Leira let out a cry of relief.

  “Take him into the stone.”

  Ciaran grabbed the necromancer by his collar and dragged him along the ground until he reached the molten rock which undulated like goo. Even Leira was shocked she’d managed to do what she’d only imagined was possible.

  She pushed her energy again, driving a hole into the softened rock, making a tunnel that went at least thirty feet deep. Then she looked at Ciaran. “I can take him.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll be faster. Just keep the escape hatch open for me.”

  Before Leira could speak Ciaran was gone, racing down the tunnel still dragging Aldrich along. The necromancer grunted, the sound worrying Leira enough that she shouted down the tunnel for Ciaran to hurry.


  She needn’t have worried. Her wolf shifter returned within moments and said, “Close it up, woman. I’m hungry.”

  She grinned and sent waves of her power into the stone, enough to melt the rock and close off the tunnel. When the stone face finally sealed and cooled down, Leira said, “Do you think anyone will hear his screams?”

  “You’re worried about that now?” Ciaran laughed and threw an arm around her. “I don’t think anyone will hear him. Ever.”

  Leira let out a sigh of relief as they hurried back over the ridge.

  At the top of the mountain range, Ciaran stopped, though is arm remained tight around Leira’s shoulders. “You know they’re all going to demand to know what you did with him right?”

  She nodded as she stared at the beauty of the view before her. The trees seemed to stretch out forever. “I won’t tell if you don’t?” she said dropping her head onto his shoulder.

  Ciaran laughed softly, the vibrations rippling through her. “Cross my heart and hope to die,” he said kissing her temple.

  “Dying isn’t part of this deal, mister,” she snapped, her voice suddenly harsh. Just the thought of Ciaran dying made her want to burst into tears.

  “Okay then. No dying,” he said his voice much more solemn now. “So there is something else that’s not yet finished.”

  Leira glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Then she chuckled. “That book had been the worst thing to happen to me in a long while.”

  “Not gonna tell, huh?” he replied, sounding resigned.

  She didn’t buy it for a second. “Nope.”

  “And what if you suddenly have a hankering for power?”

  “I won’t.”

  Ciaran looked down at her and nodded slowly. “Yeah. I really do think you won’t.”

  She smiled and for the first time she felt as though all was right with the world.