During the long periods of loneliness, I thought of Marcus. I feared our friendship was over for good, and not a day went by I hadn’t contemplated leaving to go searching for him. In all the ways that mattered, he was my brother. I had to fix our broken bond. But I ultimately decided to stay with Kalin. If Marcus were here, I had no doubt he would do the same. Protecting the courts from an all-out war was best.
The elements must always stay in balance.
When I returned from my late night training session, I was surprised to see activity in Kalin’s house. All the lights were on when they should be asleep. At least ten knights moved in and out of the house. Two of them headed into the forest, and I was intrigued. I followed them for about two miles until they approached an area cloaked by a glamour. Soon after, Jarrod stepped out of a portal and handed them royal robes. After some conversation, he returned through the pathway.
I thought about how much time had passed since I left Avalon. Kalin must have been approaching her birthday. It was finally time for her to return to her father. Relief spilled over my shoulders. Taron’s daughter would arrive in her new home unharmed, and I could finally let go of my fear. It felt like a victory. As the guards made their way toward Kalin’s house, I followed.
I wanted to see the princess one last time before—
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash in the distance. I unsheathed my sword. Scanning the area, I tried to locate the tiny blip. Nothing. Minus a few chards of light, the thick forest blocked the moonlight. It was almost impossible to see anything through the woodland. This chase was pointless. Just as I began to head back to her house, I heard a pained scream.
I whirled around.
The knights were fighting off an attack. One engulfed in flames, while the other tried to fight off two fire elementals. I ran full speed toward them. As I got closer to the action, I recognized Malin, the female fire elemental. She had been in charge of Liana’s personal guard for centuries. Why would Liana send them? There hadn’t been a quarrel between our courts since I’d been here. Unless Liana had been on Valac’s side this whole time.
I threw a baseball-sized fireball at the back of the male fire elemental. It wouldn’t hurt him, but it wouldn’t tickle, either. I hoped it was enough to draw his attention away from the struggling air knight. When he turned in my direction, the air knight used his wind magic to suffocate him by sucking the air out of his lungs. Malin saw what was happening and slid a knife across the knight’s neck. A river of blood ran down his shirt, and he collapsed.
Dammit.
Sometime during the struggle, the air knight on fire had stopped screaming. His burned body remained still, curled into a ball. He was dead too. While the male fire elemental caught his breath, Malin came at me. I had almost reached them when she shot a stream of fire in my direction. She missed by mere inches. I lunged at her, and our weapons clashed.
I pushed into her, forcing her back a foot or two. We circled each other. “Why did Liana send you, Malin?”
“What do we have here?” she asked. “If it isn’t the deserter of our court.”
As we moved, I realized her partner had disappeared. A twig broke. In one quick motion, I reversed my grip on the blade and drove a deadly blow into his stomach. There was a gasp, then a pained wail. My would-be attacker needed to work on his stealth skills. Too bad he wouldn’t get the chance. I pulled my sword out, letting him collapse onto the ground. Blood pooled all around him.
He was dead.
Malin didn’t grieve. Instead, she put a reasonable distance between us and waited for me to make my next move. Smart. “I’m only going to ask you one more time.” My voice sounded more like a growl. “Why did Liana send you?”
An iron spear appeared in her hand. She must’ve been using a glamour. Before I could get out of the way, the blade sliced into my side. The burn was instant. I fell to my knees, and when I glanced up, she was gone. I groaned as I gripped the handle and slowly pulled the spear out. Blood leaked out of me. I tore off a long piece of my shirt and wrapped the cloth around my waist. This bandage was the best I could do for now. I didn’t have time to focus on my injury.
I had to find her before she found Kalin. The fate of our world was at stake.
Storm Born
Chapter One
Kalin
Five boxes.
That was all it took to pack up my entire life. I surveyed my bedroom. Empty multi-colored push pins decorated the walls. Cardboard boxes sat neatly in a row on the carpet. Hangers and a few pairs of shoes that no longer fit remained in my closet. Polaroid pictures I’d taped to my floor-length mirror now filled the trashcan next to my desk. I couldn’t keep them. They reminded me of everything I was about to lose.
A knock on my bedroom door startled me out of my thoughts.
Mom stepped inside the room in an old grunge band t-shirt and cut-off shorts. She ran her charcoal stained fingers over the top of my wooden easel. “What happened to the piece your working on?”
“I tossed it,” I shrugged.
Her long, fiery red ponytail swayed as she took a look around. “You’re taking everything with you?”
Disappointment laced her tone, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. Dad told me I could bring whatever I wanted, but I had no idea what I might need. I didn’t own much. My most prized possessions were art supplies, a collection of Pez dispensers, and my iPad—which I planned to leave here since it wouldn’t work where I was going. “I figured I’d bring it all,” I sighed. “Who knows when I’ll be back.”
She flinched like my words caused her pain. “Are you nervous?”
“No.” I lied. I was scared out of my mind. I was going to live in a place I’d never visited, and besides my father and his knights, I didn’t know anyone.
Mom sat down on the edge of my stripped-down mattress. “What are you going to wear?”
“Ceremonial robes.” Jarrod, the captain of my father’s knights, brought them over last week. I’d rather wear my black hoodie and jeans, but I figured it was best to do what they asked of me. I sat beside her, clasping my hands in my lap. “Dad’s turning this whole arrival thing into a big deal.”
Wrapping her arm around my shoulders, she leaned the side of her head against mine. “He’s waited a long time for this day. The whole court is anxious to meet you.”
If that were true, he could’ve invited me to visit him in Avalon. Why was it so important that I remain in the mortal world until this day? Frustration bubbled in my chest. I had a list of questions, and once I settled into my new home, I promised myself I’d get them all answered. I reached for the picture of us sitting on my nightstand. “I want you to promise me that you’ll visit.”
She sighed. “Your father has been very patient. He deserves some time alone with you.”
That wasn’t an answer. I stood and peered down. “Swear it, or I won’t go. I mean it, Mom. I’ll run away.”
Her eyes widened. “The contract—”
“Oh, you mean the deal you made before I was even born,” I snapped. “The day you both decided my entire future.”
“Are you saying you don’t want to go?”
The answer was complicated. In Avalon, I’d be a princess with the power to control the air element. Thinking about it now fills me with excitement. But I’d spent my entire life here with my mom and mortal friends. I was happy. And, yeah, it stung to have to give it all up. Maybe that made me selfish in a lot of ways. Regardless, it’s how I was feeling. “It would’ve been nice to have a choice.”
Her gaze lowered to the floor. “I’m sorry, Kalin. I wish things could’ve gone a different way, but this was the only option. Someday, you’ll understand why.”
“Someday can’t come soon enough.” As soon as the words came out, I watched as her shoulders slumped. Guilt washed over me. I said I wouldn’t pick a fight with her today, but here I was doing exactly that. I let out an exaggerated breath. “Let’s forget about it, for now. You said you would tell me when it
’s the right time.”
She hugged me. “Exactly.”
I held on, not wanting to let her go. “I’m going to miss you so much, Mom.”
Sniffling, she replied, “I’m going to miss you too.”
Okay, I needed to get out of here before we both broke into the ugly cry. I grabbed my backpack, slipped the framed picture inside, and slid the bag strap over my shoulder. “I’m going to go wait outside for the knights to return.”
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “I’ll wait with you.”
“No, if you’re there, it’s only going to be that much harder to leave.” I hugged her again. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Be safe.”
I gave her my best fake smile. “Always.”
A gust of frigid air brushed against my face as I stepped onto our back porch. It was minutes before midnight. As I locked the back door, I wished I hadn’t packed away my winter jacket. A puff of clouded air appeared each time I let out a breath. I should wait for the knights inside. I reached for the doorknob but stopped myself midway. Mom was probably crying. Leaving had already broken my heart, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. I couldn’t go back in.
The knights left over an hour ago. They should have been back by now. Dad would be expecting me at any minute, and I didn’t want to be late and leave a bad first impression. I could meet them at the portal. It’s not like I didn’t know exactly where they were. I’d memorized every inch of the forest. As a child, I’d spent hours wandering the dirt walkways with my friends, pretending to be on a treasure hunt.
I’d made up my mind.
The weathered wooden planks creaked with each step. I plunked down three stairs and headed straight for the dark woodland. When I reached the edge of the tree line, I turned around and took one last look at my childhood home. The modest brick rancher sat alone with the closest neighbor more than a mile away. It was so hidden it didn’t even show up on Google maps. Privacy was important to my mother.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and made my way into the shadowy woods. The scent of wet moss was around me. I hiked for fifteen minutes before I stopped to get my bearings. The moonlight did little to illuminate the forest floor, and it had become nearly impossible to see anything more than a few yards in front of me. The bitter cold made me shiver. What was I thinking? I rushed into the woods, alone, in the middle of the night.
I should’ve waited—
A familiar white shimmer appeared in the distance. I trekked forward. I’d found a portal. The fire burning around the edges simmered until there was nothing left. Someone had arrived. I called out, letting them know where I was but got no response. Through the darkness, I saw a shadow heading in my direction. She materialized a few feet in front of me. Her black feathered wings gave her away.
She was a fire elemental.
Chapter Two
Kalin
Fire elementals have always intrigued me. Dad rarely talked about their court, which always made me want to know more about them. “Did you come through that portal back there?” I pointed over my shoulder.
She didn’t say a word.
Once she edged closer, I noticed an unusual onyx pendant around her neck. The black wings fluttered as she moved. “That’s a cool necklace. Do all fire elementals wear them?”
“I never thought I’d find you alone,” she said curiously. She scanned the area as if she were expecting someone. “This is almost too easy.”
A consuming sense of unease crept from my scalp to my toes. “What’s too easy?”
Her hand shot out, clutched my neck, and raised me off the ground. My feet dangled, and I gasped for air as I tried to make sense out of what was happening. Panic gagged me as I clawed feverishly at her hands, digging my fingernails into her skin.
“Are you really this helpless?” she asked. “Has Taron taught you nothing?”
“My father will kill you for this.” I tried to scare her, but she didn’t even flinch.
She tightened her grip on my throat and thrust my body into the nearest tree. “You are in no position to threaten me, halfling!”
Pain radiated up my spine in waves. Had I been only mortal, the impact would’ve broken my back. I thrashed and twisted as I attempted to escape but only ended up scraping my forearm against a broken tree limb. I whimpered as the blood ran down my arm.
She chuckled. “Pathetic.”
“Get away from her, Malin,” a deep voice shouted.
Malin peered over her shoulder, and her grip loosened. “Are you back for more, deserter?” she asked, her voice coated with venom.
Deserter?
While Malin’s attention was somewhere else, I had to think fast. I had a chance to free myself. With all the force I could muster, I thrust my knee into her stomach. She groaned, and I fell to the ground. Before I could escape, she grabbed my shirt and pulled me back against her chest with her fingers wrapped tightly around my neck. I clawed my fingernails into her hands, but she didn’t even wince.
A flash of silver light whizzed by my head, striking Malin. She released me from her grip, and I was able to slip away. She launched at me again and ended up straddled on top of me with one hand clasped around my windpipe. My lungs burned. Legs were thrashing, and I tried to wiggle free. Throughout my efforts, she showed no sign of strain. With her free hand, she attempted to stop the blood streaming from her wound.
Blackness filled the rim of my vision. Frantically, I searched the ground for a rock but found nothing. I plunged my hand into the damp forest floor. Maybe a little dirt in her eyes would give me enough time—
He emerged out of the shadows, thrusting a large knife into her back. She arched upwards, letting out a pained scream. Adrenaline raced through my veins. I swatted her hand away and pushed her off of me. My throat burned as I took in gasps of air. The male elemental lodged another silver blade into her back as she attempted to crawl away. I had to get out of here. Several yards away, the moonlight illuminated a clearing. I got to my feet and ran toward it.
Once I hid behind a large row of bushes, I glanced down. A mixture of dirt and blood covered my body. A throbbing ache drew my attention. I tugged on my sleeve. Sometime during the fight, my forearm had been cut. The swollen wound bled down my arm. I tore off a piece of the bottom of my shirt, wrapping the fabric around my injury. I needed to get to my father. He could heal me faster than any potion.
Peering through the leaves, I hoped to locate the portal. I saw nothing. The male elemental stood over Malin as she thrashed violently on the ground. He bent down and tore the necklace from her neck. What would he want with her necklace? He placed the jewelry in his pocket, and then he slit her throat. Black blood spurted from her neck and onto his shirt. He took several steps backward when her body ignited into flames.
Soon, she would be nothing more than a pile of ash.
My rescuer stepped into the clearing. Blood covered his torn blue t-shirt and dark jeans, but he didn’t appear all that concerned as he casually cleaned his sword. I took a long look at him. He was easily six feet tall with broad shoulders and a lean muscular build. His shaggy brown hair hung in waves over his eyes, nearly touching his high cheekbones. When he bent to the side, I noticed the silver barbell pierced through his eyebrow.
If I hadn’t seen the lethal beatdown he gave Malin, I might’ve assumed he was a mortal.
When finished, he glanced up and caught my stare. My nerves tingled as he made his way toward me. I should’ve run. After what I witnessed, that was the safest move. There was no question he was dangerous. But he had saved my life. If he wanted to kill me, he could’ve let Malin finish the job. Why did she want to kill me? There was a lot I didn’t know, and he might have the answers.
I cautiously rose to my feet. “Who was she?”
In a deep monotone voice, he replied, “The captain of the fire queen’s guard.”
The captain of the queen’s guard? That meant the queen herself sent her. In all the nights Dad
dreamwalked with me, he never once mentioned any tension between the air and fire courts. “That’s impossible.”
“You want proof?” He tugged her necklace out of his pocket. “The eternal flame brought this to life, and only the queen has access.” The wings fluttered in his palm. “She gave one to each member of her guard exclusively.”
“I don’t understand any of this. Why would the queen of the fire court send someone to kill me?”
He slid his sword into its sheath. “That’s what I intend to find out.”
I replayed the moments before Malin attacked me. Back to the reason why I went into the forest in the first place. “What about the air court knights? They were preparing a portal somewhere close by.”
Staring into the darkness, he replied, “I couldn’t get to them in time.”
His words burned into me like a branding iron. I didn’t know either of them well, but they both had families that would mourn them. “Are you saying she killed both of them?”
His jaw clenched. “Malin wasn’t alone. By the time I got there, they already had one air knight in flames. I tried to save the other, but as I said, I was too late.”
My legs felt weak as I imagined the pain they must’ve went through; pain I had caused. It was their job to portal me to Avalon, and it cost them their lives. “What about Malin’s partner?”
“That one I killed.”
If Malin and her partner killed them near our portal, they must have been expecting me to be there. That’s assuming my rescuer was telling the truth. But everyone else involved was already dead, so I had to be cautious. “How do I know this isn’t a trick? How do I know you’re not working with her?” I took a few steps backward. “How do I know you didn’t kill them?”
“If I wanted you dead, princess, you’d be dead.” He took several steps toward me, closing the distance between us. I tried to ignore the heat building inside of me. “I could’ve killed you several times by now.”
Mortal Enchantment Complete Box Set Page 8