Blood Beyond Darkness Page 19

  It was happening again—Aneira proving who was in control.

  Lars stood at his desk. His tone sounded grave as he addressed the room. “My sources say she used Ember’s powers, magnified by Asim, to cause this devastation. With the power of earth and fire along with her own power of air, she caused a huge earthquake and the destruction after. Earthquake plus fire with massive winds are all she needs. The heart of both cities will burn in a matter of hours. She has all the elements she needs to destroy.”

  My brain could not keep up with the idea of both London and New York being taken to their knees. The torment of people in pain reverberated through me in a wave. I felt like I was standing right beside them.

  “We have to do something.” I advanced into the room. Simmons heard my voice, raced for the door, and landed on my shoulder.

  “What do you want us to do, Ember?” Lars’ yellow eyes lifted to mine, challenging.

  “Something! Anything!” I cried. “We can’t let her get away with this. She can’t be able to kill and destroy again ... with my powers. We have to stop her.”

  Lars came from around his desk. “What do you suggest? Go to the Otherworld and fight her right now?”

  “Yes!” I screamed, turning to look at the others in the room.

  “Then, she will win.” He clasped his hands together. “The Queen on her own land is too powerful. Neither myself nor any Dark Fae will be able to fight there for long.”

  “What do you mean? You fought her when you rescued me.”

  Lars rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Only for a brief time. I could not have stayed for much longer without feeling the effects.”

  I blinked at him in disbelief. “What effects?”

  “Dark cannot fight too long on Light’s land and visa-versa,” he said. “The Dark takes Light’s energy and the Light depletes ours. It is why all our battles take place during Samhain. It reduces all land, Earth and the Otherworld, neutral and equal in a fight.”

  The other Fae nodded their heads in confirmation. Suddenly I understood what West said earlier about being on the Light side too long. It wasn’t only the blood loss and the Dark Dweller curse weakening him. He had three consecutive energies working against him. How had he lasted as long as he did?

  I grunted and rubbed at my forehead, a drill-like headache boring down on me. Simmons patted my neck gently. I looked away from the TV. More death. More destruction. And there was nothing I could do about it right now. Aneira was crippling Earth, making it weak, so when the wall came down during Samhain, there would be no fight. She would take over. Even if we fought her and won, Earth would never be the same. The damage she already caused around the world would leave deep scars.

  “What do we do?” I breathed in. “What’s our next step?”

  Lars nodded as though he had been waiting for me to get through all the emotion and finally ask the right question. “We will fight her, Ember. And we are going to defeat her. The prophecy will be fulfilled.” He tapped his knuckles on the desk, emphasizing his words. “As the Light’s future Queen, I want to know what you would do next.”

  Air caught in my throat. If the prophecy were fulfilled, in only a matter of days I could be ruling the Otherworld. I shook my head. Nothing in me felt qualified to be Queen. Nor did I want to be. Everyone turned to me, as though waiting for me to say something brilliant or lead them. My brain stayed blank.

  “We need to strategize every move, every role people will be playing. We do a few practice runs so we all feel comfortable with what we are doing,” Kennedy spoke up. The tears had dried. Her voice turned every head to her. “Familiarity with our roles will keep us on target instead of letting fear take over.”

  I couldn’t stop my mouth from dipping open. I shouldn’t be surprised. Kennedy liked to plan. She wanted to be prepared before going into any situation. I was more a by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of girl.

  Lars smiled slightly. “Exactly what I was thinking.” He nodded at her in approval. Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. Here I was the so-called future queen, and my mind went blank. “Aneira is attempting to weaken us. I have received an influx of calls from Dark Fae who survived and are fleeing London and New York. They will be heading here. Magic caused the destruction, so it not only killed humans, but hundreds of Dark Fae have perished, as well.

  “The stakes have been raised, and we must be prepared for what is ahead. Merely training is no longer enough. With Cole’s help, I have started planning the best approach for war.” Lars made eye contact with each person in the room. “The most vital are Ember and Kennedy. They will need to be where the sword is located.”

  “Has the sword been located yet?” Cole stood in the middle of the room, his arm crossed.

  “No,” Lars said. “Not yet. I have informants searching. I do not doubt we will have the information before the battle begins.” Lars had a precise way of speaking that completely captured you. You believed whatever he told you.

  Come on, Grimmel. Come through for us.

  “As you all know, Ember does not have her Fay powers. At least she is no longer affected by iron while Aneira is. My spies have told me she is daily trying to test herself around iron, which leads me to believe she thinks she has the Dark Dweller powers in her along with Ember’s. She is frustrated as to why Ember could push through the iron, and she cannot.

  “The sword will be protected with spells and guarded around the clock. The essential plan is to get Ember, the sword, and Aneira all in the same room. I will be sure to always have eyes on the Queen. When she heads back for the castle, I will follow. Until then, I have to be with my men. Aneira has to be sure of my presence on the field. Yet I understand in lieu of Ember not having her powers, I am the only one strong enough to help contain Aneira long enough for Ember to kill her with the sword.” Lars clasped his hand together. “Just in case, Cole and I have developed a plan. I want us to be prepared for all circumstances which may arise.”

  Lars lifted his arm, gesturing to Cole. Cole dug into his pocket and pulled out an intricately woven metal band. “Ember, you will carry an iron bracelet. There is only one of these armlets in existence, and it is extremely powerful. It’s goblin-made, and it will help debilitate Aneira.”

  I pointed at it. “Is that ...”

  “Oh, I’ve missed your doggie collar.” Eli reached for it and sighed with nostalgia. “Can’t take you for walks like I used to.”

  My elbow met his gut.

  Holding my breath, I tentatively took it from Cole’s hand and let the cool metal slip over my fingers. I gritted my teeth in reflex, waiting for the pain to come. But the iron sat innocuously in my palm, and I let out my breath. The experience was bitter-sweet. It was nice not to feel the agony of my insides being ripped out every time iron touched me, but this only solidified a part of my soul had already been taken from me, leaving a vast empty hole.

  “Don’t you love the idea of locking it around Aneira’s wrist and using it to restrain and deplete the bitch of her powers?” Cooper said from behind me.

  “If you don’t, can I, darlin'?” West spoke from against the wall, his tone sharp and full of hate and bitterness. “I have a few complaints about the dungeon I would like to file with her.”

  West’s hatred for her probably spiked as high as mine. He may never forgive Lorcan, but his true hatred was for Aneira. He wanted her dead and by his own hand. I knew it frustrated Eli not to be the one who could kill her; so I couldn’t even imagine the aggravation West felt about it.

  “We are hoping you will not have to use the bracelet, but I want you to be prepared. And now you can carry it without repercussions.” Lars strolled back around his desk and settled in his chair. He clicked off the TV. The horrific visuals of pain, fear, and devastation disappeared. “We have a lot to discuss; everyone get comfortable.”

  We spent another two hours in Lars’ office before he dismissed us. I was reaching for the door, needing air and a moment to myself, when I heard Lars’ voice dart over to m
e. “Ember, you and Elighan stay.” His tone held a tinge of displeasure. Could he seriously be upset at us for what happened in the training room earlier?

  I stepped back into his office, moving to the side to let people get by. Torin and Kennedy passed me without a glance. My shoulders slumped with their rebuff.

  “Goodbye, my lady.” Simmons gave me another pat on the neck and flew off after Torin, heading back to the Otherworld. Everyone else walked out, leaving Eli and me alone with Lars.

  “Kennedy will be a fantastic leader of the Druids someday.” Lars adjusted in his seat.

  I moved toward his desk. “I thought she was the last of the Druids?”

  “I have a feeling Kennedy was not the only one hidden. After the war, I will not be surprised if others emerge.” He waved to the seats in front of his desk. “Both of you sit.”

  “Lars, you can’t be upset with us for what we did in the training room?” I plopped into the chair. Eli’s lowered himself on the one next to mine.

  Lars sighed and stared at me. “Really, Ember. I think we have more pressing matters than your sexual endeavors with Elighan. You are part Demon and Fay and very much your mother’s daughter.” He glanced out the window into the hazy autumn light. “I am not like your human father, upset you are having sex. Sex is a natural part of who we are. We are not embarrassed, shy, or shocked by it like many humans are.”

  “Okay, so what do you want?”

  Lars leaned back. “I want to know we are on the same page and that you will follow your destiny, kill Aneira, and become Queen. I want nothing to get in your way of accomplishing it.” His gaze darted to Eli.

  My mouth clenched in a line while my eyes tapered to slits.

  “Nothing will get in her way. Ember will kill Aneira and take the throne.” Eli sat further into the curved back of the chair.

  I clamped my teeth tighter to keep from crying out. Every moment I fought with the idea of what I would choose in the end. Most scenarios ended with me picking Eli. But that image was only a fantasy. After the devastation shown on TV and the volume of people’s lives Aneira shattered within minutes—babies, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers—how could I forgo all those human lives and the freedom of Dark and Light Fae for one person? For my own selfish desire? Even when I tried to picture myself as a Queen, I didn’t see Eli by my side. Whether he survived or not, he would never be able to live with me in the Light. He was Dark Fae.

  No matter what fate had in store for me, if I were crowned, the seat next to me would be vacant. Always. For the welfare of the Fay, I would have to go on. But every time I looked at Eli, I didn’t trust I could.

  “What if I don’t want to be Queen?” I whispered.

  Lars slammed his fist on the desk. “It doesn’t matter what you want. It is your destiny. You must accept it and run toward it with both arms, or we will fail,” Lars countered. “And you play a part, Elighan.”

  “How can I help?” One eyebrow curved up on Eli’s face.

  My hackles rose. Did Lars enjoy taunting me?

  “You are the only one I trust to get her all the way inside. I know for a fact you will fight and kill anything standing in Ember’s way.”

  Eli tipped his head in agreement.

  The burden of what was coming weighed heavily on me. A minute ago I wanted to proclaim war and attack Aneira. Now I realized what the declaration meant: a fight to death. For all of us.

  “Now we have the goal clear. Go. I have some business to do and need to deal with what has happened in New York and London.” He reached for the phone, his yellow-green eyes flashed brightly, a sign of anger. There was a faint tremble in his hand. I had been around Lars enough to know he hid his feelings, retaining a composed exterior to keep everyone else around him calm. He was anything but relaxed on the inside. Aneira’s taunt bothered him more than he let on.

  Eli and I left his office, the screams of agony still echoing through my head and heart.

  TWENTY

  After leaving Lars, we found most everyone downstairs in the family room, continuing to watch the updates on the news.

  The same footage of the devastation replayed over and over. There wasn’t much new except for a mounting death toll. Once again, I felt the weight of what happened descend on me, the blood coating my hands, because my powers had caused it. The pain I felt for those suffering consumed my soul, placing me into an immobilized state. I felt powerless. Useless. Aneira could destroy the world with a flick of her wrist. Who was I to stop her, especially now? She had my powers. And she would flatten us.

  My attention strayed to the TV showing a child crying, dried blood crusted her blonde braids. After a moment, my heart could no longer listen to her wailing for her mother. It was too much. My throat closed, cutting back my air. My hand went to my chest as I rushed to my feet and left the room.

  “Em?” I heard both Kennedy and Eli call after me.

  I had no idea where I was going until I sought the safety of my bedroom, my own bubble of protection. I went around my bed to the windows, facing the world outside and leaned against it, breathing shallowly. The view spun, and I let my body slip to the floor.

  Kennedy’s face swam into my vision. “This isn’t your fault.” She leaned down, putting her hands on my knees. “Breathe. Concentrate on me. On my eyes.” Her fingers dug into my jeans, which helped me focus. She mumbled something, and right away a slight numbness soothed the agony and cleared away the garbled mess in my mind.

  “Did you just work your Druid mojo on me?”

  “Yes. You were having a panic attack. I could see it coming, and it was not going to be pretty.” She rubbed my leg. “I understand why you feel what Aneira did is more on you than anybody else, but it is not your fault. You did not wreak the destruction we saw. Don’t let Aneira get into your head. We need you to be at your best. Aneira took your powers, but she did not take away who you are.”

  “I feel like those powers are who I am.”

  Kennedy shook her head. “No. They add to you, but they are not you. You are much more than your abilities.”

  Tears gathered under my lids. Eli had said something similar.

  “You are the girl I befriended in junior high who is strong and feisty, loves deeply, and will fight to the death for those she cares about. That is who you are. You are the person I love and have missed so much.” She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, and her brown eyes filled with tears.

  I lurched forward, hugging Kennedy. “I’ve missed you so much, too. I hate you being mad at me. It’s something I hadn’t experienced before and never want to again. I love you so much.”

  Kennedy sniffled, and her arms enfolded me. “Today gave me a huge dose of perspective. I was being silly. Right now all I care about is both you and Ryan are alive and in my life. All the rest can kiss my ass.”

  I jerked back, my eyes wide with mocking shock. “Kennedy ... you swore.”

  She giggled through a weepy snuffle and sat back on her heels. “Yep, I mean it that much.”

  “Shit suddenly got serious.”

  We both broke into hiccups and giggles. The release felt better than any drug could provide. Sometimes in the most tragic or sad situations, laughter was a necessity.

  When we calmed somewhat, Kennedy moved next to me, leaning back against the bed. “Today made me realize I want to do something. Even if it’s really foolish.”

  “What?”

  “See Ryan.” Kennedy curled her hands in her lap. “I know Lars will deny us, but I need to see him. To hug him. He can’t come back here, so the only thing I can do is go to him.”

  I related to the urge to go to our friend, but I shook my head. “Ken, I did and was almost killed by the Strighoul. It’s too dangerous.”

  Did those words actually come out of my mouth?

  Kennedy pivoted her head to look at me. “I know, but when did it ever stop you before?”

  “Uhhhh ... good point.”

  “Em, please.” The need in her
voice sounded palpable.

  “Fine. Fine.” I stared at the ceiling in defeat. “I don’t have the right to tell you not to do anything.”

  The idea of seeing Mark, Ryan, and my mom developed in my head. A slow smile came to my lips. “Let’s do it.”

  Her whole face lit up.

  I winced at the reality of doing it. “Problem. There is no way I can go without Eli knowing. He will have me chained down in the basement faster than I can blink. And not in the fun way.”

  Kennedy twisted back away from me, her gaze going to the outside. “Yeah, those Dark Dwellers make it hard to get away with anything.” She frowned, and her eyes narrowed.

  I couldn’t decipher her expression. My gut told me she wasn’t talking about Jared.

  “They are a pain in the butt.”

  Kennedy nodded, her gaze faraway.

  We sat in silence as a smile grew over my lips. “My birthday is tomorrow ...”

  Kennedy’s head popped up, a conspirator glint sparkled in her eyes. “The birthday girl should get to do what she wants.”

  “And I want to have a party with my friends and parents in the Otherworld.”

  “Good luck.” Gabby’s voice spoke from the door. She stomped into the room and flopped across my bed, resting her chin between me and Kennedy.

  Since our time in Greece, she seemed a lot more comfortable hanging around us. Deep down I knew she enjoyed the girl time, even if she would never claim the fact.

  “Come on, Gab, it’s not like you are a rule follower.” I craned my neck to look at her.

  “No, but I like my life, and Eli would kill me if he found out I knew and let you girls go.”

  I shrugged. “And Eli knows I do what I want. No one lets me do anything.”

  Gabby snorted.

  “Besides, I’m planning to tell Eli. I can’t get far without him knowing anyway.”

  “You think he’ll be okay with it? After last time?” Gabby turned on her side and propped her head on her hand. “I thought we were going to have to commit him. You are about as dumb as an imp if you think he will agree to your leaving.”