42. Hell in a handbasket
Hell in a handbasket
KYRA
Niro pulls out our map, searching in comparison with our location, and grins. “Break it to me, how far off are we?” I ask, scanning his features for any tell-tell signs.
“Damn,” he says, folding it back up. My phone buzzes, and I pray it’s someone close by.
Nope.
Being lost on a survey and potential rescue mission isn’t how I wanted my first one to go.
SHINING KNIGHT
Hey, Princess, how’s it going?
You had to pick the worst possible moment. I’m on a mission, and we just arrived, or I think we’re in the right spot.
SHINING KNIGHT
Probably not, but cheers to trying
Yep, he is still a dick.
Not helpful, jerk. I’m assuming you’ve returned from yours. Good. Now let me be great on my first one. I’ll text you once back at the Academy. We can exchange stories.
SHINING KNIGHT
I look forward to our date. See you soon.
NOT A DATE!
Pocketing my phone, I contemplate where I went wrong as Niro strolls off.
“Uh, excuse me, we need to find our entry location.”
“Who said we’re not already here?” he voices over his shoulder.
My magic hums, a flourishing reminder that no more than a few minutes ago the tether was disconnected. Adrenaline, ravaging through my veins, gifts me a confident high for those we are here to protect, adding to the success of this mission.
My time with everyone in the Missing Room was short lived, but with this group of overly powerful fay, any fight seeking us will soon regret it.
Catching up to Niro, I see him kneel, retrieving our map and glancing over it with a determined expression. Focused.
I copy him, tapping his shoulder, and mouth, “What’s wrong?” knowing covert missions works best if we aren’t spotted.
Lush fields of grass sprawl to our rear, deep greens, vibrant yellows, and cooling browns. A chill floats amongst the air. A breeze, hinting this part of their realm is nearing a seasonal change.
“This is us.” He points to a red ‘X’ surrounded by detailed trees.
Surveying the area, I can tell it’s damn near close to Alex’s drawing.
“All others have made it to their points and are now closing in on one another. We have a more difficult task at hand. These trees may be riddled with waiting enemies, traps laid for unexpected travelers, or an ambush of the worst kind.”
Scrunching my brows, I demand, “Explain. ”
Removing the stem of his candy and peering into the thriving woodlands, Niro folds our map and stands.
“Death isn’t the worst thing a fay can endure.
” Meeting my attention and knowing he has every drop of it, he continues, “Glooms can steal your soul. Your essence. Harness it for themselves and ascend. Those killed are then turned into the very same beasts who snuffed out their life force. Leaving them to spend eternity in a walking hell. Killing until they meet the same fate, never again knowing peace or what’s beyond. ”
Unwrapping another sucker, he pops the cherry flavor in his mouth as mine all but drops from my lips.
“So…” My thoughts are racing, remembering the two death dealers I encountered. “Every gloom is a fay without their soul or aura?” I don’t want an answer, but rather, I need it.
“Exactly. You’ve never wondered why our Academies are hell bent on becoming strong? Ridding the world of those weaker?”
“All the time, it’s borderline savage and disgusting.” My tone is below a whisper.
“Good. It means you still have a heart. But it’ll change.” He shrugs, and I’m taken aback by his insinuation.
“I won’t change.”
“When you’ve murdered those you once considered your close friends because they were hunting you, or another you care about, it takes a piece of your soul, regardless.
Until you’d rather not offer our enemies a chance at claiming a weaker fay, they’ll be forced to fight you.
But what do I know? Out of ten, I only have one friend left.
The other nine were changed, slain by my hands, and buried. ”
This is too damn deep and depressing.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, noticing the blues of his eyes, lost behind a memory of unimaginable torture. Blank and expressionless, there are no hints over his features, and for a moment, I let him endure it. I hope he will find the good amongst the bad, if only for a second.
He blinks, and a warming tone expands beneath his skin, bringing life back into him. “If we venture into these woods and we’re attacked, run. Use this map and signal the others. I’ll hold them off. And if my fate meets–”
“No.” Invading his space, I force his neck to bend down in an uncomfortable angle. “We’re partners; I’m not leaving you. Fight together or not at all.”
“We–”
“I’m not done.” Holding up a hand, I find his newfound smirk isn’t helping with my more serious demeanor. “If all we need to do is get beyond this point unnoticed, you might have lucked out. I’m the perfect one for this job.” Stepping back, I pray I’m not being overconfident.
“Okay, now it’s your turn to explain.”
He folds his arms, pushing muscle against muscle, and I mentally thank him for the distraction.
Once my bearings are back in place, I go over this small ability of mine.
A vanishing shield. Hiding his shock well, he still has a faint slack to his jaw, either impressed or disbelieving. Either way, step one depends on me.
“Remember, I’ve tried it about six times, so bear with me.”
“And how many of those were successful?” His brow arches.
“Semantics.” Waving him off, I mask my anxiety with a false smile. “Let me know if you can see me.” He does a slight bow, and I pray. Please let this work.
Energy bursts from my aura once the dams are dropped.
A river of hungry power rushes to the furthest parts of my ligaments, building and begging for release.
Jace’s video helped the other experimental tries, and this is no different.
As I envision nothing and everything at once, layer by layer, magic pulls from my core.
It takes a whole two seconds, give or take one, before Niro whistles from a short distance.
“Damn, you really do live up to your hype.” His sparkling blue eyes dance around my body.
“I’m going to ignore that, but can you see me?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he says, peering just over my shoulder.
“Unfortunate? ”
“You’re hidden. My hope was to never let you out of my sight.” Damn it. Cheesy, but it’s working.
Clearing my throat and allowing the shield to dissolve, I see his face light up as though he has gone months without seeing me.
“There you are, little troublemaker.” Stop.
It. But as always, my body spends most of its time betraying me, so this isn’t any different.
Broad smile and spotty cheeks. He’s a problem
“Anyway,” I mutter, searching for something more to stare at.
Perfect, a fallen branch. It will do. “Stand close, once we’re disguised, we run like hell until we reach the other side.
It’s my job to keep you safe. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from those mean gloomies,” I taunt him with an overly confident smirk.
“Playing your damsel in distress sounds quite fun.” He grins, reaching for my hand once the shield goes up. “Let’s go.”
I gasp; my legs have never taken off at the speed he is running.
Furthermore, I can’t protect him if he is dragging me along.
But there is no way in hell I’m matching his pace.
It’s as though I’m being pulled through air.
Dimming rays of light pass in a blur and trees blend from brown and green, into a seamless hue of blues and reds.
We aren’t far off from the others location, and based on Alex’s map, this thickened forest has to be, bare minimum, a mile deep. It’s hard to shout as I feel my heart and lungs press into my ass, so my eyes remain wide whilst he jerks left and right through the forest.
Is…he…a vampire? My thoughts are left behind.
Any traces of light have vanished, leaving a mystical, blue gleam from the overhead moon. We emerge into another open field, the trees now behind us, and Niro halts in a heartbeat. Skidding a short distance, he breathes as though we’ve been on a light walk.
“We’ve arrived.” He lets go of my hand, and all at once, everything begins spinning–turning upside down, and my shield fades.
Bile erupts over the grass, and I retch to keep my chest from exploding.
“Oh, I should have warned you,” he says, but my eardrums are having a full-on concert. He can wait his turn.
Gentle back pats and soothing rubs help, but I blame him for not preparing me. Letting it pass, my spine erects whilst breathing in the night’s air. Cool, crisp, and buzzing with energy, my nerves replenish.
“Were you trying to kill me?” I question, still feeling the zipping motion of his speed.
His laugh is dangerous. Not in a threatening sense, but the sonance is too lulling on my ears. “Let me apologize, I’m–”
“A vampire, I know. Who else can move this fast?” Huffing whilst circling my vision, I see Niro smirk, placing a hand on his chin that suggests he is impressed by my knowledge. “Okay, where do we go from here?”
We retrieve our map and see red dots stutter in close proximity. “These are the other pairs. From what I can tell, we should be able to see them from here.”
He and I both peer into an open field. Fresh cut grass and newly sprouted flowers stretch for miles, leading our gaze to a towering mountain. Snow covers the tip as transparent clouds coat its tallest spikes, breathing the moon’s gleam along its ridges.
I’m lost in the beauty of it all, taking each detail and placing it in my long-term memory. Heat spreads beneath my skin, combating the weather, and nothing but stars shine on us like miniature spotlights.
“We should go before my mind decides to stay. This scenery holds a divine, picturesque quality.”
“Agreed, the longer I remain, the more challenging it is to leave.” I catch a faint breath lingering as his eyes drop to mine. Do we have to go?
Being held by an unnatural force, my aura blooms a ripple, which vibrates from my core, spreading outwards. Yep, time to go. He gestures towards the mountains, and we take off into a light jog, conserving energy, or should I say, I’m conserving energy. Niro has no problem getting there in seconds.
Wet grass swooshes beneath my feet, making it harder to run as we bound towards a single tree, which popped into view after pacing across the field. “Are you seeing this?” I ask between steps, when a dark energy passes through me, leaving a bulky, clear coat of dread hanging on my skin.
Pink magic sparkles around us as if we just breached a shield of some kind, and the realization of our surroundings kick in.
Fire, screams, and brimstone, are all showcased under groups of dark clouds. Smoke rises high and is fueled by roaring flames, encompassing the houses, trees, and anything else it can latch on to. Dark, shadowy figures dive into the flames with squeals of hunger. Desire. Souls.
It is a trap.
My phone pings Blaise’s tune, a text, and I take a hasty peek, praying it’s informational.
GHOST
Stick to the plan. The single warning I can give.
Easier said than done as I watch Niro sprint towards a group of collapsing houses.
I’m trying, Ghost.
Fays are dying, and the other groups are nowhere in sight. Caspian, give me a sign you’re okay. I’m coming. This most definitely is not the plan.