Chapter 22
“Y
ou’ve made a terrible mistake,” Her voice was taut, and even as the water surrounded her, she felt nothing but pure rage. The boy that stood before her had almond-shaped hooded eyes, straight silky-black hair, strong sharp contoured cheeks, and an angered expression across his lips.
With a clap of his hands, the water encapsulated her, and all oxygen was cut off from within its dome.
A crazed feeling rose within her then; it was nearly as strong as it was when she obliterated Thall.
Seeing that woman attack Jayce, she felt the need to cause pain and destruction, and there was no sedating it.
Xol was rushing towards the boy, but he opened his arms and sent a rocket of water into her, sending her flying upward.
Azahara closed her eyes, and unlike anything she had done before, light erupted from her, swirling and evaporating the water around her.
The intense heat from the light dried her instantly.
With anger evident in the snarl across her face, she felt the heat gathering in her palm as she charged at the boy.
His hand raised, and another spout of water came towards her, but this time, in the shape of a Dragon. Its serpent-like body charging, its large jaw opening and coming down over her. As though it was going to devour her.
As she raised her hand, her eyes met the beasts, not understanding the pull to do so. As if it were tangible, the Dragon stopped right at her palm.
She tilted her head, and the serpent mirrored her action.
Completely taken out of the battle, she felt the energy around her retreat back inside of her.
The scales, shimmering iridescently, reflected a kaleidoscope of colors in the sunlight.
Its eyes were golden, sharp, and penetrating as they stared down into her very soul—the body of a serpent but the head of a dragon.
Elegant, powerful, and enigmatic, it would command fear and fascination from anyone who stood before it.
It was a cheap blow, but still a blow, nevertheless. A body slammed into her at full force, throwing her back and onto the ground. It knocked the air out of her, and she groaned in protest.
The boy, who was lithe but tall, tackled her, his legs straddling her waist. His hands grabbed at her wrists and pinned them down at her side. The darkness was gathering in her hands, and she was preparing to annihilate him until she looked up into the eyes blazing like the sun.
“My Little Mouse,” when she blinked, she was no longer in Ilkiz. Everything around her was dark, and on top of her was no longer the boy, but Goddrick. “You thought you could run.”
Feeling her entire body shut down, she began to shake uncontrollably.
“I told you what would happen if you left,” she tried to speak, but her lips wouldn’t move.
Every part of her went numb, and as he leaned down towards her, she felt the darkness fading from behind her eyes, ready to engulf her and never allow her to see the light.
She was suffocating, and soon would be without air.
“N—” Don’t say it… don’t say no…
“Get off of her!” Her eyes blinked rapidly as she struggled to regain focus, attempting to make sense of her surroundings and what was unfolding. It was Jayce, his voice cold and unwavering, “I said get off of her, or she dies.”
She was hyperventilating, her body was in shock, and she didn’t know how to pull herself out of it. When she looked up, the boy stared off to the side, his teeth baring. Slowly turning, she saw Jayce holding the girl in his grasp, his sword at her throat.
“Get—” she swore his eyes were glowing then, “off—”
“Kill her! We die like warriors, Akua!”
“Shut up, Kaen.” He said, looking back down at Azahara, and immediately, his eyes softened.
“Please—” her voice was broken, “not again…” Something seemed to click in his blue and red eyes, making him stand quickly, and release her.
Almost instantly, Jayce was by her side, lifting her up and enfolding her in his arms. Despite his comforting touch, her trembling persisted, and she found relief by burying her face into his chest. Behind her, she sensed Xol’s presence, and to her utter surprise, she felt her arms encircle her waist, her head resting against her back.
The two of them cocooned her, and she released silent tears. Their comfort all too needed, and the fear that it would be ripped away made her bring one arm onto Xol’s and tighten her hold on Jayce.
He stiffened, “That would be a mistake.”
“Kaen, stop it.” Akua seethed, “Do not attack them.”
“Why!? They come on our land.” She had a shrill, teetering-on annoyance tone. It was high-pitched, as though she was trying to whistle at every word spoken.
Jayce was ready to move on them, but Azahara gripped his arm; if he let her go right now, she would fall. Maybe it wasn’t good that she came. She thought she was ready, but maybe it was too soon.
Xol stood, “We will leave.” Her voice was flat, but Azahara felt the rage behind it.
“I’m sorry,” Akua said, and she heard feet shuffling.
“Akua!” Kaen then began speaking in a language she had never heard before, and quickly at that. Everything from her mouth sounded like a mixture of Elvish, Human, and Fae ancestral tongues.
“Kaen shut your mouth,” they bickered like Skyy and Mel used to, “I think…” Again, he began speaking in that strange language.
Jayce scooped her up from the ground, holding her close to his chest. Her hands gripped tightly at his shirt, and her face nestled against him.
“Breathe, baby, breathe,” he urged. The soothing sensation of his hand running through her hair washed over her, spreading from her temples to her toes.
“That’s my girl. Take deep breaths,” he encouraged.
She took an unsteady breath in, the trembling beginning to subside. “I’m here, I’ve got you.” He continued.
“We’ve got you,” Xol said softly, her hand on her arm.
While her heart was still running as though she was sprinting, her head was beginning to straighten, and her vision was returning. Soon, the world would stop spinning, and she could stand without fearing falling.
Akua spoke, “Redhead, who are you?”
Jayce tensed again, turning ever so slightly so that she could see him. He was holding back the fire-bending hot head, nearly pulling her hair out in frustration.
“Azahara.” He was looking at her expectantly, “—Starfall.” Why did people expect me to have a full name?
“Why are you here?” Akua never tore his eyes from her, “And why do you have Rah’s power?”
Jayce somehow knew to let her go right then, but not far, only releasing her enough so that she could turn to face the now very apparent twins.
Both had the exact same-colored eyes, the same facial structure, exact same hair, and ear shape.
The only distinguishing feature that set them apart was that Kaen was strikingly pretty, with sunken tear ducts and bangs; though it didn’t take away from how crazed she looked.
“I’m here seeking information from Ilkiz, or about her, rather,” She wasn’t sure why, but telling them about having Rah’s power felt strange, but she, at this point, didn’t have a choice, “I was gifted Light by Death, and mistakenly given the power of the gods.”
Kaen then was subdued, and her wild eyes shot to her, “Are you the—”
Akua gripped her arm, pulling her towards him. Speaking in their language once again, Azahara looked up at Jayce, who was peering down at her. His hand came up to the side of her neck, brushing his thumb against her cheek. “I should have made you promise not to be reckless.”
She swallowed, her eyes moving back and forth between his, “I don’t know what happened. Death’s power has become exponentially stronger, and I have no explanation for it. When I saw her attack you—I…”
His fingers brushed a strand behind her ear, “You used Death’s power, not the gods. Did you recognize that?”
Taking a deep breath, “I guess… not…” While she knew that was Death’s gift, she only realized that she hadn’t immediately gone to the gods gift like she had done after Kaed was killed.
Jayce smiled and placed his forehead against hers, “And now, your heart is back in place, and you aren’t shaking.”
“Because of you,” she said under her breath. His thumb gently lifted her chin to see him.
“No,” at that moment, all she wanted was for him to kiss her, the feeling so strong it was like a slap in the face, “because of you.” Knowing it wasn’t right to hope for that, she smiled weakly and nodded.
She looked back at the twins, who were bickering still. Xol stepped next to Azahara and whispered, “Should we just take this opportunity to go?”
“Wait,” Akua said, seemingly able to hear her, “Azahara—” he struggled to say her name, but she appreciated the effort nevertheless, “Answer my question, and that will determine if we help you or run you out of Ilkiz.”
“I’d love to see you try,” Xol literally hissed through her teeth.
Kaen, as though she was a snake herself, hissed back.
Fun. So much fun. She thought, shaking her head.
“You stopped my Sea Serpent and made them tangible. What was its name?” Akua asked, and Kaen leaned off to one side, a smirk on her lips. How was she supposed to know the Dragon’s name? It hadn’t spoken to her.
Or had it?
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The darkness around her was palpable, and while she could hear the noise around her, it was drowned out by the weight of her thoughts. What was your name? Tell me. Please.
Gasping, her eyes shot open, “My name is Venruvemi, but Akua calls me Vemi.” As the dragon spoke, its voice seemed to cling to her ears, surrounding her in a cocoon of sound.
It was as if she were submerged in an underwater world, the echoes of the dragon’s words reverberating in her mind like gentle ripples in a tranquil ocean.
It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. The sound seemed to vibrate through her being, leaving an indelible impression on her very soul.
“Venruvemi, but you call them, Vemi.”
Jayce and Xol looked at the twins while Azahara’s head tilted backward, her eyes directed at the sky above.
“We weren’t expecting you so soon,” Akua stepped towards them, his hand coming into a fist and then moving it to his chest. “At least not for a few thousand more years. Things must be bad out there.”
Kaen stepped beside her brother, and mirrored his action, “Sorry to have attacked you like that. My bad.” She shrugged her shoulders.
“Suppose I’d have done the same,” Azahara said, both weary, looking between Jayce and Xol. “We have family back on the ship. Will they be safe?”
It was Kaen who stepped towards them, her hands placed behind her back.
She was able to take a moment to soak in her appearance.
Taller than she was, she had a lithe form like her brother, which was only made more apparent by her traditional clothing.
The jade green and black colors adorn the one-piece head-to-toe shirt and pant ensemble.
Her brother wore nearly the same style of clothing.
“We can bring them too since Akua will be your passer here.”
Akua rolled his eyes, and she sensed that Kaen was even too much for him sometimes. He found her watching him, and a gentle smile laced the corners of his lips. He gave her a nod. “You can choose to bring them on land or keep them on the ship. We will bring no harm to you and your family.”
She looked at Xol, “What do you think?”
“Jayce?” Xol surprised her by directing the question to him, “I think we should all go, but I want to know your thoughts.”
“They won’t harm us,” Xol narrowed her eyes at him, and Azahara squeezed him closer to her, “after all, being descendants of Ilkiz, I think we all have a common goal here.”
Azahara looked at Akua, who was staring at her intensely.
Thank you, Venruvemi.
“Call me Vemi, my Keeper.”