Chapter 26 #2
Throwing her dagger down, she watched as her black roots hardened to a steel-like material and shot toward the Surrem. Turning she encircled everyone in a black light, and just as she opened the door to the dorm. Roni shouted, as he came behind her. “Watch out.”
Lanias sidestepped lashing out, her magic flashing white as it raced across her skin. It wrapped its way around the arm of the True One who’d attacked her. Seeing an opening she lifted her knee slamming it into his stomach. The True One’s mouth opened in a high pitch scream.
Pain exploded in her head.
Roni, who’d run to the teens, cried out along with her. The high-pitched scream was akin to having knives stabbed into her ears.
Lanias gritted her teeth, as she made a desperate bid and transported them all with little thought.
Wind whistled past her ears as she was welcomed with the sight of a blue sea above her. They were all free falling from where her portal had dumped them in the middle of the sky.
Someone released a terror-filled scream.
She needed to focus, but the ringing in her ears made it almost impossible. As she spun, she spotted another portal open above her.
The True One with the broken arm flew at her.
“You’re not escaping,” he yelled eyes glowing with murderous anger.
“Lanias!”
Hearing her name called, snapped her into action, forcing her body to roll over mid-air she found silver eyes looking up at her in shock.
Alek stood atop what looked like rubble, he crouched as if to gather strength and then launched himself up towards her.
Seeing this she stretched out her hand to him.
Matching her movement the two of them strained as she continued to fall.
Their fingers brushed against each other’s barely managing to touch.
With a shout of success Alek’s larger hand grasped her, and he yanked her into his arms causing their bodies to spin in circles.
Alek pressed her body against his own, as he lowered his other hand, his sword appearing out of nowhere. Flashing his teeth he swung up at the oncoming enemy with all his strength. Cutting the hand that had been aimed for Lanias clean off.
His move was met with a shriek of pain.
The True One grabbed his wrist, as he shot a vengeful look at Lanias and Alek before he disappeared.
Landing below, Alek held Lanias close, the sword in his hand melting away.
“What happened?” he exclaimed.
“I unlocked my gift and that’s exactly what they’ve been waiting for.”
He frowned, looking to where Roni knelt trying to calm the crying girls down. “How did you know to come here.”’
“I didn’t,” she said as he turned to look down at her. “I just knew that where you were I would be safe. Though if you had stayed, I could have just shouted your name.”
“I needed to think—” he started to explain, but she cut him off.
“Forget it,” Lanias snapped. “I don’t care why you left. I’m not going to let the bad blood between you and my father take you away from me. So, whatever you need to work through. I hope you’re done, and we can get back to us.” She punctuated this by pushing at him so that he’d put her down.
Alek reluctantly let her leave his embrace. She lifted her head and kept her eyes focused upon him. She tapped him on the chest to emphasize. “What you need to understand is that when you left I—” She blinked; her lashes fluttered as she lowered her chin.
Curious, he lowered his head, “You, what?”
“I was lonely.” She confessed, her eyes filled with anger and something else. “Are you happy?”
He couldn’t help offering her an exasperating smile. “I don’t know why I bother trying.”
She frowned, “Bother with what?”
He leaned down, taking her by surprise. Lanias took a step back automatically. He caught her, pulled her in close and twitched her nose. “Planning with you involved.”
She rolled her eyes at that. “I told you not to do that. It’ll only give you a headache. Speaking of,” she trailed off and she gave a cursory look around. “Where are we?’
Before he could explain, someone very important spoke up. “So, are you going to explain why a dead woman is alive.”
Lanias’ eyes widened as she whipped around to meet the serious eyes of Raijin.
Instead of seeming fazed by his appearance she said, “Well, if it isn’t the man eater. How’ve you been darling?” Her lips stretched in a cool smile. “Eating your vegetables, I hope.”
“Well, that, and taking care of the sister, you seemed to have forgotten.”
“Don’t.” Alek grabbed her hand before she stabbed Raijin. “Calm down, my love.”
The violence in Lanias’ gaze was completely focused on Raijin. “I dare you to say that again. Alek won’t be able to protect you the second time around.”
She snatched her hand back from Alek’s and grimly continued. “So, back to my first question, where are we?”
Alek looked from her to the rubble. “A place I used to live.”
“Oh, really,” she said, completely losing the blood lust that had surged up earlier. “Looks like it hasn’t been lived in, in a long while. What brought you here?”
“I needed to close some doors.”
She looked at him then. Her eyes searching his face. Seemingly pleased with what she saw, she turned to him again. “Did you do it?”
“Do what?”
“Close the doors?”
He moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned down pressing his nose against her shoulder. “Yes, I think so.”
Placing her hand over his, “Good. It looks like you’re not the only one who has doors to shut. The True Ones aren’t going to leave us alone. And one of them, Icarus seems to have a vested interest in getting her hands on me.”
She turned around to look up at him. Expression serious, she asked him, “Are you still interested in being my protector?”
“Did you plan on getting rid of me?”
“At first, yes,” she said, “but after experiencing some time away from you. I realized I didn’t want to do this alone.”
“Then may I make a suggestion,” Raijin’s words drew their attention, he moved over to his jacket. Picking it up he dusted it off, “Why don’t you both return to the Veil.”
Lanias immediately felt the automatic urge to say no. She couldn’t return after everything, and so what if Raijin had seen her. She could alter his memories with a snap of a finger.
“Why do you think that would serve us?” Alek asked. She decided to let him take the lead. “Is it because of what you mentioned earlier.”
Raijin nodded, pulling his coat on. “You have the knowledge, and from your earlier display, the ability to fight enough to keep them off balance. Not only have they been attacking you they have also been committing violent acts in the veil. Since we know they are after Lanias, wouldn’t it be better for us to work together.
We’d be stronger working together, than separately. ”
“Thank you, ever so much for pointing out the obvious.” Lanias sneered. “So, use me as bait and get rid of the pest.”
“Basically.” Raijin finished.
“So, what’s the plan,” Roni asked approaching them, with the four girls behind him. “They are tracking you, so the best bet would be to lay low.”
“No,” Lanias said, her eyes on Raijin. “The Ogre is right, hiding won’t do anything. Plus, I’m heartily sick of it. I miss my sister and cousin. I miss the smell of wet asphalt and the cry of the phoenix at dawn. It’s time I returned.”
Alek chuckled, “You’ve only been gone a few months.”
Alek groaned from her elbow slamming into his stomach.
“Now, why don’t we first go to Alek’s Manor, there’s a kid Roni should meet. And I’m sure Alek’s children would love to know what their father is planning.
She pointed at Raijin, “And you’re going to prepare the others for my return from the dead.”
He quirked his brow. “I guess I could soften the blow.”
She waved him off. “Just talk to Malcolm, he’s known about my plan this entire time.”
“You let the dog know, and not me?” Alek demanded angrily.
Lanias shot an amused look in his direction. “You didn’t require my help during the mating moon.”
“Mating moon!” he exclaimed. “Did you and he—”
The words got stuck in his throat when he noticed her expression.
“No, don’t stop talking now. What were you going to ask me,” she crooned.
Alek thought it was best to keep his mouth closed. Especially with the level of blood lust coming off her. “Nothing.”
“Hmm, now Raijin be a dear and don’t mess this up.” She rolled her wrist and a black ball appeared in her hand. She threw it at him, enjoying the brief shout he released before he disappeared.
“Well now with that bit handled,” she turned her attention to Alek. “Let’s go home.”
“You know we will need to have a serious talk once we return,” Alek warned.
“I know,” she said her tone serious.
He motioned to his long coat and suit jacket.
The red mist surrounded them, “Good.”