Marie Harte - Aftershocks

Why had Lexa done something so foolish as to expend energy she would need to combat her brother? And why heal Ravyn, Tanselm’s queen and the mother to the remaining Storm Lords… Unless Lexa’s promise to help the Storm Lords was genuine. The images of the past he’d seen in her mind stirred, and he forced them back. He couldn’t afford to think about that, not now. He’d simply chalk up his confusion to the reality of Lexa, a Dark Lord with too many issues to count. He shook his head and teleported to the northern territory. He had little time to make Ellie understand what they needed to do. He could only hope her love for Cadmus would sustain them.

“No. No way in hell. She won’t do it.” Jonas stood rooted to the floor, protectively hovering over Ellie as she fought the cobwebs of sleep from her brain.

“Get out of the way, Djinn.” Arim brushed him aside like a bothersome insect and touched her head, clearing the pain and weariness she’d been trying to sleep away. “Ellie, we don’t have much time. Cadmus’ vision is coming to pass.”

She stared up at him wide-eyed. “What do you mean coming to pass?”

“‘Sin Garu has Cadmus.”

Fear grew like a knot in her belly. The evil man who’d attacked Queen Ravyn, who was responsible for so much blood and death, had Cadmus in his grip. She wanted to crawl back under the covers and pretend this had never happened. Then she remembered why she felt so tired, so dejected. All the tears and anguish Cadmus had put her through, and she might not get a chance to talk to him again? To tell him what an idiot he was to throw away something as special as her love?

No way would she let some Dark Lord deal with Cadmus until she’d had her say. Talk about trust. Ha. To Arim, she said, “Explain to me again what it is you want me to do? What has my cousin’s panties in a bunch?”

Jonas huffed in disgust. “Laugh it up, Ellie. But what he’s asking you to do might as well be a death sentence.”

“Not necessarily.” Lexa appeared out of nowhere, startling Ellie and making Jonas jump. He barely reined in the power he’d been about to unleash at the woman.

“Didn’t I tell you to meet me at MornMountain in an hour?” Arim glared at her.

Lexa walked to Ellie’s side, her nose in the air. “I have a problem taking orders, especially if they’re yours.” She turned to Ellie. “How do you feel?” Touching her friend’s head, Lexa frowned. “Arim, you missed a few spots.” “ Healing never was his strong suit.” Lexa’s thought caused Ellie to sputter on laughter. But she feared if she started, she might never stop.

A buzz started in her head, then Ellie blinked, staring at the world around her now so vibrant with colour. She felt like a new woman, and the knowing look on Lexa’s face told her it was nothing less than magic.

“So,” Lexa drawled. “Now that you feel like a million bucks, what do you think about Arim’s proposal?”

“What proposal? I don’t understand what he’s trying to tell me.” Ellie glared at Arim, who glared right back.

“I’m trying to explain—”

“—the dangers of possession,” Lexa interrupted. “In order to get a leg up on ‘Sin Garu, we’re going to let him think Arim is helpless and in my power. You know, I’m not averse to making that a reality.”

Arim frowned at the wicked grin she shot him.

Lexa continue, “The Dark Lord will be so heady in his power that he’ll underestimate you, Ellie. Once he does that, Arim can strike at him through you while I grab Cadmus.”

“And what will I be doing during this time?” Jonas asked in a gruff voice.

“You’ll be distracting the wraintu, the wraiths housing Nocumats inside their decaying bodies.”

“Wonderful. Sorry I asked.” Jonas fell back on Ellie’s bed and covered his face with his hands. “Lexa, can I borrow a few spells to aid me in the coming battle?”

“Of course, fair one.” Lexa’s grin was infectious, because Jonas lit up like a Christmas tree wreathed in smiles.

Ellie had the worried notion her friends looked forward to the fight. At least Arim didn’t seem as happy.

“You must understand,” Arim said, ignoring Lexa and Jonas, “when I take command of your body, my essence leaves my body and joins yours. That which makes you who you are will be thrust aside. You’ll still be in your body, so to speak, but you’ll be a virtual prisoner. My Light is very strong, and my presence within you will be painful.” He paused. “I could unwillingly kill you.”

She wondered what Cadmus, that great jackass who had not only rejected her once, but twice now, would want her to do. Recalling the many instances of his protection, she made up her mind. If he could protect her, then she could protect him. And damn it, she’d force the man to trust her.

As her anger grew, she realised she’d begun to burn in truth and calmed herself. She had to remain in control. She had no intention of dying to prove her loyalty. She’d make Cadmus eat his distrust, bite by bite—and Arim too—until they begged for her forgiveness. The fantasy had such a pleasant taste that she was smiling as she phased back into her normal self.

Arim stared at her with interest. “Try not to do that while you’re under my possession. I have no idea what that state might do to us, and we’ll need every bit of strength we possess to save Cadmus and Tanselm.” He glared at Lexa. “No more healing spells, Nurse Feel-Good.”

“I’ll show you ‘feel-good’,” Lexa muttered, rising from the bed. Jonas caught her arm and whispered something in her ear. She paused, and instead of confronting Arim, she turned to Ellie. “Let’s get you ready to rescue your Storm Lord. Arim, make sure the others know not to interfere. Especially Aerolus. Lately, he’s a little too pushy for my tastes.”

Arim narrowed his gaze and nodded. “A little too big for his britches, I know. Don’t worry. I have a feeling my nephews and their affai will be too busy trying to save their territories from the Netharat to aid us. Let’s prepare. I don’t think we have much time.”

“We don’t. I hear his taunts in my mind.” Lexa glared at no one in particular. “They’re crude but to the point. Jonas, take Ellie here.” She must have sent him a mental map, because he nodded and grabbed Ellie’s arm. Just as they shimmered away, Ellie heard Lexa say, “Arim, how do you feel about Dark-hide rope?”

Hidden in the dark corner at the far end of the rampart and under Lexa’s protective spell, Ellie watched, fascinated, at the heated interplay between her friend and Arim. They had been sparring for over twenty minutes now, and the raging wind and cracks of thunder continued to swell.

“You’re such a weakling,” Lexa taunted, blasting Arim with another shot of blue flame.

Ellie flinched, recalling the blue remnant of flame that had caused Ravyn’s wound. Arim waved aside Lexa’s attack and struck at her with a wave of pure Light.

“ Bastard’s cheating,” Lexa gasped and rubbed her midsection. She glared at her opponent. Looking through the Dark energy within her, Ellie expected what she saw. Like before, both Arim and Lexa seemed to lean towards, rather than away from, each other. And for all that they were fighting, their energy clearly wanted to clash, to intertwine and touch.

“Look, Guardian of Storm, we all have our parts to play in the Universe, so stick to yours and succumb to the Dark.” Lexa’s emphasis on ‘parts’ had Arim’s eyes narrowing, but he apparently caught her gist for he fell to Lexa’s next attack, a blast through the shoulder. She quickly bound him with Dark-hide ropes that appeared with the snap of her finger. The magic ropes would suck at his energy, steadily depleting his strength.