Blood Finale (God Wars #5) (29 page)

Teen versions of Macy, Edward, Keith, Luanne and Bryce came through with their parents. I shone brightly as I held the gate open. Then, I saw the older version of Bill, staggering toward the gate.

"Wait. Wait," he said. I wanted to weep—the side of Bill's face was covered in blood as he stumbled toward me. Somehow, he knew I stood there waiting for him to cross over. The young Ashe thought the former Director wanted to stop the families from getting to safety, but that wasn't the case. Bill wanted to get to me. I wanted him to get to me, too. I sent a bit of power through the gate, to help.

The moment Bill reached the gate, I stepped forward and held out my hand. Bill took it gratefully and moved to embrace me. I held him while I fed him power and healing. Last of all, the ghosts of Philip and Elizabeth ran through, just before Ashe closed the gate behind us.

"Welcome home, honey," I dimmed my light and kissed Bill, leaving him stunned in a grove of gishi trees as Kay and I disappeared.

* * *

"I probably shouldn't have, but Ashe looked so sweet, I told him I loved him," Kay slumped on her bed with a sigh.

"Kay, you did just fine," I sat beside her and gave her a hug. "In fact, you did exactly what you were supposed to do." I sent her
Love
, and she smiled and leaned her head on my shoulder.

Later, when she was asleep again, I sneaked away to visit one more place. Three reptanoids needed their lives back after the first battle, and I intended to take care of that.

* * *

"Get things taken care of?" Charles waited for me when I appeared in Ashe's kitchen late that evening.

"I got plenty taken care of," I said.

"Congratulations," he said. "Are you hungry?"

"A little."

"How about I take you to dinner?"

"Where?"

"I believe we have a reservation at Dee's in the past."

"Then let me rescue Dee from Campiaa from before it was blown to bits, and he can come with us."

"Sounds fine."

"Good."

* * *

"I don't know why I knew you'd come for me, I just did," Dormas sighed as we were seated at a table at the restaurant he and Teeg purchased for Reah years earlier.

"You should trust Bree before anyone else," Charles smiled and nodded at the waiter, who offered a bottle of wine.

"I saved you once; I wasn't willing to let you go a second time," I said, watching as the waiter poured a glass of wine for me.

"You saved me before. Yes, it makes sense," he nodded. "I was dead, wasn't I?"

"Yes, but not very long," I said. "Tybus will be glad to see you. The Starr brothers, too."

"Speaking of the Starr brothers," Charles said as Stellan pulled out the fourth chair at our table.

"Hey," I touched his hand and smiled. "What have you been up to?"

"We helped Dragon and his High Demons," Stellan said. "We held arenas together while they battled monsters. Before that, we held off raiders from Karathia for Ry and Erland. Charles here had all sorts of assignments," Stellan grinned. "But I'm here now."

"I'm glad. Want this glass of wine? I can wait for another."

"Let's share, until they bring another glass," he said.

"Sounds good."

Another glass of wine was poured quickly and the specials were given. Our orders were taken and the waiter walked away discreetly. "How are the preparations coming along? I received information secondhand through Ry," Stellan said.

"I have everything in place on my end," Charles said. "I just hope things go as I think they will."

"I worry about what they have to throw at us," Stellan muttered before sipping his wine. "And what they may do in the next two days."

"Whatever they do in the next two days can't be helped," Charles said. "We have to concentrate on the battle."

"I know how it went the first time," Dee said. "We lost some there."

"And we may lose some again," Charles agreed. "Things will happen as they will. I suggest keeping your worry in check. It can prevent us from operating at our best when the time comes."

I watched Charles carefully throughout the meal. The food was excellent, as was the wine, but something concerned me. I couldn't put a finger on it, but it niggled my brain, like an itch I couldn't scratch.

He paid for the meal and transferred all of us back to SouthStar, before kissing me goodnight and going to bed. Dormas, too, went to find Tybus, leaving Stellan and me alone in the solarium.

With no sunlight and little moonlight, the groves were dark under the stars. "Let's go outside and sit by the pool," Stellan suggested.

"Let's get in the hot tub," I countered.

"I'm all for that. With or without suits?"

"Oh, without," I shrugged. I knew we'd both be naked before the night was over anyway.

"Sounds good," Stellan grinned.

* * *

Tybus' Journal

"Breanne saved me—for the second time, as I understand it," Dee said.

"I am grateful," I said. "For both times. The memories I have from Gavril tell me when it happened the first time. He should have listened carefully to Breanne, yet he did not. I understand that his spirit was being siphoned away, but the mind cloud obviously destroyed what little reason he had left."

"He was a good child when he was young. Curious and capable. It was a joy to teach him."

"When did things begin to change?" I asked.

"Shortly before he took Campiaa to begin forming the Alliance. I was shocked by his treatment of Reah. I cannot say that taking the reptanoids with him wasn't a good idea—they were important, just as the Starr brothers were important in building the Campiaan Alliance. He could have reassured Reah, yet he did not."

"He wanted her love, yet he blamed her for so much," Kevis appeared and sat at the small table in Ashe's library, where Dee and I had settled to talk. "He and Kifirin—so much was the same with them."

"Then we ought to blame Quislus—and Acrimus—for much of that. Kifirin interfered with Gavril, but Acrimus and Quislus interfered with Kifirin." Karzac nodded to his son and took the last chair at our table.

"Healer," I nodded respectfully to him.

"I hope we can sort all this out, if we survive the battle," Kevis said,
Pulling
a bottle of bourbon in, with four glasses. "Care to join me?"

"Yes," Karzac nodded. "We all need a drink."

* * *

Hank's Journal

Kifirin and I stood upon the edge of Baetrah, where Quislus had killed him before. Below, the caldera was cold and dead. Kifirin had created it in the beginning, and allowed it to erupt at times to express his anger.

"It feels empty. The planet. It has not been empty since I first created it," Kifirin breathed smoke as he looked about him.

"Are you prepared to call Quislus?" I asked.

"I am ready," Kifirin agreed. "He knows I live. Will the General appear a second time?"

"I doubt it. Quislus killed you with little effort before. He assumes you are the same and he might do it just as easily a second time."

"How does he suppose I live again?" Kifirin asked.

"I suspected that one of the powerful remade you," Quislus appeared, nodding in my direction. "You know what happened the last time we met, don't you?" Quislus crossed arms over his corporeal chest and glared at both of us.

"Last time, I was dead before Li'Neruh arrived," Kifirin snarled.

"I intend to make you dead again."

Kifirin didn't bother with a reply. He merely sent a mental flick of power, holding Quislus immobile while I held the shield around the rogue.

"Kill him. Once his body is dead, pull the power into yourself," Charles arrived and instructed Kifirin. Kifirin's eyes widened as Quislus died quickly and he absorbed his former parent's power into himself.

"Time to go, before the General becomes suspicious," Charles grinned. We folded to SouthStar without a backward glance.

* * *

Lissa's Journal

"Where have you been?" I asked as Hank, Charles and Kifirin appeared in the kitchen and pulled out an expensive bottle of whiskey.

"On an errand. If my calculations are correct," Charles began. "Yes, as I expected—the General has just destroyed Kifirin's planet."

I felt it—as if something in me was lost. I nodded at Charles. I had no idea what he, Hank and Kifirin had done, but it was clearly satisfying to them in some way.

"Pour me a glass too," I said. Kifirin delivered the glass of whiskey to me personally, then leaned in and kissed me gently after I sipped it.

Chapter 17
 

Ashe's Journal

"I'm not sure I can fight back," Kay murmured. I'd joined her in bed early the following morning.

"I know. Sweetheart, just stay toward the back. Protect yourself. Don't worry about the rest of us, all right?"

"When will we go to Xordth?" Kay asked.

"Charles and I discussed that this morning. We'll go tonight and join the others who fought in the past. While Charles, Breanne, Hank and I weren't there before—at least for the battle, most of the others were, so they'll have to have a short talk with their former selves—about what is going down and why they're there, squared."

"So we can form battle plans, right?"

"Yes. Dragon will discuss this with Dragon, as they'll be the field commanders. Crane and Crane will back them up and dissect the first battle with all of them, so they'll know what to expect."

"What about the ones who died—the first time? Won't they know something isn't right when their second self doesn't appear?"

"We're trying to avoid that. Remember, not everybody there was given extra power, so they can't be at the same place at the same time. I'm hoping we can skirt that issue."

"Let's hope it doesn't come up, then," Kay shivered in my embrace.

"Sweetheart, it'll be okay," I held her tighter.

"Ashe, we don't know that," she whimpered. "I lost you once. I can't face that again."

"I hope you never have to deal with that again," I said and leaned in to kiss her.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

"We're going tonight, baby," Hank crooned against my collarbone before kissing it. Yes, I'd spent the night with Stellan, but he'd been called away early to meet with his brothers, and Hank found me in the shower afterward. We'd ended up back in bed.

"So you have time to plot and plan?" I asked, running my fingers through thick, black hair as his head moved down to my left breast.

"Exactly. And to get the others there used to the fact that they'll be backed up by a second, more powerful versions of themselves." His teeth locked on my nipple and bit gently before sucking and kissing.

"Oh, honey, that feels good," I mumbled. How does Hank do it? I always feel wanton in his arms—as if I can't get enough of him.

"Want more?" he teased, pulling away and grinning at me.

"Oh, yeah." I arched my body toward him.

"Then come and take it." Hank rolled over on his back, still smiling.

"What?" I stared—he wasn't moving. Naked and erect, yes, but not moving.

"Come on, your turn." He stroked himself, just to taunt me.

"Uh, okay," I mumbled uncertainly.

"Come on, I like my nipples played with, too."

"Okay." Well, they'd always fascinated me, but I'd never had an open invitation from him before, so I'd held back. Mostly, he liked to be in the driver's seat, with me not moving so I wouldn't distract him.

I reached out and pinched his right nipple gently. He seemed to like that. I moved closer, pulled a leg over one of his and proceeded to rub myself against him. I think that was good—for both of us.

"I think I like this," I said, moving to straddle him and leaning down to give him a kiss. "I think I like it a lot." I moved to cover him and went to work to make him moan for a change.

* * *

Lissa's Journal Past

"Cara Mia, you cannot go. You are pregnant," Gavin pointed out.

"Tell me something I don't know," I muttered. I'd wakened that morning feeling queasy and Connegar and Reemagar had both shown up before I could make it to the bathroom. They cleaned up the resulting mess, too.

"But you, Winkler and Drake and Drew are going," I grumped, rubbing my belly. Drake and Drew were with me more often than not, and while they normally were the most easygoing of my mates, fatherhood had turned them into almost-tyrants.

"As are several others," Gavin agreed. "All the vampires who can stand in daylight are going. Our son holds most of the talents you had before you became a Nameless One. He will act in your stead."

"It just isn't fair," I huffed. "Reah and I can't go, for the same damn reason."

"Lissa, are you belittling your unborn children?"

"No. Hell, no," I turned away, rubbing my forehead. "But the timing sucks. Even you have to admit that."

"I will not deny it," he sighed. "Although a part of me is glad you won't be placed in danger."

"Gavin, everybody on that field will be in danger. Admit it. We both know the god wars are coming—what if this is the beginning?"

* * *

Lissa's Journal Present

Before the original battle, I'd mentioned the god wars to Gavin, and asked him whether that battle might be the beginning. As it turns out, it was the ending instead. For good or bad, one side would walk away victorious. I worried that it wouldn't be my side.

So far, the General had hurt us every time we'd stood against him. He'd taken Bree down, too, and only the combined power of the Larentii had pulled her back to us. The difference then had been that he hadn't destroyed her body. She'd had that to return to.

Somehow, when the Three had joined together to destroy Acrimus after Ferrigar fell, they'd moved their bodies to a safe place. We'd all thought those in the Larentii Archives were the real ones, but that hadn't held true.

"Does the General know the Three have returned?" I asked.

Kifirin blew a warm breath against my neck. "I do not believe he does, although I cannot say for certain. He will not expect the One to interfere—that has been the belief—according to the books and prophecies. Acrimus believed that to be true, as did I and all the others."

"Do you think they allowed that misconception to be carried forward?"

"It would be logical, don't you think? To allow those who work against them to believe themselves safe from the One?"

"Unless they kill a Larentii," I pointed out.

"True. Acrimus acted before he considered the situation, and that led to his death. I am not sorry he is gone."

"I don't think anybody is sorry he's gone," I agreed.

"I feel nothing for Quislus' death. Should I?" I turned to gaze into Kifirin's dark eyes. Stars—brighter than I'd ever seen there—fell through their depths.

"Honey, that's not your parent. Not this time. Why would you feel anything for the death of an enemy who betrayed you?"

"Breanne did this for me. I cannot repay her for this gift, or for the gift of your life, Avilepha."

"I don't think she expects repayment, and she just gets embarrassed if somebody grovels and thanks her profusely. I think she takes joy in our joy, and appreciates our love for her."

"I have that," Kifirin agreed, kissing me. "I certainly have that."

* * *

Breanne's Journal

"How are we supposed to dress for this?" I asked, sorting through the collection of clothing in my closet at SouthStar.

"I don't think it matters, sweetheart," Bill said. He stood behind me while I flipped hangers across the rod. Nothing looked good—or appropriate—for a battle.

"Honey, I'm really glad you're here," I said, turning to kiss him. "I don't ever want to see you hurt again."

"I don't want to live without you," Bill sighed, hugging me tightly.

"Then we'll hope it doesn't come to that. Won't we?"

"Yeah. I think hope is about all we have left, now."

"You could be right. But you know, hope may see us through."

"Then we'll have hope. Until we don't have it," Bill murmured against my mouth.

* * *

Lissa's Journal

"Look at this." Drake and Drew folded me to a portion of SouthStar I'd never seen. Ashe had built this for the people of Star Cove, who'd come from Cloud Chief in Oklahoma before that. The town was small and beautiful, fitting architecturally with the groves surrounding it.

All of those living there worked in the groves or had something to do with the business end of things, and through the years, some of them had traded duties just to learn how to do as much as they could.

They'd prepared a feast for us, with food covering long tables, which were surrounded by fruit trees in a park at the center of their town. "Smells good, too," Drake grinned. "This is a good idea—I didn't feel much like eating, but this is too good to pass up."

"We made vegetarian dishes, for Breanne," Fes walked up to us. Reah wasn't far behind him, and I realized that this was how two master cooks chose to use their free time before going to war.

Tybus, grinning broadly, followed Reah closely. He was happy; she was his, completely, for the first time. I hoped their love would continue instead of being destroyed by the General, who only seemed to understand hate and destruction.

"Wow," Breanne breathed. She and Bill folded in next to my Falchani. Then, to make things even better, Travis and Trent appeared with Dragon and Crane.

"Hey," I held my arms out. They came to hug me. I kissed both their cheeks. Their fathers, accompanied by their grandfather and great-uncle, had traveled into the past and pulled them away from Falchan before it was destroyed. So many others weren't so fortunate, however. I still wanted to weep for them. I didn't. I presented a brave face to my youngest, so they wouldn't break down, too. They'd lost too many friends to count and already grieved their loss.

"Grammy," Bel Erland arrived with his father and grandfather.

"Erland," I offered a trembling smile to my Karathian warlock mate before he kissed me. I hugged Bel Erland after that, and then his father, Ry.

"Looks like an appropriate feast," Erland nodded as Bel took off with Travis and Trent.

"Gram?" Wyatt stood next to Edward, who'd gone to fetch him earlier. Edward grinned while I hugged Wyatt and then sent him off to find the other three.

He still doesn't suspect about Tybus
, Edward shook his head as he sent mindspeech.

"Don't worry," Breanne said, patting Edward's shoulder. "If we survive, I think I might help with that."

"Reah and I would appreciate it," Edward nodded. "Thank you."

In half an hour, we were seated together and sharing food with the powerful and non-powerful—vampires, shapeshifters, werewolves, humanoids—all sorts.

"We need to do this again, if we have the opportunity," Ashe declared. Kay sat quietly beside him, nibbling at this or that and listening to the rest of us talk. I knew she was worried, as did Breanne. Kay thought she might be a hindrance instead of a help, and that was a shame. Her past had made her weak and frightened. I hoped that somehow, Bree might change that in the future. She'd done so much for Kay already, however, that I didn't want to bring it up now.

"Dude, you gonna eat that?" Sali grinned at the extra roll sitting on Ashe's plate.

"It's yours." Ashe laughed and tossed the roll to Sali, who buttered it carefully, then consumed it in two bites.

All too soon, the meal was finished and people rose to clear plates and scraps away. I sighed when Bree put an arm around my shoulders and sent me a bit of
Love
. "Three more hours," I said.

"Three more hours," she agreed.

* * *

Hank's Journal

We gathered at the designated time in Ashe's courtyard. Our army. All the Saa Thalarr, including healers. Lissa and all her mates. Reah and her mates. The High Demon army, which included Jayd, Garde and Glinda. For the first time, Jayd had bowed to Glinda's wishes, allowing her to wage war.

So many others appeared that I hadn't suspected might be among the powerful, now. Jett Riffler arrived, leading a contingent of others gathered from this world or that. Many of them were werewolves, from Harifa Edus. Some of them, including Casimir, were vampires from Le-Ath Veronis. I'd never met Montrose, Susila or Oluwa; nevertheless, there they were, as Nameless Ones. Charles had likely been busy, replacing the Hidden with allies.

Ildevar Wyyld appeared, with the twenty former Ra'Ak who'd formed the Grand Alliance Council so many centuries ago. With them were Youon, King of the Black Ra'Ak, Maldak, Prince of the Copper Ra'Ak and many of their people. All of them had been added to our army of the powerful. They were closely followed by Kaldill and Lendill Schaff, with an army of elves behind them.

Last of all came Zendeval Riin, with his army of Greater Demons. Most of those hadn't been given power, but a few had. Regardless, they all wanted to fight on our side. I silently applauded their resolve. All of them preferred to die rather than serve the enemy. I felt the same.

"Are you ready?" Dragon bellowed.

"Ready," we shouted.

"We go to war," he cried and folded us to Xordthe in the past.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

"Holy shit." Kiarra stared at her future self. If things weren't so serious, it would be comical. I hid my smile anyway.