“Angel, I’m serious. You’d better hang on or…” Actually, Gion had no idea what he could possibly threaten her with. His mind couldn’t really focus on anything except Ty’s wounds and chanting half-remembered prayers from his boyhood. “Hang on or I’m just gonna follow you wherever the hell you go. Think about that. Is that what you want, Ty? Me, stalking you into eternity?”
Her eyes fluttered closed, again. Her throat had been cut. There was no way Ty could’ve answered him. Gion doubted that she even knew where she was. She had to be going into shock from the trauma and blood loss.
But, Ty’s hand still tightened around his fingers.
Then, Gion felt something that couldn’t possibly exist.
Ty’s energy touched his and grabbed on, anchoring her to him. Locking them together.
Gion’s breath caught.
That could only happen between Phase-Matches. Gion knew that. And
Parald
was Ty’s Match. He knew that, too. She could only have one Match. Everybody only had one. A single person they could combine their energies with, so their separate powers built into one greater, symbolic whole. That all happened during Phazing, a sexual explosion that only occurred between Matches. That was the bedrock, biological foundation of Elemental life. Phazing allowed Phases to have children and unite with their other halves.
When Ty renounced Parald and refused to Phaze with him, she’d turned her back on all of that forever. She could never connect her energy with anyone else’s, again. Not even this small brush of powers.
It was impossible.
But, Gion still felt her energy touch his and snap into place like a puzzle piece. Hope surged through him. He could never be Ty’s Match, but this exceeded his wildest expectations. It felt… right. Ordinarily, Gion wouldn’t have a chance with Ty, but this was something new. Something special. A foot into the door of her life. More importantly, if Ty could do something like this, she could certainly survive a partial decapitation.
Gion’s powers seized hers as hard as he could. He closed his eyes, concentrating all his energies on Ty, sweeping through all the visible and invisible parts of her. The Air powers were sensitive. They could feel things that Gion could never see with his eyes. He could sense the flow of her blood disrupting the Air’s course, pinpointing exactly what arteries had been severed.
There wasn’t time to get her to a doctor. Assuming he could even find one in the middle of a plague. Ty would die in a matter of minutes if Gion didn’t try something.
Gion was one of the most powerful Elementals alive. He could accomplish things that no one else had the strength to even attempt. Gion had always pushed against the rules of the universe. And he’d never before, in his entire life, been more committed to shoving all the known boundaries of the world right the hell down.
“You’re strong, Ty. Just hang on and prove it.” He whispered and then surrendered everything he had in him to his powers.
In was much harder for Gion to hit a tiny target with his energies than it was to mow down a whole group of slack-jawed idiots. It required more control and precision. Not a great prerequisite for someone whose hands were shaking as they touched Ty’s face and whose perspective had slowed down to match her faint pulse.
Gion focused all his energy on the worst of Ty’s wounds, rushing Air across it as fast as he possibly could. Keeping the blood from pouring out her neck. Keeping oxygen in her lungs. Keeping the laceration cauterized with microscopic concentrations of air pressure. Gion couldn’t heal her, but he could keep Ty breathing until he found and/or captured a doctor. He’d fucking tranq-dart one if necessary.
The steady, continuous use of powers drained him, though. It seemed so small, but it took measured, meticulous strength. Like doing a chin-up and then holding it for several hours without moving at all, or keeping one sustained note in an opera going on forever. It wasn’t just difficult, it was also exhausting. Keeping Ty alive consumed every drop of Gion’s energy.
So, it was a real pain in the ass when the Water Phases decided to attack him.
A new wave of Ty’s sick and dying subjects rushed Gion, grabbing at him with their fevered hands and trying to pull him away from Ty. The first ones lost their arms and heads and anything else he could reach with his sword. Normally, Gion’s training allowed him to be a hell of a lot neater about his kills, but he couldn’t really do his best work with all his attention on Ty. In fact, it didn’t take long for their overwhelming numbers and Gion’s immense distraction to turn the tide of battle in the crowd’s favor.
Gion realized that he two alternatives: He could fight like the warrior he’d been raised to be and survive… or he could stop Ty from bleeding. One way, he’d live while Ty perished. The other, Gion would die at the hands of these knock-off French Revolutionaries, but he’d keep Ty alive for a few more minutes.
The choice came at Gion in a rush and he instantly made it.
There was no option. No option, at all.
The girl was the only vision he’d ever found.
Gion had always known that Ty, of the Water House would be the death of him.
Chapter One
Two Years Later
Although the elements of this world constantly batter and crash against her,
she offers a safe harbor of salvation for all those who are suffering.
St. Ambrose of Milan- in a letter to Coxstaxtius
Ty’s fingers tightened on the edge of the podium, trying to hide the shaking in her hands. Getting passed the introduction was the hardest part. She was sure of it. She’d actually managed to stutter out her name and now the rest of the group waited patiently for her to find the courage to go on. She could do this. She had to. If she was ever going to heal, she needed to confront the paralyzing fear and panic attacks. She had to be strong.
Ty was the Queen of the Water House and, even if it there were only three Water Phases left, that still meant something.
“I… um…” she tried to calm her mind and focus, “I started coming here because the judge told me to. But, that’s not why I stay.”
Several people in the crowd nodded, either in encouragement or because they also attended the drug counseling group by court ordered invitation.
For months, Ty had been pushing herself outside her comfort zone. She refused to spend her life
hiding
from life. And tonight, that meant facing her fear of sharing with the group. Except, it was turning out to be something even harder than she’d anticipated.
Ty tried to come up with something else to say, but the words were an anxious fog in her mind. She wondered hazily if the people in the front row could hear her heart thudding. They must. The sound of it filled her ears, drowning out her thoughts. She felt the tips of her fingers go numb, the edges of her vision waver, and her throat tighten.
She couldn’t get enough air.
She was suffocating.
All signs of a panic attack.
No, no, no.
Ty struggled for control.
This couldn’t happen. She had to fight the vortex of terror trying to suck her under and trap her in her memories. Ty squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on her breathing.
In and out.
In and out.
This had been a mistake. She should never have stood up to share at the meeting. She was too weak to speak in front of a crowd.
Always too weak.
Ty swallowed hard, preparing to choke out some faltering apology and slink back to her seat before she embarrassed herself any further.
When she opened her eyes, though, her gaze instantly went to the back of the room and landed right on Gion.
Parald’s right-hand-Phase stood with his shoulder against the wall, his black cape falling behind him like a shroud. Gion’s savagely beautiful face reflected nothing except polite interest, but Ty knew that it could turn to chilling disgust with very little provocation. Gion’s perpetual, sarcastic dissatisfaction could slice though a target like steel. And if that didn’t work, he also carried a really big sword.
One dark eyebrow arched as Gion stared at her. Since Ty very much doubted that Gion was battling a drug problem, she could only assume that he was there to observe her like some live and in person reality show. To watch her fail. Gion had already seen her in the midst of a panic attack twice and Ty hoped it never happened again.
In fact, he tapped into every defiant instinct she possessed.
Ty’s spine got straighter. Her eyes cut away from Gion, but she started talking, again. “I come here --To this meeting-- because I’m looking for strength. I was… engaged to a man. And it was a mistake. Everything changed inside of me. I knew even when it was happening that it was wrong. I could feel it. But, I ignored my instincts and things got bad so quickly.” She slowly shook her head. “I don’t even know how it happened. I just lost myself.”
More nods from the crowd.
“My fiancée was angry when I finally left him. He said and did things that hurt too many people. So much of that was my fault, for not being stronger.” Ty glanced back at Gion and found him watching her intently. He didn’t look pleased by her words. In fact, he seemed seriously annoyed by what she’d just said.
Too bad.
“I hid myself in fear. And behind locked doors. And in the past. And I took useless pills, just because I was too weak not to.” Ty let out a shaking breath. The anxiety pills couldn’t help her. She needed to do this on her own. “Every day, I fight to be stronger and every day it’s hard.” Ty kept her eyes on Gion. “But, I won’t be weak forever. I’m committed to this and to being well. And I won’t hide anymore.”
People applauded.
Applauded for her.
Ty knew it was silly to feel so proud of that, but she couldn’t help her small grin or the flush in her cheeks as she stepped away from the podium.
She’d done it.
Her triumphant gaze went to Gion and found him clapping in his own arrogant way. Ty blinked, shocked that he didn’t seem to be mocking her for once. Gion’s mouth curved upward as he took in her surprised expression. He inclined his head slightly.
Ty had actually never been addicted to human drugs. But when Ty, her cousin Tharsis, and her Council appointed bodyguard Uriel were caught breaking into the hospital in Mayport Beach, Florida, the police just assumed they’d been after narcotics and arrested them.
Really, being sentenced to drug counseling turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Since the Fall, Ty had been suffering from panic attacks and various symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Being with these human, who were also trying to free themselves from something horrible, helped Ty.
Flushed with success at her sharing, she moved up the aisle towards Gion.
Gion worked for her ex-Match and Ty knew that Parald was obsessed with getting her back. She no longer worried that Gion would kidnap her and take her to the Air Kingdom, though. If that was his end-game, he would have done it long ago. In fact, when Parald’s men had captured her last week, Gion was the one who let her go. He’d hacked the plastic manacles from her wrists and set her free.
Gion had his own agenda, which meant that he sometimes crossed the fence and helped the good guys. Ty had dealt with Gion twice now and lived to tell the tale. She could do it, again.
Probably.
Stopping directly in front of him, she adjusted her cat’s eye glasses and endeavored not to notice how big he was. Like most Elementals, Gion stood tall and trim; a beautiful, elegant specimen of genetic superiority. Ty hated being small. It reinforced her sense of powerlessness.
“If you’re here for the free coffee and donuts, they’re over there.” That was the mouthiest thing Ty had ever said to him. Hell, it was the mouthiest thing she’d said to anyone in a very long time.
She was pleased with herself.
Ty wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t for Gion’s smile to stretch wider. Gion, of the Air House was not a Phase who spent a lot of time smiling, even if there was still something watchful lurking behind his icy blue eyes. “I may take you up on that, Tritone. Would you care to join me?” He made a gallant sweeping motion towards the folding table on the far side of the room.
Ty crossed her arms over her chest, suspicious of his mood. “Why? Have you poisoned the crullers or are you up to something even worse?”
“I’m sure there are a great many who would say that it’s far worse, actually.” He murmured. “I’d like to speak with you about it, if you have the time.”
She hesitated, the glow of her public speaking triumph dimming and her usual apprehension of Gion returning. He made her uneasy, no matter why he’d come to visit.
“This will only take a minute.” He assured her softly. “You’re in no danger.”
Ty debated that for a second longer and then gave a regal sort of nod. “Alright.” She marched over to the refreshment table, conscious of Gion’s looming shape sweeping along next to her. The other members at the meeting were studying him curiously.
It was the cape.
Gion knew it looked out of place in the human realm. It looked out of place
everywhere
, as a matter of fact. But, still he kept wearing it. Worse, he always looked
right
in the silly thing. Anyone else would seem like a refugee from a Halloween party or like he was trying too hard. But, Gion looked… imperial. When Gion walked into a room, he automatically became the center of attention; the dark authority. Gion dominated everyplace he went. It was just something in his DNA.
Ty busied herself pouring coffee into a foam cup. “Is this about the promise I owe you?”
“It is.”
When Ty’s cousin Nia had been abducted by the Reprisal, Ty had offered herself in exchange for Gion’s help. It was a straightforward deal: If he would save her cousin, she’d go with him to the Air Kingdom. Only, he’d turned her down. Instead, Gion joined the Nia Rescue Effort in trade for an unspecified promise from Ty. A blank check that he’d yet to cash in. Whatever he’d demand, it was a small price for Nia’s safety, so Ty still considered the deal a personal victory.
Even if it did annoy her to remember Gion’s lousy, un-heroic attitude that day.
Gion’s mouth twitched when Ty took a sip of the coffee without offering him any. When the Queen of the Water House had a lapse in manners, it was deliberate. “You look well, Tritione. New glasses and everything. Probation obviously agrees with you.”
“I’m stronger.” Or at least she was trying to be. “These meetings help me.”
“Yes, well, I did tell you those human anxiety pills were a waste of time, didn’t I?”
Ty slanted him a frown. She should have known that he’d be an “I told ya so”-er.
Gion ignored her irritation and fixed his own coffee. Ty had never considered what kind of coffee Gion might drink. If she
had
, Ty probably would have guessed that he took it black, though. That seemed like the way that all villains would prefer their coffee. Instead, Gion dumped six sugar packets and three creamers into the cup, then he swirled it around with a little wooden stirrer. Apparently still unsatisfied, he added two more little containers of milk.
Ty had absolutely no idea why, but she found that sort of charming.
She scowled at the thought.
Gion could drink his coffee with cute paper parasols in the mug and it wouldn’t make him any less her enemy. With a flick of his evil wrist, he could destroy her and then be home in time to practice his patronizing sneer. Whatever Gion wanted from her, it wouldn’t be good. Not that he was in a hurry to tell her about his undoubtedly terrible scheme, anyway. He just stood beside her, stirring his coffee and observing the world around him with utter indifference.
Gion always enjoyed biding his time. It added to the drama. If he wasn’t a nefarious henchman, he’d have made a wonderful thespian.
Ty tucked an errant curl behind her ear and glanced up at him. “Did I mention the meeting only lasts another half-an-hour?” She prompted.
Gion’s eyes went to her pink
Hello Kitty
watch and then to the platinum Cartier timepiece that he had fastened to his own wrist. Ty expected some nasty comment. Instead, Gion surreptitiously shoved his hand into his pocket, so his antique watch was hidden from view.
That subtle movement caused Ty’s jaw to drop. It was almost… unsure. Except, Gion never felt unsure. Why would he?
Gion could do anything.
He was one of the strongest Phases alive and he certainly didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought of him. The guy redefined the word “self-confidence” for the ages. So, why had he concealed the tasteful timepiece as if he didn’t want her to see that it was so much different than her own?
He didn’t seem to notice her confusion, which was also weird. Gion usually noticed everything. Was he edgy about something?
“What happened with Parald wasn’t you fault.” He gestured towards the front of the room where she’d spoken about her past. “Blaming yourself for not stopping the Fall is pointless. Parald’s never listened to anyone and he certainly wouldn’t have started with you. You aren’t his favorite person, his obsessive stalking of you notwithstanding.”
“He released the Fall because I renounced him.”
“He released the Fall because he’s a sociopath.” Gion retorted harshly.
Ty met his intent gaze for a moment and then looked away. She concentrated on her coffee. “Why are you here?”
A tense pause and then she heard him sigh. “As I said, I need that promise you gave me.”
The liquid in her cup continued to spiral around in small whirlpool. Ty kept stirring it just to keep her hands busy. “Alright. Tell me, what do you want and I’ll arrange it.”
Gion snorted as if that answer frustrated him. “My God, but you’re naive. Anyone with an ounce of self-preservation would tell me to fuck off.”
Ty wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “I gave you my word that I’d…”
“So what?” Gion interrupted. “So what if you promised? There’s nothing that will make you live up to it, is there? Think about it. Nia is safe. What can I possibly do if you decided to renege, at this point? Take her back to Chason?”