Origin of Angels: Elemental Legacy Book 1 (38 page)

“Much better now. Nigel is no fun at all.”

She’d been with Lambert? I closed my eyes, refusing to go down the line of thought. “Yeah, I know.”

Rose frowned. “We really do have much to catch up on.”

I gave a nod,
then looked to Valen. His brows lifted as if in challenge. What did he want from me? Why did he offer to release me if he had no intention of doing so? His mind games would drive me mad. His head turned as he studied the tree line. “Come,” he said. “We should go inside.”

I followed his line of sight. Something shifted in the shadows, making my heart jump. The eerie sensation of second sight hit me as both flashback and current events collided.

Travis was here.

I couldn’t see him, but my previous vision came to life in front of me. I shoved Rose toward the trees and whirled in a circle, searching for Travis.

Men and women rushed forward, and chaos erupted. In a flash, an army of fae rained from the house, some from the doors, but others crashed through windows. Rose screamed, twisting for the building, but I caught her arm. “Come with me,” I yelled above the roar of the fight.

Valen called to me, but I ignored him. His voice was too close. “Do not betray me, Emily.”

Then, Travis was there, exactly like I knew he would be. Hope blossomed inside, welling until I found my voice. “Travis!”

He reached for me and Blade. I was so concerned with making it to Travis that Rose slipped from my grasp. Quickly, Travis took hold of my hand and pulled me toward the forest. I wanted with all my
heart to go with him, but I couldn’t leave my sister. I half turned and witnessed the world coming apart. Personalized twisters picked up Valen’s men to carry them away. An ice wall had formed along the perimeter of the house, blocking others from coming to help. When the earthquake started, I screamed, “Rose!”

Confusion contorted her features until she looked to Valen. My stomach dropped. She couldn’t trust him more than me. A chasm opened between my sister and Valen, and a man with blond hair swooped in to pull her along. The second she touched him, her eyes glazed over. The man jolted, and something strange happened between them. As much as the need to go to her pressed on me, I had to think of my son. Travis guided us to the trees, ever watchful of those around us. Lightning crashed to the front, blocking our escape. Travis took Blade but kept hold of my hand. As if maneuvering a minefield, he brought us safely through the worst of the attack.
Even though we were surrounded by warriors and magic, his touch calmed me. Warm fingers laced through mine, and we ran to the tree line.

Blade cried and wriggled. I tried to calm him, but he wouldn’t respond to my efforts. Gently, Travis spoke, “
It’s okay, son. I’ve got you.”

I lifted my gaze to Travis’ dark eyes. So many emotions swirled there I couldn’t name them fast enough. His relief matched mine. Leaning down, he kissed me softly. Then, the world spun and whirled until it fell apart completely.

VALEN HARDLY FOUGHT WHILE HIS MEN became casualties of war. He made no move to follow Travis and the girl, but his focus had shifted to Emily’s sister. Emily called her Rose, which fit her well. She was a slip of a thing with ginger hair cascading to her waist. Her petite frame quaked under Luke’s embrace. The remarkable thing was he’d nearly fallen when he touched her. I’d never seen him react to a woman in this way. Even with Rayla, he kept aloof. Before her, he’d taken after those Elementals he thought were attractive, but his complete attention had been reserved for this moment.
Brilliant timing.

When Travis disappeared with Emily, I called for a retreat. There was no sense in battling now. Not with our goal met. Besides, there would be no winning today. Unfortunately, Valen had other plans. Reinforcements broke through Luke’s wall, as he still hadn’t taken his eyes off Rose. The odd thing was neither had Valen. The man followed her every move. The girl still fought against Luke, so I went to his side to help.

“Calm down, miss. We’re here to rescue you,” I said, thinking she’d be reasonable. Faine laughed and shot me a look from where she stood a few feet away.

Her thoughts and mine collided in a rush of vision verses reality. I fought to distance myself from the pull. No matter what happened to Rose, I had to get my team to safety. We had much to learn from the angels. An odd sensation of vertigo hit me. Faine screamed and crumpled to the ground. I rushed to her
side to lift her into my arms. No matter how hard I tried to penetrate her mind, it was no use. She was unconscious. It was time to leave.

I sent the command to my men,
then shifted focus to Jett. He was at my side in seconds. “I’m finished here,” I said. “You?”

Distracted, he gave a nod. I followed his gaze toward Valen. The things I’d seen the man do in the past made my skin wriggle, and now was no exception. He found a dark fae in his path, and instead of going around him or aiding the man, he took hold of the bloke’s neck. I watched in horror as a spark started under Valen’s touch. The glow webbed down the man’s body like the veins of a monster coming to life. The man’s mouth opened on a scream. Then, his body shrank into
a goo of writhing matter. It sunk into Valen as if the fae never existed.

I shuddered, wondering how Valen came by the magic. It was nothing I could name. When the dark king came to his senses, he pinpointed Luke, who still struggled with the girl. Luke pleaded with her to stop fighting. I glanced at Faine, who remained unconscious, then, to my friend. Valen strode forward, intent on the couple. “Luke,” I hollered.
“Behind you!”

No more than two feet away, Valen smiled. “Release
Rose, and I might let you leave with your life.”

Luke pivoted around the girl and faced our common enemy, sword in hand. “Turn
away, and I might let you keep your head.”

I concentrated until I found the connection I needed. Lightning crackled between the men. Luke scrambled back while Valen stayed put.
Cocky bastard.

Valen turned as if he heard my thoughts and smiled, his cold eyes challenging. Bloodlust colored my vision. I took a step, but Faine in my arms tripped me. I looked at her vulnerable form. My bondmate was my priority. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t leave her to take care of the scum. Others fought, element against element, dark and light. I could barely tell who was on our side anymore. Jett and Theran battled in the middle of the yard, each encasing the other in earth, only to have the magic manipulated. Taylor had his hands full with a water manipulator. And Finn used his sword more than his power to plow down the opposition.

Rayla came out of nowhere, cutting off my vision of Valen. I screamed at her to leave, but when had she ever listened to me? She turned to Luke. “Get Rose out of here!”

He grimaced. “I can’t. I’ve been trying.”

Valen laughed, then disintegrated in a puff of air. At first, I thought he was going for Rayla, but his matter stream headed for Luke. So he did want the girl.

I gritted my teeth and handed Faine off to Heath. “You want to keep your head: you keep her safe.”

He rolled his eyes. “As if you could take me in a fight.”

There wasn’t time enough to teach him why he’d remained an underlord for centuries. I still couldn’t believe Rayla had chosen him over me. In the seconds it took to deposit my bondmate, Valen had reached Luke. Like the fae before, his skin glowed under Valen’s touch. I focused on the energy separating the two men and pushed to widen the gap. Valen was thrown a couple yards, but Luke collapsed at Rose’s feet. She covered her mouth, gaping at the heap of crumpled man. Compassion filled her eyes, yet in moments her gaze drifted to Valen as if being called ... or compelled.

She rushed to Valen’s side, her ginger hair trailing behind her like a cloak. In a flash, the two were gone.

I HAD NO IDEA WHERE I WAS taking Emily and Blade. All I wanted was to keep them safe, but when we emerged in Rayla’s labyrinth near the red bench, I could hardly believe what I’d done. We were in Faeresia.

Emily clamped her eyes shut and pressed her face into my shoulder, yelping. I’d had a hard time adjusting when I came here the first time, but according to Rayla, the experience had been excruciating for her. The sun was high and the world brighter than the desert in August. How could I have brought her to the place I wanted to escape? Surprisingly, Blade pointed at a neon butterfly,
then reached for it. I nearly dropped him in the attempt to keep Emily shielded. Cursing myself, I pulled her into the shade of the enormous tree.

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she echoed my thought. “What have you done, Travis?”

“I’m sorry,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “I didn’t mean to bring you here.”

She tried to open her eyes, but they shut automatically. She groaned. “What’s wrong with me?”

I rubbed her back, hoping to sooth her. “It’s okay. You’ll get used to it. The fae realm effects all Elementals this way.”

Her voice lowered to a whisper.
“Faeresia?”

I cringed.
“Afraid so.”

She fidgeted,
then asked, “Can Valen come here?”

When I shrugged, her face lifted, expecting an answer. She still couldn’t open her eyes, but she managed to look stern. I smiled and brushed the hair from her face.
Little hell kitten. “I don’t think so. Supposedly, Rayla did something to keep him out.”

“You sure know how to comfort a girl,” she said, giving a slight smile.

My heart wouldn’t calm itself, even though we were technically safe. I had no idea what happened to everyone else. The reality of the situation sunk into my veins. My sister was still out there — and so was Emily’s.

As if reading my thoughts again, she asked, “Where’s Rose?”

Blade kicked my thigh and pushed my arm. I could take a hint, so I lowered him to the grass. I kept hold of Emily. The truth was I never wanted to let her go again. “I’m not sure. You and Blade were my priority. I’m sorry, Emily.”

Her lips curved, while her fingers found mine. “I can’t believe you came for us.”

Even though it was in the depths of my soul, how could I tell her I loved her? We’d spent all of one night together. She’d think I was nuts. I settled for, “I’ve been looking for you.”

She gave a chuckle. “Is that so?”

I nodded, kissing the top of her head. Gentle fingers found my cheek as she lifted her lips to mine. Electricity shot through my body, and I pulled her closer. I would stay in Faeresia until the end of time if it meant I could be with her and Blade.

I peeked at him to make sure he hadn’t got into too much trouble. A swarm of glowing butterflies fluttered above him while he clapped. For the first time in my life, I knew what joy felt like.

I led Emily to the bench, and she rested her head against my chest. “So what now?” she asked after a few moments of silence.

I grunted. “Rayla can take care of the details. I got what I wanted.”

My lighthearted attempt to make her smile backfired. “I hope Rose is okay.”

Luke had been going for her. With any luck, he’d got her out, as well. Valen had to be dealt with, but all I wanted to do was forget him and the mixed up world he offered. “We’ll sort it all out when the others arrive.”

“There you are,” said Rayla as she rounded the corner. Heath emerged from the labyrinth moments later. When no one else followed, my hopes for Rose plummeted.

Emily lifted her head. “Who is it?”

“My sister and her husband.”

She didn’t hesitate to ask. “Rose?”

Rayla sat on the other side of Emily and reached for her hand. “She chose to go with Valen.”

Way to candy coat it, sis. “What the hell happened? Luke had her.”

Rayla shook her head, but it was Heath who answered. “Luke was injured trying to save her.”

Guilt hit me square in the chest. I didn’t necessarily like Luke, but I didn’t want him to suffer because of my decisions. “Where is he?”

Rayla frowned. “Travis, why did you come here? I thought you hated this place.”

I shrugged. “I hated being away from Emily. It was the safest place I could think of.”

She took a deep breath. “It should be.”

TRAVIS GAVE ME A FUNNY LOOK, but he didn’t comment. Finding him had been my priority. Now, I wanted to throttle him. He’d put us all in danger, and Luke paid the price. There was so much to handle before we could venture back into the human realm, but we would have to take care of things quickly. I
wanted to find out more about the rebellion and help the efforts to retrieve Elementals from the Order before more girls could be killed. We still had to uncover the culprit, as Heath wasn’t so sure the murders were Lambert’s doing. What I needed to do was call a council session, yet all I could think about was going home with Heath.

His fingers clasped mine, and he gave a squeeze. His eyes held the promise of a long night.
“Soon.”

I smiled, nearly blushing,
then turned back to my wayward brother. He was completely taken by Emily and couldn’t keep his hands or eyes off her.