Two Halves Series (36 page)

Swing harder! Use your strength! There’s much more in you, I can feel it!
William encouraged.

My focus turned to the energy around us, especially on the warm crystal. The chandelier started to rock. I pushed forward. It swayed more. In seconds, we swung back and forth, as if hanging on to a large pendulum.

“I didn’t want it to end this way. We could have worked together!” Aseret released another beam of energy toward us.

Let go!
William yelled.

But Aseret had calculated our trajectory and sent another fire stream where we would touch down.

I braced to take the hit but landed on the ground. “What the—”

William stared and I followed his gaze to a new, blue stream of light, which came Castall’s palms to intercept Aseret’s. He stood at the opposite end of the hall, close to our family. The continuous flow of magical light from both the warlock and the demon connected in the middle. My earlier premonition was playing itself out.

A flash of bright light grew between them, just above the fire pit, as they shifted to direct the energy toward each other. Castall’s blue stream radiated cold through the hall, but he controlled the power. The two ribbons of light created a dangerous display of fireworks where they connected. I fed on that energy, remembering what my father had said.

Palms trembling, Aseret shrieked, then threw his head back in laughter. Castall’s hands maintained their dominating patience as he yelled. “Run, now!”

“We won’t be able to get through all of them.” William pointed to the demons blocking our way.

“Jump—it’s quicker.” I said.

“On three.”

“One—two—three!” we counted in unison, then flexed our legs and leaped over the crater in the floor.

One of the seekers ripped a velvet curtain from a doorway and threw it in our path to block our jump before we reached the edge. We slammed into the cliff of the opening as the curtain fluttered down, bursting into flames before it touched the lava. Bits of black ash wafted up.

Gravity pulled me down. We were next! Sliding, I scrabbled vainly for a handhold.

William grabbed my wrist and squeezed it tight. He held onto the edge of the cavity with his other hand. The crystal had landed on the brink of the hole. “Hold on!” he yelled, then hurled me up to the floor with one arm. A moment later, he jolted himself up, and we scrambled to our feet.

Four seekers came at me, two from each side. Their orange eyes glowed with malice. With a hiss, I showed my fangs. I threw one punch, then another, and a third with such velocity I didn’t see my arm move. The demons fell into the open lava pit, taking a few others with them.

William fought beside me and took three down with one swing.

More came my way, so many I couldn’t count them. They blocked the second entrance to the dungeon as we tried to fight through.

“Hold my hand!” William yelled. “Let’s make a way.”

I reached for William and he swung me up; I kicked as I flew in a circle, sending more demons into the burning hole. They shrieked and yelped as the lava scorched and burst them into flames before they submerged. The seekers may have been used to heat, but fire defeated them.

When I landed on my feet, William arced over the demons as I had, and more attackers fell to their death. Together, we created a passage to the dungeon for our family. One by one, they escaped while we held back hundreds of demons.

Before I headed down the stairs, I looked back at the warlock. Castall swung one palm away from Aseret and pointed at the crystal still lying at the edge of the crater. The beam of blue light reflected from the crystal in countless directions, sending out a powerful sound wave that disintegrated the demons on contact.

Aseret fell to his knees. “You will not win! I will rebuild!” he yelled before throwing a fistful of dirt down to the floor like a ninja. He disappeared.

Castall focused on me. “Keep running! He may try to get you himself!” Then he vanished the same way as Aseret.

William pulled me forward, following our family and friends. The echo of a wicked laugh bounced off the walls. A laugh I hadn’t heard before.

Chapter 20

A sunsetting world welcomed us. The long rays quickly warmed our bodies. I took a deep breath in, savouring the crisp evening air.
Pine and damp leaves.

We were free. With my arms stretched out, I let out a long breath. The sky glowed in pinkish and orange tones. Birds sang their evening song, ruffling their feathers. A balmy November wind whistled between the trees.

Ekim and Atram had stolen demon robes to cover from the sun and stayed in the long shadows of the trees. No one spoke at first, all enjoying the freedom, the first breath of fresh air after coming face to face with death. I expanded my lungs with another deep inhalation of the forest’s fragrance. The smell of sulphur hung in the air, not as strong as it had been underground.

Xander sniffed and looked to Mira and my father. “Grand Teton Mountains. We’re close to the hill. We can seek shelter there.”

The battle in the underworld and what I learned about the prophecy gave me new strength. The thought of a family with William vibrated my insides, but I also feared for the lives of our unborn children. Fighting against Aseret and combining my powers with William’s opened new doorways that had been locked for a long time, doorways that would restore peace among three species. I liked the new me.

My existence was no longer in question. Those surrounding me were more than allies; they were a family who loved me dearly. Unwilling to release William’s hand, I pressed my other fist to my chest.

“I hear a stream. Let me go see if the water is accessible,” Willow volunteered.

“I’ll go with you.” Atram tottered toward his wife.

“No. Go hunt with Ekim and the kids,” she replied.

“If it makes you feel better, I’ll go with her, Atram.” Alex timid voice shook as she moved her eyes warily from side to side, her shoulders hunched, hands folded across her ample chest.

“Yes, we’ll be fine,” Willow assured. “The stream is not far.”

“And we’ll gather some food for you.” Mira said to Willow as she stepped between Xander and Alex.

“The hill is not far. Aseret may try to find you,” Xander said to William and me, scanning the surrounding woods, then sniffing the air. “We shouldn’t stay here.”

“We won’t be long.” Alex took Willow’s hand; their backs were already turned before anyone could protest.

We hunted in haste Ekim and Atram caught four rabbits and two mountain lions. Their hunger was stronger than any fear. Even at their weakest, it didn’t take much effort to overpower the mammals. William and I took down a few deer.

“It’s all right, Sarah.” Xander, collecting berries for Willow and Alex nearby, watched as I carefully wiped excess blood from the corners of my mouth. “You don’t have to feel ashamed.”

“I’m not ashamed. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, and I’ve never done this in front of anyone,” I explained.

“It doesn’t hurt us. We understand who you are.”

Mira walked toward us. “What Xander means is that we hope you’ll accept us the way we accept you.”

I punched Xander in the arm.

“Ouch, what was that for?”

“You sent a bear after me? Seriously?”

“I didn’t let him hurt you.” He rubbed his arm.

“Oh please.” I rolled my eyes.

“Hah. Told you she’d figure it out.” Mira laughed.

“I wish—” A purple mist appeared, glowing and widening, within the branches of a pine beside Ekim and Atram. “Look out!” I warned as the lilac-smelling mist enveloped a tree.

Castall stepped out of the glow, and I sighed in relief.

“Are you all right?” He placed his hands on Ekim’s and Atram’s shoulders.

“Yes. Thank you for your help, my friend.” Ekim patted him on the back.

“Willow?” Castall looked around.

“She went to get water,” William answered.

Castall nodded. “You should be fine for a few days. Safe from Aseret, but there’s a witch named Xela bearing the imprint of the sphere who wants Sarah.”

Xander stiffened.

William placed his arm around me, pulling me closer to his side.

“What does she want from us?” I asked.

“She wants you, Sarah. Be careful. I have not seen her in some time and couldn’t find her in the underworld. According to Hannah’s reading, she wants to be you. Somehow she expects to control you and it could destroy the prophecy. Aseret would no longer have to fear the future.”

I locked my eyes with William. Our children were supposed to save the three species.

“Hannah?” I felt my forehead wrinkle.

“Our mom,” Mira whispered.

“I will not let Sarah out of my sight,” William declared. “But there may be a problem. We think we’ve been cursed.” He squeezed my arm. “We can’t get close. Even at the touch of our hands, our hearts ache.”

My family looked puzzled as we hadn’t had a chance to share the vision of our future.

“If we are to fulfill the destiny Aseret fears, we will have to
get close
.” William moved his brows up.

A rush of fresh blood made its way up into my cheeks.

Castall came closer. “I wonder if . . .” He placed one hand on each of our heads, saying, “Let it be cleared.”

Energy left my chest. William slumped beside me. Then the current sank back into our bodies. Nothing had changed. My heart still throbbed at William’s touch.

“I cannot remove the spell. It’s blocked,” Castall said. “I can’t feel another spell on you. Something else must have been done. It’s flowing through your veins. I’m afraid until we figure out who did it, there’s not much we can do.”

“We think it was a tampered potion,” William suggested.

“Then Hannah can figure it out. Take them to the hill,” Castall said to Xander, “then come and get your mother to join you. Build your strength. Our fight has just begun. I bid you well.” He thumped Xander on the back and kissed Mira on her head, then disappeared into the purple mist in the tree.

“What’s with the friendly goodbye?” I asked Mira.

“Oh, that’s our father,” she answered with a shrug.

“Right,” I said, adding under my breath, “Just when I thought I had it figured out.”

“You don’t know the half of it!” Xander laughed. “Like, me having to have zits in high school and stretch my height two feet to be unlikable. I’m a likable guy, don’t you think?” He winked at me and flashed his famous flirting smirk.

“She’s no longer available, Xander,” William said.

I never was.
I smiled kindly at Xander, who chuckled at William’s jealousy.

Willow and Alex returned from the stream with makeshift satchels trickling with water. I put my fist back up to my chest.

“It still hurts?” William asked, looking at Alex.

“Yes.”

“We’ll figure it out,” he assured me.

“Drink, before it drips away.” Willow handed me the first satchel. I didn’t let a drop escape.

As our dehydrated bodies filled with liquid, Willow and Alex ate their berries. I drew more from the water than its moisture—I drew life. Ever since we touched the crystal, I realized I could borrow life from all living things and morph that life into energy. I’d felt it before but never understood it.

“Thank you,” Alex said in her shy voice, “for saving my life.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied.

“I’m sorry we didn’t listen to you, Alex,” Ekim said.

“And I’m sorry we didn’t trust you,” I added. “If it wasn’t for you, we probably would not have made it out. How did you know the maze changes its shape and paths?”

“I’m a witch. I will always remember the way I’ve already travelled,” she said.

William remained quiet, studying Alex. When she spoke, his neck stiffened. I wondered what he knew that I didn’t. We had no reason to doubt the witch. After all, she helped us.

“Okay, let’s get going before night sets in,” Xander said, jumping down from a tree he’d climbed to scan the terrain. “The path is clear.”

“Wait!” William turned his attention to Alex. “Why do you fear losing me?”

“It’s not true!” Alex took a step back. “I only fear Sarah losing you.” She paused. “I know about the spell that keeps the two of you apart.”

“How do you even know about us?” he asked.

“The prophecy of half-breeds coming underground is well known in the underworld. Aseret took me in because he wanted me to take your powers away so he could use them for himself,” she explained as she slowly glided toward us.

“Why you, and why didn’t you help him?” asked William.

“Although it hasn’t been determined yet, I know I’m a good witch. I wouldn’t do anything to be marked by a sphere. My powers cannot be used for anything I don’t feel is right. I couldn’t do as he asked. Aseret thought I could remove the spell that prevented him from getting your powers because my marking hasn’t been decided.”

I heard Xander’s shortened breaths as he stepped back, seeming to be lost in thought.

“What spell?” I asked.

“The spell that keeps you two apart. He thought his spell was blocking his ability to take your powers, and he wanted me to help him remove it.”

Xela seemed to be standing closer to William each minute.

“I thought a cursed potion is keeping us apart,” William suggested as the side of his arm brushed mine.

“It wouldn’t matter whether he used a spell or a potion to curse you. The point is he did.” Alex’s voice grew in confidence each time she spoke.

“Why couldn’t he take the curse off himself?” Ekim rose from his crouch and tossed the hare’s carcass into the brushes.

Alex shrugged. “He didn’t say. Aseret wouldn’t entertain anyone with an explanation.”

“That sounds like him,” Mira murmured, crossing her arms.

“I don’t understand why he cursed them.” Willow said.

“So Sarah and William couldn’t fulfill their prophecy where two unique beings are to overthrow Aseret and rule both worlds.” Alex turned back to us.

William’s gaze found mine.

“Aseret is the only one who can remove it,” my father said.