Aftershocks

Chapter Seventeen

“Let him go.” The voice was Ellie’s, but the words belonged to Arim.

‘Sin Garu didn’t seem to notice more than what he’d been primed to see. “Ah, the affai. So good of you to join us, Darkling. Ellie al il Ruethe, as I live and breathe.” He held a hand to his heart, and his mock sincerity tempted Arim to rip the smile off his face. “How are your parents? Safe in Foreia, I trust?”

“I won’t ask you again.” Arim raised a hand and pointed a finger at one of the wraintu. Jonas appeared and struck the one next to it, while Arim felled the wraintu with a blast of combined Light and Dark energy. He watched with satisfaction as he and Jonas decimated ‘Sin Garu’s small force. But just as Jonas moved to take Cadmus into his arms, ‘Sin Garu blasted him with a Nocumat.

Jonas fell several feet out of the sky to the castle. The Nocumat tangled in his energy, and he burst in truth as he fought for his life. Through Ellie’s eyes, Arim watched the display in a new spectrum, Dark and Light, clear and surprisingly beautiful by Djinn standards.

“Do you really think I’d trust Lexa to give me Arim, the great Killer of Shadow, without a price attached?” ‘Sin Garu shook his head. “Well, now, Sister. Who would you like to lose next, Arim or Ellie?”

“How about both?” she answered coolly as if her brother didn’t have his hand stuck in her flesh.

He squeezed her shoulder, and she flinched. Arim’s rage grew. The Dark around him drew ‘Sin Garu’s gaze, and the Dark Lord frowned.

“Elliara? What is that burning in your fist? Not--”

Arim flew into the bastard, thrusting Ellie’s hands into ‘Sin Garu’s chest as he physically pushed him from Lexa. Ellie’s energy drew ‘Sin Garu’s, and as it did, the Dark sorcerer’s eyes grew wide with understanding.

“Arim,” he snarled, his eyes turning black with hatred. “I should have known this was too easy.”

“You should have,” Lexa agreed and shot blue flame through her brother’s belly, knocking him out of Arim’s grasp.

‘Sin Garu howled and flew into the air, his stomach literally on fire as he hovered above the wall. “I’ll kill you both! But not before I kill your precious Storm Lord.”

Before he could touch Cadmus, Jonas pushed a hand through the Nocumat and pulled Cadmus to him with a burst of Dark energy. Lexa waved at Cadmus and he disappeared. Thankfully, one of them found safety.

“Fine.” ‘Sin Garu gasped as he fought to contain the fatal energy raging through him.

Blue flame, Dark energy and Arim’s Light had joined together to battle to own ‘Sin Garu’s body. Lexa, he and Ellie kept their focused power directed into their enemy. Arim could see ‘Sin Garu weakening. In just a few minutes more, the threat to Tanselm would be vanquished.

Eagerness surged through him, and he felt Ellie’s joy merge with his own as he kept his power on the Dark Lord. A sudden boom rent the very air, and Arim noted a great, gaping wound in the sky. Beyond the castle walls, a dimensional gateway through which hundreds of Netharat suddenly poured opened in Tanselm.

“They’re in each of the territories as we speak,” ‘Sin Garu sneered, his stark smile growing dimmer as he began to fade into the Next. Gray forms hovered near him, bits of energy from a life beyond that called to the evil in the sorcerer. “Oh, no, not yet.” He gritted his teeth and pointed at Arim’s lifeless body, his fingers lit with a strange, green fire.

Lexa’s eyes, wide and filled with fear, swallowed her face. “No. Even you couldn’t have been so stupid, so full of yourself to think to contain that.”

“To the Next, then Arim. Tell Faustus I send my regards.”

Lexa vanished, taking with her the blue flame that had weakened her brother. Her disappearance gave ‘Sin Garu the edge to put up a small shield against Arim’s and Ellie’s joint attack. Then the Dark Lord fired at Arim’s lifeless body. Arim had known this might be the end of him, but what happened next made no sense.

Lexa teleported in front of Arim’s body, taking the blast meant for him. ‘Sin Garu’s sickly green fire pierced Lexa and spread over her entire body like a creeping disease. She writhed and groaned, caught in an otherworldly blaze as Arim stared at her in shock.

He’d been prepared to send ‘Sin Garu to his death at the cost of his own life. Why had Lexa saved him? What the hell was her brother doing to her?

The Dark Lord smiled. “In just a few minutes, her flesh will collapse. She’ll rot from the inside out. Then the demons will come for her. Not mine, of course, but the Malinta vermin that dwell within the black rock.”

Arim couldn’t believe ‘Sin Garu would stoop to something so dangerous, so vile. Even for the Dark Lord, he’d hit an all new low. “You would commit your own sister, your own flesh and blood, to eternal damnation? For what? For Tanselm? The land rejects you even as reach out with your dying breath. It’s over for you, Dark Lord.” As long as he and Ellie continued to attack, they could weaken ‘Sin Garu enough to kill him. Arim hoped…

“I’m not fighting for Tanselm, you piece of fhel. It’s always been about right and what’s mine. I won’t let you have it any longer.” ‘Sin Garu’s eyes began to glaze over, and he jerked his head at Lexa a short distance away. “Is my death worth hers, Killer of Shadow? She never did kill that whore, Muri, you know. But what does it matter, hmm? One Dark Lord’s death is the same as any other.”

Arim didn’t need Ellie screaming in his head to do what needed to be done. Without another thought, he released his hold on ‘Sin Garu and flew to Lexa’s side. Directing his and Ellie’s power at Lexa, he strove to separate her from the green fire burning her very soul.

Something inhuman, something more than a simple being, looked out at him through the flame. It laughed, and from within that sound came the shrieking of lost souls damned for all eternity. Several eyes glared at him as tongues lapped at the taste of his magic. As the flame suddenly died, he heard a warning of promise uttered, one he knew he would eventually have to face.

A life for a life, Guardian. In this world or the Next. Be it your choice.

He shuddered to think of what Lexa might have suffered, but he needed to control the confusion and rage swirling in his mind. “Ellie, calm down.” The woman was driving him insane. He’d never known a host to be so present in a possession. Ellie was killing his concentration.

Once Lexa seemed stable enough to breathe on her own, he turned but saw no sign of ‘Sin Garu. Frustrated, Arim blasted a hole in the castle wall. They’d been so close to ending this war.

“Fuck! Mer sect a whal. Get this thing off of me!” Jonas yelled out in pain, and Arim focused on the here and now.

Knowing he needed Shadow magic to combat the Nocumat clinging steadily to Jonas, Arim sent forth a call for help to Sava, High King of the Aelle. “Sava, I have need of you.”

Sava answered right away. “Yo, Arim. How are you, buddy?”

Buddy? He ignored Sava’s new play on casual and answered, “I’m dealing with ‘Sin Garu, wraiths and a dying Djinn. How the fuck do you think I am? I need help with one of yours.”

Sava’s lighthearted tone faded. “ Where are you?”

Arim could sense his friend’s frown. “In Tanselm.”

A ball of fury whipped through dimensional space then Sava appeared on the ramparts. “You little shit.” He reached down and stuck his hand in the red goo trying to eat through Jonas’ aura. “This is the last time I’ll tell you no, Oxcen. The Next won’t have you once I’m through with you.”

Smiling grimly with a Nocumat dripping from his arm, Sava looked more like a bloodthirsty angel than a kingly Aellei dressed from head to toe in white, his Shadowy magic blinding in its beauty.

Inside, Arim could feel Ellie staring in awe at the handsome king.

“You can wear all the white you want. Doesn’t make you look any more pure.” Arim held Lexa protectively within Ellie’s arms and saw Sava’s confusion. “Possession spell,” he explained, aware of his husky, feminine voice.

Sava glanced at Arim’s body hanging from Dark-hide ropes and shook his head. “You and Lexa need to keep such play to the bedroom. Although I like the whole woman on woman thing you have going here.” He gazed at Ellie with speculation. “So this is the Earth Lord’s affai, hmm? Nice. Gotta love those Djinn. They’re almost as pretty as we are.” Sava shook the Nocumat on his arm when the creature stirred, and Arim swore the thing shuddered. “Not that I’m not glad you called me for this, but why not tap Alandra for help?”

A sudden clamour in the clouds stirred the air, and Sava looked out into the sky. “Netharat attack, eh? She’ll be busy enough. I think I’ll stroll over to MornMountain to see how they’re doing. Later.”

Sava disappeared, and Arim decided he’d had enough of Ellie’s body. Trying to leave while she burned in truth, however, proved a problem.

“Ellie,” he said aloud, hoping the sound of her own voice would break her concentration. “I need you to phase back through your body so I can move back into mine. I’ve been away from it long enough.” When she didn’t move, he tried again. “The sooner we’re back in our own bodies, the sooner we can check on Cadmus.”

Mentioning his nephew worked, because suddenly the dark flames and light in her body faded to normal. “Now keep yourself small until I fully leave your body, okay? You don’t want me taking a piece of you with me when I go.” He felt her shudder and couldn’t help a chuckle. Leaving and reentering his body passed quickly and easily, and as he took a deep breath, he realised he’d need help removing the Dark-hide restraints. They really had sucked at his physical energy.

“Jonas?”

Jonas dragged himself to his feet. “Sure, why not?” he said in a hoarse voice as he limped to Arim. “I’m only half-dead.” He stepped around Ellie and Lexa lying on the ground. “They’ll be okay, right?”

“I think.” I hope. “Ellie just needs a minute to recover. She’s an extremely strong woman.” But I’m not sure about Lexa. Not at all.

“A woman worthy of a Storm Lord.” Jonas held his hands over the ropes, waiting patiently for Arim’s reply.

Arim sighed. “Yes, yes. Now get these things off me, already. I’m losing the feeling in my arms.”

“Try losing it in your brain.” Jonas cringed. “I hate the Shadren. I really, really hate them.”

The second Jonas loosened the ropes, Arim seared them into dust with a blast from his eyes.

“Impressive. Never seen you do that.” Jonas leant down to Ellie and lifted her in his arms. His strength seemed to be returning quickly.

“You should see me at parties,” Arim deadpanned, and the two of them hauled the unconscious women inside the castle. Around them, spellcasters and warriors scattered, settling in to defend the keep.

Arim led Jonas to a spell-protected door. Muttering an incantation, he moved through the opening doorway and found Cadmus on the king-sized bed. “There’s enough room for all three. I’d like you to stay with them in case the safety spell weakens.”

“What? I look like shit and you’re too afraid to tell me?”

Jonas had walked ably enough, but he looked terrible. “Just stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

“Whatever. Just promise me they’ll all wake up healthy and happy.”

Arim studied the three on the bed, his heart warm at the sight of Ellie and Cadmus curling towards one another in sleep. Then he rested his eyes on Lexa and frowned. “I can promise health and happiness for two of them, but your Dark Mistress is going to be a problem.”

Jonas shared his grimace. “She saved your life.”

“I know.”

“And you saved hers. You could have killed ‘Sin Garu, wiped out the threat once and for all. But you didn’t.”

“I know.” Arim scowled, and Jonas shrugged in surrender.

“Hey, I’m just stating the truth. I just think it’s interesting both of you saved each other when you could have eliminated the enemy. You violated Sarqua code, placing the welfare of one over the welfare of all.”

“Is there a point to this?” Arim asked quietly, unmistakable menace in his tone.

The damned Djinn just grinned, his face ashen and his body bruised and bleeding from various Nocumat wounds. “Nope. Just an observation.”

Arim left swearing under his breath and engaged with the enemy once more.

A month later, Cadmus stood with Ellie over his mother’s bed and stared at the queen’s sleeping form. She had yet to regain consciousness, despite Arim and half the land’s best attempts at healing.

“She’ll recover, Cadmus.” Ellie gripped his hand tight. “Her Light still burns too brightly.”

“I’m not ready to let her go yet,” he admitted. “I finally came to peace with my father’s passing. I know he’d like nothing better to see Mother again, but…” His voice broke.

“It’s okay. She’s still with us. If anyone can help her, your uncle can.”

In the time since the grand battle he’d pretty much slept through—and man, did that suck, since his brothers continually ragged him about it—Ellie and Arim had bonded. Granted, they met often to discuss Lexa’s sad turn, but Cadmus could see how the two now spoke with affection and familiarity. Apparently, that possession spell had worked both ways.

Jonas thought it funny Arim now catered to Ellie’s smallest whim. It did Cadmus’ heart good that his uncle wanted to please and get to know Cadmus’ Dark affai. He loved her so damned much. Despite his grief over his mother, Cadmus couldn’t help remembering how he and his Darkling had shared their love just a few hours ago.

She’d loved him with her mouth until he nearly came, then held him taut with her energy before she took him deep inside her body. And after, when she’d bent down, on hands and knees, urging him to take her in the ass as she begged him with those pouting, cherry-red lips and sky-blue eyes…

A loud cough brought him back. “Cadmus, not here.” Ellie whispered in his mind.

He glanced down where her eyes had fixed, on his tented trousers. “It’s not like she can see. Besides, it’s all your fault. Your Darkness is so arousing, baby. I love that mouth, you know that?”

“Then maybe I should use it to say when you can and can’t have it.” A tantalising image from Ellie, of him bound in their room, like Arim had been bound by Lexa, hit him hard.

“Damn it, woman, my mother is right here! You’re such a pervert.”

She laughed at him, and he felt his heart ease at her joy. His mother would recover, she had to. With so much love around her, she had to feel the pull of it bringing her back.

“For Light’s sake, Cadmus. Not in here.” Darius growled as he strolled into the room with Samantha in tow. “Oh, hey, Ellie.”

Ever since the truth behind Ellie’s altercation with Samantha’s evil twin had come to light, everyone had been on their ultra-best, apologetic behaviour. Cadmus, most of all. He’d explained that the shock, as well as ‘Sin Garu’s treachery, had added to his doubt. She’d forgiven him, but she’d made him work damned hard for her forgiveness.

His lagging erection returned.

“Now what are you thinking? Honestly, Cadmus. Does that thing ever go down?” She poked him in the ribs, and he laughed, great gales of laughter that soon had Darius and Samantha joining in.

“I love you, Ellie. So very, very much.” And as humour replaced his arousal, he studied his mother, wishing she could share the moment. A spark of magic suddenly filled the room, Light mingling with Dark and something else, a powerful spark that shook Ravyn’s body.

Cadmus let the tears fall when her hand feebly sought his. Her green eyes opened, and he smiled. “Welcome back, Mother. We missed you.”

Arim stared down at Lexa, wishing he knew what the hell to do for her. None of his healing worked, nor did Jonas’ attempts at Dark healing. The good-humoured Djinn had folded into Tanselm’s keeping well enough. Apparently, he’d moved right into the northern castle and had taken to screwing with Cadmus’ Light Bringer warriors in an effort to better train them against their fight with true Darkness, or so he said.

Arim’s mirth faded as he lingered on Lexa’s pale figure lying so still in his bed. He hadn’t been able to entrust her to anyone else’s keeping, not sure how far the Church of Illumination’s fanatical fingers reached through the kingdom. So far, they’d mostly spouted rhetoric about the evil of Dark invasion, focusing on the Aellei in the east. But now that more Djinn were moving into the north, they’d begun inching from their cluster in the west, spreading like a disease. Politics, he thought with disgust.

They had enough trouble to deal with. Church elections neared. The Netharat had been soundly defeated, but were those vast numbers the extent of ‘Sin Garu’s force? And how badly had they wounded the Dark Lord? He shouldn’t have lasted as long as he had, especially not under Arim and Lexa’s joint attack, not to mention the aid of Ellie’s Dark magic. But ‘Sin Garu’s foray into blood drinking explained his enormous strength.

It won’t end until you end it. His conscience wouldn’t let it go, and he couldn’t forget the warning from the demons caging Lexa. A life for a life. He grimaced, knowing what he had to do to make things right. ‘Sin Garu deserved what fate held in store for him. And Arim planned on serving it to him with both hands. The Tetrarch was reborn. Four Storm Lords, four affai, four territories strong and true.

But at what cost?

He narrowed his gaze on Lexa’s bloodless lips and shadowed eyes. Knowing they were alone, that she couldn’t hear him, he felt it safe to hold her hand tightly in his. “As soon as you wake, Lexa, we’re going to have a talk. Then I’ll see to your—” He cut himself off, aware she had never before referred to ‘Sin Garu as anything but a Dark Lord, and never, ever, as her brother. Out of respect for her, he rubbed her hand softly and continued, “Then I’ll see to ‘Sin Garu. I’m waiting, Lexa. I’ve always been waiting,” he murmured as he watched her, unaware that the gentling of his touch had reached his voice.

Behind him, his sister stood watching with a quiet smile.