“Kade, take Lia,” I yelled.
Those were the only words I could push out, before my eyes darkened and my body went limp. Everything seized. Even my wings stopped working.
In slow motion, I watched my hand disconnect from Kade, making all of us visible, and prey to whoever was out there. Lia slid from my grasp and plummeted toward the ground. Kade dove down after her with Jeremy on his back and caught her arm.
Samuel swooped up from under me, catching and cradling me in his arms. I felt so weak and helpless.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he said, his eyes narrowed with worry.
I nodded, witnessing ominous black wings soaring high above.
Samuel was yelling orders to the others, and I was transferred into Dom’s arms. Mark had hopped onto Thomas’ back and was being flown into the barrier.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get them to safety,” Dom promised, taking off like a rocket and catching up to Kade. Behind us, I could hear the clashing of swords as Alex and Samuel fought the Fallen.
“There’s the house,” Dom said. “Hold on, Emma.”
With his free hand, Kade radioed Alaine and updated her. When we broke the barrier, she was already waiting outside with Caleb. Jeremy hopped off of Kade’s back and picked up Lia. He followed Caleb, taking her inside.
Kade ran over and took me from Dom’s arms. I rested my head against his chest.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” my voice exited in a whisper.
“Get them inside,” Alaine urged.
Dom took back to the sky to help the others, leaving Mark to watch the perimeter. There were, at least six Fallen above us; a lot less than I expected.
“What happened?” Alaine asked, coming to my aid.
“Her use of invisibility weakened her,” Kade said. “She held it all the way to Fairbanks, and then again for four of us on the way back. When we were about a mile away, she just fell.”
“I’m surprised she held it as long as she did,” Alaine said. “I’ll take care of her. You can help the others.”
Kade leaned over and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered in my ear.
“You better,” I breathed, knowing he would.
I felt powerless, and could barely move. Every cell in my body had been depleted.
“Rest, Emma,” Alaine said. “They’ll be all right.”
“Darkling are out there,” I said.
“How far?”
“Five miles, maybe less.” Each breath I took was labored.
“I’ll take care of whatever gets through the barrier,” Mark assured Alaine. “Go ahead and take them inside.”
Alaine checked the security and made sure all of the doors and windows were locked. She then instructed Caleb and Jeremy to take Lia and Courtney to the safe room. Miss Lily followed behind with a duffle of supplies.
“Some welcome, huh?” Caleb said to Jeremy, heading up the stairs.
“Yeah, but I guess I wasn’t expecting anything less. Especially knowing this place is surrounded with immortal beings.” Jeremy laughed tightly. “But hey, we’re still alive, so that’s a plus.”
I wanted to say something, but was still too weak. Alaine followed after, giving them last minute instructions before coming back to me.
“Here. Drink this,” she said, handing me a blue vial. The very one Kade used to carry.
“This won’t work on me now,” I said.
“You still have a bit of humanity within you. It’s not going to heal you completely, but it should help.”
I’d take whatever I could to help.
As soon as the liquid touched my lips, I felt the familiar buzz. Tingles pricked at my skin as it made its way down. I closed my eyes and let it work its magic. The shaking in my bones from complete exhaustion faded a bit, and I could feel my strength returning.
“Thank you,” I breathed.
“It was a whim, but I had a feeling it would help.”
Alarms blared around us.
“They’re here,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
She ran to her office and returned within minutes, after a quick change. She was wearing a black warrior outfit, with her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, and a sword in her hand.
“How are you?” she asked.
I stood from the chair, much sturdier than before. The potion must have still been working because I continued to feel my limbs strengthen and become sturdier. I pulled my trusted dagger from its sheath and held it tightly in my hand.
“Front or back door?” I asked. As long as I could move, I would fight.
Just as I spoke the words, I noticed movement out the front window.
“Front,” we said simultaneously.
As we headed for the door, she placed her hand on my shoulder. “Please be safe.”
“You too,” I replied.
We charged out and were met with three Darkling. My body reacted to the danger and switched into battle mode. Without calling them, my wings engaged, and I found myself being thrust toward the first Darkling.
As I lifted the dagger above my head, my wings stopped me in mid-air and flipped me upside-down, just missing the Darkling’s sword. The momentum carried my body all the way around, and I ended up behind him, giving me an opening to jam my dagger into the top of its head. The sound of the skull splitting made me cringe. As I yanked the blade out, the Darkling went limp and dropped to the ground.
My momentum pushed me toward the next Darkling. This time, my wings were extended to my sides, twisting me like a whirlwind. The Darkling in my path didn’t stand a chance. He was decapitated before he could even make a move.
By the time I’d killed two, Alaine had killed her first. The amulet confirmed, with its constant glow, more Darkling were coming. And Mark could be heard fighting around the corner of the house.
“What should we do?” I asked.
Alaine’s eyes were locked on the forest, to something just beyond the barrier.
“What is it?” I asked.
“There,” she said, pointing.
My eyes followed her finger, and I saw movement in the shadows. Then, the wind carried a familiar scent to my nostrils.
“It’s her,” I whispered to myself.
Dark wings flapped, as the figure emerged from the woods, until a teenage girl hovered just above the tree line. Her eyes were as black as her raven wings, but her face was petite and attractive. Golden hair cascaded like fine silk down her shoulders. The shadowy figure from my nightmares now had a face.
Her eyes were frozen, gazing directly at me with the deepest contempt. She slowly raised her hand, then dropped it out front, pointing toward Alaine and me. A few dozen Darkling charged out from the trees, barreling over the gate.
I turned to Alaine and gave a nod before we ran forward.
Dom and Kade dropped down in front of us as I reached a Darkling. It thrust its sword at me, and I bent backward right under the razor sharp blade. Using my wings, I pushed myself back up, shoving my dagger into the bottom of the Darkling’s neck, the tip exiting out the top of its head. As its eyes rolled back, I kicked its chest, sending it backward. It hit the ground, lifeless.
“Shit. That was freaking hot,” Dom said.
“Hey, that’s my wife you’re talking about,” Kade said, dodging a sword. “But I do have to agree.”
Dom laughed, then gave Kade a side eye. “So, brother…is it on?”
Kade sunk his blade into a Darkling’s eye and yanked it out, looking at Dom with a gleam in his eye.
“Hell, yeah.” He grinned. “And that’s one.”
“Bullshit. You killed that one before you agreed.”
“No, no, no. That kill was done after you asked me. I couldn’t answer while I was making the kill.”
“Whatever,” Dom huffed. “We’re on.”
They both charged forward with fresh vigor and began their massacre, slicing and dicing every Darkling they could get thei
r hands on. Thomas and Alex arrived shortly after and spared no time charging toward the strays, eager to join the competition for the highest body count.
Samuel landed near Alaine and folded his stunning pitch-black wings behind his back.
“Take Emma inside. We’ve got this.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
Alaine took hold of my arm. “Come, darling. They’ll be okay. They’re inside the barrier now, safe from Fallen.”
But my eyes were locked onto my bonded. I watched Kade flying effortlessly through the air, using his blade masterfully as if it were an extension of his arm. He was fast and unbelievably agile; my beautiful warrior. Bursting with pride and adoration, I wanted to run into the fray and fight at his side.
“Emma,” Alaine whispered again. “Let’s go now. Your friends are inside.”
She knew what it took to get me inside. I sighed, not wanting to leave, but I knew Jeremy and Lia would have a million questions. I looked back to where Lucian’s daughter had been, but she was no longer there.
It made me wonder if she was only scouting, or if she wanted to scare me. Whatever it was, it didn’t seem like an all-out attack. There were hardly any Fallen.
I also knew she’d be back. I could see it in her eyes.
She wanted revenge.
What she failed to realize was, if she hurt any of my loved ones, she would have hell to pay. I had latent power stirring deep within; powers no one knew about. I could feel it. And now that danger was near, it was begging to be set free.
AFTER MUCH DEBATE, AND A final count of the Darkling bodies as they were piled in the front yard, Kade and Dom were tied with kills.
Lia was awake and seemed in good spirits. I thought she would’ve been totally upset with me, but she wasn’t, which took me by surprise.
That evening around the dinner table was filled with so much laughter and happiness, now that most of our family was back together. Even Alaine and Samuel were smiling and having fun.
They all told Mark about their experiences and the unbelievable stories of their last assignment at the Gray house. While they were telling the tales, even I was blown away at how ridiculous it all sounded. But it’d happened. It was a true story, and it was ours.
This was Mark’s seventh assignment as a Guardian. When not on missions he worked with his father in Grandia.
“What did you do in Grandia?” Jeremy asked.
“I was a Worshiper,” he answered before taking a sip of his drink.
“Like a singer?” Lia questioned.
“Exactly,” Mark replied.
Dom pushed his empty plate to the side. “Man, you have to sing us a song.”
Mark held his hands up in the air. “I have no instrument. I can’t worship without one.”
“You’re making excuses.” Dom smirked.
“Trying my best,” Mark said.
Alaine stood from the table. “Excuse me, please.” She hurried out of the room.
“If they had stores around here, I’d fly and buy an instrument,” Dom said. He reached across the table and grabbed two spoons. Placing them back to back, he held them in his fingers and whacked them on his knee. “How’s this?”
Mark took a bite of a chocolate chip cookie and shook his head. “Nope. You can’t even keep a steady beat. You’d throw me off.”
“Damn it,” Dom huffed. “And that’s why I wasn’t chosen to be a Worshiper.”
“I’ve never listened to a Worshiper outside of Grandia,” Alex said.
Mark turned to Kade and smiled. “His mother is one of the most breathtaking Worshipers in Grandia. I could listen to her voice for all eternity. If it were the last sound I heard, I would die happy.”
Kade’s face beamed with pride. “I couldn’t agree more.”
“I hope I get to hear her one day,” I said.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “I promise, after we get through this, I will take you to listen to her.”
“Thank you. I’d love that.”
A few minutes later, Alaine returned with a guitar and handed it to Mark. “Will this work?” she asked. “It might need to be tuned because it hasn’t been used in a very long time.”
Mark took the instrument in his hands and inspected it. It was a twelve-string, acoustic guitar.
“This should do just fine.”
Alaine returned to her seat next to Samuel as Mark took the guitar in his hand and tuned it. In no time, it was ready.
His fingers danced up and down the strings while he picked and strummed, creating exquisite, resonating sounds from the wooden instrument.
Soon enough, his baritone voice filled the room, causing goosebumps to rise on my entire body, and bring tears to my eyes. The experience was unexplainable. His voice was so tender and sweet, and as he continued, a calm serenity blanketed the room. I hadn’t felt this peaceful in a long time. It was as if the music were a sedative, traveling through my soul and soothing my entire being.
Everyone remained motionless as they listened to his enchanting melody. I closed my eyes and rested my head on Kade’s shoulder. His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer.
As his song finished, the room was still.
“That was beautiful,” Alaine said.
“It was,” I agreed.
Courtney’s head was on the table, and she wasn’t moving. Caleb elbowed her; her head shot up and she rapidly blinked her bloodshot eyes. Jeremy and Lia giggled.
“Yeah, I’m turning in early,” Dom said, standing to his feet and stretching. “Man, you’ve got a voice that could melt steel.”
“Thank you,” Mark said, handing the guitar back to Alaine.
“You make me miss the music in Grandia.” Alex yawned.
“Yeah, dude. That was awesome,” Thomas added. “Makes me want to hit the sack.”
“We all should,” Samuel said. “We need to rest, in order to be operating at our best for whatever is to come. Alex and Mark, will you be able to take the first shift in the tower?”
“Yes,” they both answered.
“Dom and Thomas will take the second watch, and Kade and I will take the third.”
They all agreed to the watch schedule and we got up and said our goodnights.
Alaine stopped in front of Kade and me before she left. “I think it will be safer if you stayed inside the main house, especially with Darkling running around. You can have your old room.”
“That's a good idea,” Kade said glancing at me. “I’d like to have her inside when I’m on my shift.”
“We need to get a few things first,” I said, walking up to the group still hanging by the door to the hall.
Caleb was asking Jeremy if he wanted to play video games.
Jeremy looked excited. “Sure!”
“Do we get to come?” Lia asked, pointing between her and Courtney.
“Of course,” he answered. “Anyone is invited.”
“Sounds like loads of fun.” I giggled.
“Hey, don’t knock us nerds,” Lia joined in, laughing.
“Emma doesn’t need to play video games,” Jeremy remarked. “I caught a glimpse of her in action. She’s just as, or even more, kickass in real life.”
He turned and winked at me.
“Thanks, Jeremy.”
“It’s the truth. Although being your best friend does have some significant disadvantages.”
“But we still love you, Emma,” Lia sang. “Even if your enemies are trying to kill us, and you put me to sleep whenever trouble arises. But I’m all right with it. I would’ve freaked out. Heck, I’d probably still be freaking out if I’d witnessed the horrors of today.”
“Yeah, you would have,” Jeremy agreed.
Her eyes narrowed on him. “And how in the world can you be so calm? I’ve never seen you this composed under stress.”
“I was wondering the same thing,” I added.
Jeremy shrugged. “I’ve recently come to terms with the fact that life is what you make of it. I can eith
er choose to live it stressed, freaking out, and trying to please everyone, or I can embrace everything life has to offer…the good and the bad. Up until our visits to Alaska, my life has been simple. Nothing out of the ordinary, and nothing extraordinary. But now, we’ve become part of a hidden world, an experience no other human thought existed. We’ve been given this rare and precious gift, and on the plane ride over, I made a choice to embrace it. That’s all.” He took a bite of his chocolate chip cookie.
Lia’s eyes met mine, and then she rolled them.
“Whatever,” she sighed. “I don’t want to embrace any danger. I’d rather sleep through that crap. So, please Emma…if danger should arise, put me out.”
“This is a girl who knows what she wants,” Dom chuckled. “Okay, goodnight everyone. Sleep tight, and don’t let the Darkling bite.”
Everyone groaned and I smacked him on the shoulder. “What?” He looked at the group and shrugged. “Too soon?”
“Get out of here, would you?” I laughed. “And that’s good night for us too, we have to grab our things.” I looked to Kade and he grabbed my hand.
Caleb headed out. “Remember, game night, my room.”
“I’ll be there,” Jeremy hollered.
“I will too,” Lia added. “Are you coming, Emma?”
“I think I’ll pass on the games. I need to sleep and get my strength back up. Will you guys be all right without me?”
“Us? Of course. Who doesn’t love games, boys, and food? You can always pop in and say hi.”
“I just might,” I said.
They all headed out toward the hallway while Kade and I slipped out the back door of the kitchen. I took a deep breath of fresh, clean air. The sun still hung low in the sky, creating a dusky Alaskan evening, and I liked it. It made the nights less intimidating.
We walked up to the front of the cottage, and Kade unlocked the door and held it open until I stepped through. Closing the door, he turned around and gathered me in his arms, holding me tightly. The heat of his breath against my cheek warmed me to my core.
“Is everything alright?” I asked, sensing something I couldn’t put my finger on.
He sighed, pulling back enough to look into my eyes.