“You will suffer the consequences of your actions. Whether those consequences destroy you is up to you.” And just as suddenly as they appeared the Forest Lords were gone.
Cush stood and turned to pick up Elora. Once he was standing with her in his arms, he motioned with his head for Oakley to follow.
“Good luck, warrior,” Chamani said in a voice that held no ill will.
“I don’t need luck, priestess. My creators are on my side. If they stand for me, then none can stand against me. Not even your queen.” Without another word he took off at a jog that he knew Oakley would be able to keep up with.
“Do you know where we’re going?” Elora’s brother asked as they put the priestess farther and farther behind them.
“We need to get back to the motel.”
“How do you know that?”
“It just feels right.” Cush didn’t understand it himself, but he didn’t question it.
“You do know how girly you just sounded, right?” Oakley chuckled.
“Oakley.”
“Yeah?”
“Shut-up.”
“Just save my sister and I’ll never say another smart ass thing to you.”
It was Cush’s turn to laugh. “I’d like to say I believe you, but your track record doesn’t serve you very well.”
“What are we going to do once we get to the motel?” Oakley asked, ignoring Cush’s comment.
“Save my Chosen.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I was hoping we weren’t going back there to take a swim in that luxurious pool,” he huffed. “I meant how, Cush. How are we going to save her?”
“All of the details of the plan haven’t come together just yet.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“Oakley?”
“Whaaaat,” he drew out.
“Stop talking.”
“That’s just a nicer way of saying shut-up.”
“Perhaps. Would you rather I threaten your life if you utter another word?” Cush knew Elora would want him to be nicer to her brother, but nice just wasn’t on his list of important things at that moment.
“Calm down, G.I. Joe. I was just stating a fact. I’m a little stressed, that tends to happen when my sister is dying.”
“Please be stressed in silence.”
“I’ll get right on that.”
Tamsin, Vyshaan, and Lisa hopped up from their seats on the hotel bed when Syndra came striding through the mirror on the back of the bathroom door with The Book of the Elves clutched in her arms. Tamsin muttered a silent prayer of thanks to the Forest Lords. Apparently, their plan had worked. He had no doubt in his mate’s abilities, but it took a massive leap of faith to allow her to go into Lorsan’s office, alone, disguised as Ilyrana. But, as they had all decided, it was the only way they could safely get the book away from the dark elf king without another dangerous battle, this one taking place in very close proximity to the humans.
“Any problems?” he asked.
“Worked like a charm,” Syndra responded. “Lorsan had no idea. I left him tied to his chair with a mob of bloodthirsty humans beating down his door.”
“Do you think that was wise?” asked Tamsin. What if Lorsan gets free and takes his frustrations out on the humans?
“I don’t think he will. There was no way he could escape from the spell I placed on him, especially after it had been infused with power from the Book.”
“So you were really able to do it? You cast the spell on him without him even knowing it?”
“I simply looked over his shoulder and read the words silently. I felt him lock into place and he didn’t even realize it.
A twinge of jealousy washed over Tamsin as he imagined his lover leaning over Lorsan’s shoulders. He quickly squashed it, recognizing his mate’s cunning and bravery, and understood that she had done what she needed to for the greater good.
And I guess we have you to thank for that,” she said turning to Vyshaan.
“Thanks is not necessary,” said the elder. “It was the least I could do. Now let’s get this book to our new king, shall we?”
“Good idea,” commented Tamsin. “Trik phoned earlier. He should be here any second. He and Cassie located her parents. They were a bit shaken up, but otherwise unharmed.”
“Great, let’s get outside. This place is a dump,” said Syndra as she turned up her pert little nose and glanced around the room. “It’s worse than Lorsan’s dungeon.”
“The conditions didn’t seem to be bothering you when you were necking with your elf,” responded Lisa in a deadpan manner.
“Don’t’ get me started. Despite the lack of cleanliness in this place, there is a perfectly serviceable bed right there. We could pick up where we left off,” Syndra cooed as she stepped to Tamsin and placed her hands around his neck.
“I do not need any more images in my head that can’t be burned out. I’m out,” breathed Lisa, who walked out the door with all three elves, chuckling, in tow. Tamsin, the last one out, shut the door behind him and breathed in the humid swamp air, which seemed as fresh as a mountain morning compared to the stuffiness of the hotel room. Syndra placed the Book on a dilapidated picnic table that was standing sentinel by the empty hotel pool. They each sat down and Vyshaan began to explain everything he knew about the book.
Lorsan, huffing and puffing, stepped through the very bathroom mirror that the former light elf queen had only moments before. He crept to the hotel window and carefully looked outside seeing the three elves and the human pouring over the Book—his Book. It took everything in him not to storm out of the room and attack them. But he knew such an action would only ensure his death. He must be careful now. Without Ilyrana at his side, he knew just how vulnerable he was. Syndra showing up in his office wearing the face of his mate was a testament to that. His mind flashed back to his office as he watched his nemesis walk through the mirror without so much as a glance back.
Lorsan screamed at the back of Syndra as she lightly skipped through the mirror with The Book of the Elves in her hands and the declaration that his mate was dead. Just then the door exploded and his office was filled with angry humans. They saw the Rapture on his desk. Like a school of piranhas, they descended on the vial. They were no longer forming words. The only sounds escaping them were primal screams and guttural utterances. He felt as though a pack of zombies had descended and the vial was like a fresh beating heart to them. Lorsan strained against his bonds, but still they held fast. The first human to make it to the desk, a burly man covered in tattoos, leapt toward the vial. He was stopped just inches away as two more humans, a man and a woman, came crashing down on his back. They slammed into the desk, knocking the vial over. It rolled backward, falling off the desk and landing under Lorsan’s feet. The swarm of humans came over the desk, engulfing him. His chair fell backward and he sat, back to the floor, facing the ceiling. The humans were biting, clawing, and scratching; each trying to hurt the other while also attempting to make it to the Rapture. Lorsan felt the pain of many punches and kicks raining down on him. He threw up a protection spell around his body, much like Syndra had earlier―though his was darker and less powerful. Just then he heard a tinkle of glass breaking. A human had inadvertently stepped on the vial. The last drop of Rapture was now running across his hand-scraped hardwood floors. If possible, the humans’ fury increased. Some howled, pummeling the clumsy fool who had stepped on the vial. Others dropped to their knees pushing each other out of the way as they tried to lap the precious liquid with their tongues. Still others kicked at Lorsan’s protective shield, trying to get to the elf. Somehow they seemed to understand that he was the source of all their problems.
All of a sudden, Lorsan felt his power returning. He should have realized when he threw up his protective shield that whatever magic Syndra cast on him was fading. Apparently, the Book’s power extended only so far. When she went through the portal, transporting herself almost fifteen hundred miles away, her spell began to weaken. He strained outwa
rd and felt the magical bonds holding him break apart. He was free. With a surge of renewed power, he sent a shockwave out from his body, the force of it throwing the humans away from him―some landing hard on his office furniture, some bouncing hard off the office walls. He roared and jumped onto this desk, surveying the destruction the humans had caused.
They were cowering now, scrambling backward to get away―running, crawling, and toppling toward the exit.
“I should kill you all for this,” he screamed at them. But he did not. He had bigger fish to fry right now. He leapt from his desk, soaring across the room, and plunged through the mirror calling on the magic of the portals to trace the last occupant to enter through that mirror. Syndra thought she’d bested him, but like her mate, she was a fool.
Trik, Cassie, and Tony emerged from the hotel room that he and Cassie shared, after having teleported back from the Tate’s house. Mr. and Mrs. Tate had not wanted to let their daughter leave, but in the end they’d given up, realizing that their daughter was no longer a child. Trik walked over to the window and pulled the drapes aside to look out. He hoped he would find Cush standing there with Elora and Oakley in tow, but that isn’t what he saw. What he did see was just as reassuring. Four figures sat at a picnic table near the pool. He was taken aback by two things simultaneously. First, that one of the individuals was holding up The Book of the Elves, reading to the others as a kindergarten teacher might read The Hungry Little Caterpillar to her students. And second, that the teacher in question was none other than the elder Vyshaan himself. Any other time, Trik might have slain the elder on site, or at least attempted to. But as Tamsin, Syndra, and Lisa seemed to be hanging on his every word, it seemed a bit rash to exact judgment on the elder without at least asking a few questions first.
He took Cassie’s hand and pulled her toward the door. Then he glanced over at Tony. “It looks like the kicks just keep on coming.”
Cassie frowned at him. “Who’s doing the kicking and who’s getting kicked?”
Trik just winked at her and lead her from the room.
“I hate it when he winks like that instead of answering,” Tony huffed as he followed them. “It usually means whatever he knows is about to bust you in the gut and knock the air out of you.”
Cassie laughed. “I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets annoyed with him.”
“I’m right here you know,” Trik pointed out.
“We know,” Tony and Cassie said at the same time.
“Vyshaan,” Trik said quietly, staring at the elder as he approached the table. Everyone jumped to their feet, startled. Apparently they had all been so enthralled at what Vyshaan had been teaching them, they’d forgotten all about their surroundings. It must have been interesting in order for Tamsin to not be aware of what was going on around him.
“Hold, Trik,” came Tamsin’s steady voice. “Vyshaan has something to say before you pass judgment on him. And Syndra and I would also speak on his behalf.”
“What? What positive thing could you and your queen have to say about this…this…coward?”
“He helped Syndra, Lisa, and I escape Lorsan’s casino,” replied Tamsin.
“And he helped us get this,” Syndra interjected, raising The Book of the Elves. “And is teaching us how to decipher it.”
“And just why would you do that?” Trik spat at Vyshaan.
“Trik, I understand why you would feel the way you do about me. I admit that I abandoned my people in their time of need. Not just when I began working with Lorsan but also when Lorsan blew his castle to hell. I didn’t want to deal with the aftermath, and I didn’t know how to face you after I’d heard you had returned as our King. So, yes, you are right. I was a coward. I fled, when I should have been fighting for my people. It was the elders’ job to protect them. And I failed them. For that, I do deserve death.
But, Trik, I’m not the only one who has abandoned my people. You yourself have not always been blameless. You were the right and true king. But you threw that destiny away so you could serve your own dark nature.”
Trik growled in frustration. “Don’t you try and turn this back on me. I’ve faced the Forest Lords for what I’ve done. They passed their judgment and showed me mercy.”
“And now I’m simply asking you to do the same for me,” replied Vyshaan. “The Forest Lords aren’t here. You must be their instrument of mercy.”
“And how do I know that you are sincere? How do I know that you aren’t doing all this just to save your own skin? I can’t read your intentions or your heart. How do I know you aren’t lying?”
Vyshaan breathed deeply. “I’m not.”
“Perhaps, I can help in that regard,” Syndra spoke up, interrupting the intense conversation. “Am I not mistaken in noticing that we are a couple of elves short? Where is your trusty warrior, Cush, and his Chosen?”
“Good question,” Lisa spoke up. “I was told my daughter would be here and that Cush was coming for her.”
“She is here. But she seems to be in the company of a different companion than Cush. Cush and Oakley are here, and I only know that for sure because of that vehicle” ―he pointed to the yellow Jeep Wrangler― “and the footprints around it that lead toward the swamp. Few have a foot that large and it is not a modern shoe. It is definitely the boot print of an elvish warrior. I asked him to wait for us, but I am not surprised that he didn’t. If my Chosen was out there without me, I wouldn’t be waiting to find her either. So, they are out there—somewhere.” Trik made a sweeping motion with his hand toward the swamp. “He will get her back, but he alone must do this. It is a battle he must fight.”
Lisa looked as if she was going to be sick. “And no one thought to tell me this before now?” The blood had drained from her face and she was pale as death.
Trik clenched his jaw. “It wouldn’t have done any good. There was nothing you could have done. You don’t need to be upset with Tamsin and Syndra. They were obeying an order from their King. If you want to blame anyone, you can be pissed off at me.”
“I understand what you are saying, but that doesn’t change the fact that my daughter is apparently in danger, and now my son as well. Whether or not I could have done something to help is irrelevant. I am a mother and I will always feel the need to fight for my child, rational or not. Is she going to be okay?” Lisa stepped away from the table turning to the vast swamp forest.
“Cush will take care of her,” Cassie told her friend’s mother as she took her hand. “He won’t stop until she’s safe.”
Lisa nodded, but her face had not regained any of its color and her eyes were wide as she chewed on her bottom lip, still staring into the forest.
“You know how protective our males are, Lisa. I know you will worry, but if anyone can save her, it is Cush,” Tamsin added.
“That may be so,” Syndra said. “But you know that a Chosen can be both a benefit and a distraction on the battlefield. Cush and Elora are just now figuring out their bond. She cannot lend him strength as a Chosen should. She will only cloud his judgment and make him vulnerable.”
“I have no doubt that Cush is capable but Elora is not herself,” Cassie blurted out, drawing the attention of everyone present. She glanced at Lisa who had swung back around to look at the group. Cassie continued as her best friend’s mom listened. “According to the priestess, she is under a powerful compulsion spell. Who knows what she will do? She might even try to protect Tarron and hurt Cush.”
“Trik, I strongly advise that you send Cush some help. This swamp, plus the addition of Elora, could be enough to turn the tide of battle in favor of Tarron. It is your duty as king and our duty as his friends to help him,” Syndra said in a voice that reminded them all that she was a queen regardless of whether or not she wore a crown.
“Not to mention, Oakley was with Cush. Elora’s brother is out there, Trik. She will never forgive me if anything happens to him,” Cassie pleaded.
Trik was silent for several moments. “And if I go into t
he swamp, what about him?” Trik asked, pointing to Vyshaan.
“There is no need for you to go. Let Tamsin and I take him into the swamp to find Cush. If he helps us again, we can trust that he has changed his ways. If he betrays us, well…” Syndra suggested.
“No,” Trik responded. “It’s too dangerous. Chamani and her mistress are causing too much turmoil in this land. I should be the one to go.”
“You cannot,” chimed in Tamsin. “There is something that is much more important. Something that has been lost to our kind for far too long. This,” he said tapping the Book, “must be protected at all costs. You are the only one powerful enough to keep it safe.”
“Tamsin is right,” continued Syndra. “And we cannot take it into the swamp. That would be foolish. The Voodoo queen might want you to stay in power, but I doubt she would have any qualms about taking the book for herself in an attempt to keep our people weak. There is just too much that could happen out there. Besides, if anyone has the ancient knowledge necessary to challenge Chamani and her mistress, it’s an elder. It is only right that Vyshaan go. If nothing else, perhaps, simply just to make amends for what he has done.”
Trik breathed deeply. “As always, you speak wisdom, light elf queen. It will be done as you say. You and Tamsin take Vyshaan and go. However, you must not interfere with Cush unless all seems hopeless. He may not appreciate your help, well-meaning though it might be. And don’t take your eyes off of him,” he commanded, pointing toward the elder. “I hope you are right about him.”
Lisa raised her hand gaining the attention of the group. “Love that you guys are making a plan to get my children out safely, but I’m not just standing around waiting. I’m going with them,” she motioned to Tamsin and Syndra.
“I don’t suppose my ordering you to stay would make a difference?” Trik asked.
“If it would make you feel better, you’re welcome to order away. But when it comes to my kids there is no force on earth that can keep me from them. Until you have children, there is no way you can understand. Your life no longer has anything to do with your own safety, your own happiness, or your own health. Everything you are, everything you have, and everything you will do is for them―for their safety, their health, their happiness, and their future. So no, your orders will do nothing to keep me from going after them.”