The War for Mare (The Fall of Man Book 3) (14 page)

“Who? Brea?”

“Apparently you know who I’m talking about.
Good luck there.”

Good luck?

We didn’t need luck with Hopeland. I was
pretty sure they’d understand and there weren’t that many to move
out. The problem was we had less than a week.

My mind was cluttered and I had to
prioritize it. Vala was heavy on it and had been for quite some
time. There was a resolution to that. She was having a baby with an
Ancient. Even if she decided that she and Iry would not be
together, she would be bound to him one way or another.

Would the child be human? Would the child be
Ancient? A mixture of both?

She, too, tried to speak to me before she
left. I was angry, acknowledged her words, but didn’t want to deal
with her. Since I met her, I wanted to be around her. She knew how
I felt, and I had sworn she felt the same way.

My heartbreak had to be secondary. I was
born and raised to save the world, to be a soldier against a force
that took everything from us. Only I learned the enemy wasn’t
exactly who I thought it was.

The Sybaris, or Ancients, didn’t take our
world from us. They merely thrived in a world that was destroyed by
their evil relatives. They made the best of it and tried to protect
what was in their scope of abilities.

Now, the abilities wouldn’t be enough.

Would anything?

I wanted to fight, but I didn’t think I
would be a soldier in the battle. Something told me it was bigger
than a mortal man. I just had a feeling when the war began, I would
be somewhere else doing my part.

The trip back to
Ancient City was an interesting one. While we rode in comfort in
the back of the vehicle, the Mare kept staring me down, as if her
youthful eyes would intimidate me. I ignored her, watching the
scenery roll by as I held on to my Davis life jacket. It was a
sense of comfort and told her visually where my dedication was.

Admittedly, had I not met Davis, been
enchanted by his charms, swept up by his lips, I would not be as
focused on saving the human race. If saving them meant saving
Davis, I would do what it took. Even if he chose not to have me, to
take back his life jacket, I had a moment, something real, and
something I never felt as an Ancient.

Another thing I never felt as an Ancient was
a nervous stomach. It twitched and jumped the closer we got to
Ancient City. My heart raced, my breath was shallow. If I hadn’t
known me better, I would believe I was experiencing… fear. The only
thing I had ever feared was water and horses.

We pulled up to the front entrance of the
palace and Iry rushed to the car.

“Good thing the boy is not here,” I said to
Snake.

Iry opened the door.

“Gods on their clouds,” I said. “She’s not
been gone one day.”

“Nito,” Iry said with distaste. “You look
worse for wear. What is that thing you are wearing?”

“Jealous? It is a token of affection. One
you will never receive without it being coerced.”

“Tell me, Vala,” he said. “Do you plan on
destroying her?”

“I do.”

“Hatred binds them. I think my seventh
husband hated me.”

“They all did,” Iry snapped.

“Seven husbands?” Davis asked, shocked.

“I’ve been around a long time,” I stepped
from the vehicle and looked upon the palace.

I was home. I was fearful of going in there.
I hadn’t a clue how I would be received or if my father would even
acknowledge me or grant my request.

The moment was at hand.

<><><><>

“Who brings her to my court?” my father
yelled. His voice echoed across the walls, bouncing back at me. It
was only the Mare and I standing before him.

“Father, I—”

“Out! You have been banished!”

“Father, please. I—”

“Remove her from my sight!” he yelled.
“Guards!”

Finally, Vala walked forward. “Wait. I
brought her back with me.”

“
You?
You defy your king?”

“Begging your pardon, you are not my king,”
Vala said.

It was not a smart thing to say to him.

My father’s face flashed red. “Mare!”

“Vala,” she corrected.

“How
dare
you disrespect me?”

“How dare you
lie
to me!” Vala
shouted. “You led me to believe my sister was frozen in time.
Condemned to live a child’s existence for the rest of her remaining
years. You did so in order for me to marry into the Ancient world,
when in fact you have the ability to make her human again. Before
you is the woman that proves my point. Is she not human now?”

My father’s jaw twitched. He said
nothing.

“When I say it is not my pleasure to have
her with us, I mean it,” Vala said. “There is validity in her
presence. If she is true to her word, then she can aid in this
impending battle. And we need all the help we can get.”

“How would she help?”

“She would go to them, speak to her mother,
find out where they intend on attacking so we can build a defense,
or at least try. She is a very powerful source. She has the ability
to not only transport mentally, but physically as well.”

“In this form?” the king snorted. “She’s
lucky she can move ten feet at a good pace.”

I gasped at my father’s insult.

“And what is it that you wear around your
neck?”

“It is called a life… jacket,” I replied.
“It is symbol of protection and commitment when a human male finds
favor with you.”

My father laughed. “A human male has found
favor with you in that form?”

“Yes. And I he.”

“That form cannot take on the Savages.”

“My Ancient form can,” I said.

“No.” He shook his head.

“You must.”

He shook his head again defiantly.

“Your Highness,” Vala said, “I have given
commitment to Iry, I carry his child, all so I can fight to save
the lives of everyone here. But I cannot do it alone. I cannot
fight if I need to do so blindly. She can be the eyes.”

“They will tell her nothing.”

“They will,” Vala insisted, “if I give her
my blood to take as an offering.”

Finally, I saw my father’s look change. “You
would do that?”

“I have to do that. We need to find out what
is going on.”

After a moment of thought, my father stood.
“Very well. I shall return you to your Ancient form. It is against
my better judgment, and I feel you have learned nothing.”

“Ah,” I said. “Father, you wrong. I have
learned much. So much so, I ask that when this task of war is over,
should I emerge alive, that you return me once again to human
form.”

“You
want
to be human?”

“It was never intended for me to be an
Ancient. The feelings that humans get, the sensations, they are not
part of the Ancient world. A cold heart can tingle with emotions as
an Ancient, but as a human, it melts.”

“Seriously?” Vala snapped. “Are you talking
about Davis? My Davis?”

“
My
Davis.” I ran my hand over the
life jacket.

My father walked over to me. “You may take
that off. It will not suit your Ancient form.”

“Will I not still feel for Davis?”

“You will.”

“Then I shall never remove it. If I had one
to give to him, I am certain he wouldn’t remove his.”

“My daughter, I believe a part of you
has
changed.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and leaned
in to me. “I return you.”

My father clasped me tight and I felt all
air escape me. I gasped and wheezed for breath. Soon I was no
longer in his clutches but in a whirlwind that spun me around
faster than my mind could comprehend.

A thick mist formed around me and when it
disappeared, I dropped to the floor.

No longer was I wearing the dungarees, but
my daily Ancient attire of my off white, gold laced gown. My bloody
was sleek and firm. I reached up to touch my face and my cheeks
didn’t move. Then I saw it the life jacket was on the floor.

Instantly, I panicked, grabbed it, and it
placed it over my head.

“Thank you,” I said to my father and turned
to Vala. “I need that blood. We’ve no time to spare.”

<><><><>

Evening had set in by the time all arguments
with my father had ceased and I had been returned to my Ancient
form. Once I retrieved a throng of blood from Vala, I took off.

In order for me to transport my physical
form I had to run. I had to get my speed at its highest notch. It
took a bit to do so and I swear I was nearly in the desert when I
created enough speed that the flashes of light surrounded and
transported me.

I went from a warm and bright world to a
dark, damp, and slimy place. I emerged standing on top of a ledge
that overlooked a long and wide gaping canyon in the Earth. Behind
me were trees, and I felt the ground rumble.

I turned from the canyon to see thousands of
Savages emerging out from the trees and racing toward the canyons.
I lifted my arms with the full intention of battling them should
they attack, but by far, there were too many. I would not survive,
but I would not go down without a fight.

The Savages did not see me, if they did,
they didn’t care. The ran beyond me, taking flight as soon as they
hit the edge. They poured over the sides of the canyon like a
waterfall, filling every inch of the area below.

There was no end in sight.

Then
his
voice called out. It was so
deep and resonating, I felt it in my chest.

“Nito.”

I spun around. Anubis stood there. He was
not only tall but large. Bigger than any human man or Ancient male.
His image and form were frightening.

He had a man’s body with the head of a
Savage, while wearing the nemes of a pharaoh. His eyes were a
piercing green, and they had almost a glow. He walked toward me,
carrying a staff.

“You were banished. Only a perfect Ancient
would be given her form back so quickly.”

“A smart Ancient, my God.” Keeping a wall up
in my mind, envisioning only black, I bowed to Anubis.

“What is this you wear around your neck?” he
asked.

“It is a prized possession of a human. The
leader of the rebellion. I have kept it as a trophy.”

“You have captured the human leader?”

“And handed him to my father.”

“What brings you here?” Anubis asked.

Before I could answer, my mother appeared
from behind him. The last I saw her she was in complete Savage
form. Now she was clothed and walked partially upright, like an
ape. She did not speak; she slipped from behind Anubis and sniffed
me like an animal.

“I come bringing a gift.” I lowered my head
and held out the throng. “The blood of the Mare. She is in my
control now.”

“You are indeed a dark soul. I like that.”
Anubis brought his clawed hand down and took the throng. “Now my
queen will be complete.”

“My mother is deserving of such an honor as
to be your queen.”

“Is it true my minion has told your father
of the impending attack?”

“It is true. He does not believe it.”

“Do you?” Anubis asked.

I looked around. “One would not need so many
beasts if one was not building an army.”

“Ah, yes, an Army fifty thousand
strong.”

“With an army of fifty thousand Savage
soldiers invading our city, I shall admit defeat now and prepare to
face my death.”

“Not you, my child.” He reached out and ran
his finger down my face. I could feel the electricity of his touch.
He was the God of Death and he made my skin crawl. “You are
favored. You will live. Now come, visit with your mother and watch
her reap the benefits of your gift.”

He reached out and took hold of my arm. I
looked back at the Savages, and then followed Anubis. I wasn’t sure
where we were going or if I would even be able to return. I would
give it my best. I had to. Davis was counting on me.

Nito had left hours
earlier and the night of lights had already begun in the Ancient
City.

Nito had turned back to an Ancient, took my
blood, and left. She had been gone for hours.

The only positive thing was Sophie. My
sister was human again. The king sent for her and when she was
returned she was my sister again. She had no recollection of
anything after going to bed that fateful night. I had to tell her
about my marriage to Iry.

She was hungry and tired. It had been a
while since Sophie ate or slept properly. After putting her to bed,
I paced a lot.

“Once we hear from Madge,” Snake said from
behind me, “you and I need to hit this town.”

“She’s not coming back,” I said.

“She’s coming back,” Snake insisted.

“She got her powers and she’s gone. We need
to start another plan.”

The doors opened and Nito entered in her
Ancient form.

“Wow, Davis, she’s hot like that. And she’s
still wearing your life jacket.”

Davis stood. “Did you find out
anything?”

“Yes,” Nito replied. “They are going to
destroy us in four days. Grab the map, we need to speak to my
father.”

The she turned and left.

<><><><>

Nito wasted no time once the king was
summoned to the table. She whipped out the map, placed holders to
keep it down, and pointed. “Here they are here.”

“That’s not even two hundred miles from
here,” Davis said.

“They are planning to use the power of the
special moon. I haven’t a clue what that means. Do you,
Father?”

“No, but I will ask the stargazers.”

“The plan,” Nito said, “is to hit the
Ancient City first.” She traced her finger down the map. “Once they
wipe us out, they will move over Hopeland, then each area of the
Straits, east to west. Angeles City follows, and they finish here.”
She pointed.