Dalir's Salvation (17 page)

Ari’s heartbeat thrashed in her ears. “How?”

The woman placed Dalir’s dagger in her hand.

As Ari held it up by the hilt, a drop of blood rolled down the blade and into her palm.

The woman eyes brightened with an inner light. “You must follow the gift that has never failed you.”

Her gift? No, her curse. It had failed her all of her life. Rarely did it bring anything good. “I can’t do it.”

“You must.”

Ari followed the woman’s gaze to a hill.

Dalir lay motionless on top of a stone altar.

More blood rolled from the dagger. Instinctually, Ari knew it was his. Tightness filled her chest. “No. He can’t die.”

The woman’s expression grew sad. “Then you have to intervene. You must trust that you know the way. Only you can stop Kell.” She shimmered away.

Ari stumbled to her feet. “Wait. Come back. I don’t understand.” She tried to go to Dalir on the stone altar but a force dragged her back. She couldn’t move. Water bubbled and rose up from the muddy ground surrounding her. It rose higher and higher while the glow of the dagger grew brighter. Intense heat seared into her palm. She screamed.

“Ari, stop fighting me!” Dalir’s voice penetrated through a fog of pain and tore her away from the desolated place. He embraced her from behind.

Frigid water splashed up and plastered the shirt she wore to her skin.

Lightning lit up the heavy veil of rain pelting the lake surrounding her.

Dalir’s forearm pressed harder against her stomach. He wrapped his other arm around her shoulders.

She shivered uncontrollably. “I’m in the lake. What happened? How did I get here?”

“You’re okay.
Adorada
, I have you.” Dalir breathed out her name and pressed hard kisses into her hair, her temple. His heart pounded rapidly against her back.

She went to grasp his arm, but her hand remained clutched around the dagger.

The infinity symbol glowed through her fingers, emitting a faint blue light. Her palm stung. The forest, the children, she hadn’t imagined it.

“You can’t let him win. You must follow the answers that have never failed you.”

The words recalled the vision of Dalir lying on the altar. What did the woman mean? She hadn’t told her how to stop Kell. She hadn’t told her how to save Dalir. Despair closed Ari’s throat, threatening to consume all hope. “No. I won’t let it happen! I won’t let it happen!”

* * * *

Ari’s weeping grew into an anguished, piercing scream. The mental barriers in her mind weakened. Asserting his power, Dalir willed Ari to calmness.

“No. He can’t.” She whimpered and sagged, unconscious, in his arms.

Dalir phased them both to the bedroom. As he laid her on the bed, the scene of lightning illuminating her walking in the lake replayed in his mind. His hands shook. Earlier, she hadn’t wanted to go near the lake, yet she’d hiked over rocks in her bare feet to get there now. A few more steps and she would have drowned.

She shivered violently. His dagger slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. An imprint of an infinity symbol marred her palm.

Fighting the need to just hold her, Dalir removed the soaked shirt and her underwear. He pulled the covers over her. The bottom of her feet should have had cuts and scratches, but they didn’t. He bathed her palm with healing energy. Why had Ari taken the dagger? What had happened to her?

The scar wouldn’t heal.

His legs weakened, and Dalir dropped to his knees. He’d done this. Somehow, his past managed to cause her pain and he’d failed to protect her.

Ari moaned and opened her eyes. She stared at her hand.

He kissed her palm. “Do you remember what happened? How did you get in the lake?”

“I don’t know. One minute, I was in the living room and then…” Tears welled in her eyes. “It was awful.”

He kissed wetness from her cheek. “It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it.”

“Yes, we do. I saw Kell in my vision.”

A sick feeling burrowed into Dalir. “Where did you see him?”

“I don’t know where I was.” Ari shuddered. “But the way he stared at me from in front of the cave, she’s right. He has to be stopped.”

“She? Who else did you see?”

“A woman with red hair.”

Prickles gathered along Dalir’s nape. He held Ari’s hand. “Describe her.”

“She was beautiful, and her eyes were a deep blue. They sparkled like the gem around her neck.”

No. It couldn’t be Taliana. “What type of jewel?”

“Yellow.”

It couldn’t be anyone else, but why would Ari fixate on Taliana in a vision? He’d never described her? Or was his brother behind this? Had Kell grown stronger than he’d realized and linked himself to Ari? His brother would gladly make her suffer to taunt him. The heat gathering inside Dalir threatened to explode into a raging inferno.

Ari winced and tried to wiggle her fingers from his.

Dalir loosened his grip but held onto her hand. He could have unconsciously transferred his memories of Taliana to Ari. It hadn’t occurred with the guys, but with Ari’s gift, anything was possible. “It was just a vision.”

She trembled. “It was more than that. This was more like a prophecy. She said I couldn’t run away from him or he’d win. The woman said I had to stop him.”

It wouldn’t matter if it cost him his last breath, Ari would never get his brother. A burst of energy, he couldn’t contain rattled the cottage. “No.”

Ari tensed and her eyes grew wide.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He laid his forehead to hers. “A vision, a prophecy, it doesn’t matter. Kell is dangerous. I won’t let you anywhere near him.”

Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. “I saw you lying dead on an altar in front of some mountain. I can’t stand by and watch you die.”

“You won’t have to because I won’t die.” He kissed her hard stemming a protest. “We’re done talking about it. You have to rest.” He picked up the dagger. Memories of the day Kell had taken Taliana’s life rolled in. He’d failed then, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake with Ari.

“Stay with me.” Her gaze fixed on the dagger. She stiffened. “But put that away.”

He stowed the dagger in the back of the closet in one of his boots. He’d take it back to the main house later on.

In the bedroom, he took off his clothing and lay beside Ari.

She clung to him as if afraid to let go. Finally, she stopped shivering and fell asleep.

Dalir held her tighter. Having her there, holding her in his arms felt right. So had her claim about him loving her. She’d said it as a joke, but in that moment, he’d realized it as the truth. He loved her and wanted more. More of her smiles, her laughter. More chances to just please her. If he could, he’d give up searching for Kell. He and Ari could explore the world he and the team fought to save together. He would phase with her to every country. Even the Artic. She would complain about the cold, but then that would provide another excuse for him to hold her, kiss her, and make love to keep her warm. He’d take pleasure in seeing everything through her eyes. Especially, her optimism. Dalir gathered her closer to his aching heart. As much as he wanted her to stay with him, he wouldn’t choose his selfishness over her having a good life. It was more than obvious, staying with him would only bring her pain.

As he stroked her cheek, his chest constricted, hampering his breathing. Ari had come to The Drift because his issues with Kell had forced her into staying with him. She deserved more than that. She should live safely in the home of her choice. Flourish in a career. Ari should have a normal life with someone she could marry and have children with. A man who could love and stand beside her without limitations. Something he couldn’t provide. What he would do was make sure she had a chance for the best life possible free from the ugliness of his past. Dalir eased out of bed. He got dressed. It was time for him to get rid of the one obstacle that stood in her way.

Dalir paced in front of the porch at the cottage. Where was Thane? He should have shown up by now with the information.

A full moon and stars illuminated the forest and the darkened cottage where Ari remained asleep.

He could phase to the lake and take a look around. Maybe he’d find a clue about how she had ended up there. Or while he was gone, something worse could happen. He’d already taken the risk of leaving her when he’d quick phased to the main house. The rest of the night, he’d watch over her. Who or whatever had put Ari though hell, wouldn’t succeed again.

Thane materialized on the porch steps, carrying a laptop. “I found what you wanted.”

“Not here. Ari’s sleeping.” Dalir stalked to the tree line but kept the cottage in view.

Thane joined him. He folded the laptop back on itself. The screen displayed a map. “Why the sudden interest in caves?”

“A hunch.” Ari had mentioned seeing Kell in front of one in her visions.

“Out of the places Henshaw mentioned for Red Path Anarchy, Montana is top on the list for caves. There are lots of uncharted places there, especially in the wilderness areas.” Thane pointed to the screen. “Some of the caverns out there are over fifteen hundred feet deep. It’s an explorer’s paradise and perfect for illegal activity. The key is narrowing it down. Any ideas about the terrain or landmarks?”

“No.” Dalir traced over the mountain symbols on the map. “I’m sure I’ll find what I’m looking for when I get there.” Last time Ari’s intuitive insight had led him straight to his brother. He’d gather as many clues as he could from her without actually taking her there.

Thane flipped the laptop shut. “When do we leave?”

“You’re not. I’m going alone.”

“No. We agreed. We’re taking down Kell as a team.”

Dalir met Thane’s gaze. He’d thought long and hard about making this decision earlier as he’d watched Ari sleep. It was best for the team. “Remember what you told me before about moving on? You were right. It’s time for you and the guys to get back to the original mission.”

“What does that mean?” Thane’s expression tightened. “And don’t try to bullshit me. You know something. This isn’t the time to hold back or cut us out.”

“My brother is no longer your concern.”

“Since when? Sure, I told you to let it go, I didn’t mean that you should kick us off the mission.” Thane stepped up to him. Moonlight lit the anger in his gaze. “I don’t care what you say, and I’m damn sure the guys will back me up. We’re not leaving.”

“You are. I’m giving you twenty-four hours to recall the team and make one last phase from The Drift with Celine, Lauren and Ari. After, that I’m rescinding my power.”

“No.” Thane shook his head as if he hadn’t heard him right. “We made a commitment. We vowed to help you. That’s what we do.”

Thane would have made a great Alandian warrior. Someone he would have trusted by his side. That’s why he could depend on Thane to continue his legacy. “When I found you and the team five years ago, I tasked you to save the world. I expect you to continue that mission. You were all highly skilled operatives when I pulled you out of the desert. You’re even better now. You can still help people. You don’t need my power to accomplish it.”

“Don’t do this.” Thane’s gripped the laptop as if he were seconds from throwing it. “You can’t just pull the plug on a whim. Kell hurt people we care about. We all have a stake in finding him.”

“It’s not a whim. It’s a revelation. You and Reid have new commitments. You two wouldn’t have gotten engaged to your girlfriends unless you meant it. You almost lost your chance with Celine once. Nothing is worth the risk of that happening again. Go to the place and time where you want to live your lives. Marry her. Make music. Have babies. Be happy. Don’t take what you have with her for granted. It’s time for all of you to carve out lives for yourselves, aside from the team.”

“And what about you.” Thane’s direct gaze met his. “What type of life are you carving out for yourself hunting Kell? Let us help you take him down first and then we’ll go.”

“No.” Dalir clasped Thane’s shoulder. Years of loyalty and commitment rested between them, but the future held more for Thane. For all of them. “If you value me as a brother, as much as I value you, honor my wish. Please.”

“Shit. Of all the fucking cards to pull from the deck, you would throw that one down.” Thane’s jawline ticked. “What about Ari? You two care about each other.”

“You know as well as I do, I can’t be the man she needs in the Earthly dimension, and she can’t stay here indefinitely.” Part of him begged to make a different argument, but this was the right decision. “I’ve already brought chaos to her life. I want her to have better. All I ask is that you watch over her until she finds someone worthy of her love. Please.”

As Thane released a long breath, he shook his head. “All right. I’ll do what you ask, but promise me one thing. You’ll make sure Kell gets what he deserves.”

* * * *

Dalir slipped quietly into the cabin.

Light shone from the archway of the kitchen.

He followed the scent of chicken permeating the air. At the entryway, he leaned against the wall.

Ari, dressed in one of his button-down shirts, was stirring a pot on the stove. She’d knotted the shirt at the waist and paired it with the sweat shorts he'd loaned her the other day. Several sizes too large, she’d tied the drawstring of the pants tight at the waist and folded the waistband over several times.

Just like she had sitting on the couch the other night, she looked perfectly at ease.

Ari glanced over her shoulder. “Hey.” She followed his gaze to the two matching place settings on the table. “I got a little carried away. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, but it’s late. I’d thought you’d still be asleep.”

“I thought you might be hungry.” She opened the oven, providing a tempting glimpse of skin between the low ride of the waistband and the tied shirt. “I’m making chicken soup and toast. You don’t have a toaster so I had to use the oven to crisp the bread. Ow!” She jumped back, sucking her finger.

He rushed to her. “Are you all right?”

“It’s nothing. I should have used the tongs to take it out.”