Embracing the Flames (22 page)

He nodded.

“Midnight is one minute away,” Lexi shouted. She conjured water and used it to put out the fire before coming to stand with us.

I held the orb out as the moon came into view. We all held our breath. The silvery light enveloped the sphere as it floated from my hands and began spinning.

“I think it’s working,” Fenn said excitedly, rubbing both of my arms.

The orb spun faster and faster, the center opening as the light leaked out like the sun peeking over the horizon.

And then I heard what I had waited for...the voice of a thousand angels in one:

“Two Fates merged by a deceitful brother, creating

Immortality’s revenge is how you came to be.

A mask of evil hides your other half’s true intentions,

intentions that you must discover to truly see.

A journey you must take, overcoming your biggest fears. Choices you must make which will bring heady tears.

The all-knowing has planted the seed of a dangerous trade. The trade can’t be made or hope will fade.

Go home to find me, hidden by a mother’s love when

He disappears.

Or fight alone and live in fear.”

The orb shut, and the light disappeared as it fell to the ground.

“Did you hear it?” I asked, spinning in Fenn’s arms to face him.

“No, but did you?”

“Yes!” I repeated what I heard, the words scrambling out of my mouth for fear of losing them.

Lexi chanted, “Obtestum Papyrium,” conjuring a piece of parchment and using her energy to record what I was repeating.

“Do you know what it means?” Fenn asked, picking the orb up, eyeing it thoughtfully.

I grinned. “I have an idea.” I took the parchment from Lexi and read through the words.

“Two Fates merged by a deceitful brother — that’s Zordon and me. A mask of evil hides your other half’s intentions — it’s what Zordon is doing when he leaves the Lyceum alone. The all-knowing...” I stopped, thinking.

“That has to be a Fate,” Fenn said for me. “Planted the seed of a dangerous trade.” He looked up from the paper. “Maybe the Fate who is his father is the one who told him to become a Saar?”

“It says the trade can’t be made or hope will fade,” Lexi said sadly.

“We can’t think like that,” Fenn said, resting his chin on my head.

“The last line stands out to me right now,” I said, feeling a sliver of hope. “Go home to find me, hidden by a mother’s love when He disappears.” I looked up at him, searching his eyes for acknowledgment. “Mily.” 

Recognition grew over Fenn’s face like a dim flame fueled by a gust of air.

But Lexi was quicker than all of us. “It’s talking about when Astral disappears, isn’t it?” she said fervently. “Whoever created this wanted us to come back here. To go to Mily’s. You weren’t wrong about coming here.”

“Something must be hidden there,” I confirmed. “As for the other part, being here, in this realm, must be the journey I had to take. I don’t want to know what heady tears means.”

Zane entered the cave, hunched over and nearly dragging himself. “Something’s wrong,” he groaned. His voice was strained. 

“What do you mean? What happened?” I asked, meeting him halfway and catching him as he fell.

He struggled to speak, blood pouring out of the corner of his mouth. He coughed a bit and then stammered out, “I was just attacked by a Harpy.”

Chapter 17

The Missing Piece

WE PORTED NOT TOO FAR from Mily’s house, near the bus stop behind a cluster of Sago Palms. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, the orange light spilling over the town I once called home.

Once again, my eyes were burning from lack of sleep. We were all running on empty. The small sliver of hope I had felt earlier was quickly draining like a cyclone of water in a tub.

After trying but failing to heal Zane, we agreed to put him under a sleeping spell and leave him in Soothe’s room. Since his natural healing ability wasn’t working, Lexi said it would be best for him to rest until we had finished what we came for. A Harpy’s poison can’t be healed by magic alone, and we didn’t have the necessary herbs in this realm.

Lexi decided to stay with Zane in case the spell wore off, but really, I think she was worried about him. This decision also took away the need for an awkward explanation of who they were to Mily.

As we neared the driveway, Fenn grabbed my hand and squeezed comfortingly. We were both on edge after finding out that Harpies had made it into this realm and even more so that Zane wasn’t healing.

“It has to be because the poison attacks the vital organs. He isn’t fully immortal,” I debated out loud.

“He’ll be okay for now. Just let me do the talking,” Fenn said, kissing my forehead. I nodded into him.

Two knocks and her footsteps neared the front door, the tiny curtain moving aside to reveal a shocked face. The door swung open, and then we were pulled into a tight embrace. Mily was already crying, gushing in her native tongue, “Ka’u Kamali’i,” which meant, “My children,” over and over again. “Where have you two been!” she chided with a scowl.

“Can we come in?” Fenn wheedled. “I’ll explain everything over a glass of your sweet tea.” He threw in a charming smile for effect.

She never could resist his charm. She happily directed us through the front door, adding, “Oh, you two. I have missed you so.”

We sat side by side on the couch, conspicuously holding hands. Mily eyed us, her eyes beaming with approval, before heading to the kitchen.

“Where are the girls?” Fenn asked loudly, his voice carrying over the TV.

“They had a sleepover with a friend from school,” she replied as she trotted out with a tray in her hand and a bright smile. Her dark hair was neatly swept back into a bun. I felt homesick, wishing that I could once again play with her hair like I did when I was little.

I quietly cleared my throat. “What day is it?” I asked, realizing that I had no idea what the date was.

She looked at me strangely. “It’s Saturday, Anela.” Concern and suspicion replaced her easy smile. “What exactly is going on with you two? I haven’t heard from you in forever.”

“Sit,” Fenn gestured, his face disturbed. I gulped. Was he going to tell her the truth? How would she take it? Suddenly I was regretting not staying behind with Lexi and Zane.

“A few months back, the manager for your motel room called and said you hadn’t been there or been paying. He asked that I pay him. They were about to sell all of your stuff and change the locks.” She shook her head, staring morosely at us. Her face deflated. “When I couldn’t get a hold of either of you, I paid them,” she reprimanded faintly.

I felt myself decrease in size, wishing that I could shift into a small being and disappear from her pained eyes. I hadn’t even considered our responsibilities here.

“I put your things in your rooms. The last time I saw you, you were so upset about Fenn. What happened?” she probed, searching my eyes for a reasonable answer.

I wanted to tell her, to be honest with her, but I chickened out, slumping even further into the couch.

Fenn must have picked up on my inability because he sighed heavily and then said, “I left to find my mother after I received a letter from her.” He protectively squeezed my hand. “Before I left, I told Rory to find me, and find me she did.”

He glanced over at me and smiled, and then he leaned in and kissed me. My cheeks immediately flared up in embarrassment. I felt a great need to hide behind the pillow next to me.

Her gasp caused me to pull away. I thought for a moment I could feel the scales sliding up my arm.

Breathe
, I told myself.

“I see you finally came to your senses then,” Mily giggled, approval glistening in her cinnamon eyes.

I tucked my face into Fenn’s shoulder, my smile growing like wild ivy across my face.

“And I’m glad for it,” Fenn laughed, rubbing my lower back.

“You two were never meant for a life like this,” she said, gesturing to her house. “I always felt that your souls were connected.”

I found a pattern in the grain of the mahogany wood floors that looked kind of like a swan. I blinked a couple of times, tucking away the excitement of being here. Mily started asking questions, but I zoned out, thinking of Astral and what he had said about the swans and how much I hated that I couldn’t pull him from the Inferno.

I felt a wedged pain in my stomach shift, twisting like a cramp, and I tried to blink back the tears that threatened to spill. What was I doing? He could be dead by now.

Something caught my attention. Words that I did not want to hear in this realm. I reached over Fenn and grabbed the remote, turning back to the TV to adjust the volume.

“...reports have just confirmed that a large Eagle-like bird was spotted near Kapaa. Local scientists have been unable to identify the species or origin. Local authorities are doing their best to capture the creature. Officials have advised that you remain inside until the threat has been eliminated. I repeat, attacks have been reported. Two deaths and three others injured. Witnesses have all identified the creature to be the cause...”

“Fenn,” I wavered, fear choking my ability to speak.

The news anchor continued as a suited woman skittered across the camera and whispered something into his ear. The man’s face paled as he slowly nodded and then cleared his throat, turning back to the camera.

“This just in. I, uh…don’t quite know how to explain this.” He choked, coughing to clear his throat. “It seems there is another threat. A fog-like mist is flowing from somewhere near the ruins on the eastern side of the island. Scientists believe it could be a toxin leaking from the geyser. It is headed towards Kapaa. Officials say that if you come in contact with this unknown toxin, death will most likely occur. An immediate evacuation has been issued.”

I hit the power button.

I spoke slowly, unwillingly. “Fenn, we have no time. I have to find it.” My voice was almost inaudible.

“Find what?” Mily questioned curiously, the severity of the current events not registering. Of course it wouldn’t. She didn’t know what the Shadows were capable of. She didn’t know they even existed.

“Look, Mily,” Fenn hurried, leaning tentatively forward and naturally grabbing her hands, “there’s more about us than you know.” He paused, struggling with his thoughts. “We aren’t from here, and by here, I mean, this world as you know it. We are from another realm of time where things like that,” he nodded towards the TV, “roam free. Now they are here.” His voice burned with regret. “Rory was given a clue from what you call God, and it said we would find something important here. Do you have any idea what that might be?”

Her eyes were as still as stone, horror and disbelief weighing on her dilated pupils. For a brief moment, I thought she might faint. Her head turned to the news, the shallow wrinkles in her face suddenly deepening.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. She faced us, surety filling the lines of worry as she said, “I would be lying if I said I had no idea. Anela,” she soothed, reaching out to me, “There’s something I need to show you.” She stood then beckoned for us to follow.

We followed her up the stairs and into her room. She gently sat on her bed, patting the seat next to her where I sat. She pulled open the drawer to her chestnut-colored nightstand.

“A man appeared on our doorstep the very same night you arrived. He called himself Soothe. He gave me these.” She pulled out a piece of paper with my name on it and a small vial. “He told me both of you came from somewhere very far away. You were both in trouble and needed a safe place to hide — a place where your secrets would be hidden and unquestioned. He said that Fenn was your protector. At the time, you were both so small, it didn’t make sense. But as I watched you both mature into adults, it became clear that there was something special about the both of you. He told me to give this stuff to you when you were ready to tell me everything. I’ve wondered all these years what he meant. I guess now is the right time.”

I delicately held the worn envelope, staring at it as if it were as sacred as the Holy Grail. Soothe’s handwriting.

Flipping it over, I opened it and let my eyes prey upon what he had left for me so many years ago.

Fenn rested his chin over my shoulder, surely skimming his eyes over the scripture as well. I sucked in a breath and then read out loud:

Aurora,

If you are reading this, then that means what I have feared has come to be. Long ago, I gave a prophecy which you have heard by now. But when I gave this, I chose to withhold an important piece in hopes that this letter would never have to reach you. Before I explain, this is the full and complete prophecy:

Of dragon born a conqueror prevails.

The chosen one fated to protect the dying race.

Third of three deemed protector to the progeny

The other marked for revenge.

The book of life, pages turn yet unwritten.

The canvas to your mortal soul; the connection to your immortal enemy.

A death will come to He that breaks the barrier.

A soul sacrifice will be made.

The Stone will be taken, but only after the spill of first-born blood.

Between two younglings of a Fate’s son,

Only one can protect the Progeny from eternal darkness.

The Progeny must choose a death and make the right choice.

Now you know. I thought that if I held the truth in, that if you didn’t know what was to come, the choice would come easier. If you didn’t know there was something missing, then you wouldn’t go looking. But if you are reading this, then I was wrong. Astral was wrong. You can’t escape The Fates. You can’t escape what was meant to be. You will find me in the ruins.

—Soothe

I neatly folded the letter, my mind fighting against comprehending what I had read. The sharp clang of glass meeting wood knocked me back into reality.

“Rory,” Fenn gasped, leaning over to pick up the vial I had unconsciously dropped. “Rory, look at me,” he willed, taking the letter from my stiff grip and shoving it into his pocket.

“What is it, Anela?” Mily piped in, softly tilting my chin in her direction.

After a long moment, I finally managed to speak. “Someone is going to die,” I whispered, terrified. “Someone I care for is going to die.”

“Whatever do you mean?” Mily asked, petting my hair in comfort. I looked up at her, searching for the right words. But what were the right words? Mily wouldn’t understand.

“Nothing,” I said firmly to hide my shock. “It’s just a silly letter. Look, Fenn and I have some friends waiting on us. We have to warn them about what is happening. We have to stop this.” I grabbed her hand. “But I need you to do something for me.”

She didn’t hesitate. “Sure, anything.”

I pressed my lips together. “I need you to get the triplets and get out of Hawaii for a while,” I directed. “The leak from the other realm will start here, and you absolutely cannot be here when it all breaks loose. You still have family in California, right?” She nodded grimly. “Good. Book your flights, and get there as fast as you can. Don’t come back until I call you. Or at least until the news shows that everything is back to normal again.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I didn’t want to tell her that I may never get the chance to call her. She didn’t need to know.

She gasped. “What about you and Fenn? I can’t leave you!” She clasped her head between her hands, her tears falling like rain.

I reached out for her.

“We’ll be fine, Mily,” Fenn consoled. “We need you to do this so we don’t have to worry about you. You have to trust us.” His voice was hoarse as he pleaded with her to listen.

She sniveled, patting at her tears with a tissue. “Okay, my loves,” she surrendered in between breaths, “but please, don’t wait so long to call.” I squeezed her hand, the knot in my throat seizing my ability to speak.

“We won’t,” Fenn reassured. He kissed her cheek and stood, offering me a hand.

I gathered enough composure to say, “I love you, Mily.” She reached out for a hug and pulled me tightly in her embrace, the unwanted mist growing behind my eyes. “See you soon,” I croaked.

“Wait,” she said, rushing over to her dresser. “Take these with you.” She pulled out an envelope filled with photos and handed them to me. It was from my camera.

“You had them developed?”

She nodded. “Who was that girl? The one in the robe?”

Fenn looked puzzled as I started laughing. “Lexi...Fenn’s twin sister.”

“You have a twin?” she asked, astounded.

“Long story,” he said, taking his turn to look through the photos.

She sighed. “Well, I don’t want to keep you. I put in a few of the triplets and me. Keep them with you.” She kissed my cheek.

I walked away from her, knowing that I might not ever see her again, and praying that she would stay alive.