Embracing the Flames (9 page)

“Lexi, I’m not sure about this,” Logan said, grabbing her hand. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?”

She leaned in and kissed him. “Insomnus,” she chanted, her green energy surrounding him. He fell back onto her bed, deep into a slumber. “No need for him to suffer,” she justified.

“I didn’t say anything,” I said with my hands up as she walked past me. “My opinion is that he should be kept asleep until we can take him back.”

She stopped in her tracks. “No one asked for your opinion.” Then she walked past Brohm and went straight for the front door.

Over her shoulder, she said, “Let’s go,” as she opened a portal. Brohm looked like a lost dog, gathering himself and following suit behind her. The front door shut, and once again I was alone in the living room.

“Eve has complete faith that they are destined for each other,” spoke Astral from behind me. I jumped, startled by his presence. “It’s time to interrogate Zane. I am in need of you.”

“Of me?” I asked innocently. I knew where this was headed. I did my best to tuck away my memories of being in the cellar.

He stared at me a moment before he spoke. “Yes,” he said oddly, “I am going to give him another chance to tell us something that we may need to know. Then we will decide tonight what we are going to do with him. Do you think he has anything we need to know?” I felt like he was looking through me when he asked that.

“I think we have him all wrong,” I admitted, staring at the floor.

“I figured you would say that.”

“So you don’t agree?” I asked, fearful that he would further harm Zane.

“On the contrary, I do agree. I am, after all, the one who cured him of his father’s stench.” He winked.

“Do you always have to read my thoughts?” I asked, annoyed.

He chuckled as he started walking towards his room. “If it means keeping you safe, then yes. You have a way with being defiant.”

I slowly descended down the stairs and came around the corner of barrels, looking over to where Zane sat. He kept his head down.

“Why is she here?” he sneered under his breath.

“Zane,” I started, but Astral cut me off.

“You will show respect in a lady’s presence. She is only here to help you.” The command in his voice was fierce and dangerous.

“Whatever you say, oh Ancient one,” spoke Zane with a curdling scoff. Without warning, his chair flew back and up against the stone wall, splitting the wood and leaving him on his butt, bound by invisible magic and broken bits of wood. His face creased with pain. I reached out, wanting to tell Astral to stop, but Zane’s eyes shot to mine, begging me to remain quiet. Why was he doing this?

“You will not speak to me in that manner,” said Astral in a tone I didn’t recognize. His voice was already oceans deep, but the tone he took was almost abysmal. “I know you two have spoken, there is no need for this. You will answer my questions and any questions that she may have. If you meant what you told her, that is,” he trailed off.

I thought he may have been calling Zane’s bluff. I had to admit, I was curious to find out if Zane really meant what he said, but I hated going about it this way.

“Alright,” agreed Zane. “On one condition.” Astral raised one eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. “You untie me and give me a chance to prove myself when all is said and done.”

“Reasonable enough,” replied Astral without color. The magic binding Zane lifted in a puff of smoke. He sat, rubbing his forearms and ankles. “Just remember,” Astral warned, “I can destroy you.”

I rolled my eyes.

“What do you want to know?” asked Zane.

“Let’s begin with Aurora. How much does he know about her?”

I leaned into Astral and whispered, “Can’t you just read his mind. It would make this process a lot easier.”

“Yes, but then how would you know what I see?”

“Oh, right,” I said, sticking my foot in my mouth.

“He’s placed a bounty on her head,” said Zane under his breath.

It caught our attention and we both looked over at him.

“He’s rounded up every bit of scum this realm has to offer and promised a hefty price for bringing her to him, alive.”

Astral stepped forward.

“You know what he is planning, don’t you? He won’t stop at the Stone. Wanting the Stone for immortality is only the beginning. Why only rule one when you can rule both?” He stared at Astral, willing him to know.

Astral’s eyes flittered back and forth as he searched for an answer. Slowly, awareness lit his face. “He doesn’t just want immortality, he wants to control both realms,” he spoke under his breath.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice guarded. “That couldn’t happen. He would have to overthrow The Fates. You can’t overthrow gods.” A haunting echo of my mother’s warning played through my mind. The Stone was a port key to the Hall of Knowledge. My job to protect it just became even more important.

“We must gather the others,” Astral pressed, ignoring me. “This is as I have feared.” He went to move around me, but then stopped. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“Before I was brought here, he was in the middle of striking a deal with the Dark Saar in exchange for their help in attacking the Obsidian Chasm.”

“Tell me more,” Astral said sharply.

Zane hung his head. “He doesn’t tell me anything, but I assume it will involve a soul exchange considering that is their only price.” He looked up at us, his eyes firm.

I felt sick to my stomach. He was right. I remembered overhearing Zordon and Sayer talking about an exchange with the Dark Saar, right before Zordon had tried to kill me. But something didn’t make sense. “I thought a Saar isn’t able to cross over to the Hall of Knowledge?”

Astral tugged at his beard, his eyes wandering in thought. I looked up at him, wishing I could read his mind. “You’re right. He wouldn’t be able to if he were to become one. We are missing something.”

Zane smirked. “Who says he plans on staying a Saar? There is always a way out of things.” The haunted look on his face sent chills down my spine.

“Is that possible? I mean, can you undo that?” I asked quietly.

“I sure hope not,” Astral answered gravely.

I looked to the floor, trying to hide the disappointment that was overwhelming me. There had to be a way for us to stop him. Some missing piece that we had overlooked. I looked up at Astral. I couldn’t avoid the thought that snuck up on me.

What if the answer to stopping Zordon before he obtained the Stone resided in the missing piece of the prophecy? I had to find Soothe. No matter what.

Astral’s eyes narrowed on me. “The prophecy has been altered by Soothe, but that doesn’t mean he has all the answers.” His tone was full of warning. “The barrier will be further weakened, and finding Soothe will only bring trouble, Aurora. You will push the inevitable closer by crossing. He gave up his gift as a Seer for a reason. You
must
respect that.”

I turned my head sharply, glowering at him. “I do respect that,” I retorted, stiffening my shoulders, “but I don’t agree with you and how you always keep things from me. Even now, I can see it in your face that you know more than you are letting on. If this really all comes down to me defeating him, then why can’t I know what is happening?” I pointed at him, a tiny flame dancing on my fingertip. I stepped towards him. “I think he has more information for me. And I think he intends for me to come back.”

“I tell you what you need to know. Some desires are better left unanswered. You
will
heed my warning, Aurora,” he said firmly. “Don’t go digging.”

“Look, uh,” Zane interrupted, rubbing his neck, “if it will make things easier for you both, I’ll just let you in my head. I want you to trust me. I want to help.”

I turned in his direction, shock clearly splayed on my face. He was going out on an extreme limb. I knew what he was in for because Astral was constantly in my head, something I was beginning to despise.

“Are you sure?” Astral asked carefully.

“Yes.”

“Okay then.”

I waited for something to happen, for something to signify that Astral was inside, but nothing did. Zane glanced around the room, eyes roaming over me, and Astral stood there looking at him, expressionless as usual.

After a few moments of silence, Astral spoke. “I am satisfied that you are on our side now, but you will refrain from pursuing Aurora.”

Zane and I both blushed.

“Come,” he instructed, turning away. Zane got up slowly, hesitation weighing his footsteps as we followed Astral up the stairs.

Fenn accidentally bumped the door into Zane on our way down the hall. I watched Zane stumble and then fall against the opposing wall. Fenn stood there for a moment, scratching his head before peeking around the door.

As soon as his eyes fell on Zane, his energy exploded, picking Zane up and throwing him even further down the hall as he moved me behind him with his other hand. “What the hell!” he shouted, marching furiously towards Zane.

“Stop!” I shouted after him. I turned to Astral. “Do something!” Zane was up in the air, encompassed by static energy that cracked and sizzled. His back arched as he cried out in pain from the loud zap of energy Fenn sent coursing through his body.

Astral’s eyes lit up. Fenn shot another blast of energy, intended for Zane, but Astral was quicker. His protective magic shielded Zane and brought Fenn to his knees. “He is on our side, Fenn.”

Fenn braced the wall for support, fighting against Astral’s hold on him. His arms were flexed as his face tightened in anger.

“If you stop resisting, I will let up,” Astral said slowly, calmly.

“What does that mean?” Fenn squeezed out, his jaw flexed in pain. “How is that even possible?” His resistance was slowly fading. “He’s ZORDON’S son, for Christ sake.”

“Fenn,” I encouraged, dropping beside him and rubbing his back, “he is on our side. Astral was in his mind. He’s changed.” Fenn looked up at me, scrutinizing my face. “You need to hear what he has to say. It can help us defeat Zordon.”

Zane stood up, his brow furrowed in anger as he straightened himself out. “You should listen to your girlfriend,” he said snidely.

I bit my lip.

Fenn’s lips pressed together in a cautious line. His restraint required a great deal of effort. I ran my hand down his back in support.

“Come on, Aurora,” Fenn said after a moment. He used the wall to help him stand and then tucked his hand into mine. I peered over my shoulder at Zane, sending a regretful smile at him. He had a long way to go if he wanted to fit in.

We sat near the fireplace. Fenn pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist. Zane kept close to Astral.

Gabe appeared through a port. “You rang?” he asked Astral, who was sitting in his usual chair by the fire. As Gabe’s gaze fell on Zane, his eyes widened and his hand reached for the hilt of his sword.

“He’s fine, Gabe, no need for that,” Astral informed. “I want you to call upon Myrdinn, please.”

“As you wish,” he replied, leaving the room in disdain.

The room grew quiet as we waited for Gabe to return. I shifted in Fenn’s lap, uncomfortable in the silence.

Fenn was hiding behind me, glaring in Zane’s direction. Zane was looking out the window, pretending that he didn’t notice. “So, umm, are you hungry, Zane?” I asked, unsure of what else to say.

“Not right now, but thanks,” he muttered.

“He’s probably full on murderous intentions,” Fenn mumbled under his breath. I elbowed him, scrunching my brow at him in shame. “What?” he asked innocently.

I looked back at Zane whose lips were pursed in assumption. He rolled his eyes and shook his head as he looked back out the window.

Thankfully, Gabe entered with my dad. “What’s going on, Astral? Why is he out?” my father immediately asked, his lip curled as if Zane were an atrocity.

He cautiously walked over to me and put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him. “Hello, Little Flame,” he whispered, side-eyeing Zane.

“Now that we have everyone, we can begin,” Astral proceeded. “Zane has shared his knowledge with me. It is as I have feared. This war is not just about immortality and destroying the Draconta, but about overthrowing The Fates.” He looked over at Gabe as if to ask if he knew what that would be.

Gabe’s head hung. “He doesn’t share anything with any of us anymore. Not even his Seer, Sayer. Lately, he has kept to his room, only stepping out to ask if we have heard news of Aurora’s capture.”

“That is odd behavior for someone planning an attack on the Draconta. Shouldn’t he be coordinating the battle plans with his advisors?” Myrdinn asked, running his hands through his silver hair.

“Exactly” Gabe agreed. “But he won’t talk to anyone anymore. I suspect he may be leaving the Lyceum from time to time-something he had never done before. He customarily has someone running his errands.”

“That’s where Zane comes in,” Astral said as he shifted the focus towards Zane. “He is on our side, but he is still Zordon’s son. If he will speak to anyone, it has to be Zane.”

The silence heightened. I don’t think anyone expected Zane to become an ally.

“So what’s your plan then?” Myrdinn muttered crossly.

“I want him to return with Gabe. Having two on the other side is better than one. Gabe will tell Zordon that he found him near death in a forest. Zane will give Zordon any information he asks for. What he knows so far will not hurt us.” Astral turned to Zane. “You do understand that you will have to be under the sleeping spell when you leave here, right? I can’t risk you knowing where we are. I trust you, but if something goes wrong, that information must remain protected.”

He nodded.

“And while you earn back his trust, you will discover where he slips off to and what his plans are,” Astral finished.

Gabe perked up. “This might work. He might be able to convince Zordon to let him aid him.” He walked over to Zane, sticking out his hand. Zane took his hand. “Can I trust you?” he asked, looking deep into Zane’s eyes.