mythean arcana 06 - master of fate (32 page)

“Exactly. Once it’s done, I’ll try to connect with Aurora’s soul and pull her out. It’ll be quick, so be ready to stab and kill the Seer.”

“On it,” Felix said.

Malcolm held out his hands, his face lined with concentration. The air in the middle of their circle shimmered, then glowed. It lit the little room until the blue of the glacier walls glowed brilliantly. The power in the aether hummed along Felix’s skin. He kept his gaze trained on it as he held the knife at the ready.

“There,” Malcolm hissed.

Esha held up the aether orb containing Aurora’s essence. It lit her face, highlighting her serene expression. The stone vibrated and a trickle of sweat formed on Esha’s brow. The serenity was just a shell. Inside, she was struggling. A low hum sounded throughout the room, the stone’s vibrations.

Felix’s heart pounded and sweat formed at his nape. This was their last chance. This had to work. He tried to push aside the fear of failure and will the aether stone to draw Aurora out of the aether. 

Suddenly, Esha cried out and collapsed. The aether orb crashed to the ground, shattering. Felix lunged forward just as the glowing hole in the aether burst with light. 

Two figures tumbled out of the air and onto the ground just before the glow disappeared. Aurora and the Seer, golden and dark, piled on top of each other, stunned.

Felix crushed the desire to rush to Aurora and grabbed the Seer by the arm, dragging her away from Aurora. He stabbed her in the chest before she could call up a blast of power. She shrieked as the blade cut deep and began to draw out the souls she’d stolen. Felix focused on an image of Aurora, on the thought of her soul, as he held the dagger in her chest.

“Enough!” Esha cried. “Transfer!”

He yanked the dagger out and didn’t spare another glance for the Seer. A scuffle sounded behind him as Malcolm took care of the Seer. Aurora was sitting up in the middle of the room, her face ashen.

“I’m so sorry,” he said as he raised the dagger over her chest.

Her eyes flashed with fear, then understanding. She lay back. “Do it.” 

His stomach rebelled as he plunged the dagger into her chest. It was by far the worst thing he’d ever had to do. A blast of power radiated out from her, nearly making him lose his grip. The transfer of the soul. But he held tight. She screamed. Tears welled in his eyes and his hands shook.

“Enough?” he demanded of Esha.

“Yes. Yes, I think so.” She was swaying from the blast of power that had come off Aurora. Thank gods they were all strong enough not to pass out from it.

He withdrew the dagger and Aurora’s head fell back, her eyes closed. 

“Ah, gods, did I kill her?” Frantically, he searched her chest for blood.

“No,” Esha said. “She’s just passed out. That happens. There should be no physical wound anymore.”

Carefully, he peeled back her shirt. No wound. His heart calmed its thunderous beat as he swept her up into his arms. The feel of her body, warm and solid and real, made joy flood him. Mouse hurtled over to Esha and leapt upon her legs.

At the other side of the room, the body of the Seer was fully engulfed in flame. Malcolm stood over her, a look of grim satisfaction on his face. Souls flew toward the ceiling, disappearing through the ice as they returned to their owners.

In seconds, there was nothing but a pile of ashes in a puddle of melted glacier. Malcolm looked up and said, “I think we can go now.”

Felix focused on the image of Aurora’s flat and took them there. Gently, he laid Aurora on the couch. Her face was peaceful and her breathing heavy. Mouse leapt onto her chest.

Esha and Warren appeared. Esha rushed to Aurora’s side and knelt by Felix.

“Malcolm?” Felix asked.

“He’s gone to check out the portal that the Seer made. Its magic should have faded upon her death, but he’s confirming,” Warren said.

Esha rose to her feet. “She’ll be fine. She should wake up soon.”

“Talking about me?” Aurora slurred.

Felix’s gaze darted to Aurora’s face. Her beautiful golden eyes were open, though exhausted. 

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“Better. Like I’m whole. Like there was a part of me missing and I didn’t even realize it until I had it back.” She laid a hand on Mouse’s back. Contentment flashed across her face. “And I’m connected to Mouse again.”

“Good.” Esha walked to her and hugged her hard. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

Aurora nodded, her gaze still on Felix. “Thanks for getting me out, sis.”

“Anytime.” Esha stood and joined Warren. They left.

“Better, huh?” he asked.

“Yeah. Just had to have the love of my life stab me, that’s all.”

His mind went quiet. “Love of your life?”

She sat up and pulled him onto the couch next to her, then turned toward him. “Love of my life. I was stubborn and stupid and afraid before, but then everything was put into perspective when I was in the aether.” She shuddered, her gaze bleak. “Hell will do that to a girl.”

He gripped her shoulders and shook her lightly. “You should no’ have done that. Sacrificing yourself for me...”

“I’d do it again, so don’t bother. And you did it for me, once upon a time. So you’re not one to talk.”

“Your soul? Do you feel it?”

“No more missing parts.” She smiled. “I feel complete. You were right. What had felt wrong to me was my missing soul. I have no desire to steal yours or anyone else’s. I finally feel normal again.” 

“I love you, Aurora.” He couldn’t hold the words in any longer.

She grinned, then kissed him. “I knew it. It took us too long to find our way back to each other, and too long to admit how we feel.”

“We have no’ had a lot of time to explore that.” Though he’d loved her for centuries. He hadn’t needed to do any exploring.

“I’ve loved you forever,” she said. “I was just too crazy and then too afraid to admit it.”

“But you can admit it now.”

“With no problem. And I’m not running anymore, or hiding from what I really want. Ever since I escaped the aether last year, I haven’t felt at home. I never really belonged, or truly wanted to be where I was. Not until I found you again.
You
were what I was looking for.” Her hand cupped his cheek and he leaned into it slightly, emotion welling in his chest. 

“You’re what I’ve been waiting for,” he said. “I searched for you for so long after your disappearance. A century. Finally I gave up, but I don’t think my heart ever did. My heart never gave up on you.”

Tears welled in her eyes and she leaned up to kiss him. She jerked back. “Is this okay? You know, for your touch thing?”

“You’re the exception to the rule,” he said as he picked up her hands and put them on his shoulders. Just before he leaned down to kiss her, he said, “You’re the exception to every rule.”

EPILOGUE

A quiet cove on the Australian coast

Five months later

Warm summer wind blew Aurora’s hair off her face as she surveyed the scene beneath her. Tropical blue water glittered, lapping at the rocks of the small cliff upon which she stood.

“Come, jump already!” Felix called from below. He trod water, having already jumped. Mouse sat beside her on the rocks, looking skeptical. She might not be a normal house cat, but she still wasn’t fond of water.

“All right, you asked for it!” Aurora took a running leap and curled herself into a tight ball as she hurtled through space. She crashed into the water, sending up a huge wave, and kicked her way to the surface.

Felix was coughing when she arrived. He shoved his sodden hair out of his face and scrubbed his hands over his eyes. “Nice jump.”

“I’ve been practicing.” They’d been driving around Australia in their RV for a month now, exploring all the country had to offer. Most nights, they parked somewhere overlooking the sea. But so far, this was her favorite cove.

She swam toward him and wrapped herself around him, pressing a kiss to his slick lips. “Have I told you how much I love our life?”

He grinned. “Doona get too attached to it. I’ve got to be in Iceland in a month for a research project.”

“I know. But that will only be for a couple of weeks. And anyway, I don’t mind the cold so much anymore.”

Five months ago, after they’d killed the Seer and she’d gotten her soul back, they’d returned to his house to find it a shambles. Destroyed by the Seer in one of her rages, they’d thought. But Felix had made the genius suggestion of traveling. He’d known how much she’d liked exploring ancient cities when she was young and had suggested they set off to see more of the world.

It was perfect. Home wasn’t a place—it was wherever he was. When they were in quiet locations like this one—without a lot of Mytheans for her to borrow power from—she had to be careful about her power output. But with Felix’s help, she could aetherwalk back to see her sister whenever she wanted. Though lately, Esha had taken to visiting them.

Occasionally, Felix would return to Iceland to continue his research on the glaciers. During the day, he’d spend a few hours on his scientific articles or head off to the university lab that he’d established. Occasionally, she’d join Esha hunting rogues or else she’d play with the electronics she was pulling apart. She had some ideas for a few inventions, but it’d be a while before she started on them.

“Overall, life is really good,” she said, and kissed him. “One might even say perfect.”

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WITCH’S FATE EXCERPT

Warlock’s Apprenticeship, Corrier’s Home

Norway

1606 AD

“Oh my gods,
you must be jesting.” Sofia Viera gripped the armrests of the chair as her heart plummeted into her stomach. Kitty, her feline familiar, pressed against her calves, trying to comfort her. It didn’t work.

“I’m afraid I am not.” Corrier’s voice was grave. Her mentor’s white hair was wild as usual, his robes dusty. “You’ve done very well in the warlock’s apprenticeship—many don’t make it this far. But to complete the transition to warlock, you must become an Oath Breaker.”

“Oath Breaker,” she whispered. A person bound by fate to break any oath or promise they made. A rare curse. Corrier had taught them about Oath Breakers, but he’d never said that warlocks
were
Oath Breakers. To become one…

It would ruin her life. Every promise, every commitment she made would be destroyed—fate and magic would conspire to break them. It was strange, dark magic, but it was infallible. And an Oath Breaker could never love, because love itself was a commitment.

No love. No Malcolm. Her throat tightened unbearably and her hands trembled. She forced down the ragged sob at the thought of all she would lose.

“But why?” she bit out. Her panicked mind scrambled for a way around this. She needed a warlock’s power to break the curse on her village. But if she became an Oath Breaker, she would lose Malcolm.

“A warlock’s power is great. Near that of a god’s. That kind of ability comes at a steep price. You’re a powerful witch. Excuse me, Bruxa,” he corrected himself, using the Portuguese title that her species of witch preferred. “It’s what qualified you for this apprenticeship. But to become a warlock and reach your full potential, you must pay a great price to obtain great magic. Break your most important vow. Become an Oath Breaker.”