The Vaga (28 page)

Her eyes blaze in defence of Remiel and it takes me a second to recognise the look on her face. It’s one that I’ve seen before, but never on Ama. It’s the same look that Phoebe gives Sam, and it’s the same look that Uncle Jo gives Aunt Lily. It’s now probably the same look I give Julian. It’s the look of love.

Is Ama in love with the angel?

Before I can respond, Julian’s fingers release mine and he pulls out his vibrating phone from his pocket, the letter C glowing against the black screen. He stands up abruptly.

‘Excuse me, but I need to take this call.’

He doesn’t wait for a response, quickly leaving the room and heading towards the kitchen.

A spark of energy still lingers where his hand was holding mine. I close my fist, trying to keep the sensation for as long as I can and wondering what Cassius is telling him now.

I hear the back door open and close and then turn my attention back to Ama.

‘Do you even know how far-fetched this all sounds?” I ask. ‘I wake from a nightmare and then all of a sudden you’re telling us that Mum has been captured, the Other Side knows about Erebus, and now an angel is on board and helping us?’ I shake my head, pushing my hair away from my face. ‘What do you want us to do with all this?’

Her eyes harden. ‘I want you to be smart. I want you to understand that Erebus intends to wage war for possession of
the light
. The light which you will carry.’ She nods to my stomach. ‘I know this is all a lot to take in, but the war
is
coming, Shem. And to see it through you’re going to need all the help you can get.’

Isis sends a jolt of current through me, telling me that what Ama says is true. I swallow the lump in my throat, my hand automatically resting on my stomach.

The war
. Every time I hear those words it sends shock waves through me. If I can’t find a way to stop Erebus, and if the Vaga succeed in capturing me, then I could potentially be responsible for bringing about the apocalypse. A child of mine walking the earth wreaking death and destruction is not an option. I can’t let that happen. I won’t.

‘Remiel is willing to help us, and for the most part so are the Elders. But for now they cannot intervene. It would alert the attention of Erebus and who-knows-what-else. Right now we need to keep this as quiet as possible.’

Uncle Jo pulls back his frustration for a moment. ‘So what you’re saying is that we have a small window of opportunity if we want to get Evie out?’

She nods. ‘Yes. Remiel seems to think she hasn’t been there long, as her essence was still strong, but there isn’t much time.’

‘Can Remiel help us to get to her?’

‘You think it’s just a matter of walking into Erebus’ domain and releasing your sister? Don’t be so naive, Josiah. If it was that easy I would have attempted it myself,’ Ama responds, her tone clipped with annoyance.

‘Then what is it that we need to do?’

‘I know you were planning to go back to the farm, but I think we need to move past that for now and consider another alternative, one where the element of surprise is still on our side.’ The corner of her lip rises ever so slightly.

What is she up to
?

Sam smiles, mischief lighting up his tanned features. ‘I like the sound of that.’

Ama smiles, pointing her finger at him. ‘I like him. Why didn’t you pick that one, Shem?’

Heat rushes into my face as Sam bursts into laughter.

‘Ama!’

She shrugs. ‘What?’

‘Can we just stick to what you were about to say?’ I groan, shaking my head at her lack of shame.

Ama passes Sam a wink and I can’t help but smirk, knowing her flirting skills are still firing even after all these years.

‘By the look on your face I assume you already have a plan?’ Uncle Jo queries, ignoring the light banter as if it would prick him like a thorn.

Ama sighs. ‘Ever heard the phrase “life is for the living”, Josiah?’

He nods, his expression unchanging. ‘I’ve heard of it.’

She flips her hand in the air. ‘You always were a little too serious. Even as a young boy—’

‘Ama?!’ we both shout in unison.

‘Fine, fine. Keep your knickers on. Now where was I?’ She taps her chin. ‘Oh, yes, the element of surprise. There
is
a way you can access the underworld, but it comes with many dangers. Only someone as powerful as Remiel can get you in. If you can get to the dungeon you can free your mother and kill Erebus at the same time. He would never suspect the attack to come from his own domain. Now this may be harder than you think. No human has ever been down there before. That is…until now.’

As her eyes fall to me the feeling of being in the dungeon returns. I can smell the fear of all those people, their hands reaching through the bars, begging me to help them. Could Mum have been one of them? My stomach lurches at the thought.

‘The dungeon?’

‘Yes, Shem. You’ve been in his world. You know the layout. You’ve got the best chance of finding your Mum, with Remiel’s help of course.’

‘I know you want to find your mum, but this is too dangerous.’ Uncle Jo’s eyes harden. ‘Erebus wants you. He’s already got the Vaga on your tail as we speak, and now you want to walk straight into his arms? No. It’s
not
happening.’

I feel my magic surge. ‘You don’t get to tell me what to do. This is my mum we’re talking about. I will not leave her to him. Who knows what he’s already done to her?’

‘You can’t go down there. As much as I want to save Evie, it’s just too dangerous,’ Uncle Jo says. ‘Is there another way that I can just go, Amaris?’

I stand up, my magic slowly bubbling away inside me, my fists clenching at my sides. Magi takes up a protective stance beside me. ‘Listen to what I’m saying. I will not leave Mum down there in that hellhole with Erebus. If Remiel can get me in, then I’m going to do what it takes to get her out, understand? I do not want to hear you telling me what I should or shouldn’t do from here on in. And if you don’t like it, then that’s just too bloody bad!’

Ama intervenes. ‘Ellie’s right. You’ve got to stop making decisions for her. She’s not a child anymore, Josiah. Look at her.’ Ama nods her head in my direction.

I release my building frustration, grateful for her support and her comfort. It gives me strength at a time when I feel so helpless.

Uncle Jo raises his weary face and he lets out a sigh. ‘You two are going to be the death of me.’

Ama clasps her hands together, her smile spreading across her face, highlighting her beauty. ‘Then it’s done. I’ll let the Elders know of our plans.’ She moves towards me on a wisp of air and kisses me gently on the cheek before disappearing.

A range of emotions pick up speed within me as I try and grasp the magnitude of what we face. Angels, gods and goddesses, apocalyptic prophecies? How do I save Mum and protect myself at the same time? Where do I even start?

The back door swings open and shut and Julian stalks into the room. ‘We have another problem.’

Uncle Jo and Sam stand at the same time, their tall frames making the room smaller.

‘What is it?’

The look he gives sends icy shards of dread through me.

‘The Puritans know you’re alive.’

The war has begun.

Thank you for taking the time to read The Vaga, the second book in The Kuthun series.

If you enjoyed it then please do me a favour and write a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Reviews are so valuable to independent authors like myself, and I would greatly appreciate your kindness and support.

To be updated on the release of book three, The New Coming, please visit
www.sa-carter.com

Writing is such a joy for me, and I love every single minute of it, but I don’t walk this path alone.

Endless gratitude to my family, for all the love and support you give me and for reminding me what’s important. I couldn’t do this without you. I love you all, thank you.

To Paramita, my book cover designer. Thank you for putting up with me and for taking my ideas and turning them into beautiful covers. My endless emails and changes would be enough to send anybody running but you stay with me until the end and I am so grateful.

To my beta readers, Jill and Lindsey, you are amazing! Thank you for your support, suggestions, and enthusiasm. The Vaga is all the more special because you were a part of it.

And lastly, thank you to my readers. Your enthusiasm for The Kuthun series warms my heart and humbles me beyond words. I love sharing this journey with you.

S. A. Carter is the author of The Kuthun series. Her spellbinding novels are based on her loves in life - family, magic, humour, and adventure.

She was born and raised in Australia and still lives there today with her wonderful, dynamic, crazy family.

If you want to know more about S. A. Carter please visit her at
www.sa-carter.com