Chapter 37

I watched my breath in front of my face. I had hoped it wasn’t going to be this cold, but of course it had to be, or Arwan’s ice complex wouldn’t last. Was the cold natural or had Arwan enhanced it? I turned to see snow, only snow as far as I could see. Natural, I concluded. I looked around to see others were prancing on the spot with their hands jammed into their pockets too.

“Can we hurry up the porting?” Leone’s voice came through the earpiece. “I’m shivering so bad now there’s two of everyone.”

“That can’t be all bad.” Chase said sounded pleased with it.

“I have enough brothers, I don’t need eight more.” Leone said bluntly.

“We were waiting on Elgar.” Troy said. “He required something.”

“An electric heater?” Autumn asked.

I looked over to see she was jumping up and down trying to stay warm.

“I can’t believe there’s no ward or warning system in place.” Clairee said then blew into her hands.

“He probably thought no sane person would think to look here.” Reagan said while she bounced on the spot.

“Our witches will be staying outside after they get us closer.” Bethany nodding to the woman standing beside her.

“Build a fire for warmth.” Paisley joked, then nodded.

I turned to look at the four witches around us. They had a bubble or something around us so we could see each other but no one could see us. I didn’t understand it, but I was willing to go with anything that got us in there to end this.

Romulus and the sorcerer from Veiltide appeared. Elgar held a long staff in his hand with a white stone on the top.

“Isn’t that the staff of light or whatever it was called?” Daxx asked.

Elgar held it up. “It is.” He inclined his head to Troy, “thank you for letting me borrow this.” He smiled. “I think it screams sweet justice when I use his own weapon against him.”

“That staff made my best friend turn evil.” Bethany said.

“I assure you, princess, it cannot affect me.” He smiled again.

A shiver went down my spine and I wasn’t sure if it was the temperature or the icy expression in the sorcerer’s eyes.

Paisley glanced at me, her expression said she was right there with me.

“Is this thing on?” Bastian’s whispered.

“Yes.” Victor replied.

“Okay, Tor and I have taken a quick walk about in here.” He was talking so quietly I had to focus to hear him over the heavy breathing of people trying to stay warm.

“There’s only one way in or out that we can find.” Another male said. It had to be Tor.

“When you come in the main area, it branches off in four directions.” Bastian reported.

The group started moving down the snow packed incline.

“What are the numbers like in there?” Rafael asked.

“Too many.” Tor stated.

I glanced to see Arius and Troy exchange a look. The whole vibe of the group changed in that moment. No one remembered how cold they were, just what they had to do. For months all of us had been trying to put a stop to the atrocities the mage was responsible for. This was our last chance to stop him. If we didn’t get him this time, we were out of options.

“There are many flavors of souls in here.” Bastian whispered.

“Some of ours are there?” Princess Aireese asked.

“Yes, some for all.” Bastian said.

Princess Arieese and Prince Artesiam glanced at each other. I didn’t know much about their realms, but the look did not bode well for their traitors.

“They shall be handled.” Prince Elaric said quietly.

“Are you secure until we’re inside?” Michael asked.

“For now.” He answered. “Okay, quick rundown.” He was louder now. “Once you enter there’s a huge open area with about…”

“Thirty men hanging around.” Tor added.

“Then there’s a path to the right, minimal bodies there, nothing of interest in that direction.” He supplied.

Rafael pointed to three guards and Leone.

Leone nodded and hugged Beth into his side.

“The path leading straight on seems to be quarters, again not too populated.”

I watched as Troy motioned to Emil, Michael and Arius.

“The two paths to the left are a little more complicated.” Bastian said in a hushed voice again.

“Complicated how?” Quinton asked.

“It’s like there’s some sort of sliding ice…” He stopped talking.

We kept moving, no one made a sound.

“Ice wall that I can’t see how it works.” Bastian finally finished. “We only got in to look because we followed someone else.”

“I will look into this ice wall.” The sorcerer said quietly.

“What is in the last direction?” Victor asked.

“A big door.” Tor supplied.

“Yes, with fifteen men guarding it.” Bastian added.

“Arwan has to be there.” Troy looked around and then motioned down the middle of us. “This side can deal with the main area.” He turned to look at his mate, “the rest of us will handle what’s behind the wall and big door.”

“Are you ready to enter?” Bastian asked.

I glanced to see the entrance was well hidden between snow-covered trees.

“In less than a minute.” Chase informed him.

“On my word.” Bastian said. “We’ll create a distraction so all of you can get in.”

I pulled the blade from my back and looked at my gloves. They stayed until I was ready to step through the door. I twisted my gloved hands over the handle, hoping to warm it before I had to put skin on it.

“Take no chances, ladies.” Emil said while looking directly at me.

“Female warriors should be revered.” Prince Elaric said softly.

Princess Oriana grinned, “that’s not what you say when I best you, brother.”

“Everyone be careful.” Alona said.

“We’re coming in, Bastian.” Quinton said.

“Thirty seconds.” Bastian whispered. “Tor is going to push over their supply cache.”

Cursing under my breath, I pulled off my gloves and stuffed them into my pocket. I rolled my shoulders and unzipped my jacket. Now was not the time to discover a wardrobe restriction.

~

We filed into the cavern within a few seconds, then spread out so all of us had room to move freely. The men were scrambling to pick up crates and boxes that were spread out all over the floor. I paused for a second to look around. If I wasn’t here to fight, I’d be in awe. It was like a giant ice sculpture inside. Glossy ice walls. I slid my boot and looked at the floor, it appeared to be ice, but wasn’t slippery at all. There were tables and normal fixtures throughout. It had to have taken Arwan decades to make this. My appreciation of the frosty work of art ended when the men that had been trying to figure out how their supplies fell over noticed us.

Leone and the guards broke off and ran down a tunnel to the right.

Several moved forward to take on the men. I followed them. I wasn’t going to leave them if they needed the help.

I engaged the first man I came to and leveled him before he could get in the first swing. Victor was right beside me before he could recover and dispatched him to our cells. With an abrupt nod to me he motioned for me to follow the others that were heading left.

I glanced to see Princess Oriana standing there with a smile on her face. She pulled a long narrow katana from the case at her side, it looked like it was glowing. Her brothers looked to be the same, only larger.

“Shall we?” She grinned at him.

“Let’s.” He advanced on the men scattering out to cover the hollowed-out area. Their guards were right there with them.

Autumn nudged me when I came up beside her. I was surprised she wasn’t in the fray. “They’ve got this.”

I nodded and walked beside her as we went.

“Can you remove it?” Prince Art asked his sorcerer.

Elgar nodded slowly, “I can take down the magic making it work, but I can’t remove the ice.”

The Prince backed up and motioned to the tall sheet of ice. His sorcerer closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, he began moving the staff in a slow wide circle. The stone on the top started glowing, emitting the brightest light I’d ever seen.

Turning my head to the side, I squinted to block out the brightness, but still wanted to watch what he was doing.

“We’ll be there in a moment to clear the ice.” Princess Oriana said.

“Barracks are cleared.” Michael informed everyone.

“Come to us.” Troy said in a tone that was a direct order.

Bastian and his guard appeared out of nowhere in front of us. He put his hands on his hips and watched the sorcerer.

The princess of Aridon came running down the tunnel, her female guard right behind her. She stopped and looked at the large wall. Stepping over, she held her hand against it. It began to melt under her touch. “We can take it down.” She looked at Peyton, who nodded.

“I have no doubt you can, but we’ll drown.” Bastian said.

“I can move the water.” Prince Art looked to Elgar who nodded.

“We’ll take it after that.” Princess Aireese said.

“Yes.” Mystral agreed.

Troy stepped back. “Just get us in there.”

“Just don’t melt all the ice in here.” Chase said.

“Don’t worry, King Chase.” Firo said, “water is air, air is water.”

I chanced a look at Bethany, she was nodding, when I looked at Daxx she made a strange face. I’d have to think more about that later.

“Be at the ready, this is going to go fast.” Princess Oriana said as her brother and his guard came toward us.

If I hadn’t been standing and watching with my own eyes, I would have thought this was some fantastic dream. The Aridon’s used their touch to make the ice wall into streaming trails of water. Before it could pool on the ground, the Veiltide males had it swirling up into the air. After that I don’t know what our FaTerra guests did but it was water one second and not there the next. The only thing that did register was the temperature became more tolerable. I flipped the strap over my head and shrugged out of my jacket. By the time I had my weapons case back in place several of the Alterealm family had done the same.

As soon as there was enough of the wall gone, the Alterealm guards were through into the outer hall that held a large room and a big door. Men started pouring out of the room into the small space.

It was hard to fight and be sure you weren’t going to hit someone on your own team. A sword swung past my head, I ducked down to make sure it didn’t come back on the same path and decapitate me.

Princess Oriana caught the blade on its next path. With her hand. The metal changed to the fiery orange of molten metal. The holder of said weapon yelped and released it. With a satisfied look, the princess used the butt of her own weapon against the man’s head and he crumpled to the ground.

Autumn went past me in a hurry, I didn’t hesitate to follow her.

The men guarding the door were engaged by Daxx and the kings. I ran faster and placed myself in front of a swing that would have caught Daxx in the hip. She growled in annoyance then ported a man in front of her, then spun on the attacker. He took a wide swing and she dropped down and held the box out. He disappeared.

Princess Aireese touched my arm. “Go, find that mage, we have it under control out here.”

I nodded and looked to Daxx. Her look screamed retribution as she turned and headed for the large wooden door at the end of the hallway. I turned to see the men from our realm were engaging a steady stream of combatants and realized it was up to the women to get us in the room and find Arwan.

Bethany stepped forward and put her hand on the door. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. Nodding she opened her eyes. “Stand back.” She said quietly as she raised her outstretched arms gradually.

“Princess,” Aireese’s whisper came through the earbud, “use your fear, your anger. Hold everything he’s done to wrong you in your mind…”

Bethany nodded her head slowly but made no reply. The arc between her hands grew and multiplied until it was too bright to look at. When she flung her hands toward the door, the sound of wood shattering echoed through our mics.

“Fabulous.” Princess Aireese exclaimed. “We’ll cover out here. Go.”

At her urgent order we rushed through the door. The room was about the size of the royal’s personal gym and objects were moving through the air in all directions. It was a gauntlet.

The door repaired itself and slammed back in place with a loud crash.

“Arwan, looking a bit tired there.” Reagan said quietly.

I spun around to see a man standing on the other side of the room, with his hands in the air.

“Can’t get a clear shot at him with all this stuff flying around.” Paisley said.

“Beloved,” Chase’s tone was pleading, “protect our child.” He said urgently.

Everyone looked at Alona, she had her hand over her stomach.

I turned and stared at a long table against the wall. With a flick of my hand I sent the chairs around it scattering in all directions. Squinting I focused on the table and lifted it in the air. I brought it over and set it in front of Alona, tipped on its side. “Work on getting that door open.” I said. Crissy nodded and got behind the table with Alona.

“She’s safe.” I said into the mic.

Kara stepped to stand beside the table, her bow at the ready and pointing at the old man on the other side of the room.

The man took a few steps forward, his arms still raised in the air. “Ah, it’s the lost woman.” He was looking at Reagan. “You had me fooled, princess, I had no idea who you were.” He inclined his head to her. When he lifted it, the objects in the air began swirling faster.

I watched the objects, none of them were harmless if they were to hit or drop on us. I bit my lip and looked around the room. I couldn’t hold anything long enough to cover all of us.

“Distract his gaze, stop him looking at me.” Reagan whispered into the mic.

“Take this.” Daxx said quietly.

I turned to see Alona and Crissy prying the door with knives, trying to free it. We just needed to stall long enough to get one of those strong magic folks in here.

“Try to get the door open from out there.” Alona said.

“We are trying.” Chase sounded anxious.

I watched the items swirling in front of me and stepped forward when it was safe to do so. A book stopped a breath away from my face, then orange light deflected it in the other direction. Paisley and Bethany had my back. “Arwan it’s over.” I said loud enough I was sure he’d hear. “Your icy masterpiece is currently being thawed by the Aridons.” I took another step, ducking when a bottle got too close. “The strongest fae from FaTerra are out there unraveling any magic you’ve used.”

The man looked at me, his hands pausing for a moment.

The objects slowed when he did.

“They’re here? The realms are all together?” He sounded doubtful.

“Keep distracting him.” Reagan said in a low whisper.

“They are.” I took a few more steps while the motion was slowed around me. “All six realms are here today. It’s over.”

He laughed. “You will never find all I have done.”

“All of your generals are locked up.” I moved forward.

He shook his head. “All they had to do was take out one of the mates…” he scowled and whipped his hands in a circle. The speed of the objects returned. “Just one and they failed.”

“They tried hard, jerk, that’s got to count for something.” Daxx was beside me.

A blast of orange light exploded in my face and several of the objects hit the floor, clearing the path.

“You can’t keep up your magic much longer, Arwan,” that was Bethany, “you have no sources to draw from now.”

“Do not use your port box, Huntress, only mine is set for him.” Victor’s steady words filled our ears.

“Almost.” I thought I heard Reagan say.

I sheathed my weapon and decided I needed my hands free for this. I didn’t know where Reagan was and didn’t want to chance hitting her, but I couldn’t just stand here and try to talk this evil being down. I focused on the first thing my eyes connected with and stopped it, then flung it to the floor.

Another blast of light energy cleared a few more feet.

A knife stopped an inch from my face, I froze on the spot. Then I reached out and grabbed it. I’d have to fall at Paisley’s feet later and thank her.

“You can’t stop me.” Arwan snarled.

Reagan appeared out of nowhere behind him. She held the curved blade the Huntress used against his throat. “Wanna bet?” Reagan’s expression was cold. “Hands by your side asshole or I’ll skin you like a rabbit.”

“Don’t do anything you’ll regret.” Quinton said in an urgent tone.

“No regrets.” Reagan growled out.

“W-what are you?” Arwan stammered. He moved his hands down and the echo of things hitting the floor echoed around us.

“Move back from the door. We’re going to scorch the wood.” Prince Elaric said.

“I can use heat to cauterize the bleeding.”

Princess Oriana’s words made all of us pause for a moment. Then the line went silent. They’d just muted what was happening outside this room.

Bethany went closer to Arwan, energy arcing between her hands. “Don’t even breathe.” She hissed.

I pulled my blade free and went to stand in front of him.

“Bind his hands, he’s working on a spell.” Kara shouted into the mic.

Nodding, I pulled the strap for my weapon over my head and held it out to Daxx as she came over. She took it and went over to him. Grabbing his arm, she jerked it behind him and the other arm followed. I don’t know how she managed to tie the leather, but Arwan now stood there with his arms behind his back.

“Let’s see you fling stuff at us now.” Daxx muttered.

The sound of crackling filled our earbuds, I turned to see the wooden door was engulfed in flames. Steam began rising from it and then the door slid across the floor. Elgar stepped into the room and assessed the situation.

Right behind him Chase and Troy came in.

The scariest sight I’d ever seen was when Victor stepped through the doorway. His long strides brought him toward us. The expression on his face screamed vengeance.

“We need him alive, brother.” Chase said as he enclosed Alona in his arms.

“He will live.” Victor said as he stopped in front of Arwan, “for now.” He did something with his port box, then held it in front of him.

The mage that had wreaked havoc on our lives and hundreds of others, disappeared.

I lowered my blade and breathed out a loud sigh of relief.

“Vic. Somethings wrong with my head.” Crissy sounded upset. “They’re gone.” She said quietly.

Victor spun around and moved in her direction.

“Rea,” Quinton’s voice sounded strained, “we need you out here.”

Reagan didn’t pause, she just ran past the others and out the door.

I looked at Bethany, she frowned.

“Leone, what’s happening?”

There was no reply. She darted for the door. I looked around and noticed only a few of the brothers were here. I ran for the door, followed closely by Paisley.

A few feet down the narrow hall lie Leone. Quinton and Reagan were beside him. The prince from Aridon and Lady from FaTerra all leaning over him. I looked around. Where were the others?

Paisley grabbed my arm and squeezed it. She didn’t need to say anything for me to run after her into the first area we’d come into.

Arius, Rafael and Princess Oriana were leaning over someone. I rushed over and saw Emil’s blade on the floor.

“We can’t port him in this state.” Arius said while looking at me. “Michael went for the doc.”

I dropped the blade and slid across the cool surface. The Princess moved out of the way so I could get close to him.

Rafael was kneeling there, talking close to his ear. “You need to feed, brother. Fight through the fog and feed.” The urgency in his tone scared me, I’d never heard the captain speak like that before.

I lay down beside him, trying to see where he was injured. His whole chest was soaked in blood. “Emil,” I said softly with my cheek resting against his, “listen to my voice.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You have to feed.” Lifting my head, I stared at his eyes hoping to see some sort of response. His breathing was so shallow. His eyelids fluttered and barely opened, but when they did; he looked right at me. He was still in there I almost cried. I nodded and lifted my upper body up. “You have to feed.” I said again. I felt a hand on my shoulder helping to hold my weight off him. I moved my hair away from my neck and leaned over his mouth. “Listen you obstinate man, feed. Now.” I tried to keep my voice steady but failed.

I could feel his breath on my skin, it was so faint I looked at Arius, my eyes watering.

“Come on brother.” Arius growled.

His mouth brushed against my neck; I held my breath. When he bit into me it wasn’t very forceful, so I leaned into his mouth. I could feel his mouth moving in a feather-light movements and knew he was trying. I clenched my teeth against the pain, he wasn’t coherent enough to use eufori to dull it. “He’s trying.” I whispered.

“That’s it, brother.” Rafael said in a calmer voice.

I could feel the draw and didn’t say anything when I knew it was past the point I should let someone feed from me. Emil reached up and held my head in place.

“That should be enough to help.” Arius said.

“Emil, you have to stop now.” Rafael was right next to my face.

“Let him.” I said in a voice that didn’t sound like my own. I rested my hand against his head and closed my eyes.

“Emil, brother, you have to stop.” That was Troy. I didn’t know when he got here, but he was now.

“Get her.” I heard Michael say. I felt hands on my shoulders and didn’t have the strength to resist. Someone was moving me away from him. I should fight, I thought but couldn’t hold the focus long enough to do it.

“Kinsley.” It was Emil. He was all right.

I blew out a breath and closed my eyes, relief filling me.