Chapter 11

The sun lied on this world. It fooled you into thinking it would warm up the earth and keep you from becoming a frozen popsicle. It did no such thing. On this world, it was just a stupid light in the sky.

I blew on my fingers, trying to warm them up as I squinted, trying to see past the shimmering ward. The ward I had inspected every inch of while trying to find an opening. So far, no luck.

Shading my eyes against the glare from the sun bouncing off it, I stared into the ring of trees in the distance that surrounded this place. Even with my regular clothes underneath the wooly muumuu, the frigid wind still cut through like I wasn’t wearing anything. I couldn’t stay out here much longer. But ever since Starke had stuck that stupid warning in my head about the unsavory inhabitants of this world, I swear every time I stepped outside, I could feel eyes on me, watching my every move. My minimal magic told me it wasn’t a magical being. I couldn’t feel an ounce of aura, but my gut instinct told me to be wary. Maybe it was all in my head, but I didn’t feel comfortable at all. Even knowing there was a ward around this place, keeping things out as well as me in, I was on edge.

It didn’t help matters that I hadn’t seen Starke in nearly four days. Not that he had totally abandoned me. He had shown up in the middle of the night two nights ago. I woke up to a bag of food on the table and chopped wood piled up outside the door. He’d even brought a few books.

Nothing I really wanted to read. There wasn’t any Stephen King or Jim Butcher novels. He’d brought me classics from my Earth. Jane Eyre, Oliver Twist, Huckleberry Finn. Like seriously, had he robbed a prep-school library? But since beggars can’t be choosers and all that, I appreciated the distraction. I was really more pissed that he hadn’t bothered to wake me. I guess as long as I was breathing and didn’t have a fever, it was good enough for him. Not gonna lie, even the gift of the books didn’t negate the hurt of knowing he didn’t want to stick around to even speak to me.

And it drove me absolutely bonkers not knowing what was going on with my people. I’d been missing for over a week now. Did they know what happened to me? Did they know I was still alive? Bish and my grandmother must be worried sick. Not to mention Zoe and Kara and Jill, who most likely blamed herself for my disappearance. Then, there was the matter of Sash. I hoped Zoe at least was able to keep him in line and keep him with them until I could get back home.

Satisfied for the moment that there wasn’t any movement in the trees, I headed back inside. Back to my roaring fire. Pulling one of the high-backed chairs close, I plopped down, sticking my hands and feet toward the flame. The warmth eased my frozen skin and soul.

Staring at my red, raw fingers, I tried again what I’d been attempting for the past three days. If I were to escape, I had to break the ward. Starke himself said I couldn’t open a portal inside. I had to be outside. I needed magic to do that, and there was plenty of magic on this planet. There had to be since Starke was able to maintain the ward without even being here. And although I didn’t have my sai, I could still perform magic without it. My grandmother had told me so. Plus, Jill and Zoe had been able to do magic without their instruments, albeit it, the magic was raw and uncontrollable, but it was possible. I already knew the spell for open. Jill had taught me aperi. It should work. Just because I’d never done it before didn’t mean I couldn’t. I just had to figure out how.

Concentrate, Jette. Just replace your hands for your sai. You can do this.

I did just that, reaching out for the magic I knew existed all around me. I let myself relax, waiting for the pulse of the magic to find me like it had before. Sounds met my ears. The crackling and popping of the fire. The dripping of the melting ice off the roof. I felt the warmth of the fire against my skin, broken in spots by the cooling draft making its way through tiny cracks in the cabin’s walls. The lingering ache in my arm from my almost healed wound. I concentrated harder.

Diving further into my cosmic consciousness, I suddenly felt the familiar buzzing underneath my skin. It was like having one’s ears completely muffled, unable to hear the music, but feeling the vibrations thrumming through the air. There it was. Magic. I reached out for it, trying to latch on and hoping I wouldn’t fail today like I had the past three.

Come on, baby. Today’s the day. Come to mama.

I tried to coax it closer, like a moth to flame, so it could connect with my energy. Gently and patiently, I willed it into me. To link with me.

Suddenly, the buzzing turned into an almost overwhelming roar as the magic walloped me. It shot through my body like it finally recognized me for what I was. An elemental. It spread through me rapidly, scorching every nerve ending and jolting them into awareness.

I stilled for a moment, containing my excitement and allowing the magic to flow through me at its own pace. I didn’t want to force anything.

The ebbing magic finally settled into a serene pulse, energizing me. I stood to my feet and held my hands out in front of me, inches apart like I was pretending to play the accordion. Concentrating on the space between my hands, I imagined energy forming there, knitting itself together. My jaw almost dropped to my chest in amazement as it did just that. I watched a small marble of energy form between my hands and grow into a massive, frozen ball of ice.

“Holy crapola,” I mumbled as I slowly spun the ice, marveling at the wonder I had just produced from thin air. I did it! I used magic without my sai. Glancing up at the roaring fire, I willed the ice ball to shoot toward it. But just like that, the magic fizzled and dissipated. The ice ball slipped through my grasp, dissolving into nothingness. The thrumming energy disappeared, leaving me feeling empty and disappointed.

“Argh,” I growled, kicking out at the chair in frustration. It fell over, wobbling on its two back legs for a moment before crashing to the floor.

I had been so close this time.

I felt the rush of frigid air from the open door seconds before Starke’s presence dominated the cabin. I whirled, trying to hide my guilty surprise. He glanced from the toppled chair to me as he stalked into the room, his portal magic still clinging to him and trailing behind like wisps. I felt it from here, dark and potent, pounding through my blood. So much stronger than my own. Anticipation along with fear danced up my spine at the sight of him.

“And what, pray tell, did that chair do to you?”

I crossed my arms across my chest and glared, hoping I was covering my nervousness at almost being caught with my magic hanging out. “Oh, so you are still alive. I was starting to wonder.”

“Sounds like you missed me.”

“Mmm, just as much as my gynecologist.”

My zinger was lost on him. He ignored it as he laid the tote on the tabletop. I stared at the stupid thing. Were my sai in there? I needed to get this magic thing under control so I could take him by surprise and find out for certain. That was truly my only way to make my escape. He opened the bag and dug for something. I stretched my neck, and the glint of something caught my eye. It looked like the runed handle of one of my sai. I was sure of it. He really was carrying them.

I needed that damn bag.

His movements stopped, and I raised my eyes to find him studying me intently. Suddenly terrified he would read my mind and know what I was thinking, I blurted out the first thing to pop into my head. “Thank you for the books.”

A brow raised slightly. “You are welcome. I didn’t realize it would take something as little as reading material to make you grateful.”

“What can I say? I love books,” I said brightly, forcing a smile and hoping he would ignore my interest in the tote. It only made his brow arch even higher.

“Especially the classics,” I prattled on. “They’re the best. You ain’t read a good book until you’ve read Jane Eyre. Have you read it? It’s da bomb.” I swallowed nervously. “Did you bring food?”

“Why are you so agitated?” he asked, his eyes narrowing. “What have you been up to?”

“Me? Agitated? I don’t know what you’re on about.”

“Hmm, I sense a lie.”

“What? You a lie detector now?”

His gaze flickered to the chair. “You always kick over chairs just for fun?”

“Oh, this?” I bent over and righted the chair. “This was just frustration at not knowing what’s going on in my world. What’s going on with my people and your unwillingness to tell me anything.”

His look of mistrust slowly faded as he gave a slight nod. “I do understand that sentiment. Being in the dark must frustrate you greatly.”

“Right? So, why don’t you fill me in?”

He turned his attention back to the bag as he began removing the food. “I don’t wish to discuss the bloody war happening…”

“Wait a second,” I interrupted. “Did you just say happening? Has it already escalated to that level?”

“It has always been at that level, water wielder. Only the deaths are becoming more frequent now. Your grandmother refuses to see reason. The attack on her village will be her own undoing.”

My heart stopped beating in my chest as a weight settled in.

“What attack? Asha found the village?” I whispered.

“Yes.” His answer was direct and emotionless as his bright eyes lost some of their brilliance. At that moment, I hated him for that. He didn’t even try to break it to me gently like my Starke would have. I reached out and gripped the back of the chair I’d just up righted, trying to keep my knees from buckling.

“When is the attack?” I hissed.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair like he really didn’t want to discuss it anymore. Too bad.

“When?” I insisted.

“Two days hence, at the meeting of the clans. It is why I have not been here. I was needed in... other areas.”

“Two days?” I stared at him in dazed disbelief. “You’re telling me Asha and her creatures will attack my people in two effin’ days? You’ve known for a while, and you’re just telling me now?” My voice sounded like a panicked whistle.

“Acquiring this knowledge now or three days ago changes nothing. You cannot stop it nor avert the outcome.”

“And just what will the outcome be, Starke?” I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t know if I could handle the answer, but the question flowed out anyway, like my lips had a mind of their own. “My people… the villagers. The children. Are they expendable? Will they be taken prisoner or killed on sight, just like Asha did when she wiped out your village? Your people. The people you have so conveniently forgotten.”

I didn’t even try to conceal the contempt in my voice. It was impossible since I was pretty sure it was oozing out of my pores right now.

A muscle twitched in his stubbled jaw, and I thought at first he wouldn’t answer me. Then, “If your grandmother hands over the elementals and those with magic without a fight, Asha will be altruistic. I have her word on that.”

The weight on my chest grew as a buzzing started in my ears. My magic was awakening in response to my distress. “Her word? Her word is about as reliable as a paper umbrella in a rainstorm. You of all people should know that.”

“My mother does not wish any harm to befall your grandmother or her people. She wishes to do this the easy way. You forget they were friends once. Asha has agreed to my terms. Leniency for all if your grandmother complies and hands over the elementals.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

His jaw twitched even more, as if he was trying to come up with an answer that wouldn’t anger me. “Our concern lies with acquiring the elementals and any other magical beings. That is our priority. I’m afraid anyone or anything else that chooses to stand in our way will be collateral damage.”

The buzzing in my head became overwhelming. “How, Starke? How could you become so cruel and uncaring? You knew these people. They were your friends. How could you stand by and watch this happen?”

“I am a soldier in my mother’s war, water wielder. It is my blood duty. They are her enemies, so therefore, they are mine as well. I do not have a choice.”

My anger clouded my concern at summoning dark Starke.

“Stop with the bullshit,” I shouted. “You do have a choice. Snap out of it. Get that crazy witch out of your head. She is controlling you. Her and blood magic. You are stronger than her, and deep down, you know that. Your true self is still in there or else you would have not asked for leniency for my people. You would not have hidden me away from Asha. You’re just confused right now, but you don’t have to be. You can still do the right thing. We can warn them. We can get them all to safety, but you need to take me there right now.”

His eyes didn’t flinch from my gaze, even as confusion and doubt flitted across his face, as his Jekyll and Hyde personalities fought for control.

“Starke, please. You know we have to help them. It’s the right thing to do.”

He closed his eyes as if in pain, but they popped open again seconds later, like he suddenly remembered something. “Jette, I think I already did…”

I watched in terrified fascination as evil Starke won the battle. He claimed control in record time, stopping whatever my Starke was trying to tell me. I watched as the face in front of me hardened with a sneer and green eyes turned to dark slate. He stepped toward me.

“The right thing? The right thing would be to take you to Asha. Right this moment. In fact, I think that is what I must do. You try my patience, water wielder. Enough of this farce. Your prince can protect you no longer.”

Shit.

There was no more time. No more practicing. No more hoping for escape. I had to get out of here now. I had to warn my grandmother of the attack. The buzzing increased to a roar as I opened my consciousness, allowing the circling magic full entry.

Starke jerked as if he became aware of what I was about to do moments before I pushed my hands toward him. The solid mass of ice appeared instantly, flying across the span separating us and smashing into his chest. It took him off his feet. I grimaced as I heard him crash into the wall, but I didn’t wait to see the impact. I was already moving. Grabbing the canvas tote from the table, I headed for the door, digging my sai from the bag as I ran.

I crashed through the door, the cold air bitch-slapping me enough to take my breath away. Throwing the bag to the side I twirled my sai so they were both pointed to the perimeter of the ward. I could already feel the magic sizzling through them. They were eager to perform.

“Aperi,” I shrieked as I ran, desperately hoping the damn spell worked.

I could feel the moment the ward came down. It was like being in a depressurized airplane. My ears popped and pain blossomed in the center of my forehead as my eyes felt like they were about to explode from their sockets. I could feel a warm trickle running down from my nose as it started bleeding. Too late, I realized aperi probably wasn’t the best spell to bring down the ward, but it seemed to work. I ran past the earlier barrier into the field, the thin soles of my boots slipping in the slush and snow of the meadow floor. I had no idea how much time I had bought myself. I had no idea if he was still on the cabin floor or behind me. All that was running through my panicked brain was that I had to put space between us as quickly as possible. Get to the tree line, the only place that offered a place for me to hide.

Ignoring the cold air searing my lungs and the stitch in my side, I stumbled into the trees. Hiding myself behind a giant pine, only then did I take the time to glance back across the meadow.

Starke was nowhere to be seen. He wasn’t following me.

I blinked and searched again. Nada. Where the heck was he? Was he okay? Had I seriously hurt him?

He’s fine. Open the portal already before evil Starke comes looking for you.

The voice screaming in my head competed with the concern. It won the debate. I couldn’t hesitate. I had a village of innocent people to get to.

Closing my eyes, I sucked in a lungful of air, trying to calm myself enough to drudge up the hallway of doors. Concentrating on Bish and my grandmother, the familiar passageway came rushing at me, a door glowing on the far right.

There!

There was no warning. No sound. Nothing.

One moment I was headed toward the door in my mind, the next I was yanked from my head, back to reality and taken off my feet. The rancid smell of rotten meat and dried blood overpowered my senses seconds before the blow that struck my chest sent me flying through the air. I’m not sure how far I glided before another pine tree decided to be kind enough to stop my flight. I hit hard, sliding down and groaning in pain as I cradled my injured arm. I caught a glimpse of something big and hairy headed toward me, but the tears in my eyes were making it far too difficult to see. I blinked and then wished I hadn’t. A scream caught in my throat as the… thing that walloped me came at me.

It was big and running on its two hind legs. It looked like a giant, hairy mix between a grizzly bear and a gorilla. But as it got closer, I could see the very long and sharp canines protruding from its mouth below the four red eyes. Eyes that were like no bear I’d ever seen. Eyes that were trained on me in hungry appraisal. There was no mistaking its intent. I swear strings of drool were already dripping from its massive jaws.

My sai.

Fear tightened my chest as I realized I’d lost them in my flight. I scrambled like a crab away from the massive arm that swung at me again. I ducked, the claws barely missing as they connected with the pine trunk instead of me, sticking into the bark instead of my gut.

Geez-us!

Pushing myself to my feet, I tried to run, but the sleet underneath my feet wasn’t giving me any stupid traction. I only made it a couple of steps before I slipped and lost my footing, falling to my knees in the icy snow.

Wheezing in panic, I started crawling away, but a vise clamped around my ankle. A scream ripped from my throat as I was dragged on my belly backwards toward what I knew would be a gruesome death. I tried to pull magic to save myself, but it was like my complete and utter fear was blocking it. I could feel it teasing my senses but not able to gain entry. Frantically, I grasped for something; anything I could use as protection against the thing about to rip me apart. My hand connected with something, and I grabbed on for dear life.

I was flipped unceremoniously onto my back, no doubt to reveal my underbelly. The overpowering stink assaulted me once more, and I gagged, even as I swung the thick tree branch I’d snagged into the air. The broken branch connected with the creature’s chest, digging in as the thing lowered its face toward me. I shoved with all the strength I possessed, keeping it at arm’s length and me away from its reaching claws.

I grunted with the effort of keeping the creature at bay, the pain in my arm screaming in sync with the one erupting from my throat. Its arms kept swinging wildly at me, claws missing my face by a mere inch, but my fear held the branch solid in his chest, keeping it high enough above me so it couldn’t reach me.

Until I heard the unmistakable crack as the branch snapped in half from the thing’s weight.

The creature began to fall toward me in slow motion. My scream echoed through the trees, filled with the knowledge that I was about to die horribly.

A grunt hit my ears seconds before I was almost blinded by the sun as the shadow above me suddenly disappeared from my line of sight. I blinked in dazed confusion, bolting upright as realization kicked in.

Starke.

He and the creature were still rolling along the ground from the impact of the tackle. Then, like a ballerina, Starke disengaged himself from the beast and leaped nimbly to his feet, striking out with his fist while the thing was still on its knees. The beast’s head jerked, and spit flew from its oversized mouth, but the punch did nothing to keep it down.

Really? A punch? That’s like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

It pulled itself to its feet, towering over Starke like he was an insignificant child. Terror struck me immobile. I hadn’t realized how big it was.

The thing swiped its massive claws at Starke, but he ducked in time as the giant hand tore through the air, ripping a thick branch from the tree above Starke’s head. Starke retaliated by doing an impressive roundhouse kick to the thing’s gut that didn’t even budge it. I don’t think it even grunted.

Where was his stupid sword? Why wasn’t he fighting it with magic?

Magic. My sai.

Tearing my eyes from Starke for a split moment, I searched the snowy field. There.

Scrambling to my sai, I pulled them from the ground and whirled ready to help, only to have my heart drop to my stomach.

“Starke, behind you!”

He heard my warning and tried to leap out of the way, but the second creature’s attack hit home. The arc of blood flew through the air and stained the snowy ground crimson, like some morbid abstract painting. Starke yelped in pain, holding his side as he stumbled away from the second grizzly. They realized his weakness immediately and started boxing him. Moving in for the kill.

“Jette, I could use a little help,” he yelled, mobilizing me into action.

I didn’t stop to think of my actions. Sucking in as much magic as my body could handle, my sai came to life. I struck out at the creatures, screaming as loud as I could, my mind intent on destroying them before they could hurt Starke anymore.

My magic collided with them, and the creature’s movements slowed, like they were suddenly stuck in quicksand. Angry growls filled the air as ice crystals began to form on their lower extremities, quickly creeping up their hairy bodies and covering every inch of them. The growls abated as the crystals covered their snarling snouts. Within seconds they looked like two giant pillars of quartz. My power intensified along with the runes on my sai as another jolt burst from my hands, and the frozen pillars exploded into a rainstorm of broken ice and debris.

I stood in shocked silence as my yell ebbed away, staring at the pieces of bloody ice littering the ground that had once been the two creatures. What the hell did I just do?

“Jette,” Starke groaned. I tore my gaze away from the remains.

“Oh, shit,” I whispered, moving to him as he staggered. He was bleeding profusely.

“Let me heal you,” I gasped, reaching for his shirt, but he pushed my hand away.

“No. We need to go. We need to get back to the ward. Your magic was impressively powerful. You’ve been practicing.” His attempt at a grin was more of a grimace. “It will attract more Nehite. They hunt in packs.” He motioned to the remains of the things on the ground. “We need the cover of the ward so they can’t find us.”

I got the gist. We had to move.

I only took a couple of steps before hesitating. This was my chance. Starke was injured. I could just open a portal and jump, and there was probably nothing he could do about it. Leave him here to his own fate.

Could I do it? Could I leave dark Starke here, injured after he had just saved my life? Sighing, I approached him and slipped my shoulder underneath his arm, bracing his weight and allowing him to lean into me.

“Come on,” I whispered. “I got you.”

And I knew, deep down, I truly meant it.