The dread wasn’t as powerful as the determination I felt, knowing that Thieron’s handle was literally within our reach, now. Looking at the rest of my crew, I could tell that we all felt the same. A thousand Brendels could come here, and we’d still stop at nothing in order to get what we’d come for.
Eva
There was so much anger inside me, so much fury at how the world had been turning out, that I couldn’t even quiver in terror before Brendel. Not this time. Nethissis was paler than a sheet of paper and barely standing on her own. We’d had all kinds of monstrosities coming at us, from the moment we’d set foot on Cerix—Medina included. That was a bitch I looked forward to obliterating, provided we survived this.
In a way, we’d come with our minds at peace. We understood what was at stake, and we more or less knew what to expect. Granted, those poisonous bugs had been a nasty surprise, but not entirely shocking. As long as they had access to the pink waters, the Hermessi could use them against us.
Taeral stepped forward, pointing his scythe at Brendel. The blade sang, a gentle hum that fueled us to keep fighting and not back down. We were too close now. “I used this to hurt a Fire Hermessi on Hellym. I’m pretty sure I can use it to hurt you, as well,” he said, his voice smooth and calm.
Varga and I exchanged glances, silently promising one another that we’d find a way to get through this, or at least die trying. Glancing around, I noticed the same determination on everyone else in our crew, including Fallon and Nethissis. Good. Strength of mind is greater than strength of elements.
“The best you could do with that toothpick is scratch me, Taeral,” Brendel replied dryly. “That aside, did you really think I wouldn’t try and stop you? I’m frankly surprised you didn’t realize I’m the one who tampered with your invisibility just now. I’m the only one powerful enough to mess with swamp witch magic.”
Well, at least we’d cleared up that little cloud.
Taeral grinned. “Oh, I knew you were coming.”
We stayed close to one another, ready to link hands at a moment’s notice. We’d gone through every possible scenario already, and, as the seconds went by, I felt better prepared than five minutes ago. Confidence was weird and sexy. A smile tried my lips.
“And did you think I would only rely on those four stooges up there?” Brendel replied, pointing a fiery finger at the elemental war that had engulfed the top half of White Peak. If they didn’t stop soon, the entire mountain would eventually come down.
More Hermessi shot down from the sky, landing with violent and flashy thuds. Their figures burned orange, white, blue, and green—elements from all over the In-Between and the Supernatural Dimension. Dozens of them, bright and angry and equally determined to stop us from reaching Eirexis. We’d seen this coming, too, and despite the pang in my heart, I kept my chin up. We were ready for this.
The air buzzed around us. The ground trembled beneath. The woods howled. The nearby ocean groaned. The whole of Cerix was reacting to this frightening gathering of Hermessi—elements of nature poised to commit the most horrifying and unnatural act. The destruction of all living things, simply because they could. How petty and insane…
Taeral measured each of the Hermessi from head to toe and smiled again. “Is this what we’ve come to, Brendel? How is this, in any way, natural and normal?”
“I say what’s natural, you fire-wielding worm,” Brendel said. There was irritation in her tone. She’d probably hoped to see us cowering and quivering before her. Tough luck, Flamey.
“You bring shame upon this universe,” Lumi cut in. “The Word does not condone your actions, and neither does Death.”
Brendel chuckled. “And yet, here we are, with Word and Death wholly out of the picture and unable to stop us. I care very little for the concept of ‘shame,’ swamp witch. It’s your construct, not ours.”
“I’m getting Eirexis back, one way or another,” Taeral said.
“For a moment, I was actually inclined to let you try it, but you’ve made a habit of surprising me in the least pleasant manner,” Brendel replied. “I’d rather not risk it. I’ve looked into you and your family line, worm. It’s an impressive heritage, I’ll admit. But it ends for you today.”
Taeral scoffed. “I can’t die, Brendel. You can’t kill me.”
I frowned, remembering Taeral’s account of his conversation with Death, and how she’d marked him, Eira and Lumi with indisputable immortality until they got Thieron back. It had left us somewhat vulnerable, but it didn’t stop us from wanting to do the right thing.
Brendel didn’t immediately respond, leaving a tense silence between us, which thickened and became toxic, making it harder for me to stand still. I fought warily against the urge to point my pulverizer weapon at her. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t do anything against an elemental. But the idea did feel comforting, for the better part of a minute. I wondered if Brendel had known, as well, somehow—if she hadn’t, well, she certainly knew now, and it couldn’t possibly sit well with her.
“I will wipe this entire place off the map,” Brendel finally said. “You will not touch Eirexis, I guarantee it.”
“Don’t you see, Brendel? The universe is working in our favor. It doesn’t want you doing this!” Taeral replied. “Try all you want, but one way or another, I will find Eirexis, and I will take it.”
Brendel dashed forward, reaching Taeral in the blink of an eye. My first instinct was to move back, but Varga’s hand gripped me tight, his fingers constricted around my wrist. He gave me a brief nod, as if telling me that we’d be okay. But Brendel was too close for me to believe that.
She stood mere inches from Taeral, her big orange fire figure significantly taller, prompting Taeral to tilt his head back so he could look at her. “You’re slightly delusional, worm,” she said, her voice low and cold.
Fallon chuckled by my side. “Actually, the kid’s on to something, and you know it,” he said, his voice rough and much louder than usual. He glanced at us as Brendel froze and recognized the emerald fires burning in his eyes.
“Kabbah…” she murmured.
Taeral looked back over his shoulder, gawking at Fallon, whose hands had begun to glow green, tiny threads of electricity sparkling across his body. It looked as though Kabbah was drawing energy from the air around him, increasing his elemental manifestation through Fallon. I wondered if the vampire-fae had summoned him or just let him in.
“I’ve been on the sidelines for too long, sister. It’s time you and I had a chat. Heart-to-heart, family style,” Fallon-Kabbah said.
“You’re actually going to do this?” Brendel asked, sounding incredulous.
“It’s not like you’ve given me any other choice,” Fallon-Kabbah replied.
Brendel cocked her flaming head to the side. “Are you sure, brother? You’re still using a fae conduit to manifest yourself. I’m starting to think you’re not as powerful as you made yourself out to be.”
Fallon-Kabbah roared a hearty laugh. Brendel had probably said the greatest joke ever, by the sound of it. “You flaming nitwit. You have no idea what potential these fae hybrids have,” he said, pointing at himself and at Taeral. “Well, you might know a thing or two about the Fire Star prince, here, but you clearly don’t understand the perks of my temporary meatsuit.”
“Is he seriously calling Fallon a meatsuit?” Varga murmured, genuinely appalled.
“Here, let me explain a few things,” Fallon-Kabbah said and put his arms out. Green fire erupted from them, crackling hungrily, eager to devour.
He released two streams of emerald flames, targeting the Hermessi closest to Brendel. I felt my eyes bulge as I watched the blaze cut through them, forcing the elemental figures to disintegrate. They spilled across the ground, struggling to regain their forms, but they had trouble recovering. Whatever the emerald fire had done, it rendered them weak.
Brendel moved back, astonished by this development. I couldn’t believe it, either.
Fallon-Kabbah gave us a sideways glance. “It’s not permanent,” he whispered. “Get your asses out of here so I can smite these scoundrels properly. I can’t do it now without hurting you, too.”
Taeral nodded and stepped to the side, and we huddled closer together. “What about Fallon?”
