Anthem of Ashes: Book 9 in the Spellsinger Series Read online

  A sizzling blue bolt zapped out from the gathering dark. Vivian flung out a hand and encased it in water. The sphere glowed with sparkling power until she dropped it onto the earth and grounded it. Speaking of grounding magic, Torin took a bolt directly to his hand and merely conducted it into the soil. Osamu's eyes went wide. It looked as if electricity couldn't disrupt all magic. Onyx has the ability to ground; a perfect counter to Eva's power. Torin winked at me, and I grinned back. He had drained shining ones dry; he could handle one witch.

  “Elaria,” Darc's voice moaned through the Darkness.

  I froze.

  “I'm dying,” he whispered.

  “It's not him, El!” Declan shouted. “Don't listen to it.”

  “I know,” I snapped. “That bitch is working my last nerve.”

  “Elaria,” the moan came again.

  “As if I wouldn't know if Darc were dying,” I snarled as I snapped my Light into the thickest shadows. I could feel Darc behind them. “And if he were, it would only motivate me to move faster. You'd better have more than creepy voices and lightning up your sleeve, Eva!”

  The Darkness trembled.

  “Not good,” Slate muttered as his stare sliced around us.

  A storm hit. Thunderclouds boiling with blackness, blue sizzling within. Electricity struck the ground in humming veins, crawling forward, closing the circle tighter and tighter around us. A wild wind picked up forest debris and swirled it about, gaining momentum. But the wind stemmed from Glinda, not Eva. In fact, all of the elements rose around us to create a shrieking barrier. But I couldn't focus on the fusion. My mind ran with my own pack; shining ones, shifters, and a blooder prince working in harmony with me to reach our lost man. I could feel each volley of stone that Slate slammed out, shoring up the witch barrier with one more solid. I knew the exact moment when Declan pierced the storm with a metal trident and speared it into the ground. Lightning hit all three points, uncontrollably drawn to the triple-tipped rod. But this wasn't just any lightning, a mind drove it, and the mind pulled it back. Brilliant cords struck out again, going straight for Cerberus, Gage, and Banning. They were the only ones who couldn't defend themselves against this kind of attack.

  Before I had a chance to panic, Torin stepped in front of the men and held his arms up; a living lightning rod. Arms outstretched, Torin pulled the electricity into him and not only took that attack but all others. The witches went still, elements settling into silence as they gawked at the shining one king. Even the Darkness held its breath.

  Torin glowed as he took Eva's magic and funneled it through himself, into the ground. Skin like sunshine, hair crackling with turquoise sparks, and clothes starting to smoke. His arms began to tremble and a vicious snarl twisted his features. The air around him went dry and snapped. Torin let out a low groan.

  “Torin!” I shouted and moved toward him.

  “No, Ellie! Don't touch him!” Gage grabbed me around my waist and held me back.

  The cords in Torin's neck tightened; his groan turning into a gasp. His eyes blazed blue.

  “RS, give him our power!” I shouted. “Help him!”

  Have some faith, RS chided all of us in our minds. He's the motherfucking King of Onyx, and he's got this. This is what his magic does. Let him do his thing.

  Sure enough, seconds later, Torin gave an exultant cry and dropped his arms, the electricity blinking out. He stumbled to his knees, and I rushed forward to hold him.

  “Tor,” I whispered.

  “I'm fine, little bird.” His arms went around me, his flesh feverish. “It just gave me a little shock.”

  I burst into relieved and astonished laughter.

  “Sorry to interrupt the sweet moment, but you two need to get up,” wariness colored Banning's voice.

  Torin and I instantly stood and searched the forest. Eva had drawn back her electricity, but the Darkness looked pissed. It rose up rumbling; a bubbling tide that threatened to wash us away.

  “It looks as if you were right, Odin,” I mused. “Option two.”

  “What's that?” Odin asked distractedly as he kept his gaze on the boiling dark.

  “You said there were two possible outcomes for taking an opposing magic. It looks as if Eva's experiencing option two; her magic was magnified by taking the Darkness. The conflict stimulated growth in both Darkness and Electricity and made them immune to each other.”

  “Fuck!” Slate snapped. “Stealing the Darkness made both magics stronger?”

  “Yeah, but I'm done fucking around,” I growled. “I have a way of strengthening my magic too.”

  “You're not thinking about uniting them again, are you El?” Cer asked warily. “Isn't that what almost burned you last time?”

  “Practice makes perfect,” I muttered.

  “Get ready to call Lucifer,” Declan said to Cer.

  “Fuck!” Cer hissed and pulled out his cellphone. “I hope I have fucking reception in this fucking, fucked-up forest!”

  Ky, I need Dia Frampton's “Out of the Dark,” I said in my mind.

  With pleasure, my love.

  A soft, tapping beat joined the gentle strumming of a guitar. Not at all appropriate sounds for war, but I wasn't fighting yet. First, I needed to get to the battleground. As I worked my way through the lyrics, from the remorse of wasted effort to a clawing awakening, the music pulsed into something more powerful. Magic surged up like fireworks. A plaintive cry turned into a triumphant tune. I may be lost now, but I'd find my way through the darkness. It was a piece of my lover, after all. I didn't want to hurt me; it wanted me to take it home.

  Fire, Light, and Spellsong united again, each supporting the other. Sublime. Profound. Intoxicating. I had dug my own grave and stared down into the abyss. Fighting against myself, I had toppled into it and nearly let death take me. When all along, I only needed to let go of my fear and turn the battle outward to win. Unify through intent. Now, I clawed my way out of that grave and filled it with confidence and purpose. I wouldn't lie down. Not ever. Not even for the Darkness.

  I lifted my hands and the Light cascaded down around our entire group in a glittering dome. The Darkness hit just as that shell settled into place. A sooty wave rolling over the shore, it tumbled over my umbrella of magic, searching for a way in. But Fire and Song bolstered the Light. I sang of a new path, a new way forward under an arc of magic. And we held firm, even when streaks of Darkness struck our shield like arrows. They burst into midnight sparks, sending ripples of brilliance over the barrier.

  The Darkness grew bolder and stronger. It covered my Light like crude oil and blinded us to what lay ahead. But I didn't need to see to know where Darcraxis was. I could stumble forward blind and still reach him. We are bound by more than love and now that the ward was down, nothing blocked his heart from mine. I'd pierce the dark to find him and bring him to my light, just as I had back when we were Gods.

  Go get our man, Ellie-Girl! the RS shouted.

  Lead on, I shot back.

  Straight ahead. There's a cabin; Eva's got him bound in electricity, standing in the middle of the room like a fucking Christmas tree. He's fighting it with Water, but she's fueling herself with Darkness.

  That's why she yanked back her electricity; she needed it to hold Torin, Kyanite added. I'm giving him what I can, but he's floundering, my love.

  Don't worry; I'll handle it, I promised.

  I know you will; we're here, RS said smugly. Give that bitch a few slaps for me.

  With pleasure.

  I closed my eyes and pushed out with a final flare of Light and the last lines of my song. The Darkness went rolling back on itself like plastic sheeting and then vanished altogether. I released my magic and the world went back to normal; neither too bright nor too dark.

  Before us, a rustic cabin slouched, wood boards warped with time and neglect. Windows were hazed with grime and every bit of metal was rusted. Several shingles had fallen from the roof, casualties of bricks that had tumbled from the chimney. Despite i
ts sorry state, smoke flowed steadily out of the crumbling chimney and a worn but clean rocking chair sat on the porch. One story and possibly only one room, the place looked as if it should have been left to rot. As a hideout, it left much to be desired.

  I strode up the creaking steps, but Gage stopped me before I touched the door.

  “Let Osamu go in first,” Gage whispered. “It might unsettle her.”

  I nodded and then looked back at Osamu. His eyes widened when I waved him forward, but he squared his shoulders and stepped up, wading through the mass of my men. I grabbed his shoulder before he reached for the knob.

  “Give it to me,” I whispered.

  “I should cast it; I crafted the spell,” he argued, not even trying to equivocate.

  I shook my head.

  “Elaria, please trust me. I will not fail you this time.”

  I stared him down but finally sighed and stepped aside. Osamu opened the door easily, without a spell or lock hindering him. It gave a horror-movie creak when he pushed it open.

  “Eva, what have you done?” Osamu whispered as he stood on the threshold.

  I pushed Osamu forward, and we flowed in around him; a river split by his stone. I scoped out the main room as I glided to the side. Cozier than I'd expected from the exterior, it had braided rugs, heavy furniture, a crackling fire, and an ex-god bound by glowing bands of magic, smack-dab in the center of it all.

  “I did what I had to do to get the power to hurt T.” Eva lifted her sharp chin as her steely stare darted to me. “Don't get too close, Elaria.” She curled a finger at Darc and the bands of electricity constricted. Darc made a slight huff of sound, that was all. But I knew him, and I knew that sound equated to pain.

  “Hurt him again, and I'll cut your hands off and feed them to you,” I said it simply; merely stating a fact.

  Darc chuckled. He had his stare fixed on me; had since the moment I walked in. His eyes darkened with anticipation. “It's about time you arrived, my fire.”

  “I had to find you first, baby.”

  “Nix the sweet talk,” Eva snapped as she slid behind Darcraxis. “I want the orb. Bring me the rest of Darc's magic, and I'll let him go. I have no wish to hurt him; only the Jinn Goddess.”

  “What do you mean?” I smirked. “The power you stole wasn't enough to kill a sleeping goddess?”

  Eva glowered at me.

  “Did it hurt? Taking the Darkness and forcing your Electricity to submit?” I continued casually. “Did they tear at you before they got stronger? I hope they did. I hope you suffered, you fucking traitor. But no matter; I'll make sure you suffer now.”

  “The potion Icarus gave me is gone,” Darc warned me. “I cast it on her, but she burned it away with electricity.”

  I flashed my gaze at Osamu and back. I wondered if his spell was stronger than Icarus' potion. Then again, maybe it didn't have to be. Torin had drained a huge amount of Eva's energy, I could see her hands shaking, perhaps that would be enough.

  “Don't worry about it, sweetheart,” I drawled. “She ain't got nothing on the full strength of our family.”

  That's right, baby! RS shrieked as power burst through my men and me.

  I gasped as the Rooster Spell earned her keep; uniting us to fuel our power with pieces of each other's as well as hers. I didn't hold onto what she gave me but sent it straight to Darcraxis; just like the rest of my men did. Darc roared—body glowing with a burst of phenomenal power—and flexed like a boxer before a fight. The magic binding him shattered in a shower of electric sparks and fizzled out.

  As Eva gaped at this beautiful display of magic and masculinity, Osamu crept up to her and splashed the contents of a small bottle on her chest. With a few muttered words, Eva was frozen in place, her eyes wide and wild as they skittered around in their sockets.

  “Take the magic but please don't kill her,” Osamu tried one last time.

  “I'll see what we can do,” I said evasively. “Go ahead, Darc; take it back.”

  Darcraxis stared Eva down; his eyes shifting into a shade so dark that it ceased to be blue. Sweat popped out on his brow as his stare narrowed to slits and the cords of his neck stood out. He growled and flung out a hand toward her.

  “She's fighting the spell!” Osamu hissed. “Hurry.”

  Darc made a savage sound and started toward Eva, but I grabbed his arm.

  “She's pushed it deep,” Darc snarled. “I don't know if I can reach it.”

  “Just look at me, honey.” I took his hands and turned him to face me. “Remember all that you are and all you've become.”

  Darcraxis started to smile as Kyanite played the song I'd requested. The gentle wavering guitar of “Magnet” by Jilian Linklater and Dan Storm rippled around us; butterfly kisses on our skin. I started the duet; sweetly calling to my magic and then offering it to my dark god. I wound my fingers with his and sang about how safe he made me feel and how strong his pull was. I'd never been able to resist him. It had been like this from the very beginning; back when we were pulled together across empty space, both of us yearning for what the other had. And what Darcraxis had was a power that went beyond magic. He has strength in his essential self, his essence, and I just needed to remind him of that.

  Kyanite prompted Darc with his lines, and I felt his own magic rise to seamlessly join with mine. Not Water or even the Darkness we were trying to regain. The magic Darc called upon was his Shining One ability; the power that had made him a king. His deep voice blended with mine; a vow of love and strength. Of belief in us. And together, we crafted a spell that Eva couldn't evade. One that pulled the Darkness out of her and drew it back to its true master like metal to a magnet.

  And we never even glanced at her. Not while she moaned in pain or shivered in fear. Not when she was completely drained of everything she had, including her electricity. Not even when Osamu's spell failed, and Eva fell to her knees to sob brokenly. She was beneath our notice. We were too busy rejoicing in what we were; to each other, to our family, and to our magic.

  The music ended and our lips met softly; a sacred touch to seal the ceremony before I sank into his embrace.

  “I love you, my fire,” Darc whispered in my ear.

  “I love you too, my darkness.”

  “My magic,” Eva moaned. “You took my magic.”

  “Just like you stole Darcraxis' magic!” Odin roared. “Be grateful that they let you live, you ingrate! You worm! I would have crushed you beneath my heel, but they showed you mercy. You should be begging for their forgiveness.”

  “Odin, it's done,” Vivian said gently as she laid a hand on his arm. “Be still, my friend.”

  Odin continued to glare at Eva, but he did so silently.

  “Do you have her magic?” I asked Darc.

  “No; we drained the energy, not the magic itself.” Darc glanced at Eva. “Her power will return in time. Possibly.”

  I let him go and turned to face Eva; that wasn't good enough.

  “She will be tried by the Coven.” Osamu rushed between us. “She won't hurt you again; I swear it.”

  I wavered. Darc's hand slipped back into mine.

  “You're lucky I'm full of happy adrenaline,” I snapped at Eva. Then I sighed. “Fine. Take her. But if she ever comes against me or mine again, I won't just take her magic, I'll tear out her fucking heart.”

  Osamu nodded quickly as he pulled Eva to her feet. “I understand. I'll make sure—”

  Odin snatched Eva away from Osamu. “No. I will make sure that Eva gets back to Coven Cay and safely put in a cell. You will have nothing more to do with her, Osamu. You failed as a teacher and a leader.”

  Osamu stiffened but nodded.

  “One more thing before you go.” I stepped forward and slapped Eva across her face; one, twice, three times. “I promised RS that I'd get in a couple of slaps for her. The last one is for Kyanite. And this”—I punched Eva, and she crumpled in Odin's arms—“is for me.”

  Odin nodded at me in smug approval and
startled to chuckle as he removed his traveling stone. He was still laughing when he vanished with the comatose witch in his arms.

  “Let's go home.” I turned my back on Osamu and faced my men.

  “Come with us, Osamu,” Vivian offered. “We have traveling stones now. We'll take you and your witches home.”

  “You have traveling stones?” Osamu looked from Vivian to me eagerly.

  “Don't even think about it!” I snapped at him and used my own stone to take me back to Tír na nÓg.

  Drop the mic; I was done with this shit.