City Of Tears (23 page)

“Who is Gema?” Lyrik asked the being.

“My mate.”

Saebin forced herself to see beyond the torment of that day, to remember every action, every emotion. “They were drawn through the portal when Krystabel retreated from the pain. Ensley! They were forced into Ensley. Come. We must rouse her.” She ran down the corridor, blood rushing through her ears. This was the only tangible link they had to Krystabel. They couldn’t let it slip away.

Berk flew past her as they entered the lab. He knelt beside Ensley, gathering her into his arms. “Gema, my love. You must awaken.”

Lyrik dragged him away from Ensley’s unconscious body. “If you return to your dimension, will the other return to hers?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. We have been in these bodies too long. Our beings have fused with theirs. If we return to our dimension these two will cease to exist.”

“That’s not a problem,” Saebin said without inflexion.

“The other must have a receptacle, or she cannot return.”

Saebin looked at Ensley and shuddered. “Can she inhabit the body Gema will vacate?”

“No. It will be destroyed by our leaving.”

Without explanation, Drakkin blinked out of sight. He strode into the lab a moment later carrying the female Mystic. “I will work to repair this body. We don’t have much time or death will taint the transfer.” He looked at Saebin. “You are a conduit. You must guide her, bring her being into this receptacle.”

Saebin’s head pounded so forcefully she could barely think. “I don’t know how!”

“You know,” Drakkin shot back without looking up from the female Mystic. “You have always known.”

“Will this work?” Lyrik asked Berk. “Can she return if she has somewhere to go?”

“I do not know.” He paused, compassion gleaming in his fathomless eyes. “All we can do is try.”

Kneeling between Ensley and the Mystic, Saebin formed a link between the two. “Rouse her,” she said to Drakkin, knowing her own mental compulsion would have no effect. Ensley jolted, her eyes flying open, horror contorting her features. The blue rings returned to the Stirate’s gaze as his body began to shake.

Saebin sensed Berk and Gema gathering energy, draining it from the Stirate and Ensley. Their bodies trembled, and their faces twisted, shriveled, then wasted away. With sudden, violent force Berk and Gema projected themselves to a destination beyond Saebin’s comprehension. The Stirate screamed. Ensley moaned, and fire erupted inside Saebin. She fought the searing pain, forcing her energy to flow away from Ensley and into the female Mystic.

Strength drained out of Saebin. She closed her eyes, fire giving way to cold. Isolated and afraid, a signal emerged from the abyss. The faint smell of flowers teased her nose.

Krystabel! Here, I am here! You’re not alone
. Saebin sent the thought into the darkness with the last of her strength.
Come back to us. All Ontariese is waiting for your return.

A trickle of energy flowed through Saebin, growing stronger with each passing second. Relief and happiness flooded her senses. Energy rushed, surged and bubbled, making her want to laugh.

She turned her head toward the female Mystic and slowly opened her eyes. Their gazes locked. Purple marbled the dark brown, intensifying and expanding until only purple remained.

“Saebin?” The Mystic spoke, but it was Krystabel’s voice.

Saebin’s fingers went numb, and she released her mother’s hand. “Welcome back,” she whispered, then slipped into the void.

They gathered on the banks of Rainbow Falls the following morning. Water rushed over sheer cliffs and pounded into the pool far below. Light passed through the resulting mist, creating a multitude of tiny, colorful arcs. Saebin suspected the others had seen it all before. How else could they gaze upon such beauty and not gape with awe?

Lyrik intertwined their fingers and drew her away from the falls. Dense trees surrounded the grassy clearing. Trey kept his feisty life mate near him by resting his arm across her shoulders. Charlotte embraced Krystabel so tightly and held on so long that Tal smiled and gently pulled her back.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” Emotion made Charlotte’s voice tremulous. “I refused to give up hope, but each day, each passing cycle, made it harder to believe I would ever see you again.” Happy tears shone in the High Queen’s turquoise eyes.

“I understand all too well.” Krystabel smiled through her tears and hugged Charlotte again. “Time had no meaning in the other dimension until I sneaked through the portal and contacted someone I knew. I was terrified everyone I loved would have died before I figured out how to leave that place.”

“Berk also spoke of this portal.” Saebin felt intrusive, and yet there was so much she still didn’t understand. “I know you used it to escape the pain of Hydran’s torture, but —”

“She wasn’t tortured,” Krysta cut in. “Hydran allowed a girl to be brutalized hoping to motivate Mother to gestate another one of his science experiments. Mother absorbed the girl’s injuries.”

“I retreated to the metaphysical plane when I felt my body dying.” Krystabel tucked a strand of sandy blonde hair behind her ear. “I expected that my being would soon follow. Then I sensed the portal.”

“Are there many such portals on the metaphysical plane?” Saebin looked from one face to another. “So much of this is still unclear.”

“I created the portal.” Tal sounded embarrassed by the admission. “Charlotte was dying. I had no choice, but I knew what I did was forbidden.”

“What did you do?” Like the threads of fine cloth, everything was connected, one fine strand led to the next, supporting and interweaving.

“I Summoned the Storm and purged the metaphysical plane. It freed Charlotte from our enemy’s trap, but it also created the rupture, the opening to this other dimension.”

Saebin nodded, as another layer was revealed. “I was linked with Mother, attempting to heal her when she retreated through the opening. That’s when Berk and Gema emerged.”

“But Krystabel was on Earth, and Master Tal was on Ontariese,” Lyrik pointed out.

“The metaphysical plane transcends the barriers of space and time.” Drakkin finally entered the conversation. “You know this, Lyrik. You’ve experienced it firsthand.”

“When they brought the
Tempest
through the interdimensional portal.”

“Yes. When a Mystic Summons the Storm, the vortex they create manipulates the metaphysical plane. Now, as wonderful as this reunion is, we are here to make decisions.” The ominous edge to Drakkin’s tone silenced everyone. “We are the only ones who know Krystabel is back and that Seth survived his kidnapping.”

“What are you suggesting?” Krysta pressed the child against her chest, tucking his dark head beneath her chin. Though Seth had yet to complete his second cycle, he appeared much older. His legs wrapped around her waist, his sleep undisturbed by the conflict surrounding him.

Krystabel moved across the clearing and looked her daughter in the eyes. “I knew he was the key to my return, but I didn’t understand what that meant. Thoughts of Seth kept me going, made me determined to fight as the forces in that dimension eroded my being. I believed Seth would somehow rescue me, and in a way, he has. If Ensley hadn’t kidnapped him, we never would have learned about Gema and Berk.”

Krysta took a step back her gaze narrowed and wary. “Seth is all I have of Belle, all I will ever have.”

“That’s not true.” Krystabel shook her head. “Belle is part of you, and she will never be forgotten by any of us.” After a short pause, she continued in a stronger, more assertive tone. “I believe I was allowed to return so I can care for Seth.”

“No!” Charlotte cried. “I know what you’re thinking. You can’t mean to leave. A few hours is all I’m allowed after half a lifetime searching for you?”

Krystabel turned toward her sister. “Nothing and no one can ever separate us again.” She swept Charlotte with a Mystic wave so powerful it made Saebin tingle. “Our trials are coming to an end, but Seth’s have just begun. We must think about what is best for him.”

“This can’t be happening.” Krysta’s voice broke, and she closed her eyes as Seth stirred restlessly. “I knew this was what you wanted when Trey told me where we were going. Why didn’t I refuse? I should have refused!”

Shaken by the emotions surging around her, Saebin leaned into Lyrik’s warmth. Was life always bittersweet? Why must joy come at such a high price?

“Why were you so certain this is what we’d suggest?” Krystabel asked, a hint of challenge in her tone.

Krysta turned toward Trey. Seth squirmed between them, pivoting to wrap his chubby arms around Trey’s neck. “Because — you’re right. He isn’t safe on Ontariese.”

“It’s not just Seth’s safety we must consider,” Drakkin said. “No one knows what abilities he’ll manifest. Vee planned to bring him to the Conservatory as he matured, to watch him closely and train him personally.” He glanced at Tal as he added, “That is no longer an option.”

“Seth will always be welcome at the Conservatory,” Tal objected.

“That’s not what I meant. Vee named you his successor. It will be more challenging than you realize just to see that the transfer of power goes smoothly. I have faith in your abilities, as did Vee, but being wed to the High Queen will be enough of an obstacle. Many will challenge your neutrality.”

“My defense of Seth has been nearly as boisterous as Krysta’s.” Charlotte gaze shone with unshed tears, but she had regained control of her voice. “Vee cared about the Conservatory almost as deeply as he cared about his son. The integrity of his life’s work must be maintained. We owe him that much at least.”

Drakkin accepted her decision with a nod and turned, sharing his gaze between Trey and Lyrik. “You both have challenges awaiting you. The City of Tears is ripe for rebellion. Are you strong enough to reestablish balance on the Day Moon?”

“I’m not even sure I’m returning to the City of Tears.” Lyrik pulled Saebin close against his side. “Saebin has known nothing but subjugation there.”

“The forces subjugating her are gone, and you could easily be the man your father should have been.” With a fortifying breath, he turned back to Krysta. “Krystabel will accompany me to Bilarri and raise Seth as her own. They will assume new identities until Trey has had time to oust the NRS.” Drakkin paused expectantly.

Krysta ignored him and stroked Seth’s hair. “I will be able to visit him?”

“After a time,” Krystabel said. “Remember, we don’t have to be in the same room to communicate.”

“You’re forgetting one thing.” Charlotte drew her sister’s attention, her expression suddenly resolute. “According to the sacred traditions we should be joint High Queens.”

Krystabel smiled and shook her head. “Ontariese already has a High Queen, and the conflict facing you now has nothing to do with the sacred traditions.” Krystabel would not be swayed. “Don’t become complacent in your power. Ontarians without Mystic abilities deserve equal representation. There will always be those who are discontent, but the NRS never should have gotten this far. The overlord should have laughed in the face of the Rodytes and immediately contacted you.”

Charlotte accepted the criticism with a stiff nod. “We will claim we met during this crisis. No one will question a few visits to Bilarri.”

Krysta still clung to Trey, Seth cradled between them. “I can’t do this,” she whispered.

Trey rubbed her back, not pressuring or rushing, just waiting for her to assimilate the information. When her stubbornness persisted, he smiled. “We can move to Bilarri, but we’d have to come up with a damn good reason.”

She sniffled and eased away, leaving him with the boy. “I know this must be done. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Lyrik shook his head, whispering to Saebin, “Trey has the patience of a saint.”

“I heard that,” Krysta replied, shooting him a warning glare.

“I know this is hard for you,” Drakkin told Krysta. “But if it’s any consolation, you will have a child of your own before the next cycle passes.”

He said no more as he took the boy from Trey. Saebin was surprised at how comfortable the Bilarrian looked with a child in his arms. Krystabel paused for another round of hugs, then took her place at Drakkin’s side.

“This is an intermission in our mutual adventures.” Drakkin predicted. “We shall meet again.” He handed Seth to Krystabel, and all three blinked out of sight.

“Did you hear what he said?” Trey sounded as shocked as Krysta looked. “Are you pregnant?”

“Not yet.” Krysta blinked away her tears. “I hate it when he does that.”

“If Seth’s existence must remain a secret, how do we explain what happened on the Night Moon?” Saebin blew out a long, steady breath. They’d survived the most incredible ordeal, and each had exciting opportunities awaiting them. So why did she feel so sad?

“We use the senseless tragedy to discredit the NRS,” Trey said.

“The overlord’s involvement in something so vile will turn the warlords against him permanently,” Lyrik added. He slipped his arms around Saebin’s waist, drawing her back against his chest.

Comforted by his embrace, Saebin considered the possibilities. For so long she’d been given orders, forced to accept whatever objective her handler demanded. There was no one left to control her. It felt odd and wonderful and just a bit daunting. “What do we do now?”

“Whatever you want,” Lyrik replied. He kissed her on the temple and added, “Whatever
we
want.”

Atop Lyrik’s villa, overlooking the City of Tears, Saebin pondered the meaning of freedom. She’d spent the afternoon with Krysta and Aunt Charlotte, eating what she wanted, going where she pleased. Did that make her free? Grasping the smooth alloy railing surrounding the rooftop garden, she watched the sun set between Ontariese and the dead Night Moon. The ghosts were vanquished, the compound destroyed. Was this all there was to freedom?

Lyrik’s shuttle glided into view and landed at the opposite end of the expansive rooftop. She leaned back against the railing and watched him approach. Dressed in a formal uniform of black and gold, he had never appeared more intimidating — or more appealing. The setting sun gilded his hair and made his eyes gleam with a mixture of emotions she couldn’t quite define. Her heart raced, and her fingers tingled as she anticipated the hours of pleasure awaiting them.