Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) (20 page)

A woman emerged from the tomb. Her flowing green dress spilled around her like puddles of water. Her bare feet didn’t touch the ground. Fresh green grass sprouted with each step, but shriveled and died just as quickly. Her face outshone the sun, and her amber eyes cut sharper than razors. Her long silken brown hair blew in a non-existent wind.

The blue snakes slithered around her ankles. She picked one up and kissed its head. It wrapped itself around her arm.

“The Azure Serpents, how long you’ve awaited my return. Rise again, my faithful guardians,” she sang.

The snakes at her feet writhed beneath her. Their bodies formed limbs and grew. Their scales transformed into leathery skin. The serpents stood on two feet as men. Blue tattoos covered their bodies. Disheveled hair and beards covered their faces.

“It’s true,” Julia muttered. “The ancient stories of the Order are true.”

“Ealga, why do you appear surprised to see your brothers-in-arms?”

Danu moved to touch Julia’s cheek, but Eli stepped in front of her. Danu tilted her head and smiled. Her pack of human-serpents growled and hissed behind her. Her finger brushed across Eli’s jaw.

“This brave, stupid boy moves to protect you from me?”

Danu’s face contorted into a scowl. With a wave of her hand, Eli fell to the ground. Danu’s eyes passed over the others, and one by one they dropped. Nessie, Rusty, Gideon, and Joe crumpled like broken dolls. Only the trinity remained conscious. Valera crawled over to Gideon and touched his neck. His pulse beat strong under her fingers. Danu laughed.

“My beautiful daughters, fear not. The mortals merely sleep. I desire a word alone with you.” Her voice was like music, however her perfect downturned lips defied her tranquil tone.

Danu was awake, and she wasn’t happy.

Chapter Nineteen

Julia

Julia moved closer to Valera and Theo with her hand on the hilt of Ealga’s sword. This wasn’t how she imagined facing Danu. She’d grown up listening to the legends of the Order. The academy prided themselves on their lineage to Danu’s guard, but the azure serpents were metaphorical – or so she thought. Aetherians praised Danu as a benevolent, loving goddess, but the creature in front of her felt twisted and wrong.

As Danu approached them, Julia’s grip grew tighter. Theo’s knuckles turned white around the scepter, and Valera held aether. Danu’s pointy-nailed fingers rose to touch her, and Julia lifted the sword. The strange serpent-men inched forward, but Danu held her arm in the air, and they calmed and backed away. The goddess laughed. With a simple swipe of her hands, the weapons were thrown to the side.

“Those toys are not needed, my children. You need not fear me,” Danu chimed.

Holding her arms out wide, she wrapped them around all three girls and kissed each on the forehead. A warm sensation filled Julia. . . a memory flashed through her mind of her own mother cradling her as a baby.

“My Ealga, Maera, and Aeda, I’ve missed you so.” Danu looked down at their faces and frowned. She gripped Julia’s chin between her fingers and stared into her eyes. “No, not Ealga. A daughter long past Ealga.”

She released the girls and looked them up and down. She touched Julia’s hair and the material of her shirt. Her amber eyes flickered over those on the ground.

“How long have I slumbered?”

Julia stammered, “A… a long… time.”

Her answer didn’t seem to please Danu. Julia felt a vibration in the air, and the serpents cowered away. Then, Danu calmed.

She sighed, “What may I call you, daughter of my daughter?”

Julia swallowed the lump in her throat. “I am Julia, descendent of Ealga. This is Theo, descendant of Maera, and Valera, descendant of Aeda.”

“Strange names indeed,” Danu mulled and nodded. “So it shall be. You heard my call and came to me, therefore you shall rule at my side. Come, my children.”

In the middle of the sleeping bodies, Julia heard moaning. Danu stepped over the bodies and found Lawless, semi-awake and groaning. Her smile widened.

“Who is this man?”

“A mad man named Lawless,” Julia hissed.

Danu frowned. “I can sense his adoration. Could one so loyal be mad?”

She woke him. He sat up and looked around frantically. When he saw the other unconscious forms on the ground, he grinned. Then, his eyes saw Danu. He bellowed and bowed before her. His stump of a hand reached to caress the hem of her dress. Danu touched his head.

“Rise, loyal servant.”

He stayed on the ground before her. “I cannot, for your beauty paralyzes me.”

“Oh, please,” Julia lashed out. “He’s a dangerous maniac. He nearly killed us.”

Danu spun around and held a sharpened fingernail inches from Julia’s nose. Her amber eyes turned black. Julia stumbled back and rubbed her eyes.

Danu sneered through fang-like teeth, “Hear me, child. All who revere me are my wards and shall serve. Those who do not, shall be punished.” Danu turned back to Lawless. “Will you serve?”

Lawless stood and gripped his arm, moaning. “I will serve you for all eternity, my goddess.”

She looked at his blackened hand. “Your sacrifice will be honored. You shall stand at the head of my devotees.”

He stared at her in awe, and then held his injured hand in the air. Julia wasn’t sure what he thought would happen, but Danu patted him on the head like a dog and turned away. His face crumpled in disappointment. Julia almost laughed. Danu looked around the island and tsked.

“This place is barren and lifeless. I desire to see this
modern
world. Together, we will make it our empire,” Danu declared.

There was no way Julia would release Danu upon the unsuspecting people of the planet – Aetherian or otherwise. Julia could only imagine the destruction Danu would reap. With access to modern technology and weaponry, she’d be unstoppable. Then again, she may be unstoppable without it. Julia was beginning to understand why Danu’s daughters put her in the tomb in the first place. They had to distract her until they could get help.

Julia stepped forward and tried to humble herself. “Mother, would you not like to rest? Your waking must have been taxing.”

Her mind raced to think of a place to take the goddess. Julia grimaced. She sounded like such a fool. She was tired and drained from the day. Theo stepped up beside her and curtsied.

“We know a place where you can rejuvenate,” Theo said.

“A place called Subterria,” Julia added.

Theo and Valera nodded. Taking her into the broken city would give them time to figure out what to do.

“Where is this… Subterria?”

Danu didn’t seem impressed with their suggestion. Julia had to convince her and fast.

“Subterria is an underground kingdom fit for a goddess,” she lied.

“Very well,” Danu sighed. “We will go to Subterria.”

Eli moaned on the ground. Julia knelt beside him. She didn’t want to leave him behind. Danu stood over them and caressed the top of Julia’s head.

“Something troubles you?”

“Um, well, these people. We can’t just leave them.”

“As I’ve said they are not in danger, and they’ll wake soon.” Danu said. Julia didn’t feel any better. “And, yet, you still look troubled. You are attached to them?”

“Some of them, yes,” Julia said.

Danu knelt beside Julia, taking her shoulders and kissing her cheek. “You may each choose one to revive. They will accompany us to our palace.”

Julia’s heart clenched. Although her choice was easy, she didn’t want to leave anyone behind. She didn’t know what would happen after they left – if they could leave. Julia looked to Theo and Valera. Valera’s eyes teared up, looking between her brother, Nessie, and Gideon.

Julia bit her lip. She stood up next to Eli.

“Him,” she whispered.

Theo moved toward Victor. She was leaving Joe behind.

“Him.”

Valera knelt beside Gideon. Theo had made her choice easier.

“I will bring Gideon.”

Danu raised her arms and a light flowed to each man. Their eyes popped open right away, and they sat up. Even Victor was awake and aware. Theo squealed in happiness. She dropped down next to him and wrapped her arms around him. He jumped in surprise, but hugged her back.

“What’s happening?” He whispered. “There was a wolf…”

“Danu’s awake. She’s dangerous, Victor.”

He released her and got up. Valera ran to her twin in tears, with Gideon close behind her. Julia and Eli joined the group. Julia pretended to bring them all into a group hug.

In the middle of the huddle, she whispered, “We’ve made a terrible mistake.”

Chapter Twenty

Valera

Valera was terrified of what they’d done. Danu wasn’t the earth mother she’d expected. In fact, the very ground she walked on shriveled and died beneath her. This woman was demanding and selfish. She scared Valera to her core.

What did we do?
Valera reached out to Theo and Julia.
I’m scared.

The second the thoughts left her mind, she knew she’d made a horrible error. Danu faced Valera with her terrible grimace. Valera’s chest tightened.

“Do you regret your actions? Do you still fear me?” Danu growled. “I am your mother... your goddess. Do not question me, dear one.”

Valera cast her eyes at the ground. Danu’s hand slid down her cheek to her chin. The woman’s nail left a trail of pain over Valera’s skin. Then Danu lifted Valera’s head and wrapped her other arm around Gideon’s shoulder. A cold chill rippled through Valera’s spine. Even though a smile touched Danu’s face, Valera saw contempt in Danu’s eyes. She couldn’t let Gideon get hurt.

“Forgive me Mother, this is all so… overwhelming.” Valera’s voice trembled. “I’m in awe of your greatness.”

She hoped that flattery and humility would satisfy the woman, but Danu held tight to Gideon’s shoulder. He stood frozen in place, his eyes pleading with Valera.

“You have good taste, Valera. This one is intelligent and handsome.” Danu caressed Gideon’s face, then sighed, “You are forgiven.”

She released Gideon and whistled to Lawless, who came running to her side. Valera fell into Gideon’s arms, shaking.

“We’ll get through this,” he whispered into her ear, as he stroked her hair.

“It’s time to go, children. Take me to… Subterria,” Danu commanded.

Valera looked at the weathered lifeboats. They were the only way off the island, but they weren’t seaworthy. Not to mention, she didn’t want to be on the tiny craft with Danu or her strange blue-tattooed minions. The question was: who would explain to her that they were stuck?

Julia stepped forward, clearing her throat. “Mother, our transport was destroyed on the voyage.”

Danu erupted in laughter. “I have so much to teach you. You are like babes. We do not need the contraptions of man. We need only to imagine our destination. Close your eyes.”

Valera took Gideon’s hand and closed her eyes. She felt like a worm was wriggling through her mind. Danu’s voice sounded inside her head.

Visualize our destination
.

Valera pictured Subterria from the last time she was there. The charred remains of a city in civil war. She imagined the barricades and the wealthy district in ruins. Someone else took her free hand. Her eyes flung open. One of the serpent-men crushed her hand in his. She tried to pull away, but he held firm. Danu stood in the middle of their circle.

Concentrate, Valera
.

Even though she was sickened by the creature beside her, she refocused on Subterria. Theo, Julia, and Danu’s thoughts entangled with her own. Her body felt weightless as if she were drifting in space. A brisk breeze fluttered around her, turning into an icy blast. The feeling stopped, and the man beast dropped her hand.

When she opened her eyes, they were standing in a circle near the remains of the park. Subterria was dim and empty. The smell of decay was unbearable. Valera threw a hand over her mouth in disgust. Danu’s eyes went from amber to red as she eyed the city.

“What trickery is this?” Danu accused. “This will not do. You’ve brought me to a dungeon.”

Julia jumped forward and lied, “Mother, this is an atrocity. I lived in this city for many years. I don’t know what happened.”

Valera was impressed with the added tears that sprang from Julia’s eyes. Danu’s face softened – though her eyes remained red.

“Do not fret, my child. The city will be great once again,” Danu cooed.

She peered at the ceiling and aimed her hand at the aether orbs in the sky. A wisp of blue light floated up from her fingers. When the wisp touched the orbs, they flared to life. The city lit up brighter than it ever had before. Danu inhaled and blew a gust of crackling mist across the cavernous city. The decaying material fizzled away. The river waters ran clear again. The fountain reformed itself into Danu’s image and flowed to life. The charred patchy grass sprouted.

Danu turned to the Order’s headquarters. With palms extended, she lifted her hands. The cavern shifted and crumbled. Massive chunks of rock fell from the ceiling. Valera cowered away, but the rocks disintegrated just above their heads. All of the debris from the ruined buildings lifted and reshaped itself. The wealthy district merged into one massive underground palace. Next came a storm of flame that seared across every surface, melting the stone into a smooth, glossy finish.

“Come, daughters. Welcome to our new home.”

Moving toward the restored palatial headquarters, Danu ascended the stairs and the double doors swung open. Julia, Theo, and Valera filed in after her, followed by the boys and snake-men. They entered into a large empty room with crystal columns that ran up to the ceiling. Danu peered around the room, tapping her chin.

“A goddess needs a throne,” she snapped her fingers.

A polished rock throne grew from the ground at the end of the hall. She marched up to it as if she were in a royal procession. With all the grace of a queen, she sat upon her throne and looked out over the empty room. Once again she snapped her fingers, and Lawless sat on the floor beside her like a favored pet.

“I shall rest here, my children. On the hall to the left, you will find your rooms. My awakening was difficult for us all. Repose now, and we will speak later. Your companions may accompany you. Sleep well, my daughters.”

With that, the girls were dismissed. They explored the left wing of the palace and found three huge suites full of fine furnishings. Valera wondered where the antiques came from, remembering similar furniture in the wealthy district during the battle. Their names were carved on the stone doors. Valera stopped at her suite, but couldn’t bring herself to go in. She and Theo gathered in Julia’s room at the end of the wing. Valera wanted nothing more than to be far away from Danu. Valera curled up with Gideon in a chair. He ran a hand up and down her back. A yawn cracked her jaw. She had never felt so tired. Julia flopped on the bed. Theo fell beside her. Valera tried to speak to them, but she felt so drained. Instead, she closed her eyes and slept.