Two Halves Series (75 page)

A new sphere bulged in my palm, ready to intersect his blow.

“Stop!” Vulcan raised his palm toward the attacker.

For the first time, I sensed apprehension from the collected warlock.

Why did he stop the demon from attacking me?

The red fire disappeared from the demon’s hands, and he stood motionless, as before, showing no reaction to what’d just happened.

“You think what you’d done scares me?” One of Vulcan’s brows arched up.

“Your feelings don’t concern me, warlock!” I wiggled my fingers.

“Ah, but they should.” Vulcan pressed his fingers to his lips before I could speak. “Sh. Watch, evil-bender.” The hypnotizing words curled around my ears again.

His hand swayed up and down and to the side like a conductors’, his finger twirling. A small tornado of lava formed at the river’s edge. He added motion to his wrist, and the elongated tunnel of magma danced to the rhythm like a puppet on strings. With each move, it grew wider and taller, spinning faster. Vulcan halted the dance, and the funnel stood upright. As his hand weaved back and forth again, the twister bent to the gesture in a suave and graceful waltz.

Vulcan never stopped staring at me. I watched his raw power with intent. Part of me knew he was showing off, but I wanted to see the control of earth’s elements I hadn’t imagined possible before. A wicked grin covered his face. On the next swing, Vulcan thrust his hand out, and the fire cyclone flew into the second demon, killing him. There were no ashes, his body eaten by the lava that splattered back into the river.

My jaw dropped as I stared at the mesmerizing flow.

“One left.” Vulcan’s hush flowed around the hall three times before leaving through one of the tunnels. The warlock shook his torso. Remnants of his spell splattered from his hands to the stone floor like drops of fire. He smirked, crossing his arms at his chest.

All air left my lungs.

He knows my destiny.

Vulcan remained the only one who stood between me and my fate. Why would he stop me and kill the demon himself? My instinct told me he wanted to show his power and fearlessness. It was like the demon he killed was an obstacle between him and his plans. Didn’t he know he was next? Did he
want
to be next?

“If you kill him, he’ll gain all your power,”
I recalled, “Your victory is also your doom.”

“Let me offer you a proposition, Eric. If you continue following the keepers, you’ll be nothing. No more evil-bending. You and I both know that’s not what you want. You want to stay who you are. I can help you achieve that.”

“You’re lying!” I shouted, hearing the confusion in my voice.

“Am I? Do as I ask, and I can guarantee you wouldn’t lose your mark, or your abilities. The keepers would no longer be able to enforce their rules upon you, or punishments. No one would be the wiser.”

But I would know.

“Why would you offer this to me?” I asked in a quieter voice than I intended.

“You’re questioning me because you know killing me would give me more power, and I wouldn’t actually die, instead reincarnate into a stronger force.”

“Then why the offer?” I stepped closer.

“I’m tired of a solitary life.” He shrugged.

“You have your demons.”

“Had,” he corrected.

“Why me?”

“You’re not boring, and you take pride in your work, your powers. I value that. We’d work well together.” Vulcan matched my every step toward him.

“You’re still a warlock. What are your intentions toward humans, vampires, and warlocks?”

“My brother was stronger than me, but not as powerful or smart as I am. He went about the whole destruction of the world and ruling alongside stupid creatures the wrong way. If it weren’t for your friends at the prison, things would have been different already. A new course of life would be set. You wouldn’t be stuck in the predicament you’re in today. Let’s call my goodwill a way of making peace. We can work together to control the humans, vampires, and warlocks so the keepers cannot impose their ancient laws on a modern world.” He paced three steps to one side, then to the other.

“That’s where we differ. I don’t think anyone should be controlled.”

“Aren’t they? What do you think the keepers are doing to you, Eric?” His stance strengthened as he rushed toward me, then stopped three feet away.

I didn’t budge, and answered, “Guiding.”

“Yes, another word for control. Don’t over think this, Eric. Don’t let the keepers destroy you. Let your heart guide you, Eric.” He smirked.

Vulcan sounded more like a leader than a warlock, a president who wanted to drag his country out of recession. But from my experience with humanity, presidents and leaders were the best liars, each one a prostitute in a different skirt.

“Imagine not seeing Mira for much longer than twenty years. Forever. Until your mortal life is extinguished. Imagine her tears after you died and her not knowing where your grave was to mourn you. Picture her with a new shapeshifter of my creation. Her curves and caramel skin must be delicious.” He licked his lips.

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rage boiled inside me. My bleeding spikes extended. I would never allow him to keep my goddess at his side!

“You won’t be here to stop me.” He shrugged, erasing any threat I tried to muster. The warlock held my heart in his palms, gently juggling from one hand to the other. “Mira’s life would continue without you. She’d cry, inevitably turning to me, blaming the keepers for your punishment. She’d make the decision you’re struggling with much quicker than you, and she’d join me for revenge.”

“You come close to her and…”

“And what? Kill me? Go ahead.” He pulled at the collar of his shirt, ripping it through the middle, exposing rugged muscles. Arms stretched out at his sides, Vulcan closed his eyes and raised his chin.

I twirled my fingers, feeling the energy of a fireball collect in my palm. It flowed through me in waves of anxiety and misfortune. The mark on my wrist glowed, pulsing in encouragement. In the moment when I had a chance to finish my task, I couldn’t. I wasn’t prepared to lose my life. I now doubted I’d ever be ready.

“Your punishment from the keepers is my blessing. Let me make it yours as well,” Vulcan coerced.

As an evil-bender, I would have never imagined I’d consider an offer from a warlock, especially someone this powerful and persuasive. I never swayed, nor thought I could be influenced by someone else. Everything inside me told me not to listen to him, but now the increased stakes included Mira’s destiny. The thought of what she’d do when I left never occurred to me, or perhaps I didn’t want to think about it. Letting Vulcan have a part in her future would be unforgiving.

“What if I don’t kill you, or join you?” I asked.

“You don’t have a choice with that thing on your wrist, do you?” Vulcan pointed to my glowing mark.

He was right. I could already feel the tingling sensation flow from my wrist to my neck to the rhythm of the mark’s guidance. The electricity intensified with each minute, and I wouldn’t be able to avoid it much longer.

“I need to think about it.” I meant my voice to be louder, but shame shushed me.

“You have twenty-four hours, Eric. After that, I won’t give you a choice but to kill me.” He smirked.

How did the warlock position himself to benefit from any decision I’d make? Where did his good fortune come from? Was he the one influencing the keepers to purposely place me in this predicament? And how did he possess a new body so quickly? We thought it’d take him months to find a new host.

With his head held high, Vulcan sunk into the solid rock below as if he’d been standing on a movable platform. The warlock disappeared below the underworld.

Heaving, I fell to my knees. My chest tightened, and my head pounded like I’d just stepped out of a decompression chamber.

Twenty-four hours!

How could I make that decision? Inside, I already knew what my choice would be. Hurting Mira was not an option. I couldn’t take a chance of her being at Vulcan’s side. I couldn’t let her suffer the way I would if she died. But my water mark still guided me to follow its choice. The energy inside me told me to kill Vulcan. How could I join him then? How could I defy the mark?

Eric?
I heard in my mind.

It’s not a good time, Sarah,
I replied to the half-breed vampire I’d been responsible with protecting in the past. Her children had bound Aseret to the hereafter, something I should have done to Vulcan long before now.

Where are you? What’s wrong? I keep hearing your wailing inside my head.

I didn’t realize I’d reached out to her. Sarah could only hear me when I wanted her to. Closing my eyes, I bit my lip. Nothing in my life has prepared me to make such a difficult choice between right and wrong, and I wasn’t ready to speak with anyone about it. Perhaps Sarah was the only one who could understand. She followed her instinct, even when the decisions seemed rushed. Her unwise choices in the past had turned out for the better. Could I do as she did? Should I?

You seem different.

I felt different. My allegiance to the keepers had never been in doubt before. Was my instinct stronger than the wise minds of the keepers? Were Mrs. G and Xela correct to suspect someone else influenced the keepers’ verdict to punish me?

Come to the Amazon,
Sarah offered.
You’re worrying me.

I cannot.
I held my trembling hands in front of me. They faded out of focus. The underworld hall spun in front of me in orange and red twirls. The keepers’ energy had left me, and I’d never been so drained and distraught—so unlike me. The feeling of loss of power and strength was new. For the first time in my life, I thought I’d heard death knocking on my door as my body slammed to the ground on its side. My head hit the overheated stone floor.

Why not? I thought you liked visiting.

I do, and I would, but I have no strength to vortex. I need to rest.
I let a long breath out as my other shoulder thumped on the rock, and I turned onto my back. The candles on the giant chandelier overhead blended into one flame. Sweat covered my trembling body as if I had a fever, and I pulled my knees to my chest, lolling to the side. I curled on the rock floor, trying to feel the aches in my limbs and my neck, but I couldn’t. Was this what death felt like? And if I died today, did it not make sense to kill Vulcan first? Did the keepers drain me of strength on purpose, sensing my swaying thoughts? Was I nothing to them?

I’m sending help, Eric. Hold on.

I heard haste in Sarah’s voice but I wasn’t sure whether I should, or could, reply. It had never happened before—that the purpose I’d recognized in my life seemed pointless. Once the keepers punished me, my services and loyalty would no longer be required. Could I fulfill their order to kill, knowing it was wrong? Killing wasn’t the answer, at least not in this case.

Mira.

I had to hold on for her sake and couldn’t let Vulcan near her. Ever. Perhaps joining him made sense. At his side, I could ensure he wouldn’t get close, and I could protect her.

The casters, Sarah’s children who were destined to save human- and vampire-kind, could handle the turmoil of the underworld that Vulcan would cause. Though now, it didn’t seem like the demon wanted a war. His plans were more subtle and conniving. He reminded me of the howling silence that filled the air before an oncoming storm.

“It’s time to go, Uncle Eric.” I felt Ayer’s, Sarah’s son, hand on my shoulder. With my eyes still closed, I inhaled his scent of honey and lemon. It made me feel like a kid.

Ayer placed his arm under my knees and upper back, lifting me with ease.

You’ve been tainted,
I heard him say in my mind, but couldn’t reply.

What did he mean? I knew my negative thoughts were new. I’d never had them before. Hope and strength always fueled my body. Never a doubt—until now. New uncertainty circled my heart, tying it in knots with a barbed wire.

The wind blew through the corridors of the underworld, and I pictured the dust swirling in beautiful patterns as Ayer opened a new vortex. A mix of greens and tantalizing jungle scents danced from within. I nested in Ayer’s embrace like a child. It’s been so long since I’d been that age. My mind drifted away to the memories of my innocent life.

My feet swung out, lifting me higher in the air, and then curled under as I flew backward. The air was cold. it froze my cheeks with each push.

I was flying. Like Superman.

Castall, my teacher, sat on a nearby bench. He was like a father to me, and I liked his magic. He’d said one day I’d learn how to do magic as well. I couldn’t wait to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The swing shot higher.

I giggled louder.

Castall smiled.

A mom came to the swing set with her daughter. She and Castall exchanged a few words while I played with the girl. Her name was Ella. On her next push, Ella flew too high and fell off the swing.

Her chest compressed. She didn’t breathe.

The mom screamed and panicked, crying.

I looked at Castall, but he waited patiently, as if to see what I’d do. Gently, I took the mom’s hands away from her daughter. My touch seemed to calm her. Now, she waited for me as well, like she understood something I didn’t. Underneath my scarf, my neck tingled. Purple light weaved around my fingers, and I thought I was the only one to see it.

Touch her chest.
I heard in my mind.

I listened.

Ella’s body heaved up and fell down.

I moved back, staring at her rising chest. She opened her eyes and her mom lifted her into her arms.

My left wrist throbbed, and I rubbed it through my sleeve.

“It’s time to go, Eric,” Castall placed his hand on my shoulder. “A mark has chosen you.”

“What mark?” I asked.

“The water mark. It’s time I taught you some magic.”

I couldn’t wait to pull the rabbit out of the hat.

* * *

The chirping from a nest of fledglings stirred my dream. Still dazed, I opened my eyes. Linen curtains fluttered above my head. I inhaled and smiled.