“Where?”Arim snarled, his worry evident as he stepped in the direction of the stairs.
I quickly answered, “Upstairs.First door on the right.”
In a flash, Arim disappeared, followed by Aerolus, who teleported.
I ran with Cadmus up the stairs and entered my brother’s room.
And stared in horror.
Darius and Samantha lay in an unholy blaze, black and blue flames singeing their bodies and souls as they lay helpless under the Wraith’s Kiss.
With my attention fixed on the flaming bed, I hadn’t heard Arim chanting from the other side of the room, but his voice grew louder.He shoved his hand through the blaze and caused the heat in the room to turn downright melting.
I readied my water magic, prepared to keep the rest of us safe while Arim worked to fix Darius and Samantha.
“By the Light’s Holy Fire.”Cadmus paled as we watched Arim battle a cursed spell originated in the darkest realm.We’d all seen it before, used with great success by the Netharat.
Arim hadn’t stopped chanting, his flesh now smoking as he reached the gem floating above Darius and closed his fist around it.
At first, nothing happened.Gradually, the blaze transferred from Samantha and Darius to him.The rest of his skin turned a mottled blue-black, the smell of charred flesh filling the air.
I fought the urge to vomit, concentrating on willing my kin and Samantha well.
Suddenly, the unnatural fire ceased and blackened tissue turned healthy once more.
Arim stood tall, pale but otherwise unharmed.After a few calming breaths, his color slowly returned, and he bent low to place one hand on my brother’s unmoving chest.
We all exclaimed cries of relief when Darius took a deep breath.His eyes opened, blood-red with fury.
“Damn, Brother.So gladyou’re back.”My grin stretched from ear to ear.
“What the hell was that?”he asked in a croak, shaking as he sat up with Arim’s help.He quickly looked to Samantha, relaxing when he noticed her even breathing.
“You have found your affai.”Arim nodded toward Samantha, who lay still under their regard.“There can be no question now.”
“No question?”Darius stood on unsteady feet.“I almostdiedin that bed.”
“Not a pretty sight.”Cadmus cringed.“Not at all.”
“I thought the Knowing Crystal was supposed to show you your affai, not burn her to a crisp,” I drawled, trying to act as if I hadn’t been a hair from freaking the fuck out.Darius might annoy me with his arrogance and bossy tendencies, but I loved him and the others, all of us a part of one another.
Arim didn’t answer.He just stared at me the way he did back at home, making me feel like a lad in short pants again.Though I wanted to sneer back, I took stock of my dangerous uncle and decided to swallow any lingering sarcasm.
“What are you doing here, Arim?”Darius glared at the sorcerer.“Seems the only time you bother to show up anymore is to tell us to wait and be patient.”He snorted.“Not that I’m complaining about your timing, but I’m sure you’re not here to bring us home.”
Arim took a hard look at us.I followed his gaze, seeing an unnerved and shaky Darius, frustrated Cadmus, and solemn Aerolus.When I glanced back at my uncle, I thought he looked tired, a slight darkening under his eyes barely perceptible yet there all the same.
Arim spoke softly, his expression bland, but his eyes blazed with a fire hotter than any Darius could conjure when he said, “Sin Garu has infiltrated the Royal House.Until the breach is found and eliminated, everything is held in the balance.You must remain vigilant in your guard, and you must remain here.”
Three of us, not Aerolus, spoke at the same time, our voices perfect echoes of frustration, anger, and disbelief.
“The Royal House?”
“Mother!Is she safe?Does she know?”
“What are you waiting for?Send us back before everything is destroyed!”
Arim crossed his arms and glanced at Aerolus until we all quieted.
