I sighed.
Ignoring Jonas’ amusement, I was determined to make the best out of the situation. I’d refrain from spilling Ethim’s blood, but there was no reason not to enjoy myself around the hotheaded Sarqua. Hell, calling him Dad had nearly caused a fit of apoplexy.
“For Ellie, I would do anything.”
At my comment, Amanda smiled, and even Lexa nodded with approval. Which reminded me, why had Ellie seemed so sure she knew the Dark Lord?
As if she heard my unspoken question, Lexa changed the subject. “Now about the future, let’s see. Where is Sin Garu now? I’m having a difficult time pinpointing him, for some reason. It’s like he dropped out of existence.” She frowned in concentration. “And your uncle…”
I waited. I’d been wondering when she’d broach the subject of Arim.
“I can’t seem to locate him either. And that disturbs me. It’s as if Arim’s masking his presence with another strong one, and the only beings I know who could hide their presence from me are Sava, Sin Garu, and, well, me.”
I felt him before I saw him. Despite having lived around my uncle for my entire life, I was awed and a bit unnerved at Arim’s entrance. Streaks of Light burst through the room, so bright they made Jonas and Amanda shield their eyes while Lexa pushed to her feet and threw up a Dark shield over the gathering. I knew the Light must have pained her as well, but she stared without flinching at the spectacle growing before us.
Arim appeared, the infamous Killer of Shadow and Guardian of Storm. He wore battle dress: a large overtunic of black trimmed with red that reached his knees, black trousers, and knee-high leather boots. The staff in his hands gleamed with purity, menace swirling within the white- and red-striated orb. The static of the Between crackled around him, and I felt the pulse of energy from several worlds hiding my uncle from Foreia’s Darkness.
Arim’s eyes glowed despite the black irises that seemed unfathomably deep. They rested on me, his stare both intense and probing. Apparently satisfied his nephew remained alive and well, Arim turned his attention on the room’s remaining occupants.
His gaze slid over Amanda and Jonas, who wisely remained silent. But when he spotted Lexa, the tension in the room deepened.
Before anyone could blink, bands of Light shot through Arim’s hand and staff to imprison Lexa where she stood. Snakes of seething energy held her captive, twining tighter around her body, the constriction of Light causing her flinches of pain.
I closed my eyes and absorbed a few wisps of Tanselm’s energy that vibrated through my uncle. I’d always known of Arim’s power, but seeing it like this, up close, caused me to view him with a new respect. Yet when I opened my eyes and saw Lexa so still, I knew I had to act.
Visions swirled, the past and the present mingling until I knew for certain that if I didn’t move quickly, at least one, if not both Lexa and Arim would die a violent death, here and now.
I hurried around the table toward Arim, walking through my uncle’s energy with ease. At least I’m still Light enough to pass through his shields. I breathed a sigh of relief and sought his attention.
“So I’m assuming you’re here because you thought I bailed on you again, right?”
Arim didn’t take his eyes off of Lexa, but the anger projected at me was strong enough to push me back several paces.
I swallowed hard. “Right, well. That’s not the case. Arim, Lexa isn’t the bad guy here.” I still had some reservations about that, but killing the Djinns’ most powerful ally not only made me uncomfortable, the notion seriously pissed off Foreia.
Not a wise idea when one was at the land’s mercy.
“Oh?” Arim’s voice was soft. Too soft. My stomach clenched. “Do tell, nephew. What did the little witch promise to ensnare your loyalty? Ellie, perhaps?”
“So typical,” Lexa muttered while her eyes teared as the Light bit into her skin.
“Stop it, Arim.” I worried when my uncle ignored me. “The only way this altercation will end is with you or Lexa dead.”
Arim said nothing, but he did seem to be listening.
“With that death will come the end of Tanselm and everything we love.” I caught Arim’s gaze, willing my uncle to believe me. “You can search my thoughts if you’d like, but I’m telling the truth.”
Not expecting Arim to take me up on the offer, I swore and grabbed my temples in pain when he stabbed through my mind. Blinding strength sifted through memory until, with a sharp twist, he was gone, and I could think again.
“What the hell, Arim?” I groaned.
“You were telling the truth.” Arim flicked his staff, and the energy holding Lexa vanished.
Instead of the retaliation I expected, Lexa remained still.
Arim didn’t take his gaze from her or lower his staff. “I want to see Ellie.”
I frowned. “What does Ellie have to do with your being here?”
