34. Chapter 33

Chapter 33

A gainst the backdrop of a burned forest, the crowds of Purgatory gathered to pay their respects to the dead. The great lake stretched out beneath a clear blue sky, the warm sun glittering across the surface as it slowly descended toward the horizon. Great strokes of burnished orange and blood red splashed across the thin smattering of clouds drifting lazily overhead. It reflected against the mirror-smooth surface of the water.

Beauty against a scene of death.

It appeared most of Purgatory had arrived. The syrens already waited by the water's edge, adorned in shimmering silk gowns of reds and blues. Jewels were braided in their hair, sparkling like starlight. They clustered together, heads bent in low conversations, their backs to everyone else.

Loraina finally broke away from Alexios and Tobias, bowing her head with a grim expression before she glided over to her people. Elaine joined the boys before she glanced at the trees, sensing the first prickle of magic. Tarla was on her way. Close, if she had to hazard a guess.

"Everything in place?" she asked absently.

"It's certainly going to be an interesting night," said Alexios.

She eyed him restlessly. "Are your people close?"

"They're on their way now." Alexios instinctively looped an arm around Tobias, drawing him close. "Are you ready, my love?"

Tobias's gaze slid to the woods. "I'll be okay."

It was a lie, but one they all held close to their chest. She didn't think any of them would be until this whole damn mess was over.

"Is this the first time you've seen the whole pack since…?" Alexios asked.

Silence was answer enough.

Sensing Tobias needed a moment, she drifted away, allowing Alexios to offer comfort before the pack arrived. Elaine needed space, too. The truths Aya set upon her had sunk deep hooks into her, tearing at the edges of her mind. Try as she did, torment squeezed pain across her chest until every breath hurt.

She stood by the lake, hoping the still water might soothe her. Deep magic swirled just beneath the surface, brushing against her skin. Tiny hairs lifted along her arms.

It was almost time.

At dusk, the wolves emerged from the tree line. Their fur glowed in the brightening moonlight; bright shades of russet brown and reds, a few grays and whites, and several black wolves. She spied Ryker first, leading them to a clearing by the lake's edge.

The vampires emerged next, clad in black robes and golden animal masks over their faces. They lingered by the trees, gathered together, silent and menacing in their presence. Alexios remained, however, with his mate, who stared at the wolves.

A few wolves looked back. Their glowing blue eyes like jewels, cold and hard.

Elaine snapped her fingers. Fire sparked along her fingers, forming ribbons that swirled through her fingers. She rolled her wrist, teasing the flames. She stared them all down, ready to act if a single one of them moved against Tobias. None of them would hurt him. Not if she had anything to do about it.

One by one, the wolves looked away, the threat understood.

"If I wasn't madly in love already and had any inclination toward women, I might've just married you for that display," Alexios murmured, the edges of his mouth betraying the ghost of a smile.

The humans arrived next, led by their new leader. He walked with all the arrogant swagger under the sun, just as Aya described. A very ‘punchable' face indeed. Adorned in dark green, embroidered with gold thread, and shiny boots, he very much looked the part of every noble Elaine wanted to hit.

As if sensing her interest, he glanced at her. His eyebrows shot up, surprise flashing across his face, before they quickly flicked her up and down. She swore they lingered on her witch marks covering both arms and peeking through the plunging neckline of her dress. Something strange flickered in his eyes, so quick she nearly missed it entirely.

Before she could ponder what exactly it meant, the banshees arrived in their white cloaks and hoods drawn over their eyes. Ingrid led the way, the only one whose face was clear to see. All seven of them, fewer than she expected, moved in perfect sequence toward the water's edge. They lingered perhaps a little closer to the syrens than she expected, but neither party seemed uneasy at the distance.

In the corner of her eye, Nora appeared with a small group of folks she recognized from the warehouse. Silence fell as all eyes flicked toward the newcomers. The silence stretched on, as though no one dared to be the first to speak.

Then came the sound of wings.

"Aya."

Right on time.

Aya shot over the tree line and landed. A little clumsily, though no one made any joke—she didn't think anyone would dare. Not that it would've mattered. Aya's gaze was locked on her, as if the world was forgotten, and all that mattered was Elaine as she marched toward her. Clad in a loose black shirt, tucked into a pair of sinfully tight leather breeches and calf-high boots, she was wickedly beautiful. Elaine's stomach swooped as Aya didn't even stop as she gently cradled Elaine's cheek and kissed her. Firm and possessive, a claim in front of everyone.

Desire bloomed low in her belly, her head spinning as Aya pulled away. Staring into those dark eyes, she doubted she'd ever get sick of the way Aya looked at her. Like she was worth so fucking much—enough to worship, enough to fight to the very end for.

Aya moved to her side, looping an arm around her waist. "How was that?"

Elaine laughed breathlessly. "A little showy."

A ghost of a smile answered back, and a little of the tension from their earlier argument bled away.

"Are you ready?" Elaine whispered.

Aya's gaze drifted to the lake and a shadow passed over her face. Her head bobbed, the only reply before a vampire approached their little group, a lantern in hand. Only once he stopped before them, Aya's attention returned, and Elaine felt a sliver of tension slice through her lover's body. Too faint for anyone to see, but it was there all the same. She gently untangled herself and it was enough for Aya to glide forward and accept the lantern.

It was exactly as ordered. Elaine remembered Aya's exact description to Alexios, right down to the silken material, stained a deep black, and embroidered with Akaria's symbol in silver thread. There was a little ring at the base to light and was supported by a simple wooden frame. Even the shape of it matched the bell-design Aya roughly sketched onto a piece of parchment.

She watched with bated breath as Aya's hands trembled a little as she held it, staring at it with a look of wonder and fear.

Every instinct in her screamed out to whisper words of comfort, to walk the path with her. It was a promise she whispered in the furs last night that held her firm. However, this was Aya's moment. It belonged to no one in the crowd, not even Elaine.

Aya moved first, looking steadily to the waters, and the song rose from her lips. The words were foreign to her, to everyone but Aya, but as they rose, swelling with all the confidence her lover held, a tiny note of grief wove through them. Faint, a little whisper of it, barely perceived, concealed beneath what Aya told her was a prayer to Akaria. A plea to take care of the souls who have passed and welcome them into her embrace.

Every step toward the water, the song lifted and swelled, curled and danced through the watching crowd. Her voice was clear, ethereal, no trace of any fear as the final words tumbled free. Elaine had never felt very close to the gods but standing there, listening to Aya's voice, she felt a kind of awe, as though she were beholding a goddess—one she would gladly submit her soul to.

Aya stepped into the water and stopped. Only the rustle of leaves and soft breaths of those gathered murmured among the quiet.

Elaine raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

Fire sparked at the base of Aya's lantern.

The flame kindled to life and Akaria's sigil glowed, shadowing across the water's shimmering surface. Then, without a word, it lifted from her hand.

Elaine released a shaky breath when a hand settled on the small of her back. Without looking, feeling only his warmth, and the shadow of his body over her, she leaned toward Tobias.

It was then she felt it.

The nudge against her shields.

Aurora slipped into her mind.

Traitor, she hissed, traitor, traitor, traitor!