6. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

T o say Elaine was worried was an understatement.

She returned with Aya, quiet as the sun peeked over the treetops and speared through the leaves. Burnished wisps of red and orange danced over the fallen leaves and water droplets gathered on the grass, each sparkling like jewels braided into the earth. The chill seeped into the shadows, warmed by the beckoning day, and by the time they arrived home, a small wagon waited.

Tobias was heaping boxes through the open front door, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on his brow. He offered a quick smile, then headed inside, not waiting around as they approached. Sabra appeared next, equally weary, and grimacing at the remaining boxes. Elaine swore her friend looked like she wanted to burn the offending items.

"All this just arrived," Sabra said, waving to the boxes still heaped on the wagon. "Council said another would come by the end of the day."

Several of the boxes bore strange symbols, confusing Elaine for a moment until she realized where she'd seen them before. Lilibet's shop.

These were her belongings.

Unease twisted in her gut. A whole life reduced to a handful of boxes and probably stored away once all this was over, set to be devoured by the ravages of times. Gone, just like that.

She blinked away the thoughts and turned to Aya. Her jaw was tight, the mask set firmly in pace, leaving no hint for Elaine to determine what was rattling about in her mind.

"Aya?"

"I-I should—" Aya's mouth clamped shut.

Elaine gently touched her lover's hand. "Go inside, get some sleep. I'll help them."

Those dark amber eyes snapped to her. Protest flashed in bright, fierce defiance. Elaine's smile softened as she leaned in, kissing her softly.

"Go." Elaine stepped back. "Or I'll have to punish you."

A ghost of a smile curled across Aya's mouth, but she offered no fight, no last witty remark, as she retreated inside.

Elaine waited until she was gone and headed over to the wagon. Sabra handed over a heavy box full of books. Before she stepped away, Sabra offered her a friendly but tired smile. It was clear they were all feeling the echoes of the previous day.

"Thank you."

"You would've done the same," said Elaine as she stepped back.

Sabra snorted. "I'd say my tactics would've been a little more violent."

"Probably with some insults, too," Elaine replied. "But she would've listened. She does with you."

"Not lately. That's all you." Sabra hauled a box into her arms. "Come on, better get this mess inside. If it rains and gets wet, I'm not dealing with pissy council members."

Within a few minutes, they'd hauled the rest of the books inside. There were so many. Dread curdled in her blood. She slanted a quick look to the stairs, half expecting Aya to be there, lurking in the shadows. There was no one. Aya, it seemed, had listened.

"I told you so," said Sabra from the kitchen, pausing as she scrounged food from the cupboards—little scrolls, by the looks of it. "She's asleep."

"Sab's right. I can hear her snoring," Tobias said as he plucked a book from one of the open boxes. "She hasn't been sleeping, has she?"

"None of us have," replied Sabra before Elaine had a chance.

"I'll make up some tonics to help," he said, handing her a book. "Make sure she takes it, okay? You know how she is."

Elaine managed a nod and dragged her weary feet to the dining table. As much as she wanted to sleep, she also needed to make some sort of start. Perhaps the answers wouldn't be in the first thing she touched—though she prayed all the same—but she had to try.

"Where's Alexios?" she asked as she leafed open the first page.

It was a diary, dated a year ago, from Marisol. A little of her fear ebbed away. At least this was in a tongue she knew.

Tobias didn't answer at first and after a few struggled lines of the diary in front of her, she looked up. He was staring at the wall, as though he were a world away and hadn't heard her. She reached across and touched his hand. He flinched, blinking rapidly as he focused on her.

"Sorry?"

She repeated her question.

"Oh, he'll be here later today. There was another meeting today." He paused and, as her own brow lifted curiously, he sighed. "The coven is reluctant to vote for another leader. Alexios was Calix's right hand and they always saw him as the replacement in case anything happened."

"No one wants the power?" As soon as she said the words and saw his lip curl into a bitter smile, she knew she'd assumed wrong and corrected herself. "No one wants the danger."

"Calix was murdered in his home, and he was, well, he was Calix. They believed no one could ever hurt him and I guess everyone is a little nervous about taking the job."

"He could stay in for a little while, maybe until this whole threat blows over? Someone might want the job more when the threat of our imminent deaths isn't lingering."

"That's just it. Outside of us and the council, no one knows the real threat. Hell, if the coven knew, Alexios would never be free. He can't even just leave . That's not who he is but he's been wanting to leave for months. As soon as our…as the forced time apart was over, he found me and was going to ask Calix to leave the coven. Then you arrived and, well…"

A flush crept up from Elaine's collar. "I, uh—"

"Oh god, no!" Tobias's smile widened, his own cheeks flushing scarlet. "That's not what I meant. No, no, what I meant is more just the whole mess. Not that it was your fault. You were caught up in this as much as any of us."

The tension loosened from her bones, and she sank into the chair. "It has been a mess, hasn't it?"

"I would say I have seen my fair share of messes both before I joined with those two hellions and after, but this definitely tops it." Tobias rubbed the back of his neck and as it fell to the table, a flicker of warmth returned to his eyes. "But I have Alexios again, so it's at least a little better."

She caught onto what he'd said and leaned forward. "What did you mean before? About the forced time apart?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you soon, just not now." His eyes widened and he hurriedly added, "It's not bad! Just, well, it's a little complicated and I'd like to be a bit more rested before I talk about that time."

They returned to the books, pausing only when Sabra came over, tray in hand. She grabbed her own book from the terrifyingly large pile and set to work.

She finished the diary by the time lunch crawled around and Tobias delivered a tray of cold fruit pies. She hadn't even realized they had them and wondered if he'd brought some in from town this morning. After devouring one, she thanked them for the food. Sabra was already standing up, yawning, and remarking she was going to have a nap. Even Tobias finally hauled himself unsteadily to his feet, declaring he'd do the same.

Elaine waved them goodbye and dragged herself upstairs. By the time she stripped off and washed herself with a damp cloth from the bowl of water on the dresser, sleep was already pulling at her eyelids. She might've got a bit of sleep before she'd followed Aya last night, but she ached for a little more.

She peeled back the blankets, trying her best not to wake Aya but the effort proved futile. She mumbled something in her sleep and the second Elaine was in bed, warm arms wrapped around her, drawing her in.

Sleep quickly claimed her.

The nap was over far too soon but she knew if she rested too long, she wouldn't sleep at night. She awoke to Aya dressing beside the bed. Pants already on, she was naked from the waist up, framed by the dusty afternoon glow seeping in through the window. Her breath caught in her throat. The light danced over Aya, alighting upon the talon at the bony point of her leathery wings. She was beautiful, a creature forged from the shadow.

Aya was reaching for a shirt in the dresser when she paused and cursed softly beneath her breath. Elaine sat up, wiping the sleep from her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Fucking hell!" Aya blurted out, spinning around shirtless and wide-eyed. "I didn't know you were awake."

Elaine eyed the shirt in her hand, one brow lifted.

Aya sighed and threw the shirt across the room. It landed underwhelmingly on the floor, earning a deeper frown from Aya as she glowered at it.

"What did the shirt do?" Elaine drawled.

"Nothing," Aya muttered as she returned to the dresser. Hands on hips, she stared at it, and Elaine knew the glower was still there.

She dragged herself out of bed and hugged Aya from the side. The wings made it a little tricky, but she pulled Aya in as best as she could, kissing her cheek.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Can you sew?" Aya slanted her a naked expression, the vulnerability peeking through the glower. "I…I can't. Not well, anyway."

It was then that enough of the sleep cleared from her head and Elaine realized the problem. Aya's wings. She'd vaguely realized some of Aya's shirts were different, and she'd noted a day ago that some of them appeared poorly stitched. With everything happening, it'd slipped her mind to ask about it, and guilt gnawed at her mind.

Aya turned suddenly, one hand on her cheek, as if reading that very thought. "That's not your fault."

"I never said it was!" she bit back, flinching at her own defensive tone.

The corner of Aya's mouth twitched. " Can you sew, though?"

"I can. Didn't exactly have a lot of money on the run so I had to make do with my clothes." Elaine reluctantly inspected the dresser. A few shirts hung up, along with some dresses and jackets and even a cloak. "I can get started on a shirt tonight, but can you wear the one you did last night for now?"

Warm lips pressed suddenly against her cheek. "I love you."

Her stomach swooped at the words. It never got old hearing it, and she doubted it ever would. Enough people—from witches at her old Arcan temple, to those she'd met during her ten years on the run—told her that she'd never be loved. After all, no one would ever risk standing between her and the gods.

Aya would, however.

Her wicked, terrifying—utterly delightful—necromancer. Elaine pitied anyone who got in Aya Sinclair's way, for she doubted anyone stood a damn chance.

For a moment, she was able to forget the threat against their lives and the crack in the sky. It wouldn't last. She knew that with aching certainty and the dread seeped back into her bones and veins, thickening until the ache filled her whole body.

Please let us survive this.

Once they were both dressed, they headed downstairs. Sabra was nowhere to be seen. Alexios, however, had arrived and had Tobias pinned against the front door, kissing him with an intensity that had her blushing. Gods, were she and Aya that noisy?

Aya chuckled, loud enough that the lovers sprung apart, cheeks flushed and shy.

"Welcome home, Alexios," Aya murmured as she sauntered into the kitchen.

Elaine couldn't help but grin at their sheepish expressions and flushed cheeks. Alexios rubbed the back of his neck and as it fell back to his side, his gaze slid to the pile. They widened for a moment, as if even he couldn't believe the sheer size of it. He whistled softly.

"I heard Ingrid remark it was a lot to sort through. She wanted some of her own people to sift through it, said it might be too much for all of you," he remarked dryly. "But I pointed out if Aya Sinclair suspected stuff was being held from her, it wouldn't be good."

Elaine snorted, knowing full well he was right. She imagined Aya growling about council games and that she and the others were more than capable of dealing with all the items. It was a lot, but she was confident they could figure out how to heal the barrier.

Everyone caught up, moaning over inconsequential things about long meetings and the weather and how prickly vampires could be. Alexios stretched out on the lounge, one arm wrapped around Tobias, grinning.

Aya eventually returned with a tray of fresh fruit, including apples picked from the trees out the back of the house, some cured meats, and a pitcher of water with cups. She smiled ruefully at Alexios as she set it down.

"I assume you're well fed, you're positively glowing."

It was Tobias who turned bright red, eyes wide, stunned into hilarious silence. Aya snorted and dropped down into the seat beside Elaine. Alexios leaned forward and plucked an apple off the tray. He sunk a deep bite in, the juices spilling over his cheek. Elaine didn't miss the way Tobias's gaze snapped to his lips, staring with a flash of hunger that even had her blushing.

"Tobias," Alexios growled warningly.

Tobias looked away with a blush and eyed the pile of boxes with sharpened focus. "So, we should probably dive into that. I read a few of Marisol's ledgers, tried to see if there was anything curious about purchases."

Elaine bit her lip to fight back the laughter. Even Aya appeared to be holding back a witty retort at the blatant change of subject.

"Anything interesting?" Elaine inquired, deciding it was best to go along with it.

She was quite aware if she kept teasing him, she was liable to endure mockery of her own moments with Aya.

Tobias's brow dipped. "At first, nothing oddly strange but then I started to notice some strange trends. I wasn't surprised that Marisol did some trading with the Dusk Quarter, mainly fabrics but it seemed a lot. And there wasn't a lot of materials one might expect the humans would need like food or medicine, which is more common trade items."

"Maybe she liked fine clothes?"

"In the amount I saw?"

Aya leaned forward, interest gleaming in her eyes. "Just how much?"

"Suffice to say, you could make hundreds of dresses and the kinds you would only wear for fine events." Tobias rolled his eyes. "How many events do you recall the council having that would warrant that number of gowns?"

Elaine glanced at Aya, watched the gears turn in her eyes and it was clear very quickly this was an unusual order. The questions turned over in her mind, crawling up her throat to demand freedom into the world. Perhaps sensing her gaze, Aya slid her a quiet look before turning it back to Tobias. She didn't know what to make of that, or what was really churning over in that strange mind. Was Aya a little embarrassed to speak of how intimately she had once known the human council member?

"Marisol was never one for fine dresses. A few necessary items for meetings but I saw enough of her to know some of those dresses were recycled, stitched together from several pieces. This might be worth looking into. Who was she trading with?"

At this, Alexios sat up. "I recognized at least one of the names as a textile merchant, one that Calix used himself. However, I am in agreement with you. I'll send some of my spies in, see what I can dig up."

They spoke a little more about what they'd all read but little else amounted to much of interest. Everyone took a new book or scroll and sat around the dining table. It was then Sabra shuffled downstairs, bleary eyed and blinked at the gathered crowd. She mumbled a greeting before heading into the kitchen.

Elaine finished two more books by the time the sun dipped beyond the forest, plunging the house into shadows. Aya got up, starting a fire and lit several candles, and soon the whole room was alight in a buttery glow. The soft crackle of the fire filled the air, curling with fragrant notes of the herbs drying in kitchen and above the windows scattered through the living area.

Closing the book in front of her, she headed over to the pile of boxes. As she rummaged around, hunting for something—anything really—that sparked her interest, her fingers brushed something cold and metallic. Curiosity prickled along her skin. She dug into the box and lifted a small metal box, polished to a shine. Floral detailing and its clean appearance spoke of Marisol having cared for it. Valued it, at least, in the way one might tend to a precious family heirloom.

Inside was a simple pendant, a red gem wrapped in veins of silver and suspended upon a simple chain. It was cradled on a little velvet bed. Her magic stirred in her chest, a hum growing in her ear. The world fell away as she plucked the pendant up and—

A gasp burst from her lips.

Light exploded behind her eyes and suddenly she was falling. Air rushed in her ears as she was weightless, blind to the light. A thundering roar boomed around her, drowning out the world. Panic flooded like ice through her veins as she scrambled for control.

But it was over as quickly as it began and the light retreated, yielding to a small garden encircled by a tall stone wall. Ivy crawled along the gray faces, blooming with blood red flowers, as deep as the gem she'd touched only a moment ago.

A bright moon glowed overhead, nestled among a star lit sky. Elaine looked around wildly, but the house and the forest and others were gone. She had no idea where she was or how the fuck she'd got there. Her chest squeezed, leaving pain lancing through her limbs. The sensation she was alone once more, away from those she trusted, struck bone-chilling terror deep into her gut.

She sucked in a deep breath and looked over the garden once more when two women emerged from a nearby archway. One, swathed in a shimmering black dress flecked with silver, as if she wore the night sky against her moon pale skin. Waves of obsidian curls spilled down her back.

Another woman was at her side, a stark contrast that froze Elaine. Her hair was blood red and straight, and framed her round, gentle face. A simple dress of deep blue clung to her well-rounded figure, and she moved gracefully, as though her feet barely touched the ground. A smile so bright and wide fixed upon her rouged lips, the air whooshed out of Elaine.

The pair's arms were intertwined, and they stared tenderly into each other's eyes, leaving guilt and unease twisting in Elaine. She felt as though she were intruding on a private moment and that at any moment they would notice her, demand an explanation to what she was doing there, how she even got there. And she would have to explain that she had no damn idea and if they might know how she would be able to get home.

The red-haired woman laughed suddenly and pulled away, running into the middle of the garden. She danced beneath the starlit sky and passed right through Elaine, making it all too clear this wasn't real. Or at least, some kind of vision, one she was to bear witness to.

"Aurora!" the dark-haired woman yelled out, exasperated. "Is everything a game to you?"

The woman—Aurora—spun back with a flushed smile that glowed like starlight, as if she were life and magic itself. Warmth flowed from her, and the flowers curled toward her as if she was the sun they so desperately hungered for. As she glided barefoot over the grass, tiny white flowers bloomed in her wake.

"You should try it sometimes, Akaria!"

Elaine froze.

Akaria?

She shot the dark-haired woman a look with renewed interest. It was then she noticed little things. The way the shadows twisted toward Akaria, how her eyes were dark and ancient, reminding her of Aya. They both bore that same swaggering, dry smile that sent butterflies flittering through her chest. When Akaria folded her arms across her chest, just as Aya had done so many times, the resemblance was uncanny.

She'd known the necromancers were descendants of Akaria, but it was startling to realize just how similar Aya looked to her—save for how pale Akaria was by comparison. Almost like they could've been mother and daughter, not ancestor and descendant, separated by generations.

"You would have exposed us to the others. You should be more careful," Akaria warned. "This—" She paused, gesturing to the space between them before continuing, "isn't exactly approved of."

"Because they are so stuck in their old ways!"

"And you are a new goddess. They are afraid of history repeating itself—for that, can you blame for that?"

"I am not her , nor should I have my existence dictated by the goddess I was forged to replace."

"But her energy runs through your veins, my love."

Aurora stopped and tilted her head. The smile remained but it no longer touched her eyes, as if a little of the light inside of her dimmed. "Life and death have always been bound to each other."

"Yes, but I wasn't exactly fucking the last goddess," Akaria drawled.

"Don't be so crude," Aurora muttered. "Don't demean what we have."

Blood-stained Akaria's cheeks as her gaze flicked away, embarrassment twisting across her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. This…You…"

"I what?"

Akaria bit her lip, silent for a moment before she glanced back. "You make me want things. Dangerous things."

"We could have that. Together, we could be powerful. They wouldn't dare tear us apart!"

Shadows darkened Akaria's face. Elaine was beginning to realize this was a glimpse into the past, and she realized this was the goddess of life. The one imprisoned in Purgatory and the one in love with Akaria.

Akaria released a heavy breath. "Yes, they would."

A heaviness settled between the pair. All the light and teasing from before felt like a distant memory, and the real world was encroaching on the star-crossed lovers. The truth far too terrible but unavoidable all the same.

Aurora closed the distance between them and grabbed Akaria's hand. She pulled it out, flattening Akaria's palm to the sky. Then she waved her other hand over it and light bloomed, dimming quickly to reveal a pendant. The very same Elaine had been touching only minutes before. How it came into Marisol's possession, she had no idea, but she was a little scared to find out.

"What's this?" Akaria whispered.

"A pendant, obviously." Aurora gestured for Akaria to turn around. "Now, let me put it on you."

"I can't wear this."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't wear things like this, and the others would only ask questions."

Aurora snorted. "Then don't wear it when they are around. Now turn."

Akaria stared at her defiantly but acquiesced all the same and did as she was ordered. Aurora gently scooped those midnight curls away over Akaria's shoulder, her hand lingering on bare skin. A tiny gasp escaped Akaria and Aurora gently set the pendant around her neck. When she finished with the clasp, she leaned in and kissed Akaria's neck.

"I love you," she murmured. "To all the stars in the sky and the worlds beyond, I am yours."

"Aurora… you shouldn't…"

"I know you can't say it, but I hope you might one day. There is no pressure, of course…and you're right. I know that. We must be careful, but I can dream. I can hope . That's what life is, and that is who and what I am."

Akaria turned suddenly. She seized her by the shoulders and crushed their mouths together. They clung together, desperately, as if all too aware of the danger lurking all around them, and the tragic fate looming like an oncoming storm. One they would have to fight, side by side.

It was Aurora who pulled away first, their foreheads touching. Neither made any move to part any further, seeming to savor the moment and commit every second of it to their minds. To burn it into their souls, and Elaine felt the love thrumming in the air. Two wild sources of ancient magic, primal and powerful, bound together in an eternal song.

Life and death.

Akaria and Aurora.

"I won't let them take you from me," Akaria vowed. "If they try, I will burn this fucking realm to the ground."

"They won't but if they do, I will find you. No matter how long or hard I must fight. I will find my way back to you, as you will to me. That is my vow."

Tears burned Elaine's eyes, wishing she could scream at them, warn them that their fates were sealed. That Aurora would be ripped away and bound in a mortal prison, the bars sealed with the magic of thousands of unsuspecting souls. A cruel touch she imagined the goddess would mourn over.

She stepped toward them, stretching out a hand as if she might reach into the past. To peel back the veil separating them but the ground opened beneath her. A guttural scream ripped from her lips as she tumbled into the darkness.

And for one split second, she swore Akaria looked right at her, a frown on her eternally beautiful face. Something else flashed there, so quickly Elaine nearly missed it. Anger.

The darkness rushed around her like a storm in full force, lashing at her skin with pelts of rain and roaring wind. Her own screams were drowned out by the cacophony and no matter how hard she tried; she couldn't return to that vision. To the moment she swore she connected with the goddess of death.

It was over all too soon, and she was blinking awake. She was on the floor, Tobias hovering over her. His warm hand squeezed her shoulder, as if he'd been trying to shake her awake. Relief bloomed in his eyes as she sat up with a wince, her hand still curled in a death grip around the pendant.

Her throat felt raw, lips chapped like they were about to bleed. A dull ache throbbed behind her eye, making everyone and everything double for a moment. She blinked several times, rubbing her eyes to try and focus.

"Thank the spirits, you're awake," Tobias breathed.

She glanced at him, a question poised on her lips at the tension still pinched in his face, when she glimpsed another figure laid out on the ground. Sabra hunched over them.

The air rushed out of her.

Aya was out cold.

She was up on her feet, tearing free from Tobias. He called her name, but she ignored him, stumbling over and dropping down to Aya. Ice curled around her heart as she beheld Aya eerily still, her eyes shut. Only the faint rise and fall of her chest betrayed life, and a little of the fear bled away. She was alive.

"W-what happened to her?"

Sabra sat back, pale and one hand still on Aya's shoulder. "I don't know. One minute you were over there, digging around the boxes. The next you were on the floor and before any of us could move, Aya collapsed as well."