Sage

Sage

“Is that actual lava?!” Sage squealed. Wraza spun around- she had two Hands in a headlock, one under each arm, and they had to shuffle with her as she scoffed in disbelief at Sage.

“Of course, it’s actual lava. What the hell else would it be? Make believe lava?” Sage rolled her eyes and then threw a blast of power at the nearest bunkhouse. Half the wall was blown apart and soon enough a handful of Hands came skittering out like ants.

They tried to flee towards the main entrance, but stopped short when they noticed the river of lava seeping from the hills in the park. It flowed down and around the grounds, creating a barrier. Unless they had flameproof pants, there was no way they’d be escaping.

Bobby leaped from her chest, a tiny garbled roar following him as he lumbered over to the Hands trying to flee.

“Did something just jump from your breasts?” Wraza cried out.

“Yeah,” Sage said, then threw an orb of power into the sandy part of the training grounds. Bobby ran into the sand cloud with a tiny battle cry that morphed into a deep bellow. The sand whirled around him, clinging and forming him into a fifty-foot Bob.

“What is that?!” Wraza cried.

“Just wait-” Sage cracked her whip and the giant Bob split into several smaller, but still large, Bobs. She cracked the whip again, and they lumbered to the group of Hands, snatching them up into bear hugs and carrying them around. Each Bob was big enough to hold three Hands, and they carried them to the massive iron carriages the training grounds had oh so conveniently left.

Sage had recognized the carriages immediately. They were the same type that she’d found Omi in all those months ago. One by one the Bobs disposed of Hands in cages while Sage and Wraza round them up. There was no escape, and most of them were too new, too fresh to even try to fight. The ones that did try were easily taken out.

Sage was busy directing the Bobs to the cages when a spear flew out of a nearby building. She reacted quickly, dodging the sharp tip, but the edge sliced through her left arm.

Hissing in a breath, she glanced down to see the skin already sewing itself up.

“Kade’s going to be so mad-” she muttered.

“Blackwood!” His voice boomed over the grounds.

Sage winced, then turned to see Kade in his Demon form stalking towards her. The Hand that threw the spear tried to escape the building, but Kade tossed up a sheet of ice that trapped his feet where he stood.

Kade stopped inches from her, his golden horns gleaming as the sun reflected off of them while he tilted his head. He inspected her arm, then upon seeing it unmarred scoffed.

“Be careful.” He grumbled, but his voice had softened. His clawed fingers grazed over the space where she’d been cut as he withdrew his hand. Goosebumps rolled up and down her arm where he’d touched her, sending little shivers down her back.

“I’ll be careful as long as you are,” she retorted, but her tone was soft.

He raised a brow, then palmed the Tear and vanished. It had been decided he was the best candidate for the Tear, since he might need to use it to get to Sage as soon as possible.

Sage drew her fingers over the patch of flesh he’d touched and her lips curled into a smile.

“How cute,” Wraza said from her side. Sage glanced up thinking the Halifax Maiden was making fun of her, but by the soft look on her face, she could tell she was serious.

“He is.” Sage agreed, then turned back to the iron cages. The Bobs searched for any stragglers they might have missed. They couldn’t afford to have anyone escape and flee to the other city. Their entire plan hinged on the element of surprise, and their biggest surprise was going to be Rhea and Wraza. So, they needed to ensure the takeover was quick, and all Hands were rounded up and taken to the underground caverns.

“I never thanked you for what you did in Veer,” Wraza said while she secured the cages. She tapped the bars, transferring enough heat into them until they glowed a dull orange. The Hands inside the cages huddled towards the center, trying to avoid searing their flesh on the glowing bars.

The sight brought a tiny bit of joy to Sage- she could recall how Omi did the same thing when she was taken prisoner by Hands. The irony was not lost on her.

“There’s nothing to thank me for. It was all Gabriela,” Sage explained.

Wraza took a step back from the carriages, admiring her work. “Yeah, but you all played a part in it.” She gave Sage a sideways glance. “So, thank you.”

Sage dipped her chin slightly, accepting her gratitude. “Does this make us friends now?” Sage asked, smirking.

“Don’t get cocky,” Wraza grunted. “You’re still a liability.”

Sage shrugged, “I’m beginning to think that’s my lot in life.”

Wraza chuckled.

“Bitches.” One of the Hands grumbled from within the cage.

“Oh look, one of them wants to smack talk while they’re in a cage,” Sage said, inching closer to the carriage.

“Smack talk?” Wraza asked.

“Yeah, talk that gets you smacked,” Sage explained. She illustrated her point by calling over a Bob. The Hands inside the cage all backed as far away from the loudmouth one as Bob lumbered over. Sage snapped her fingers and Bob smacked at the air, his massive hand making a loud, whooshing sound.

Sage leaned against the cage- she placed a small barrier between her and the burning bars so as not to get hurt and have Kade pop up again.

“Do you want to say that again?” She asked, daring the Hand.

He didn’t answer. He was young, probably a good three years younger than she was, which meant he had something to prove. Sage smirked, then pushed off the cage.

“Think he can be saved?” Sage asked as she approached Wraza.

Wraza sneered back at the Hands, “Who knows? I’ve never met a reformed Hand.”

Sage’s brows shot up in surprise. “Yes, you have.” Wraza gaped at her, confused. “Naru. He was one of them once.” She glanced over her shoulder back at the Hand- or really, the kid- in the cage.

“Maybe he can reform them.” She said, shrugging.

Wraza looked from her to the kid and shook her head. “I had no idea. He doesn’t seem- he’s not-” she struggled to find the words.

“I know.” Sage patted her shoulder but pulled her hand away when it began to burn.

Once they were satisfied no one was left, Sage had the Bobs hooked up to the carriages so they could pull them.

The Bobs followed the Maidens back to the tunnels in the park.

Sage and Wraza followed the tunnels to the antechamber Rhea had set up to hold their Hands for now.

“Looks like we’re late,” Wraza grumbled as they neared the chamber. Sage smiled, seeing Minx and Gabriela gathered with the others. Everyone was accounted for - safe and alive.

Rhea was standing proudly in front of the chamber opening with her arms crossed over her chest and a toothy smile plastered on her face. Wraza walked a little faster toward her, and Sage hung back to give them some privacy.

“Alright Bobs, let them go,” Sage said, cracking the whip. A stream of magic filtered into the Bobs and they let go of the carriages. Sage waited until the bars cooled just enough to open the first cage, then ushered the Hands into the chamber.

“I can’t believe it,” Rhea said, her sapphire gaze watching the Hands single-file into the chamber with glee. “We really did it.”

Wraza wrapped an arm over her shoulders, grinning. “We did. Now comes the fun part.”

“Keeping the city?” Sage inquired as the last of her prisoners were safely in the chamber. She let go of her magic and the Bobs disintegrated back into the sand, leaving little Bobby to stumble out of a pile of sand and lumber toward her.

“No, informing the city, then keeping it,” Wraza said.

Sage bent down and gathered Bobby into her hands before placing him back in her shirt. Rhea gaped at her, but Wraza kept grinning.

“Well, let us know if you need help,” Minx said wisely, giving Sage and Gabriela a look.

Sage nodded, but remained silent. Wraza had made it clear this was their city, and Sage and Minx would not be called its savior. She didn’t mind- they really were the only saviors this city, and its twin, had. They’d been saving orphans for years, silently battling and resisting the Hands even when they were kids.

The other Maidens had lent a hand- that was all.

“Where is Kade?” Sage asked, though she could feel the bond between them tugging her deeper into the tunnels.

“I think he went to your room,” Minx said. Alec and Elinar appeared, carrying boxes of bottled liquor.

“Let’s toast,” Alec said, holding up a bottle. “To Rhea and Wraza’s victory!”

He took a swig and passed the bottle to Minx, who raised it and said, “To freeing the other city.” She drank it and gave it to Naru.

Naru looked down at the bottle in his hand and paused for a moment. “To breaking the cycle of violence and creating a better future.” He raised the bottle, his molten eyes locked with Wraza and Rhea before he took a sip.

Naru extended the bottle to Gabriela, who took it with both hands. She hunched over it, looking frightened. “I’m glad everyone is safe.” She said quietly, then quickly sipped the bottle. Coughing, she held it out for Sage.

Sage took it while gently patting her on the back. “To the next phase.” She said, lifting it and taking a deep drink.

Kade had been right about using her mixture of power and how it would make her feel better. She wasn’t nearly as tired as she had been, but her bones still felt heavy. She gave the bottle to Wraza and left the chamber. She couldn’t stay for the celebration- she needed to lie down.

She found Kade in her room, lying on his back in her bed. He had his hands behind his head, and his eyes shut, but she knew by the way his chest rose and fell he was awake.

She thought of curling up next to him and her body was suddenly very heavy. She crawled next to him, wrapping an arm over his chest and curling up next to him. The moment they touched, she felt her soul equalizing and sighed in relief.

Kade lowered his arm, pulling her closer to him.

“I’m so tired.” She muttered.

“Sleep,” he said. “I will be here.” Sage smiled.

She knew he didn’t mean he’d be there as physically. That was a given. She knew he meant it as he’d be there, holding onto her while she slept, and would be there for her nightmares if needed.

She shut her eyes, drifting off, knowing fully well that as long as he was there she’d be alright.