30. Jonas

Chapter 30

Jonas

A Charming Djinn with Concerns

S omething disturbed the surrounding air, and I looked around to see if anyone else had noticed.

I stood behind Cadmus and Ellie in the northern kingdom. Cadmus, the Earth Lord, addressed the masses in the expansive grounds outside the keep. Djinn, Light Bringer warriors, and sorcerers surrounded the civilians gathered, not chancing anyone's safety.

I'd already argued against holding such an open forum, but Cadmus wanted it done, and the sooner the better. So here we stood while I kept feeling danger growing ever closer.

As Cadmus finished his pretty speech about everyone getting along, my fellow warrior, Alor, and I continued to telepathically exchange ideas about the best way to provide instant cover for the royal couple. I kept easy mental contact with my Djinn brothers as well, just waiting for some moronic Churchman to say or do anything out of the ordinary.

Far be it from the Church to let anything good come of unification. I was honest enough to admit I wanted to annihilate them for what they'd done to Ravyn and for their part in allying with Sin Garu. Remir's face continued to haunt me, and I couldn't help feeling my own guilt.

Had I been a better friend, less involved with myself and my needs, perhaps I would have noticed his problems. Maybe then I could have severed the ties binding my best friend to Sin Garu. As if that hadn't been bad enough, to then have to watch as the demons literally ripped him to shreds…

The Darkness within me demanded freedom, that I burn in truth among those who might still be an enemy. But I forced myself to remain in human form, surprised at how hard I found it.

Jonas, something's not right.

Alor's warning shocked me to full attention.

He continued, The enemy. I can almost feel them on top of us.

I stopped fighting my instincts and flashed in truth , causing startled chatter in the gathering and setting off the rest of the Djinn, who followed suit. "Cadmus, disperse the crowd. The enemy's coming and soon."

Cadmus didn't question me. He raised his arms for silence. "The enemy draws near. Take yourselves into the protection centers our sorcerers have prepared and —"

"And we see how easily our leaders follow the Dark." A distinguished-looking Churchman stepped forward at the front of the crowd, his gaze contemptuous as he sneered his dislike. "The enemy is no closer to us than the Djinn here are our friends. Cadmus intends to divert your attention from the mess the Storm Lords have made in Tanselm."

Many in the crowd frowned, but I noticed a few nodding in agreement. Just what we didn't need right now. A civil war to confuse the brewing battle prepared to bring us all to our knees.

"I don't think you heard my husband," Ellie said in a voice that echoed with Dark power. She stepped forward, her long blond hair flowing like a wave of light behind her as she pointed at the churchman. "For a man devoted to Tanselm and its people, you speak more like an enemy. Ordinary Nohjen, you do your people no good by stirring unrest. Argue all you want after the enemy is destroyed."

Ellie looked out over the crowd. I felt such pride, that the young girl I'd helped guide had grown into a powerful princess, soon to be a queen. Since Ellie had embraced her Dark heritage, giving it as much credence as her human half, she'd blossomed, encouraging her husband's power with a meeting of hearts and minds. Those in the northern territory seemed taken with her, despite the protestations of the Church.

"Pitiful creature," Nohjen spat, stunning everyone to silence. No one had spoken with such deliberate scorn toward any of the affai, for they'd brought life back into Tanselm. "Your death is one we should cherish most of all."

"Enough." Cadmus seethed. The land around us pulsed with energy. The trees ringing the area groaned as vines and roots ripped from the ground and snaked toward the crowd.

"Allow us, Cadmus." I sent my men telepathic instructions, but Nohjen had vanished. "I didn't know your churchmen were sorcerers." How else could he teleport?

"We aren't." Cadmus swore under his breath and focused again on the people. "This time I'm not asking. I'm telling you. Get yourselves to safety. Ellie's right. If you want to argue politics, by all means, we'll do so after the Netharat has been destroyed. Now take your families and find safety. You warriors and sorcerers, prepare for battle."

To my relief, the crowd disbursed. Djinn and Light Bringers moved as one to defend the people, and I could only thank fate they'd heeded the warnings when they had. Not two seconds later, what sounded like thunder boomed above us.

Gray and black clouds covered the afternoon sky as a large, fiery portal opened the doorway through which the enemy poured.

"Cadmus, Ellie, back to the keep. Now. " I didn't give the stubborn pair time to argue. I whisked them with me to the war room, where several sorcerers and Light Bringer warriors waited.

As soon as we stepped on the floor, Cadmus rounded on me, a hand to my throat. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Cadmus, let him go," Ellie demanded, pulling at his arm.

I burned brighter, and Cadmus swore and stepped back. "You're not Dark enough to handle my truth ." I would have rubbed his nose in my triumph, but worry weighed me down. "A Netharat attack here means something."

One of the sorcerers spoke up. "Word has reached us that attacks have sprouted up in all the territories. Everyone has engaged."

"Great. Armageddon at its finest." I prayed Lexa and Arim were well. "Cadmus, I'll be right back." I didn't wait for permission and teleported through the Between in haste for Foreia.

I sought with my Djinn senses and found the Sarqua, my leader sitting with his wife under a large firn tree, the scent of scythia sweet and welcoming around them. They appeared happy, and I regretted that I had to report such bad news.

"Jonas?" Ethim stood with a smile that faded as he studied me. "What's wrong?"

"The attack's begun. I don't know that they'll hit Foreia too, but you need to be ready."

Mandy, Ethim's wife, stood, her lips pinched with worry. "Is Ellie all right?"

"I left her with Cadmus, a bunch of sorcerers, and reliable Djinn for protection. She'll be fine." Or I'll die trying to save her . "I have to get back."

"Take care of her." Ethim took me by the hand and gripped it tight. "And take my reserves with you."

"All of them? But what about you?"

"I'll protect Mandy and the others. We have less to defend, so we'll need fewer warriors here. Take the bulk with you. Protect my daughter."

Ethim clapped twice and released a surge of energy. Suddenly, hundreds of Djinn waited for my command. Grinning with appreciation, irreverent to the end, I slapped my leader on the back. "Well met, Ethim. Give me a minute to see where we're needed most."

I returned to Cadmus to get my answer and teleported back in seconds. To the masses, I yelled, "Sarqua Djinn, follow me into purpose. The battle's at hand." I screamed the Djinn war cry and met a roar of approval from my battle brothers.

As one, we teleported back to Tanselm. Into the beginning of the end.