Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

W e sit around the same wooden table where I attended my first feast in Zarquon. The awful night I caught Em kissing Kyle. The memories of that night plague my mind, and I do my best to shove them aside. Kyle is my mate now, and nothing else matters, least of all Em.

I scan the uncertain faces around the table, confusion and worry etched into their expressions. Apollon and Zeta sit at the head of the table with Atticus to their left and Kyle and me to their right. Several of Apollon's trusted guards are spaced around the table, and Em and her mother, Klara, sit at the opposite end.

Apollon clears his throat, kicking off the meeting. "The situation has grown increasingly worse. Amaros and Zalore are in the possession of a powerful weapon, and they are using it to control the realms. We cannot allow it. We must stop them, and we must act now before it's too late." He turns his attention to me. "Zarla, I believe you have something you would like to discuss?"

I give a small nod as all eyes focus on me. "I do. We need to go to Galespo, find the weapon Zalore has there, and take it. That should be our first step. And although unrelated, he has my sister, Astelle, and I owe it to her to get her out of there."

I risk a glance at Atticus, who is staring intently at me. I wish I knew what's going on inside that big head of his.

Kyle gives my thigh a squeeze under the table, and the reassurance of his touch is a welcome relief for my nerves, helping to relax me.

"I believe Zalore and Amaros are using this weapon to force the realms open," I continue. "They're taking lost ones from the Realm of Lost Souls and then funnelling them down to Earth and into the Kingdoms via portals. I believe they're also taking spirits from The Spirit Realm and feeding them into the Realm of Lost Souls to turn them into lost ones."

Em sits back in her seat and scoffs, and everyone's attention shifts to her.

"Have something you'd like to say?" Atticus questions, his tone cold.

She folds her arms over her chest. "It's just, why in the gods would they want to turn spirits into lost ones? It doesn't make any sense."

Atticus slams his fist down on the table, and everyone, except Apollon and Kyle, jumps. "Because he's building an army. It's about as clear as it gets, or at least it is if you're not an idiot!"

She purses her lips but doesn't dare respond, and I chuckle under my breath.

Apollon clears his throat, and everyone refocuses their attention on him. "Alaron, the God of Death, is a strong male. For Amaros and Zalore to have managed to overpower him and take his weapon… Well, I fear the worst."

Klara leans her forearms on the table. "Let me get this straight. Alaron, the God of Death, controls the realms? How did I not know this?"

Apollon clasps his hands together. "Because you did not need to know."

"What does this weapon do?" Klara presses.

Atticus grumbles something under his breath, and everyone glances at him. He raises his hands in the air as if to say, What did I do?

"Alaron uses the weapon to control the realms," Apollon explains. "It's comprised of three separate orbs. With them, he is able to control which spirits go where—the Spirit Realm or the Realm of Lost Souls. With Alaron potentially hurt, or worse, the realms are left wide open for all sorts of nefarious activity."

"If there are three orbs, and only one of them is in Galespo, where are the other two?" Klara asks.

Apollon glances at me and then refocuses on Klara. "We do not yet know, but we will find them."

I breathe a sigh of relief. I don't want anyone here to know I found the other two orbs in The Spirit Realm or The Realm of Lost Souls. Questions will be asked about how I got into those Realms, and I don't want everyone to know of my abilities.

Atticus raps his fingers on the wooden table's surface. "Sneaking into Galespo is dangerous. Zalore will not take kindly to anyone who is caught, to put it mildly. He is a powerful and brutal male. But I do agree, Zarla. Your sister deserves to be saved from his ruthless clutches. She certainly won't be safe there."

Apollon glances at me and then addresses the table. "It's settled, then. We will assemble a team to sneak into Galespo and find the weapon."

"I need to find Lacinda and Demetros," I insist. "They're not safe on Earth. Amaros could use them against me. And if we're assembling a team, there are no two people I trust more than them. And Finlay."

Kyle lets out a low growl at the mention of Finlay's name, as per usual, and I roll my eyes. He clasps my hand firmly in his as we make our way through the corridor toward his quarters, and I pull it to my lips and kiss the back of it.

"I know you don't like him, or trust him, but I do. He's changed, I promise. And I need him."

I sense Kyle's possessiveness, and although I like it, knowing how much I mean to him, there's no need for it. Maybe once he sees Finlay again, he will see how much he's changed.

"You're right. I don't like him. But I trust you."

I smile up at him. "Thank you. I should go and get my friends now, and I can link with Finlay on the way to Earth and tell him to come here."

Kyle abruptly stops walking and yanks on my arm. Oh crap. He didn't know about the mind link. I grit my teeth as his nostrils flare and his chest rises with each rapid breath.

"You still share the mind link?" he asks, and although he's pissed, I can also see the hurt in his eyes.

I reach up and cup his cheek. "I'm sorry. I should have told you. I thought it would have severed the moment he was sent down to Earth as punishment, but upon his return, it reignited."

He doesn't say a word, and I chew my lip while wondering what he's thinking.

"It's been really beneficial," I continue. "It's saved me from some pretty intense situations. Without it, I don't know what would have happened."

Frowning, he reaches up and cups my face between his hands. "Anything that has kept you safe is important to me. If that includes your mind link to Finlay, then so be it. I will accept it."

I press myself into him, holding him tight and his cinnamon scent fills my nose.

"Let's go now. We'll find your friends and bring them back."

Pulling back, I stare up into his grey eyes. "Okay, let's do it."

We head outside the castle and release our wings then fly to the border. Kyle glances at me before diving off the edge of the Kingdom through the clouds and down to Earth, and I follow closely behind him.

Finlay, can you hear me? I ask through our mind link.

Gods above, Zarla. I have been so fucking worried. Are you all good?

Kyle glances back at me, knowing I am likely communicating with Finlay already, and I smile at him.

I'm fine. Kyle and I are on our way down to Earth to find Lacinda and Demetros.

Why? he asks.

We are assembling a team to sneak into Galespo to find the weapon of the gods Zalore and Amaros are using to open portals, and to save Astelle. We have a lot to catch up on.

Fuck. Okay. Amaros is pissed, Zarla. He's been sending watchers out to look for you. You need to be careful down there. They will be on high alert for you.

Shoot. That's the last thing we need. Okay, thanks for the heads-up. Please, can you go to Zarquon? You have to come with us to Galespo. I need friends I can trust.

I'll just meet you on Earth.

No, I tell him, it's not safe. I can't risk that. I'll meet you back in Zarquon, okay?

He groans, and I roll my eyes. Stubborn male.

Fine. But be careful. I'm glad to hear Kyle is with you.

I chuckle. He isn't particularly fond of Kyle either. Thanks, Finlay. I will check in when I can. See you soon. And leave as soon as possible, please.

I will. Be safe.

You too, I tell him.

Kyle and I land in the street , immediately scanning the area to ensure we're not going to be ambushed by watchers. The coast is clear, for now.

This quiet street is the same one from the last time I visited my friends. Only a handful of humans walk about, their guardians hovering close by. The sun is just starting to rise, and there's a chill in the air that settles deep in my bones. The scent of freshly baked bread wafts down the street, causing my stomach to grumble.

"How did it go?" Kyle asks.

"Good. He's going to meet us back in Zarquon."

He gives me a curt nod, seeming satisfied with that, and then glances around. "Where will we find Demetros and Lacinda?"

My stomach grumbles again, and Kyle arches a brow at me.

"What?" I ask. "I haven't eaten in… Well, I can't even remember. And I'm not sure, but let's try the park. That's where I found them the last time."

I head down the street and round the corner, Kyle following my every movement. Fresh morning dew covers the park's grass, and a few humans are out running. I can't see Lacinda or Demetros anywhere.

"Any luck?" Kyle whispers in my ear.

I shudder at his close proximity.

He puts his hand on my lower back and leans closer. "I can scent your desire for me." His nose brushes my neck, and he breathes in deep. "Can't wait to get you back to Zarquon."

I reach up and cup his neck, then tilt my face so he can kiss me. By the gods, this male can kiss. His touch ignites a fire within me, but I quickly pull away as it's so not the time or place.

"We better find them quick," I say breathlessly. "We can't risk being down here longer than absolutely necessary."

He groans then takes a step back. "Agreed. Come on."

We circle the neighbourhood a couple of times, but there's no sign of them anywhere. Why couldn't we use cell phones like the humans did? Makes a lot of sense now, given the situation. It would even be helpful to share a bond with them both. I wonder whether it's possible to do that?

I glance over to find Kyle staring at me, and my cheeks flush. "What?"

He chuckles. "Just wondering what's got you concentrating so hard. It's cute."

A smile curls my lips, and I playfully hit him on the arm. "Quit looking at me like that."

He raises his hands in the air as we round the next corner into an area of the neighbourhood we haven't yet searched. "Okay, okay. Don't tell me."

I roll my eyes. "I was just thinking about those cell phones humans use, how handy they would be right about now. Or a bond with them both. We have no idea where they are, and we have no way to get a hold of them."

In an instant, Kyle thrusts his arm out and shoves me back against a building. Before I have a chance to ask what's going on, I spot them. Several watchers and Silanthian guards are up ahead. My heart beats into my throat. Kyle grabs my wrist and pulls me back around the corner the way we just came.

"Shit. We can't let them see us!"

"Come on," he says and takes off running back down the street.

We run for a good five minutes before Kyle slows at the end of the street. We're near the opposite entrance to the park now, somewhere we haven't yet searched.

"Do you think we're in the clear?" I ask, breathing hard.

He runs his hand through his thick, dark hair. "I don't know, but we need to find your friends. Now."

"Zarla?"

I look around and see Lacinda jogging toward me.

"Thank the gods!" I say and run to meet her.

She throws her arms around me, and I hold her tight.

"What are you doing here?" she asks as she pulls away.

"We came to find you. Things are really bad. I've been in Zarquon, and we're assembling a team to sneak into Galespo. Zalore has Astelle, and they also have one of the weapons of the gods. Well, a part of it, anyway. It's made up of three separate orbs, and they have one of them in Galespo. They're using it to open portals and control the lost ones."

She frowns. "Wait, what? Who's they?"

Kyle walks over, and Lacinda's eyes widen as she studies him up and down.

"Lacinda, Kyle. Kyle, Lacinda," I say. "Zalore and Amaros. They took Alaron's weapon he uses to control the realms. We've got to get Astelle back and find that orb."

"Hey, it's nice to finally meet you," Kyle says.

Lacinda smirks and looks between the two of us. "Not bad, Zarla. Not bad. Nice to meet you, too, Kyle. And what the hell? That's insane."

I raise my brows in agreement and glance around to check that we haven't been followed. "Yep. Where's Demetros?"

She looks over her shoulder, and Demetros hovers several yards away near his human. He looks our way, grins, and then jogs over.

"Zarla!" He wraps his beefy arms around my neck.

I hug him back and giggle. "Good to see you too! This is Kyle."

He reaches out and shakes Kyle's hand. "Good to meet you. Finally."

"And you," Kyle says. "Look, I really hate to cut this short, but we can't stay. We just spotted a bunch of Silanthian guards and watchers back there, and if they catch us… Well, it won't be good."

They both look at one another with furrowed brows.

"What's going on?" Demetros asks.

"You know how Amaros has taken over as King of Silanthia? Well, he's also working with Zalore. We believe they've taken a weapon of the gods from Alaron. It's these three orbs he uses to control the realms and control which spirits go where. We think they're building an army of lost ones. And they have Astelle. We're assembling a team to sneak into Galespo, find one of the orbs, and get Astelle back."

Demetros grips the handle of his sword in his holster and shuffles from one foot to the other. "Shit. Well, you can count us in. Right, Lacinda?"

She nods. "Yeah, we'll go."

Kyle slaps Demetros on the back. "Thanks. We appreciate the help."

Lacinda tightens her ponytail. "We've got to secure someone to watch over our human. Then we can meet you both in Zarquon?"

I wrap my arms around her. "Thank you."

Kyle releases his wings, and I do the same.

"Be careful," I say. "Don't let those watchers or guards see you. Find someone to watch your human and leave. As soon as possible. We leave at dark."

Lacinda bites her bottom lip and fiddles with her nails.

"You okay?" I ask her.

She blows out a breath. "It's my job as second to look after our human when Demetros can't. I feel I'm letting him down."

Demetros caresses her cheek. "He'll be okay. We know other seconds who we can trust and who would be more than happy to help. This is important, and I know you would never abandon him unless we have no choice."

She swallows hard and nods, then wipes her eyes.

Kyle gives my hand a squeeze. "We need to head back."

"Yeah, you two get going," Demetros says. "We'll sort things here and meet you in Zarquon as soon as possible."

Kyle nods in acknowledgement and then shoots up into the air.

"Good luck," I tell them both before I do the same.

The fresh, cool wind whips past my face as I follow Kyle through the sky. We can't be far from the barrier now.

I catch movement in the corner of my eye, and before I can do anything, someone crashes into me. The force sends me into a whirlwind, tumbling me through the sky toward the ground until I manage to right myself. I scan the sky for whoever that was and spot several watchers circling me.

Zarla, what's going on? Finlay's voice fills my mind.

I can't see Kyle anywhere. Did he make it back into Zarquon?

"Zarla Quinn!" one of the males shouts. "You must come with us now. King's orders."

Shit. This is bad. Kyle, where are you?

I build my powers, blast them at the watcher, and shoot up through the clouds. I risk a glance back, and they're gaining on me. I sense Kyle's anxiety as I get closer to the barrier. He must know I'm in trouble. He must've crossed through the barrier already.

Zarla! Finlay shouts.

One of the watchers bumps into me, and I'm sent flying to the left. I right myself and continue on, pushing myself to fly harder and faster. The other watcher moves in on my left. They're closing in on me. He reaches out and grabs my ankle. I kick my leg to shake him off, but it doesn't work. I build my powers again and aim at him, but before I get the chance to blast him, the other watcher grabs my wrist, wrapping a wire around my arm.

Finlay, I need help!

My power immediately drains. Shoot. I try to blast him with my other hand, but the other watcher wraps the wire around that wrist, too. My stomach plummets.

"We've got her!" he shouts to the third watcher, who is flying somewhere below us.

"Get her back to Silanthia!" he instructs.

I'm coming! Finlay responds.

A figure darts across the sky with immense black wings I would recognize anywhere.

Kyle.

"I'll take care of it!" the watcher below shouts. "Just get her to Silanthia!"

Kyle flies down toward me, his expression carved with rage as he locks his gaze on me and the watchers restraining me.

"Get off me!" I shout, but it's no use.

They grab my arms and fly me up toward the barrier. No, no, no.

"Kyle!" I scream.

If they get me into Silanthia, that's it. I'll be trapped there forever. Amaros will never let me go again. I struggle against the firm grip of the watchers, but without my powers, I'm useless against them. They are huge, powerful males. They've got me.

Kyle smacks his fist hard into the watcher's face. He builds his powers and then blasts the watcher, who attempts to dodge it but fails. He then falls from the sky. Kyle shoots up towards us like a bullet, quickly catching up.

"Let her go!" he shouts.

They ignore him and carry on. We're almost at the barrier. I can sense it.

Just before we reach it, someone shoots down through the clouds and smashes into the three of us. The impact forces the watchers to release me. But my wings won't work. My energy withers more and more by the minute, and my eyes grow heavy. I plummet toward Earth.

I blink hard, desperately trying to keep my eyes open as two figures shoot down toward me. Then, everything goes black.