Chapter Twenty-One

The good thing about having a day left until the Auraxa Reiv aligned was that there was time to try to flesh out my idea, go over the million ways it could go wrong, and come up with a backup plan.

The bad thing was, there really was no backup plan, and I had to deal with the boys trying to talk me out of it.

When I’d really needed a break from the hard looks the guys were giving me, I’d sequestered myself in the bathroom and braided my hair in a series of cornrows that I’d directed to the side. It might seem frivolous to fuss over my hair at a time like this, but I needed it. It was something simple when everything else was extremely complex.

And frustrating.

And sad.

I let a few tears slip down my cheeks as thoughts of Kinari and my parents came and went, and let my brain try to see if there was another plan I could present to the boys. But there wasn’t.

Given the odds, my best shot was to try to recruit help from the past and hope it wouldn’t mean another centuries-long nap. Yeah, I was putting a lot on Mixuné, but deep down, I had a feeling she would meet me where I needed her. Her card box ending up with me, with her note, meant something, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was exactly it.

Around seven-thirty, Callan and I got ready to go.

I was dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved button-down over a tank, and boots. Since we were both still bruised and bandaged in a few places, we looked like we’d already taken a run across a battlefield. Thankfully, as far as pain and soreness went, the healing balm made it so we felt better than we looked. It’d been running low, so I’d quickly whipped up another batch this morning and it was even more potent now that the plants had been touched by Kinari’s magic. It was a bittersweet feeling knowing my little sister was helping the fight even though she wasn’t here anymore.

I swallowed past the lump that was forming in my throat. I would not cry for Kinari, I would honor her sacrifice by making sure I stayed alive and stopped another wave of magical destruction from sweeping over the world.

When I finished strapping the Gladius to my back, I took a deep breath and turned to face Gideon and Toji, who were standing near the sofa. I was glad they hadn’t put up a fuss when I told them they wouldn’t be coming. I would not risk their lives again. Ashe was waiting by the door with Callan, who was dressed in jeans and a black T-shirt.

Callan and I would have been a hell of a lot more prepared with some body armor, but alas, cotton and denim was all we had. I’d given Callan his pick of my weapons and he’d chosen a double-bladed ax. He’d shown us his skills while we’d remained a safe distance away near the kitchen, and I’d been impressed.

I was still uneasy about him coming along, even though he was a skilled fighter and magic user. I didn’t want a repeat of what happened to Gideon. But without him, the plan had no chance of succeeding.

Luce had been flying around, chittering in her melodious language as we got ready. She flew over to me and I cupped my hands so she could land.

“Thank you for everything,” I said. “It barely seems like an adequate thing to say, and I wish all the other Cephis were here so I could say it to them, too. You protected Ashe and me for almost three hundred years, and you gave me a weapon against dark magic. I wish I understood more about Cephis, wish I spoke your language, wish I knew if you’ve been okay living here with us, or if you’re lonely for a life with more of your kind. But I wouldn’t be here without you, and that means a lot.”

Luce chittered, then flew up to my shoulder and made herself comfortable. I hadn’t thought about what she’d do while I executed my plan, but it seemed as though she was coming along for the journey. Interesting.

Toji stepped forward and handed me the crossbody bag that contained Mixuné’s card box. I put it on, then gave him a hug. I felt a deep sadness for what Toji had endured because of Varian. That he would have to live with the slaughter of his family and the memory of Gideon’s death.

“I don’t like how much of a risk this is for you but I understand that it’s our best option,” he said when he pulled away. “And I wish I could be of more help.”

“You embraced your birthright even though it’s a terrible burden so you could try to help my sister,” I told him. “Even though it put you in danger with Varian and his Jigori. You couldn’t possibly have been more helpful. I appreciate you more than I can say, Toji.” We hugged again, then I stepped away and turned to Gideon.

“I just don’t like it.” Gideon’s arms were folded across his chest, and he gave me a dark look. “This sounds like a one-way trip. I’ve been asking you all day. Are you planning to go and shut the door?”

“If Callan can get me through, then someone can get me back.” There was a small thought that I was trying to keep buried, but I knew all three of them were thinking it. What if I couldn’t come back, or chose not to?

I’d cross that bridge when I got to it. For now, I had to make sure I didn’t end up asleep for another two hundred and ninety-two years.

“That is not a confident answer,” Gideon said, throwing his hands up. “You have got to be kidding me with this flimsy-ass plan!”

“Gi,” Toji said, his voice low but firm. “It’s her life at stake. And you know Penn is anything but reckless. Put some trust in her.”

Gideon sighed, then dropped his hands and pulled me into a hug. When we broke apart I saw the fear on his face. “I…I don’t like the idea of never seeing you again. Using your Chronsphere means…”

“I know it’s a half-assed plan, but trust me, okay? I’m gonna try my damned best to come back. This plan will hopefully save us all.”

“No self-sacrifice shit?”

“Not if I can help it. And remember, don’t leave the apartment for any reason until this is all over.”

Callan had created another time pocket within the apartment, and I wanted Gideon and Toji to stay inside it. I had no idea what the outcome of my plan would be, but it involved going back in time, and I knew any sort of time jump could have a ripple of consequences. Which was why when I jumped, Callan would bubble himself and Ashe. Because time pockets existed outside linear time, I hoped they’d be safe from whatever upheaval I caused.

Toji and Gideon clasped forearms with Callan as they said goodbye, and my mouth quirked when I heard Gideon say all the things he’d do to Callan if something happened to me. To his credit, Callan accepted the tirade with a solemn face while Toji put his hand on his shoulder in solidarity against Gi’s dramatics.

When Gideon was done telling Callan about himself, he turned to me.

I was ready for round two but he just sighed, his shoulders slumping. He came over and held out a small, folded piece of paper. “I wrote the plan down, in case you need to refresh yourself at some point.”

I raised an eyebrow and unfolded the paper.

All he’d written was Kick ass and come back.

My damn throat grew tight.

“If I don’t follow this plan to a T, you have permission to kick my ass,” I said, giving him one last hug.

“Deal,” he said.

…

The street near the magic museum was mostly empty and a quiet lay over the area, as though people knew something big was brewing and it was best to stay away.

I parked the Jeep several blocks over and we walked the rest of the way. Ashe had Morphed into dog form, understanding it was best for us to maintain discretion.

As we headed to the side of the museum, to one of the conservatory exits, I glanced up at the sky. My breath caught as I took in the alignment of the Auraxa Reiv.

The sky was cloudless, and the supermoon loomed large. Around the moon was a huge nebula that looked like a watercolor masterpiece painted across the sky.

Swirls of magenta, various shades of blue, and deep rich purples surrounded the moon and were clustered with brightly burning stars that followed a pattern of curves and angles. It was breathtaking, but its beauty was cut through by the danger it represented.

I could feel its pull, as could the Gladius. The Divine magic pulsing through it beat against my back much stronger than I’d ever felt it, and my own Shaper magic sparked stronger, feeling like a caged animal seeking release.

I’d been under my punished sleep the last time the Auraxa Reiv had been completely aligned, so I’d never felt the full weight of its pull before. It was exhilarating.

“You feel that?” Callan asked. He, too, was looking up at the sky, and was as awestruck as I was. And apprehensive.

“Yeah. It’s powerful.”

We exchanged a look, and he took my hand in his as we continued walking.

“Are you sure?” he asked for the millionth time.

“Callan…”

“I know. It’s just…it’s so risky, and a lot of your plan is based on crossing your fingers and hoping going back to the magic-era will provide what’s needed to help us now. Plus, what if you hit the ground before I can even send you through?” His tone was laced with worry, and I couldn’t blame him for being concerned. Hell, it’s not like I was a hundred percent sure about this. Telling him, Gideon, and Toji that I “had a feeling” this would work wasn’t very strong validation. But we were here, and this was the plan.

“You said there’s a small window when a Chronsphere is being used, right? That feeding three hundred years to the nexus points would take a few minutes and I wouldn’t revert until it was all gone. The same way Kinari didn’t…collapse, until her sixty-seven years were taken.”

“Yes, but…”

“Then a few minutes is enough time for me to work with.” I hoped.

“And what if you’re able to make it through, then you fall? The Chronsphere will get used either way.”

“I’m hoping once I’m on the other side, I can get the help I need. Not just for the problems here, but myself.” I stopped walking and turned to him, taking in the full brunt of his apprehension. I almost made a joke about his brow freezing that way if he kept frowning this much. “It’s not a tactical plan I’d be proud of presenting to anyone going into battle. I know you, Gideon, and Toji don’t feel confident about it. The odds aren’t stacked in our favor and I know it’s hard to have much faith in this but…” I shrugged.

“I have faith in you,” he said, bending down and touching his forehead to mine. “I’ll do my part.”

“Thank you.” We pulled back and I searched his face, trying to show him that I was confident even if I had my own doubts. But actions spoke louder than words, so all that really mattered was how the rest of the night played out.

He squeezed my hand, then let it go.

We walked the rest of the way to the door, and I took a deep breath, then used my magic to break the lock mechanism and open it.

I expected an alarm to ring, and we paused, but nothing came.

Guessed Varian didn’t care if anyone busted in on him right now, since he was moments away from acquiring the Majimorta.

I eased the door open and we headed inside.

There were no lights on, but the conservatory was well-lit due to the domed ceiling and the full moon. I knew that wasn’t a coincidence.

Varian had specifically chosen to build the museum on top of the nexus points, ensuring it would be cut off from the apprentice descendants and always under his watch. That the moon aligned perfectly with the conservatory tonight let me know we were correct in assuming the nexus points were here and not elsewhere in the museum.

As soon as the door closed, Ashe Morphed back to her Circoux form, I unsheathed the Gladius, and Callan his ax. Like Ashe, whose fire the Jigori could feed off of, Callan was at a disadvantage. He couldn’t use his magic, and his ax didn’t have Divine power like my sword did, so he could slice and dice the Jigori but couldn’t kill them.

Luce moved from my shoulder to nestle in Ashe’s fur, and seconds later, we heard a Jigori’s growl as it stepped out from the pool of shadows under a large plant pot.

And it wasn’t the only one. Within moments, we were faced with three of them. Anticipation rippled through me. I squared my shoulders and adjusted my grip on the Gladius slightly. Now it was time to unleash all my anger.

“One each,” I said, slanting a smile at Callan, which he returned. I then snapped my focus to one of the Jigori and swung out with my sword. Callan ran forward to deal with another one, and Ashe snarled and leaped forward to deal with the third.

The Jigori dodged the Divine magic I sent its way, parrying back into the shadows and disappearing. Damn shadow-walking constructs.

I spun around, trying to pinpoint where it’d emerge. A snarl above me wasn’t enough warning, and the Jigori slammed into me from overhead.

I went down hard and cried out as its claws sunk into my chest. My arm was pinned by one of its forelegs. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t move.

I was seconds away from having my magic sucked out of me.

Then came a wave of blinding white magic and the Jigori was blasted off me.

I jumped to my feet and my eyes landed on Ashe…who was…glowing?

Her body was encompassed in the same kind of glow as Luce, who was still on her back, and I watched her release another blast of white fire at a Jigori, which caused it to explode into gray smoke.

Connecting the dots was easy enough. Luce was lending Ashe her magic.

That way she could breathe fire and it’d pack a punch against the Jigori instead of a meal to boost their strength. That Cephi was a little badass.

Since the conservatory was bathed in moonlight, I hoped she’d be able to replenish her strength and not exhaust it helping Ashe.

Ignoring the intense burning in my chest, I advanced on another Jigori and cut into its side with my blade.

It howled as smoke sizzled off it. It brought its head around and snapped at me viciously, but I danced back, brought the sword around again, and sliced it in two. I then turned around to see four more Jigori on the scene.

Ashe had one in her mouth that she shook vigorously before she sent it flying into another one, then purified them both with her Divine fire. Callan cut through one with his ax, going for a clean chop of its head, before swinging the ax into the side of another. With every Jigori he cut down, Ashe backed him up by disintegrating it with her new white fire.

I dodged the claws of one, then took a body slam from another.

My body thrummed in pain and I might have cracked a rib. I gritted my teeth against the pain, rolled to my feet, and released a series of blasts from the sword, making the Jigori run back or jump into shadows to escape.

Callan made a strangled sound and I turned quickly, thinking a Jigori had gotten its claws into him. But Callan was still on his feet, and his reaction had been caused by the fact that all the shadows in front of us were moving, flowing together like water until they were a swirling pool of darkness. Then the darkness moved upward.

Callan, Ashe, and I backed away until we stood together, watching as the shadows came together in the vague shape of a person before dropping to the floor, leaving a nightmarish construct behind.

The shadow construct looked more monster than human, but it was vaguely recognizable as a man. His skin was inky black, his skeletal body more than fifty percent decayed.

My stomach roiled; he smelled like death. His eyes were sunken in orbs that glowed red, and it was clear there was no logical mind in control.

More shadows moved, flowed, pooled, gave shape to other people I recognized from the time pocket massacre. About a dozen of them.

Varian had turned them all into Shamblers. One of the darkest kinds of Necromajin workings, they were nightmarish reanimations. Vicious, strong, fast, able to traverse through shadows like Jigori, and already dead, so you could hack away at them and they’d feel no pain.

Ashe and I had faced Shamblers a few times back in the magic-era. Diviners had been kept busy purifying hordes of Shamblers Necromajin raised, hoping to create armies and use them to claim land and power.

Facing off against Jigori was already bad. Now it was even worse.

But I had a Divine sword and a Circoux who could breathe Divine fire.

“Move!” I shook Callan, whose eyes were still on the first Shambler, then ran forward and sliced through the one closest to me.

She shrieked as her arm was cut off and Divine magic burned through her, but she wasn’t down for the count. She slashed me across my cheek with bony claws that sent a jolt of pain through me. I returned the favor and then some by aiming the sword at her waist. She crumbled into graying ash.

I barely had time to get my bearings before I was slammed by another one and went falling, the sword skittering from my hand. Trapped under the Shambler, I was engulfed in the putrid scent of a rotting corpse, feeling skin slough under my hands and things dripping on me that I didn’t want to pay too much attention to.

Shamblers were stronger than they looked, and I wasn’t having an easy time trying to heave it off me. Fortunately, Ashe blasted it, causing it to explode, its dust raining down on me.

I blocked my nose and mouth as best I could, coughing around the taste of death that seemed permanently stuck to the back of my throat.

I got up, and Ashe used her paw to slide my sword over to me. I nodded my thanks, then jumped back into the melee.

I cut down two more Shamblers before I found Callan near the door we’d come through, swinging the ax, trying to keep a Shambler away from him.

The Shambler grabbed the ax’s blade and dragged it from his hands, then flung it backward. He then lunged for Callan, who did a jump kick to his chest. But these fuckers were really hardy. The Shambler barely stumbled from a kick that should have sent him flying.

The wraparound walkway was getting crowded.

Ashe and her Divine fire were doing a good job cutting down their numbers, but we would soon be overwhelmed. Especially with one of us down a weapon.

We needed to get to more open space.

“Run!” I shouted.

Ashe blasted a path through the Shamblers and we ran.

When we got to the railing, we leaped over, landing on the conservatory floor, which was completely bare. There were no more plants and trees. It had been stripped down to the concrete, no traces of the massacre left.

The Shamblers followed, throwing themselves over the railing in an uncoordinated way that might have been comical had our lives not been in danger.

When they hit the ground, some of them lost a limb or rotting organ that had barely been kept inside the gaping holes in their bodies, but they all got up and started coming toward us again. Callan’s ax had landed here and he quickly retrieved it. My head whipped around when I heard Callan release a shocked gasp. He was dancing back from another Shambler, his chest heaving as another ragged sound escaped him.

My eyes widened when I saw what had elicited that reaction from him.

This Shambler was Marcai.