Chapter 34
Sibling Rivalry
Echo flailed her arms and legs wildly, as if she could somehow keep herself airborne. The flaps of her tunic billowed behind her, snapping in the wind.
Large droplets of water formed and clung to her arms and body. They seemed to grow as more droplets congealed with the first. Within seconds, a giant bubble of water had formed beneath Echo’s entire body. A strange, watery whisper sounded in her ear, “Take a deep breath NOW!”
Taking a deep breath while plunging toward her death seemed an impossible task. Echo somehow managed to fill her lungs just before slamming into the river. The huge watery bubble absorbed the shock of the impact, saving Echo’s body from breaking into a million pieces. The bubble dissolved into a shower of droplets again, melding with the surrounding water. Instinctively, Echo thrust herself toward the surface and toward air as she relayed to her panicking horse that she’d survived.
Before she got far, something grabbed her arm and held her fast. Twisting frantically as she pulled against the restraint, Echo caught the form of Cage’s face in the water. A stream of bubbles danced toward her, very similar to the fog the wraith had used the first time they’d met. Echo relaxed as Cage worked his magic. She could still feel the air seeping from her lungs. Had Cage joined the cause of the doons and was now going to lure her to a dark, watery death?
The glow of fire from the villages danced through the water, caressing Cage’s handsome features. His eyes locked with hers and he suddenly pulled her to him and placed his mouth firmly over her lips. She couldn’t have resisted if she’d tried, his strength was too much for her.
What Echo thought was a kiss turned out to be something different, something strange. Her lips were slightly parted as Cage’s mouth came over hers, and oxygen seeped into her lungs. Desperate for breath, she grabbed the wraith and allowed him to ‘kiss’ her more deeply. When they parted, Echo was breathing easily under the water.
Cage’s liquid-smooth voice sounded in her ears, “Saving your life is becoming a habit.” He gave her a sly smirk. He was still holding her shoulders and looking at her in a strange way.
The bubbles swirled around them again, causing her to soften in Cage’s grip even more. He was still very close to her and she could feel the spell weakening her resolve. Cage seemed to look past her eyes, into her mind. His voice was a soothing whisper, “If your heart didn’t belong to that freakish fae I’d…”
Echo looked dreamily into his eyes, “You’d what?” Her voice was watery and strange, like in a dream.
Cage suddenly let go, the bubbles vanished, and Echo came out of her trance. She shook her head slowly in the water, her heart pounding. She really wished the wraith couldn’t get control over her so easily. She shuddered at what she thought he’d been about to say.
Cage spoke, breaking the uneasy moment, “The best way to forgive yourself is to first accept that you’ve done something wrong,” he said casually.
Echo looked at him, totally confused. “What?”
“I know everything about my ‘victims’, remember. I saw in your mind what needs to be done to stop Belzac. You’ll never be able to forgive him until you accept forgiveness yourself. Let go of your past mistakes.”
Echo’s mind was spinning. First, the wraith had invaded her in far too intimate a way again. And, what did he mean by accepting her failures? Why would she, or how could she accept what she’d done wrong? She didn’t understand.
“If I didn’t admit to and accept my wrongs every time I made a mistake, I would’ve killed myself by now. You have to let go and move on. It’s the only way,” Cage said. Echo remained speechless, her thoughts whirling.
Cage spoke again, changing the subject, “Come on, I have something to show you.” He grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the water with astonishing speed. They swam through the cold, dark river, away from the warm glow of the torches over the surface. Echo’s vision could barely capture anything but dark water when Cage stopped. She shivered from the cold and the blackness. Cage turned her body by gently pressing her shoulders until she was facing away from him. She had to hang on to the wraith’s arm to keep from being swept away with the river’s current.
Echo gasped at what she saw. At least a hundred water wraiths, half of which were mounted on kelpies, stood at attention as if awaiting orders. Echo’s body trembled at the sight of them; ghostly figures astride demon horses with blazing red eyes and nostrils. The moving water only made the scene more eerie as their forms wavered in and out of focus.
Turning to Cage with her mouth gaping and eyes bulging, Echo asked, “Are they all with us?”
Cage lifted a necklace from his chest, causing it to glow. Every one of the wraiths before them followed suite, their glowing necklaces illuminating the riverbed. “They are all with us. They will fight fiercely because they all want what I want--freedom. They wait for your command.”
Echo was stunned into silence. She couldn’t even command her own emotions, how was she going to command an army of water wraiths? She pulled her uncle’s medallion from beneath her tunic and traced the design with her fingers as if to draw from it comfort or wisdom. Cage placed his hand over hers, gaining her attention. “Just tell us where we’re needed. We’ll do the rest.”
“I, well…” Echo’s mind went blank for a moment. Then, images from Shimmer reminded her that evil wraiths and doons were overpowering Silmah. Her horse had somehow managed to break away from Midnight Sun and was now circling the village. “There are a group of wraiths, maybe thirty or so, and several doons overtaking Silmah. Could you help the villagers and the elves there? And maybe some of you can help the other villages, too.” Echo looked tentatively toward the ghostly army. “P-Please?” she asked nervously.
Cage looked to his companions and in a booming voice shouted, “You heard the Kavalah! Show your courage and fight for our freedom!”
Echo expected a thunder of battle shouts after that, but the wraiths silently shot away from Cage and Echo in a frighteningly powerful rush of water. Cage held Echo tight, keeping her from being swept away. Six wraiths remained behind, plus Cage. When the raging water calmed, he told her, “Tell Shimmer to meet us at Ulway. I believe Dorian has made his way there. We’ll take you through the rivers to keep you away from Brecker. If Ulway hasn’t been compromised, you and Shimmer can rest. Belzac is coming, we can all feel it.” Fear showed in Cage’s eyes as he looked at Echo. “You’ll need your strength.”
Cage whistled, which sounded like strange warbling under the water, and Velth appeared. Echo jumped back as the demon came close. Cage wrapped a strong arm around Echo’s waist and pulled her onto the kelpie in one fluid movement. “Like I said, he won’t hurt you if I’m with you.” Cage settled behind Echo, wrapping his arms around her as he reached forward and grasped Velth’s dancing mane. The other wraiths summoned their mounts and formed a protective circle around Echo and Cage. Cage’s voice was soft but commanding in Echo’s ear, “Hold on.”
The kelpie shot forward, taking Echo’s breath. His long mane streamed back, grabbing at her throat. Echo felt as if she were astride a great fish as Velth slithered through the water at a speed unheard of. Everything was a streak of black and orange as they passed Silmah. Echo prayed that the other wraiths were helping that village--and that no one was mistakenly attacking them.
It seemed they’d only been riding a few seconds when Velth suddenly surged upward, throwing Echo against Cage’s chest. The veil of water gave way, breaking into a blast of foam and spraying droplets. The kelpie landed on the river bank as Echo inhaled pure air. She suddenly felt as if she’d been holding her breath the entire time she was under water. Her lungs strained as she breathed deeply several times.
Velth and the other six kelpies came to a dripping halt before a wall of villagers, elves, and fae all holding torches toward the sudden appearance of the wraiths. Dorian’s voice sounded over the crackling of
the flames. “Lower your torches! They wear Jiggers’ charms!”
The torches were pulled away and Echo felt Cage relax. He dismounted and then helped her slop off Velth’s back. “No offence,” she said breathlessly, “But I’d rather ride Shimmer!” The ride with the kelpie had left her feeling weak and cold. Her wet clothes clung to her skin, sending a chill to her bones.
“Echo! Are you alright?” A flood of relief and warmth washed over Echo at the sound of Keebo’s voice. The fae glared at Cage for a fraction of a second, but then his eyes were all for Echo. He placed his hands on her face, allowing their warmth to seep into her skin.
“Cage saved my life twice more, so you should probably stop glaring at him,” Echo said softly.
“You don’t have to worry about me, little fae,” Cage said to Keebo in a dry tone. Then, Echo thought she heard a touch of sadness as he said, “Her heart is all yours.”
Keebo looked at the wraith, his features softening. “Thank you, Cage. We are all in your debt.” He looked into Echo’s eyes again. “Especially me.”
Echo smiled, then stuttered, “C-Could you p-possibly dry m-me off? I’m f-freezing!”
As Keebo and three other woodland fae used the heat from their palms to dry and warm Echo, Dorian updated the wraiths. Shimmer arrived, nearly trampling several in her path in her frantic attempt to get to Echo. Remorse flowed from the horse, hitting Echo like waves of electricity. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Shimmer,” Echo said as she hugged her horse’s great neck. “Everything worked out.” Shimmer nickered softly, nudging Echo with her head.
Echo felt a small bit of joy as her friends, Thalen and Alena, came towards her. Echo hadn’t seen much of them over the past few weeks. They carried a great tub of water and set it before Shimmer. The horse took several small gulps. Echo understood her horse didn’t want too much extra weight--they needed to keep light for flying and fighting. A mug was handed to Echo and she followed her horse’s example, taking only small sips of the refreshing water.
“Have you seen Brecker?” Thalen asked, his eyes brimming with concern.
Echo nodded. “Yes,” she said quietly. “He’s in the darkness,” Echo stated, knowing the elf would understand the double meaning.
Thalen’s face dropped and Alena placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She whispered something in elvish and then looked at Echo. “It is not over, Echo. Have faith and hope. In the end, the light will overcome the darkness.”
Echo attempted a thankful smile, but failed. She hugged her friend as she wished with all her might that the elf’s words would come true.
A meadow fairy in miniature size zipped toward Dorian, transformed to human size, and spoke with quick breaths. “Dorian! The shield around Thildin has been breached--a small hole was found and the doons are seeping through. Thildin is under attack!”