Standing at my side, looking into my wide eyes was Preston. He smiled adoringly as my eyes rushed over his innocent face and I finally began to realize who Nathaniel was in my life now. I remembered what he told me: that when I descended, my path would be clear. The confidence I felt from this understanding was humbling.
“Bring me Brady and Chrispin,” I whispered to him, careful not to move my body from the way it was laid.
He smiled, and I closed my eyes. I didn’t let my soul rise. I could feel everyone behind me; I imagined they were watching Landen as he sat in meditation. I felt Preston and Chrispin coming closer to me. Preston whispered, “Lean in...stay calm.” I felt Chrispin’s anticipation rise, and when I felt the heat of his skin near mine, I slowly opened my eyes and stared into his. He was just inches away from my face.
“Let them think you’re gone...I’ll bring her back to you,” I whispered to him.
Relief swept through him as he leaned in closer and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes again. I could feel him moving to lie on the table next to me. I knew Beth was watching him, and I could feel her agony as she moved closer to us, wanting to comfort her baby boy. Preston had moved away, and I could feel Brady’s confusion as he was casually pulled away from watching Landen by Preston. I felt Brady lean in to me. “Stay calm,” Preston whispered to him.
I could feel hope rise inside of Brady as he leaned closer to me. When I felt the heat of his body, I opened my eyes. Staring into his face made me feel so much closer to Landen; excitement beamed from my soul. “Protect our bodies from Dane...I need a distraction to leave,” I whispered.
I felt astonishment come from Beth and knew that she was watching me. Brady’s face held the solemn expression that it had carried, but his eyes were elated. As he leaned over and kissed my forehead, I closed my eyes and waited for my distraction.
I felt a confidence and determination rise inside of Beth. It was all I could do not to smile as I felt her intent not only to distract Dane, but also help Brady protect us from any harm he may intend to do to us.
“This is insane!” she screamed, walking away from where Chrispin and I were lying.
“Beth, calm down,” Brady said, playing into the drama she was portraying.
“No! I’m not going to calm down!” she screamed louder. “Willow is dead – can all of you not see that?! And now look – Drake and Landen are so heartbroken, they’ve launched themselves into a suicide mission. You want me to stay calm, knowing that I’ll lose two of my son’s within the next hour? None of you even tried to stop Chrispin!”
“He wouldn’t have listened. He would have gone regardless!” Brady yelled back.
“I can’t believe how blinded you all are. The devil has you playing into his hands, leading us one by one to slaughter!” Beth yelled.
“Really? Blind?!” Dane yelled. “That’s not what it looks like to me; it looks like they’re gonna save Olivia – do you not care about her?”
Anger engulfed Beth. “Me? You were the last one seen with her! You did this!”
She was the only one beyond Drake to openly accuse Dane of placing Olivia in harm’s way. Panic swept through the room, and my father and Ashten both had the immediate intent to defuse the turmoil.
Their intent was in vain, though, because at that moment arguments erupted from every direction. Brady’s emotion was screaming at me to go now, so I cleared my mind and rose from my body.
Behind me, I could see Dane’s back to me and the others. Marc, Ashten, and my dad were trying to hold Beth off him. Brady saw my soul, and as I moved behind him, he shadowed me, casually allowing me to move through the open doorway that led to the study. I grinned, knowing that I had them all fooled. I passed through the study, knowing I needed to see where I wanted to move. Suddenly, I halted. At the window was Alamos; he was leaning into the pane of the last window – the only one I hadn’t broken before - and I could hear him crying. I stepped closer to him, understanding that he did love us all deeply. When I reached his side, he looked up, and elation was in his eyes. I raised my fingers to my lips and told him to remain quiet. I then looked to the window to the distant edge of the city.
“You will prevail,” he whispered to me.
I smiled and focused on where I wanted to go: a rooftop a mile away. Within that breath, I was there. From that point, I could see the docks that lined the outer edge of the city. I focused myself there and moved my soul. From that point, I could see the ships in the distance. They were strategically spaced in battle formation around the small rock island, and the crews were lowering small rafts into the water. I saw the boat that carried my followers, the one that was soon to be destroyed by the priests.
I thought of Aella, the power she had with the atmosphere, the power she showed me how to use. My eyes focused on the boat, and I breathed in, imagining a wind coming to me. The boat began to drift sideways through the water. I diligently focused on the boat I was moving, not wanting the battleships to be moved; I knew we may need them. The boat drifted on its side to the shore of Delen.
I felt the dazed emotions of the passengers as they rushed to the shore. I then saw people from Delen charge onto the boat with the intent to release whoever may be shackled below.
The lead ship fired a cannon, as if to warn the island that they were under attack. I focused on its helm and moved my soul there.
From that point, I could see the light pouring out from the mountain’s peak; I could even hear chants from the devil’s followers. I focused on the jagged edges that encased the people below, then moved there; from that point, I could see inside. There was an altar in the center of the room, and men in red robes were lining the walls; there were well over a thousand of them. Their chants were in unison, sounding like one deep voice calling its master. I saw five small children standing in front of the altar; they were terrified, yet certain that I’d save them. I looked at the distant ships, then to them again. At first I wanted just to raise the children above the robed men and push them to the ship – but I feared I would cause more harm than good. I needed someone to help me get them to the boats – home to Delen.
As I noticed the lead ship moving closer to the island, I took in a deep breath; wind then came and drew the boat closer to the island. Once the boat was near the island, rafts were lowered and men began to row to shore. I didn’t have time to wait for them, so once again I took in a breath and pulled them to shore. As I watched them scale the side of the mountain, I knew I could lift the small children to safety.
All at once, the chants below turned into a slow hum. Drake had appeared at the center of the altar, and four men in black robes came to his side. As I focused on him, I could feel utter devotion coming from within. I knew then that Landen was inside him and that they’d joined, hoping that together they’d be powerful enough to save Olivia and the children in front of them.
As Drake extended his arm toward the crowd, the room grew silent, then one of the men in black began to beat slowly on the metal plate. Everyone in the room turned to look at an opening just behind them. I followed their stare and saw Olivia standing all alone. I could feel her terror; her tiny body trembled, not wanting to move another inch. I was out of time to save the children. From where I was, I knew I’d have to move directly into Olivia – to show them my power from there. A sly grin spread across my face as I felt the victory that was sure to come.
I needed Olivia to be composed, to let me take immediate control. I focused on the numbing sensation of calm, knowing she’d need to feel that, then I moved to her body.
I closed her eyes as I entered and took a deep breath with her lungs. “I’m here. Let me have control, and I’ll save you,” I let my soul say to hers. I felt her release and fall back.
I let her eyes fly open, then stared confidently to the other side of the room, where Drake stood. It was all I could do to hold a straight face. From where I stood, I could feel the energy and love that I lived for - I could feel Landen. I began to step confidently for
ward as the hums from the crowd began again. With each step, they grew deeper and more intense.
When I was close enough to see Drake’s eyes clearly - to see the sparkle of Landen’s soul in the core of him - I thought, I’m here, I’ve always been with you. Drake’s body stood at attention as my thoughts reached Landen. His face held the look of a king, a man prepared for anything - including death - but his eyes beamed an undying love and gratitude.
I love you, Landen thought.
I stepped closer and thought, I’ll love you forever.
I raised my arms in front of me, reached my energy around the five small children in front of the altar, then breathed out, sending a rush of wind beneath their feet. The chants grew silent as the men watched the children rise through the top of the mountain. I moved them to the side and felt the relief and gratitude from the men outside; I knew they were safe.
I stepped boldly forward, holding the stare of Drake’s intense dark eyes.
As I reached the base of the altar, one of the men in black cloaks stepped in front of Drake. His hood shadowed his face.
“Do you accept this power?” he said to me.
I nodded, prepared to move him out of my way by whatever force I needed.
“Do you take the soul in this man as yours for eternity?” he asked me.
I nodded, then with a glance flung his body from the altar and climbed the steps to Drake. The chants began again. As I looked into Drake’s eyes, my soul found a way to see them as two, Drake and Landen side by side. In my mind, I took the power I felt Aella push through me and created an image of her. From my perspective, I was stepping closer to Landen and she was stepping closer to Drake.
I reached up for Landen and pulled him to my lips. My body felt Drake’s addictive sensation, but my soul only felt Landen. Drake’s arms went around me and held me so tight, I almost lost my breath. The room began to shake, and rocks broke free from the walls and crashed down. I pulled away just enough to look into their eyes. All around us, the room was glowing red, and between us a bright light beamed. Suddenly, the men stopped their chants and began to scatter, screaming in horror.
The walls began to crash all around us. Hold on, Landen thought. Drake is taking control.
I squeezed my arms around Drake’s body, feeling the energy of Landen reach out for me. Don’t let them know you're back...wait for me...this isn't over, I thought, looking into the soul of Landen.
I felt an understanding come from him, then the sparkle of his soul left and the mesmerizing darkness of Drake’s eyes came to life. He smiled at me and tightened his arms around Olivia’s waist. I felt a burst of energy erupt around us, rushing us through the air. We passed through the opening of the mountain as the walls collapsed on the men left inside.
When we couldn’t rise any higher, our bodies began to fall fiercely back to Earth and we crashed into the ocean with stagnant force. I felt Drake’s arms lose their strength as he fell deeper into the water. I held my eyes open, trying to see him in the darkness of the angry sea. I dove deeper, swimming at full force into the swirling water. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel his energy.
I didn’t think Olivia’s body would allow me to stay under the water much longer; I could feel her fighting for her survival. Below me, I saw a light and pushed deeper to reach it. As I got closer, I saw the image of Aella holding Drake’s limp body. Her lips were to his, giving him the breath he needed to stay alive. When I reached them, she looked up at me; her eyes were so green, the water shifted to emerald. As I looped my arm under his shoulders, the image of Aella pushed us away, her force propelling us up through the water. I felt Olivia’s lungs scream in protest under the pressure.
I kept looking for the surface, and just when I thought I couldn’t make it another second, we broke through. The breath that I took when we finally made it was the sweetest breath I’d ever felt. As we bolted through the air and crashed onto the deck of the lead battleship, I landed on my back with Drake on top of me. As I looked up above me, I could see the ocean reaching for the sky; all around us was a wall of water, bleeding into the sky.
I gasped, feeling the power of victory. I could feel Drake taking in breaths, then coughing his way back to life. He raised up, finding me in Olivia’s body beneath him. The look in his eyes was of utter astonishment. “How?” he said to me.
I reached my hands for his face and smiled as I leaned up to let Olivia’s lips touch his cheek. He turned his face, catching her lips - not for the pleasure of my kiss, but to gain strength, energy. I let his hungry embrace linger for a second longer than I should have, giving him the energy I knew he’d need to face Dane, then I rose from Olivia’s body before the guilt could distract me.
He seemed to know the moment I left and released his passionate kiss from Olivia’s lips. They both looked up at me, but I was looking past the helm. The wall of water began to fall, and as it did it consumed the tiny rock island. The boat began to push back as the waves washed away from the rocks. I heard the crew yelling at each other, trying to gain control of the massive ship. I looked down at Drake and Olivia. I needed to tell Drake it wasn’t over. Olivia seemed to know that I needed her voice, and she nodded as I moved back into her body. Confusion was the only expression Drake could hold as he looked into her eyes, finding my soul there again.
“It’s not over. The devil is at the palace. How fast can you get there?” I asked. As the words left my lips, a wave came from under the boat, forcing the massive ship through water. Drake’s arms tightened around me, prepared for the worst - and a second later the boat crashed into the coast of Delen. We were both gasping for breath, overwhelmed by the sheer force of nature.
Drake looked past me, then down. “Within a few moments,” he said to me. I nodded and rose from Olivia. Drake then pulled her up and threw her body over his shoulder; in that instant, time froze.
He weaved his way through the crew on the deck and moved up the shoreline. I could see the wave of a passage beneath a lighthouse; he was going there. Once he stepped through, time resumed. I knew I could just call myself to my body, but I wanted to see the room; I wanted to know where Dane was standing. I looked to the distance, found the roof I was on before, and moved there. From that point, I could see the palace. I focused on the opening to the observatory and moved there. As I perched on the roof, I cautiously peeked in to see Landen still sitting in meditation. My father, Ashten, August, and Marc were sitting on the edge of the pool, and Perodine and Alamos were pacing the floor. Beth was at Chrispin’s side, and Brady was in the center of the room, prepared to protect our bodies.
Dane was staring at my closed eyes from the doorway. Preston was at my body’s side; he felt me above him and glanced in my direction, then moved his tiny body in front of mine, blocking Dane’s view. In that instant, I was back in my body. I laid still and calmly evaluated the emotions of the room to see if anyone had seen me. Finding them all undisturbed, my thoughts called out to Landen. We saved her; Drake is on his way here.
I can feel him getting closer, Landen thought.
Tell me when he's here, I thought.
I knew he could feel my intent to confront Dane; it confused him, but it also made the emotion he felt toward Dane grow fiercer.
Did he do this to you? Landen asked, not hiding the rage he felt.
If you're calling the Devil ‘he’, then yes.
Drake’s coming down the stairs.
Wake now, I thought as my eyes flew open.
I sat up slowly and let my legs fall to the side of the table. I felt the astonished stares of the room. My legs were tingling as my body felt my soul take charge once again. I felt Olivia and looked to the doorway to see Drake standing protectively in front of her.
“Olivia!” Beth said aloud.
I felt Chrispin’s emotion elevate to bliss as he rose from his mocking meditation. My eyes moved across the room to find Landen standing. His jaw was locked, and his shoulders were back; he was prepared for a fight. His eyes moved from
me to Drake. Drake returned his stare, then they both looked at me, waiting for my direction. The others in the room noticed the lack of celebration and felt the tension between the three of us. I stood and slowly turned to Dane, who was standing in the doorway. He was staring back at me, standing as tall as he could; his expression held no emotion, yet I could feel rage within him.
Landen and Drake came to my side, staring Dane down.
“They’re possessed!” Dane yelled into the room.
Our family looked nervously back and forth between him and us.
“Perodine, do something! The devil that took your love has consumed them! Stop them – if you don’t, he’ll take them all!” Dane yelled.
I stepped forward, staring into the dark eyes of evil. I could only hope that once I made this devil fall, I would find my best friend – my Dane. I hid the grief I wanted to feel for him and called forth anger for the one who had caused my family so much turmoil. I felt like a fool; I could have avoided so much of this trial by simply reading between the lines. I tried the recall the last moment I remembered Dane acting like himself and found myself just before the climax of Venus. I remembered that everyone was put to sleep and that Drake, Landen, and I faced the evil angel. That had to have been the point that Dane left us. I cringed, knowing how many moments Clarissa had spent in vacant arms, not understanding what she’d done to lose the compassion of her soul mate. My intent now was to make the devil feel everything he’d invoked. The only way victory would come would be if I found the lost soul of Dane.