Rise of the Phoenix (Return To Avalore #2) (15 page)

“The scymin perhaps?” Another low growl rumbled in his chest. “They’re getting closer. The beast turned to its mate and newborn cub. “Are you able to travel? If you cannot, we will stay and I will defend you.”

“No,” Evan spoke up. “It would be suicide.”

Argram’s cold black eyes flashed for a moment. “Is there another exit?”

“Only the one we came through. They couldn’t have used the scymin. They would have no need for the Grondas to flush us out if they had it. They don’t know exactly where we are. We’ll use that to our advantage.” Evan turned to Drake. “Go with Argram. Protect Miga and the cub.” When Drake would have protested, he plowed forward. “Brienne and I will create a diversion and then search for the scymin.” It was the only way. Argram couldn’t adequately care for his mate and child and defend them on his own, much less carry them down the steep mountainside.

“Cloak yourself well, and head toward our borders. We’ll get word to Wesken that you’ve taken them somewhere safe.” He turned to the beast. “I know you don’t trust us, but you can’t do this alone. Drake will protect your mate and cub like his own until your pack can come to your aid.”

The beast looked at Brienne, then her mate. “Thank you. Your assistance is appreciated.”

He half-expected Brienne to argue the plan, but she didn’t. “Okay, we go first and take them away from the entrance, and then you go.”

The moment they reached the mouth of the cave, the metallic taste of the Erritrol coated his tongue.
“We’ll cloak ourselves and head down a few hundred feet before uncloaking. Are you ready?”
He took Brienne’s hand, lacing his fingers through hers, holding tight before she had a chance to pull it away. If she panicked, he wanted her close.

“I’m ready. Just keep your promise and keep those damned Grondas far away from me.”

Even the impenetrable darkness couldn’t hide their beady eyes as the Grondas hunted for prey. If Brienne didn’t know better, she would think the small creatures to be cute, but they were vicious hunters who could sniff out weakness and attack the unwary. The only reason she wasn’t turning tail and rushing away from the vile creatures was that Miga needed her help. Argram would have stayed behind and defended her, but he wouldn’t have stood a chance against the sheer number of the little animals.

Evan brought them to a small outcropping on the side of the mountain several hundred feet from the mouth of the cave. A few of the creatures had started their upward climb, their sharp little claws finding purchase in the hard rock as they went, though most remained at the level where she and Evan now stood.

“Are you ready for this? I can create the diversion myself if you prefer.”
Evan’s deep, velvety voice slid into her mind, giving her a boost of courage.

“I’m ready. What do you want me to do?”
She stood as close to him as she could without touching.

“Drake’s almost ready to take them up into the air. As soon as we drop our cloaks, the Grondas will come after us. Be prepared in case the Erritrols are within striking distance. They won’t wait for us to be ready.”

Sweet as it was of him to try to warn her, she already knew more than she cared to know about the Grondas, or the Erritrols for that matter. She didn’t need the warning, but part of her was thrilled that he had thought to give her the heads-up.
“I’m ready.”

Without warning, he dropped his cloak and drew the attention to himself.
“Hover a few feet from the ground while I keep these things occupied for a few minutes. Just keep an eye open for the Erritrols.”

As much as she wanted to, she’d not let him take on all of the nasty little creatures on his own. “They make my skin crawl, but I can still help.” Dropping her cloak, she started toward a narrow trail she had spotted when they had first set down.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Evan was by her side in an instant. “I wonder how many of those sharp-toothed creatures are hiding in that brush all along the trail.”

“Probably more than I’d care to think about.” Without missing a step, she balled up some energy and sent it flying into the bush he’d pointed out. The piercing screech of the Grondas was deafening. “I’ll take the right if you take the left.” More of the carnivorous, flightless birds came onto the trail. Their beaks snapped and clacked, making her shudder. How could such small creatures have such an effect on her when she could stand nose to nose with an Ikabrol and not bat an eyelash?

Evan was quick. As soon as he hit a target, he had another charged ball of power swirling in his hands, ready and waiting. Brienne had to admit, he was formidable. She tried to keep up, but for every blast she sent out, he sent two. Just when she thought they’d cleared the path, another flock came rushing toward them, only feet from where they stood.
“You said they wouldn’t come near me.”

He grinned as he sent more energy into the swarming creatures.
“They won’t.”

He was so in his element. He was a warrior, through and through. Searching for his sister had been more than duty, more than responsibility. It had been who he was, who he needed to be. Suddenly noticing the absence of snapping beaks and high-pitched screeches, she looked around to see the remaining Grondas had dispersed. There was only one reason those tenacious creatures gave up their prey, the presence of stronger predators.

Evan took her in his arms, and in a quick burst of energy, rotated their bodies so that her back was facing the mountain, leaving his exposed to the wide-open space beyond.

He was trying to protect her again. She shrugged out of his hold.
“Set me down. How do you expect to be able to defend yourself if you can’t move?”

“I want you to listen. Cloak yourself and go meet Drake. I’ll keep the Erritrols off—”

Her heart hammered. No way was she leaving him to die alone on this mountain.
“Don’t waste your breath, or my time. I’m not leaving.”
How dare he think to sacrifice himself? Her future didn’t mean a thing without him.

“Brienne, please. Just go.

She expected exasperation or even anger, but only tenderness seeped in with his words. She planted a hard kiss on his lips before pushing against him again, harder this time.
“Let’s get this done.”

Shaking his head, he let her go.

They didn’t have time to argue. Energy, dark and oily, thickened the air, making her want to hold her breath to avoid the stench, but it wouldn’t help. Gathering it close, she was careful not to take it within her. She had seen firsthand how it had almost killed their queen and she wasn’t about to put herself through the same thing.

“To the left, about twenty feet down, behind the bushes, two of them, and another one a little higher on the right.”
Just that quick, the commander in him took over.
“You take the one on the right. I’ll take the two on the left. Watch your back.”

She couldn’t see any of the beasts, but she could smell them. Trusting Evan’s word, she sent black energy encrusted with red whining through the air. The power behind the black would hurt like hell, but the red would sap its strength. The target roared as the fetid stench curled all around her.

“Well done.”
Evan didn’t turn to face her, but she heard the smile in his voice.

“Thanks. What are you waiting for?”
She came to stand next to him, looking down into the darkness.

“They’re on the move. Looks like they’re retreating. It doesn’t make sense.”

The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end just as Evan whipped around. A bright orange flash blinded her. One second she was standing by his side, the next she was free falling, head over feet down the mountainside into the darkness below.

“Brienne!”
Evan’s voice blasted in her mind. Why was he screaming at her?

Chest heaving, her lungs burned for air. What was wrong with her? Exhausted, her eyelids drooped. What had they been doing? Her stomach heaved as she kept tumbling faster and faster.

“Damn it, Brienne, you can’t do this to me. Right yourself—now.”
The panic in his words, more than what he said, brought her attention back to the present.

When she was able to open and focus her eyes, the faint outlines of jagged rock grew closer and closer below her. She gathered as much energy as she could, finally halting the plummet.

“Brienne. Damn it. Talk to me.”

“Let me catch my breath.”
Pain flashed through her as the energy blast dissipated. Had she taken a direct hit, she would have been dust by now. Heart racing, she ignored her screaming nerve endings and flew back up the mountain, not caring if she was cloaked or not. Whatever had cast that ball of energy in their direction was no lowly Erritrol, and Evan was up there facing it alone.

“Find a place to hide. Drake is on his way. He’ll take you back to Avalore.”
The command in his voice was clear. This time, he expected obedience.

Every one of Brienne’s muscles tightened.
“Like hell he will. If I get up there and you’ve let that
thing
do anything more than muss your hair, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Her tongue slithered over the pointed peaks of her teeth. If ever there was a time for her dragon to join in battle, this was it. She embraced the fury roiling inside, welcomed the scorching heat. By the time she reached the platform, the dragon was ready.

Faint lines of pale fur ringed the beast’s wrists and ankles, and the beginnings of a mane emerged from its massive head. The power of the Ekasibe snapped in the air.

Fear and self-preservation disappeared the moment she unleashed the dragon. Roaring up into the heavens, she sent bright blue flames shooting high, a warning that whoever or whatever got in her way would pay the ultimate price.

Sniffing the air, she caught the scent of blood—
her mate’s
blood. A rumbling growl grew in the deepest part of her, gaining power until her roar shook the nearby trees. A faint buzz sounded in her mind, but she would not be distracted. Evan wanted her to stand down, but for either of them to come out of this alive, they would have to work together.

The beast turned to face her, surprise making its ugly features almost comical. Energy arced between her hands, lighting her in a bright green glow. The beast snarled once, and then lunged at her.

“I’m clear on this side, hit it hard.”
She sent the energy careening into the beast, making it stumble.

It roared, spittle spraying from its mouth, as it stood again. Dark energy swarmed the clearing, drawn to the beast like metal shavings to a magnet. “You’ve meddled one time too many.” The beast’s condescending tone did nothing more than enrage her further.

Evan’s heart stuttered. One minute, he was battling the beast and hoping Drake would get there in time to save his ass. The next, his mate was standing there, taking the beast’s attention from him. Didn’t she know how powerful this Ancient was?

His phoenix struggled for release, fighting to defend its mate. It would not stand by to see her killed. Not that Evan would either, but the primal beast acted on instinct alone. The Ekasibe thermal image was immense but cool in comparison to her bright red and yellow form.

Thick with tension, the air crackled all around him. He had to do something before the creature decided to stop playing with her and do some real damage. Capable of so much worse, it sent small bursts of energy from its paws straight to her. Evan wasn’t fooled. It was toying with her, weakening her.

The moment she opened up to him and told him to strike, he did, but the beast lunged and his energy barely clipped its shoulder.

Reaching deep, Evan gathered more energy, lacing it with the dark power he had already collected. It expanded and contracted within his palms, each time leaving it larger than the time before, its pale blue core shimmering in the darkness. Evan released it into the enemy’s back, sending the monster to its knees. A low, vicious growl rumbled from it before it tilted its head back and roared. Dark tendrils of smoke rose in wisps from its fur, violating the already toxic air with its putrid scent.

Evan didn’t wait for retaliation. Rounding the beast, he took whatever power he could, knowing that he would weaken Brienne’s defense in doing so, but he had to eliminate the threat. The creature snarled, then with a sneer sent a blinding flash of energy straight for Brienne.

Evan’s phoenix drove him faster than he had ever moved before, putting himself in its path. Pain tore through every muscle, every cell. For a moment, everything went black, and for the first time, he wasn’t sure he would survive the blow.

Had it not been for Brienne’s anguished roar, he might have succumbed, but she still needed him. Taking a fortifying breath, Evan forced the energy tearing him apart from his body, shedding it like a second skin. Flames licked up and down his arms as he stood on shaking legs.

The beast fought hard, sending quick blasts to Brienne. She deflected them, but her movements slowed with each successive attack.
Fuck.
He should have been more careful in taking her energy.

Blood rushed through his veins, pounding like a drum until all he could hear was the sound of it in his head. All movement slowed. A brilliant flash, and the next instant, the fiery form of his mate doubled over before slumping to the ground.