Witches Be Burned: A Magic & Mayhem Novel (17 page)

This had to
stop
for
Nexi.

Urgency mixed with a sense of unfamiliar fear made him act swiftly. Now that he understood Astoria’s involvement he felt panic that he had never felt before. Images of Nexi’s face trapped in fright blasted through his mind, and he pushed off the ground, lunging for a vampire. He wished he could use one of the vampires to find Astoria, but he believed they didn’t know where she went, and only Astoria held the magic to access her portal. Determined to end this fight, he raised his sword in front of him, and within near seconds of taking this vamp’s life, energy brushed across his skin.

Kyden paused, staring in complete awe, witnessing Zia unleash her magic in ways he’d never seen before. Her eyes were focused on nothing in particular, glowing so brightly with blue light. Zia didn’t just resemble the most powerful witch in Otherworld history, she looked like a mother who planned to rip the worlds apart to find her child.

Within seconds Zia’s magic soared around the lodge, and every vampire became trapped in her wave, suspending them up in the rafters. An odd silence drifted through the room, and Kyden believed he wasn’t the only one shocked by the level of magic Zia conjured. Possibly no one truly knew the level of magic she held, though Kyden wondered if emotion fueled her powers now.

She had caged hundreds of vampires and held them there, as if it didn’t weaken her. Energy pulsed like a heartbeat and Zia appeared in slow motion, her hair moving around her as if the energy by her was patient and calm. Water dripped from the vampire above Kyden and onto his head as he stared up into the wild wave above him.

“Briar,” Zia said in a voice vibrating with power. “Now.”

The Fire Witch, Briar, dropped to her knees next to Zia, placing her hands on the floor. A giant fireball formed in front of Briar, casting her in an orange hue. Zia stared at nothing, not the vampires above her, not even at anyone on their team; so far away in her powers, magic led her way. She slowly let vampires fall, one by one, and as each one dropped the fireball consumed them whole, turning them to ash.

In less time than it took Kyden to raise his brows in surprise, the hundreds of rogue vampires were dead. Zia dropped to her knees, gasping for breath. Her skin was ashen and her body trembled. Rising again only a second later, she turned to the witches behind her and snapped, “Find. Nexi. Now.” She appeared to ignore the shocked stares around her, placing her hand on the members of their team who were injured and offering them healing.

By the time she reached Kyden, Zia appeared on the verge of passing out, her face gray now. He grabbed her wrist before she could touch him. “You’re not well, Zia. Heal yourself first.”

She blinked, as if she wasn’t even thinking, only acting. For a moment Kyden thought she would argue, but maybe the pause made her realize how weak she really was. She soon closed her eyes, and Kyden watched the color return to her face. She became more stable on her feet as she reopened her eyes and placed her hand on Kyden’s forearm.

Pain shot through him like a thin knife slicing over his flesh and his eyes pinched shut as the open wounds sealed together like invisible stitches. When the agony searing across him vanished, he looked to Zia. Her eyes, while full of desolation and anger, held hope that he could always count on her.

“Nexi’s not lost yet,” she said with a determined nod. “We
will
find her in time.”

Those words stormed over Kyden. Once Nexi had been in danger with Lazarus, and that had almost ruined him. But a black witch was far worse than a power-hungry vampire. A scorned lover wasn’t fighting for a higher power, nor was she hunting for something that Kyden could stop. Astoria was motivated by one thing: to kill Nexi for the life she’d taken.

All conversations and movement around him vanished; the only noise blaring in his ears was the sound of his heart breaking. His eyes shut against the overwhelming sense of grief as his soul slowly splintered. While his muscles were strong and renewed by Zia’s magic, his strength weakened.

You have failed to keep her safe. Again.

His blood went cold with the acceptance of this harsh reality. Yet again Nexi had risked her life to save him, and Kyden couldn’t thank her for that. He couldn’t even touch her and protect her, all he could do was pray to the Gods above that Nexi was strong enough to stay alive until they found her.

I can’t lose you…

A rage so dark and deadly filled Nexi, nearly crackling in the sky. She remained on her knees, gulping at the air to stay in the present and not fall so deeply into a horror she couldn’t even fathom.
Kyden can’t die.
She couldn’t survive losing anyone else. Nor would she stand another night of staring down evil and allowing it to walk away.

Fuck them!

She noticed Astoria turning, as if to walk away as though she hadn’t ruined Nexi’s life. A burn fueled Nexi as she rose. Wind soared over her body, which was not a natural occurrence, but was the force of her magic igniting. Even Nexi became aware that something different was arising in her, something that wasn’t
good,
something that hungered for this witch’s blood. Not because Astoria was an evil witch, but because she had threatened the life of the one supernatural Nexi couldn’t live without.

Astoria wanted to
take
from Nexi, and Nexi would
not
allow it.

The wind roared in her ears, spitting up rock and sticks from the ground. Astoria turned and paused, studying Nexi. She finally said, sounding incredulous, “You cannot be serious?”

“I’m so fucking tired of losing people I love.” Nexi glanced to her hands, sensing an odd thick energy bouncing off her. It seemed
different.
Whatever magic filled her now she had not trained with, but maybe that was because she hadn’t needed the magic. She’d never faced such a powerful opponent before.

The magic inside wasn’t whispering soft words of encouragement. The magic spoke to her in a harsher demand, holding one focus.

Kill her.

Astoria tilted her head; her gaze turned probing. “What power is that?”

Nexi couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move; the power within pulsated to cause mayhem. Hate burned so deep inside, and before she even had a thought on what to do next, a wave of energy soared from her body so intense it burned in the worst possible way.

Astoria went flying backward, landing by the log she had casually been sitting on. She bounced back onto her feet and levitated off the ground before a blast of cool air from the mountains rushed across Nexi, sending her soaring backward to slam against a tree trunk. A bone in her shoulder
cracked,
but the pain couldn’t even register as she spotted flames spiraling toward her.

Kill,
the magic roared inside.

Nexi agreed and focused deep, pulling on this new rich power within her. This unlimited force gave Nexi the sense that she could match the witch she fought now. The fire drew nearer and, instinctively, Nexi knew exactly what to do. The magic guided her to push that fierce energy whipping inside her outward. She screamed as the magic burned against her soul, though an odd sense of happiness filled her with a shield of energy—almost like a pulsating heat wave that formed around her.

The heat from the fiery inferno at her front drew sweat to bead along her skin, though the magic now could not be hindered. Astoria’s flames couldn’t touch her. Nexi’s fists clenched as she stared at the wall of fire, attempting to break through and harm her. Each second that passed brought more of Astoria’s magic, forming a black cloud behind the fire, and somehow this magic seemed familiar to Nexi.

In the lodge, the magic had tasted wrong…felt
dirty.
Now she didn’t want to repel it, she wanted to draw it in and hold it. Use it as hers. Raw power seeped through the flames and screams of agony rippled against the air. Trees uprooted around Nexi, and her ears popped as the roar of Astoria’s fire intensified.

Nexi asked more of the magic now, forcing out her abilities in a way she’d never asked before—with the intent to kill without mercy—and it seemed as if the elements were fighting back, almost refusing her desire.

Stop,
her soul screamed at her.

Kill,
the power argued.

Nexi could hardly see in front of her as the blaze against her shield burned like an uncontrollable wildfire. Large orange, red, and purple flames pushed against the wall of energy, and Nexi screamed at the power forced on her. She roared against the sweltering evil and the cruelty of life, and against the hell she had landed herself in. Trees blackened around her, causing thick, dark smoke to rise high to the sky, and the air smelled of burning trees and leaves on fire.

The magic at her front intensified, forming fingers in the flames—thousands of them, reaching out in attack. Nexi’s shield held like an unbreakable wall while Astoria’s magic pressed on.

Stop,
the elements inside warned, but Nexi screamed against that request.

No more lives would be lost. No one else would dare touch the supernaturals she loved. This power itched to fill her, to consume her, and she nearly allowed it until she heard three words echo in her heart:
Protect your soul.

Her mind somehow snapped back and she realized with a sudden coldness that there was a certain darkness fluttering through her. This power did not belong to her elements.
Dear God,
it was tempting, making her feel stronger than she’d ever been in her life. Yet something deep inside her knew that if she used this power, her soul would be lost forever.

This magic could kill Astoria.

Nexi also knew there would be a cost if she tapped into these new powers.

A cost that apparently she’d pay for with her soul.

Kyden paced the lodge, unable to stand still, unable to breathe, unable to believe the predicament that Nexi had landed herself in. Questions rushed through his mind, frustrating him to no end, and still he had no answers. Yes, Nexi could fight—she wasn’t defenseless. But that didn’t change the fact that Kyden wanted her safe.

“Son.” Talon’s gentle hand cupped Kyden’s shoulder. “Nexi is powerful.” He hesitated, and then heaved a long sigh. “She is smart and clever—she’ll find a way to stay alive until we get to her.”

“I don’t give a shit if she
is
all of those things.” Kyden shrugged off his father’s touch. His muscles trembled as he fought against the desire to deck his father for implying Nexi should fight this battle alone. “I need to get to her, and I need to do it right fucking now.”

Talon’s firm grip grabbed Kyden’s shoulder again and then he forcibly turned him around. “I know you love her, but once, you dove into danger without thinking.” His voice was clipped, eyes ablaze. “I’ll remind you that you both almost lost your lives when you fought against Lazarus.”

“I. Do. Not. Need. The. Reminder,” Kyden growled, breaking free from Talon. Kyden vividly remembered the event; he and his pride were protecting Nexi when Lazarus captured him, then moments later he was almost killed by a pack of wolves when Nexi tried to save them both. Hindsight, he knew they should have asked for Otherworld help instead of facing down the threats on their own. But their hearts didn’t wait for backup.

“You’d do the same for Zia, and do not tell me otherwise.” It wasn’t outright knowledge that his father and Zia were a couple, because they felt their relationship needed to remain in the background because of their roles in the Otherworld. But Talon held a deep love for Zia—Kyden never doubted that.

“You’re right. I probably would. But I’d also form a plan first.” His father’s eyes softened, as did his voice. “Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. We will get Nexi home safely, but allow the Council to deal with it as we would any other assignment.” He leaned down toward Kyden’s face, saying firmly, “I kept Finn out of it because it was too—”

Kyden came nose-to-nose with his father. “Don’t you dare—”

Talon sighed, backing up a step and giving distance. The light coming from the candelabra above him revealed a deep frown. “I’m not going to keep you from finding her, but you need to calm down. You cannot lose, Nexi. I cannot lose you.” Tender gentleness brushed across his features. “Believe that Nexi will be all right until we get to her. She is a fighter.”

Fuck, Kyden almost hated that about her, because he knew
his
Nexi. In the face of evil, she wouldn’t stay quiet and be smart about it. She’d
fight.
His stomach roiled as the horrific reality of this flowed over him. “I need
her.
”

“I know you do, son.” Talon returned his hand to Kyden’s shoulder. “But I beg of you, be smart about this.”

Annoyance might’ve filled him at what Talon implied, but…“I know I act impulsively when it comes to Nexi.” Even now he wanted to go to Ellery’s and question her further. Perhaps she’d heard something or been told more details about Astoria’s whereabouts.

He craved to bleed anyone painfully and slowly who didn’t give him answers to gain more information, but torture wasn’t the Council’s way. A long sigh spilled from his mouth as he rubbed his face, forcing the rage to calm in his veins. “Emotions fuel me instead of logic, I realize this.” He stared at his father, the sense of utter helplessness not one he enjoyed. “It doesn’t change the fact that I will tear anyone apart who stands between me and her.”

Talon tapped Kyden’s forehead, his voice lifting with determination. “Use this first to find her, not your sword.” His eyes flared with conviction, and Kyden wasn’t blind to Talon’s love for Nexi. “Then we’ll bleed that witch dry.”

“Nexi’s alive.”

Kyden glanced over Talon’s shoulder, meeting Zia’s teary eyes as she stood near the couches that were surrounding the large stone fireplace. The witches, who were all quiet, intensely focused to find one of their own, sat on the floor beside her. Kyden reminded himself that he wasn’t the only one missing and worrying about Nexi now. “How can you be so sure?”

“Shay is still seeing her,” was Zia’s reply.

Shay, an Earth Witch in the Council’s Guard, held the gift of premonition. The fact that Shay saw Nexi in the future meant Nexi still had one, and that was good news as far as Kyden was concerned.

He slid his glance to Shay, near what he assumed to be the welcome desk. She sat on the floor next to Haven, as all the Earth Witches held hands in a circle. Shay’s long, dark hair trailed over her shoulder, as the strands on her forehead were stuck to the beads of sweat gathered there. Holten and Zade stood behind the circle, and the rest of their group stayed by the entrance in silence. Apparently, everyone knew what had happened and
who
was missing.

Kyden rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, willing the hot anger to cool. His soul pulsated to act, but what could he do? All he could do now was not accept a reality where Nexi didn’t come out of this alive. “What is Shay seeing?”

Zia wiped at the tears trailing over her cheeks. “She’s seeing Nexi in the Earthworld because she can spot the sun, but she’s not getting a sense of an accurate location or seeing anything more than Nexi’s face.” Zia hesitated, then gave her head a hard shake. “I’m not sure why Shay can’t get a closer feel on her.”

Kyden wondered aloud. “Astoria must have her somewhere where magic is disrupted, or she has somehow magically altered Nexi so we can’t find her.”

Zia nodded. “I’m guessing you’re right. There are many Earth cities that could disrupt our magic, but it’s impossible to pinpoint the location without more details.” Her eyelids lowered, shoulders slumped. “Typically any place that has large rock deposits hinders Earth Witches. The high levels of natural elements conflict with our elemental magic.”

Kyden grunted. “There’s no way to break that hold?”

“I’m afraid not,” was Zia’s grim reply.

He drew in a long breath rich with frustration, and he looked at Shay. Kyden was unsure what he felt more, sadness or anger that he couldn’t find a way to get to Nexi himself. He loathed depending on others to find what belonged to
him.
For this one moment, he allowed the anger simmering inside to consume him, since that was an emotion he could deal with. Sadness or grief he could not. “Can you not track her somehow?”

“If we had a starting point, then maybe.” Zia shrugged. “Tracking a witch with magic takes time—hours, even. But the magic would need a place to start.”

Kyden had no doubt in his mind that if Zia knew how to find Nexi she’d already be on her way. He stuffed away any further questions that would lead him down a road with no answers. Besides, the dark edge to Zia’s features told Kyden she was equally frustrated to be at a dead end.

More than his concern over Nexi’s safety, and past the desire driving him to madness to somehow find a way to help her, he couldn’t believe Nexi was in such a dangerous position…
again.
He ran his hands over his face and murmured to himself, “When is this all going to end?”

“Nexi is special,” Zia replied to his aloud thought. “That specialness will bring others who want to steal it. Her life will settle, Kyden.” She cupped his shoulder, offering him a warm comfort he appreciated. “She simply needs to find her place is all.”

Kyden bowed his head, inhaling the cool air to push past the rage slowly building in his chest. The lodge was quiet and Kyden almost wished there was more panic—the silence was eerie, unsettling. “I’m afraid she’ll die before she fully settles in to this life.”

“As am I,” Zia stated.

Taken aback by Zia’s admission, he lifted his head and noticed tears flooding Zia’s face as she said, “After Tillie died, and when Drake made the decision to send Nexi away to the Earthworld, blocking her powers, I disagreed with him. I believed she should’ve stayed with us.” Another tear ran down her cheek before she cleared it away. “Now I realize why he did it. She would’ve been safer, lived a life of happiness, without all this constant danger. Her specialness will always make her a target.”

Kyden wasn’t sure how he felt about that. If Nexi hadn’t returned to the Otherworld he wouldn’t have her in his life. He’d always been strong in his purpose and duty to the Council, and he had a habit of disagreeing with strong guardians who chose not to work for the Council.

Now he didn’t know how he felt, and that ate at him.

He never doubted himself.

Nor did he question his actions.

Kyden didn’t know where to stand or what to do, and it all unnerved him. Taking a quick look at the witches, he spotted Shay sweating profusely, her hand trembling around Haven’s. That told Kyden she was trying desperately to get more information out of her visions through Haven’s link to Nexi.