The Aether Witch (The Coven: Elemental Magic Book 6) Read online

  “Holy hell, Tegan…” Tennessee’s voice was low and rough, but his hands on my mine were soft. “You did it. You actually did it.”

  I sighed and leaned into his chest. And then his words registered. We did it. I gasped and spun away from him, my eyes searching the sea of demon carcasses for a head of platinum blonde. “EMERSYN!”

  “Over here!” someone yelled, though I couldn’t place the voice. And then I spotted him. His white hair and pale skin stood out like a full moon in a black sky. Everest. He waved his hand. “She’s here.”

  Then another blond head popped up off the ground, this one the color of beach sand. Violet eyes glistened in the dark. Deacon shook his head and blinked his eyes. “We’re okay.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Easton groaned and sat up right beside him. His metal body armor sparkled in the moonlight.

  Finally, I saw her with my own eyes. She was sprawled across Easton and Deacon’s laps. Her platinum blonde hair looked like a bird’s nest it was so tangled. Red and black blood was smeared across her pretty face. Big, golden eyes blinked as she looked around, but when she spotted me, they lit up.

  “TEGAN!” She grinned. “Are you okay?”

  Relief flooded through me so hard I wobbled on my feet. But Tennessee’s muscular, tan arms wrapped around me and pulled me into his chest. I nodded and scrubbed my face with my blood-splattered hands. “I’m okay— Althea? Aurelia!”

  I spun around until I spotted them standing side by side, holding hands in the center of the street. They stood in the middle of a massive crater in the pavement. I was sprinting toward them before I even realized what I was doing. When I got to them, I reached out to grab Althea’s hand, but my own passed right through her.

  “What? You were alive…” I looked up and met her amber eyes. “What happened?”

  Althea smiled so wide her cheeks dimpled. She sighed, and for the first time, I didn’t see an ounce of pain in her eyes. “You saved us.”

  Aurelia’s hazel eyes filled with tears. She looked over my shoulder and smiled. “We never meant to hurt anyone. Forgive us.”

  I glanced over my shoulder and found my Coven-mates had all joined around. Everest stood behind them with his arms crossed over his chest. When did he get here? I shook that thought away and turned back to the twins who’d started this whole thing.

  Althea’s body shimmered with golden light. She frowned. “We must go now. Thank you, Tegan and Emersyn, for being better than we were. Thank you for helping us find peace.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered. “Until we meet again.”

  “Good-bye, my Coven.” Althea smiled and her body began to glow from within. She pulled her twin closer to her body. “We’ll see you on the other side.”

  The air shimmered with golden light, and then they were gone.

  We all stood there in silence, staring at the place the two spirits had just been for a long minute or two. Part of me wanted to cry with joy and celebrate our victory. The other part of me didn’t trust the hope in my heart. Could it be? Could it be possible we actually did it? Why don’t I feel relieved? Why don’t I feel free? Is this really, finally over?

  “Cooper…what time is it?” Tennessee whispered.

  My brother cleared his throat. “Five after midnight.”

  “We did it. We actually did it,” Royce said with a sigh. He laughed softly. “We won.”

  “Then why don’t I feel good?” Emersyn’s voice was soft as she echoed my thoughts.

  A dragon as dark as night flew over to us, carrying something in his arms. Koth’s big purple eyes lacked their usual fire and strength. He landed and a thin, lifeless arm flopped over his arm and dangled in the air. Chutney sat on his back, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably.

  “Who is that?” My body turned to ice. “Koth, who are you holding?”

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  TEGAN

  Silas landed right behind his king. In a flash, he morphed from a stone-gray dragon into a tall, tanned, and tattooed guy. His yellow eyes were sad and heavy. He hung his head. “I’m sorry…we were too late.”

  “Too late for what?” Willow said in a high-pitched voice from somewhere behind me. “Too late for what? Who is that? Who is he holding?”

  But I knew who it was. Her skin was a luscious brown and her hair black as mine. Her eyes were a beautiful hazel-green...and staring straight up into the sky. They were empty and cold. The arm dangling in the air had a black tattoo of the Roman numerals XVI.

  The Tower.

  Larissa.

  “NO!” Willow screamed and pushed her way through the crowd. “No! No, no, no! Larissa!”

  Something inside me broke a little. My chest burned, like a dragon had sat on me. I tried to breathe, but the pain was too much. Larissa was gone. I may have succeeded in closing the Gap, but I’d failed to keep her safe. She’d just been alive, too. It couldn’t have been more than a few minutes ago. I saw her. She’d handed Tenn that bomb. And now she was gone.

  Dace walked up behind them in human form. He looked absolutely wrecked. After all, he was the one who’d caught her from the demon. He’d just been too late. It wasn’t his fault. I wanted to tell him that, to assure him and his twin, Tyce, that they’d done all they could. But my mouth wouldn’t move. Dace reached up and pulled Chutney off of Koth’s back. She sobbed and collapsed against his chest.

  Koth gently placed Larissa’s body on the ground then shifted into his human form. He bowed his head and held his palm to his bare chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, and his voice broke.

  Silas squeezed his king’s shoulder and said something in a language I didn’t know.

  Willow sank to her knees and cried out. Her shoulders trembled. Her strawberry-blonde hair was streaked and caked with black demon blood. But she didn’t notice. She wrapped her arms around her cousin’s body and sobbed.

  My father walked over and dropped to his knees beside Willow, then draped his arm over her shaking shoulders. His soft, golden magic spread over her back. “Breathe,” he whispered.

  Her trembling calmed and her cries evened out, but she didn’t pick her head up. I wanted to go over there, but my body was locked in place. I was afraid if I moved even at all, the tears would fall. No one else budged, like maybe they felt as broken as I did.

  I knew it. I knew someone wasn’t going to survive.

  I’d been so focused on my fear that it was going to be Tennessee that I hadn’t prepared myself for it being anyone else. How many more can we lose in such a short time?

  Tennessee cursed and scrubbed his face with his hands. When he pulled them back, his eyes were red. He shook his head and moved to kneel beside Willow. He took Larissa’s hand in his and shook his head.

  My heart hurt. My chest burned. There was a hot lump in my throat I didn’t dare to speak through. I felt all of my pain echoed. I felt Tennessee’s pain sharper than my own.

  My body snapped back to attention. I ran over and dropped to my knees at his side. His hand found mine instantly. He squeezed so hard I thought my fingers might break. I didn’t mind. He could break every last one if it helped him hurt a little less. I squeezed back to let him know I was here. I felt broken and battered. It wasn’t fair. She didn’t deserve this.

  Did I do enough?

  Did I talk to her enough?

  Did I tell her how much I cared for her?

  Did I make sure she knew how important she was to us?

  How are we going to tell her parents?

  Tears spilled down my cheeks. I heard sniffles and looked up to find the entire Coven gathered around her. No one spoke. We all just clung to each other and cried. We should’ve been celebrating. It should’ve been a happy moment…but all I felt was pain. And guilt.

  Paulina reached forward and closed Larissa’s eyes. She whispered a prayer to the Goddess in our ancient language. Tears tracked down her tanned face, smearing her black eyeliner and the dirt on her cheeks.

  Something moved off in my peripheral v
ision, a bit in the distance. I narrowed my eyes, and then my breath left me in a rush. Three figures stood together, holding on tight to one another and shimmering with that faint blue glow only a spirit could possess.

  Larissa, Libby, and Cassandra. They raised their hands and waved. No one else seemed to notice them. Perhaps it was a High Priestess thing, but I couldn’t be sure. They smiled and a golden light seemed to fill them from the inside out. It was Samhain, the day the veil between realms was thinnest…and I knew in my heart they’d come to take her home.

  “Larissa—” Willow’s words were cut off by a broken sob.

  Their spirits sparkled one last time, and then they faded away. I wrapped both of my arms around Tennessee’s neck. Tears rained down my face, and I didn’t try to stop or hide them. Tonight we’d made history for our species. I was proud of my Coven, my family. Against all odds we’d actually succeeded. But it had come with a price.

  Three prices.

  “Kenneth?” My father paled and jumped to his feet. He spun around, and his face fell. “Oh no. Not him, too.”

  We all turned to follow his gaze. My heart caught in my throat. Everest strolled toward us with my mother and Bentley at his side. Kenneth was cradled in his arms like he weighed no more than a feather. Long silver hair swayed with each of Everest’s steps.

  “He’s alive,” Everest said, still thirty feet away.

  We waited in stony silence as Everest walked toward us. When he finally got to us, he didn’t put Kenneth on the ground, nor did he kneel. I looked up at our Hermit Card and bit back a groan. His glasses were shattered, his skin a sick shade of green. In a rush, we all ran forward, surrounding the vampire knight in a tight circle.

  “What happened to him?” Timothy asked in his gruff voice.

  “Witch’s Shock.”

  “What?” we all said at the same time and looked to Deacon.

  He shrugged and didn’t wear a happy expression. “When I ran to Bentley to find the spell for Henley…spider demons…I couldn’t get there fast enough… Kenneth jumped out and blasted them…with everything he had.”

  “Wait…” Emersyn frowned and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Witch’s Shock, as in the same thing Tegan had before?”

  I felt Tennessee’s pulse speed up before he looked down at me. His lips were smashed into a firm line, and fear glinted in his eyes. I felt the pain in his soul. They’d told me back then a witch could die from Witch’s Shock. I’d never doubted it…but seeing it firsthand sent a cold chill down my spine. I took my soulmate’s hand in both of mine and squeezed.

  Constance reached out and pressed her hand to Kenneth’s forehead. She sighed. “We have to get him to Crone Island. They’re his best shot now.”

  Myrtle.

  “He won’t make the trip like this,” Evaline said in a rush. She pushed her light brown hair out of her face. “Let’s get him to Katherine back at Headquarters. She’ll give him enough strength to travel.”

  “What about all of the demons?” Willow asked, fresh tears streaking down her face.

  I sighed and felt a tinge of pain in my chest. “It’s a lot of damage control, but we’ll have to kill them one by one.”

  Tennessee nodded and pulled me into his chest. “We’ll need to ask for help, but I’m not afraid to do so.”

  “We will help you.” King Kothari’s deep, scruffy voice rumbled from behind us. “It would be our pleasure.”

  “Koth, thank you, but your job is just as important as ours.” Uncle Kessler reached out and shook the dragon’s hand. “We can’t ask you to risk yourselves.”

  Silas scoffed and his yellow eyes sparkled. “And let you have all the fun?”

  Koth nodded. “There are more than dragons in Issale, and like I said before, our alliance is more important than any singular role. If you’ll accept our assistance, we’ll be glad to give it.”

  “Of course, we accept your help.” Tennessee stepped away from me to shake Koth’s hand. “We’d be honored to work with Issale.”

  Koth nodded. “Then it’s settled. Now, we’ll handle disposing the deceased demons. Get Kenneth the help he needs. Give Miss Larissa the ceremony she deserves. Then give me a call.” He tugged on the braid I’d woven into his hair then leapt into the air and shifted into his massive black dragon form.

  Silas nodded once then shifted to follow his king. The twins bowed with warm smiles before transforming and flying off into the night.

  “I wish I could offer the same.” Everest’s cold voice was smooth yet deadly, like dry ice. He still clutched Kenneth in his arms. “Queen Sweyn tracks my every move. I was only able to be here tonight because she wanted me to help the demons. She cannot know where my allegiance truly lies. You must understand this.”

  Uncle Kessler stepped in front of Everest and took Kenneth into his own arms. “We have no wish to betray your confidence.”

  “Thank you for your help, again.” Tennessee moved back to my side and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. Not to mark his territory, but I felt his need to feel the warmth of my skin and the beat of my heart against him. “You can trust we will not come to you for help and risk your life, though you can always come to us.”

  I nodded. “Any time. You know where to find us.”

  “I can smell your blood from miles away.” Everest winked and cocked a sideways grin, a side of him we’d yet to see. Then he turned and sprinted away in one white blur of speed.

  “What do we do now?” Lily whispered, in the softest voice I’d ever heard her use.

  A saw a checklist flash in my mind of all the things I’d been waiting to do until after we closed the Gap. Now, they all rushed back to the forefront of my mind.

  Bring Kenneth to Katherine.

  Give Larissa the best damn funeral ceremony our kind has ever seen.

  Find Saffie.

  Go to Crone Island and see Myrtle.

  Track down Leyka and Keltie.

  “Um…guys?” Bentley cleared his throat. His voice was tight, like he was in pain. “Before we do anything, I have something I need you to see.”

  We all turned toward him.

  “What is it, Bentley?” I frowned and looked him over. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes…and kinda, sorta no.” He sighed and pushed the sleeve of his jacket up.

  Oh no. Goddess, no. It can’t be. Not so soon.

  But Bentley kept pushing his sleeve higher and higher up his left forearm. My heart fluttered. Butterflies danced around in my stomach. On his small little arm, below the V that marked him as our Hierophant, were four lines written in an elegant black script that I’d recognize anywhere.

  “Another prophecy?” Chutney cried. “Already?”

  I leaned down to get a closer look.

  “What does it say?” Henley spoke for the first time since I’d performed that spell on her.

  “Tegan, read it.” Tennessee rested his hand on my spine. “Please.”

  “When the Angel of Tides rings his drum, beware the time has finally come.” I licked my lips. “Sides of fate must be chosen, for the bonds of peace are unwoven.”

  Easton groaned and bent over to rest his hands on his knees. “No. Good God, no.”

  Cooper cursed and began pacing. Henley squeezed her eyes shut. There were mumbles and groans, words of raw panic.

  “I do not like the sound of that,” Royce grumbled.

  “Yeah.” Deacon shook his head. “That doesn’t sound good.”

  Emersyn moved closer to read the words herself, then she turned to face me. “Tegan? Tennessee? What are you thinking?”

  They’re scared, I whispered into Tennessee’s mind. I don’t know what to say.

  It wasn’t a lie. I had many, many thoughts, but not a single one was good. Part of me wanted to tell them the truth, that this prophecy scared me deep down into my soul. I didn’t know the specifics, but I had my guesses. The intention was clear and could only mean one thing. Princess Sage’s face flashed in the back of my mind. I pictured t
hat day when she led me right into an attack. Sides of peace are unwoven. I had a really, really bad feeling about that.

  Was it wrong of me to want to withhold that information? If only for the night?

  “A war is coming.” Tennessee sighed and shook his head. His voice was soft but strong. “But let’s not worry about that now. Salem’s Prophecy took over three hundred years to come to pass. We cannot know when this one will arise. For tonight, let’s mourn what we’ve lost and celebrate what we won. Tomorrow we can plan for the future.”

  You really are an amazing leader, babe.

  His mismatched eyes looked down into mine. He smirked, and for a moment, it made all the pain fade just a little.

  I love you, Kitten, he mouthed.

  I smiled and wrapped my arms around his stomach. I love you, too.

  Chapter Fifty-Six

  THE TOWER

  Rain slammed into my windshield without mercy. My wipers swayed back and forth on the fastest setting, but they were no match for the monsoon outside. Each drop sounded like a gunshot.

  My body was tense and tight, every muscle screaming in protest. My feet were numb and my hands trembled like a leaf in a hurricane. My chest burned and my throat felt swollen. I tried to pull myself together, but I couldn’t stop sobbing. My breath hitched.

  It wasn’t right. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go.

  I glanced over to the passenger seat at my unconscious best friend. That brand new dress she’d been dying to wear was gone. Her underwear was partially ripped, and one bra strap was completely gone. Her skin was a sickly shade of gray. I gripped the steering wheel and screamed with all the rage fueling my fire. All she wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday was go to the college party her older brother’s friend invited us to. I’d told her it was a bad idea.

  I was wrong.

  It was a horrible idea.

  She slumped forward, so I threw my right arm out to catch her and pushed her back against the seat. The seatbelt held her mostly in place, but not enough. I didn’t like the way she looked...like she wasn’t breathing.