He let out a hunting cry that chilled my heart.
The fear we were too late and Frost was already lost to Viv was enough to keep us moving, even though we all knew … there was no way.
"Here!" Peta leapt on top of a boulder and disappeared over the other side. Ash sat on one of the large boulders, his golden eyes wide and full of sadness.
I climbed over the rock and found myself looking at a hole that barely covered the edges of the oubliette. Crafted from materials that were anything but natural, the oubliette blocked an elemental's ability to connect with their power. A punishment to make you pay penance for any wrongs you may have done.
I put my hands on the earth and used the ground below the oubliette to push it out until the door became clear. I grabbed the handle and jerked it open. He had been stuffed back in, but his blood, his blood had been what I'd locked onto.
Reaching inside, I found Frost's hands, and as gently as I could, pulled him out. Talan stepped up and helped me lift his brother into the light. We laid him on the ground on his back.
In his chest was a dagger still pulsing with each ragged breath he took. The dagger was bejeweled with emeralds, sapphires, and diamonds, and the blade was thin like a razor. Horror at what I was seeing flickered through me. "Mother goddess, how do we get this out of you without doing more damage?"
"You don't." Frost whispered the words, his face twisting with pain. "You finish what she started, Lark. You must take my power. You must be the one to stop her. Mattie will give you her life and power next."
I bowed my head. I'd known all along, much as I hated it. "And what happens if she kills me?"
Frost opened one eye. "You cannot let that happen. It is not her death that you seek, but a remaking of the world." He drew a slow, careful breath and the blade shivered. "Her death is only the beginning, Larkspur. There is more that this world will face."
"More?" Talan spoke gently to his brother. "Frost, how can there be more?"
"This world is dying, little Talan." Frost winked at him. "And while Vivica brought on some of it, some of the damage can be laid at the feet of the humans. Their wars will wipe us all out. They must be stopped. A reset … Lark must reset the world."
I bit my lower lip. "Frost, maybe we can save you, yet."
"No." He took my hand and put it on the hilt. "I see Olivisha's flame in you, and the power of the ocean behind your eyes. You are strong with the earth already; my power will open a whole new level to you. Use it with love, use it with compassion. My life will seal this to you as my siblings also gave up their lives."
"Wait!" Talan cried out as Frost pushed my hand downward, forcing the blade the rest of the way through his heart.
I jerked as a rush of power slammed into me, and for just a moment, I could see all the world. I could feel it like the breath in my lungs and the blood in my veins. I could see the animals and the plants and feel each one of them as they fought to survive every day. And more than that, I felt the humans … creatures of the planet we were created to protect. They were destroying everything, and no power on earth would ever convince them otherwise.
I blew out a breath and the power pulse in me eased. I bowed my head. "I'm sorry, Talan."
"Do not be. It … none of this is your fault." He bent over his brother and pulled the knife out. "You are the one, Lark. I knew all along, but fought it because I knew it would mean the end of my family. The end of my life, and I am a selfish bastard. Even I know that."
I turned to him. "What are you saying?"
"You need to complete the five elements. I can give you my strength now, and then you must find Matarrah. Mattie. Tell her I love her, that she was my favorite sister." His violet eyes were full of sadness as he placed the tip of the blade against his chest.
Peta let out a soft mewl. "No, Talan."
"Yes, Nepeta. You know I am right. She is the one. She will find a way to save this world. Though I did not realize it would be this way. Viv will never expect it, and this will give you the best chance at defeating her. Raven will help you, so will Cassava. We thought … we'd hoped that releasing my siblings would be enough, but I knew there was more to you than that. I am sorry about Shazer … I thought … I thought I knew how you would react. That breaking you down was the way to build you back up. I am truly, truly sorry. I should have listened to Raven. I should have listened to you." He took my hand and placed it over the handle of the knife. I didn't pull away. I knew he was right. I could feel it in every fiber of my being.