“Come on,” she said and helped me to my feet.
We faced the towering Vitahl who leaned down and took my face into his large olive colored hands. His kind eyes looked deep into mine.
“Do not fret. You will see your sister again.”
I kept my eyes on the ground as we made our way to the house in silence. The red carpet leading us to the house looked like blood – a ribbon of liquid blood spouting from its doors and draining into the ocean. It made me gag. I sank like a rock to my knees and pain shot through my arms, making my hands contort violently.
“Don’t touch her!” Aletheia cried to Thayde, holding her arms up like a shield to keep him away from me. “Morgan, it’s a Genif. Fight it!”
The thought of a Genif trying to invade my body made my temper explode. Flames erupted from me and I crossed my arms, grabbing hold of each bicep, and tore the thing from my body.
The shadowy creature twisted and shook in my grip, its boney black arms threatening to break in my hands. Spitting and hissing, it lurched forward, trying to bite at my face, but it was not big enough to reach.
“Ivak!” I yelled and the hideous creature grew still, the hatred on its face vicious and unrelenting.
“Why do you attempt this?” My voice growled and it shrank back.
“I do what Master decrees.” Its barely noticeable nostrils opened and closed as it breathed.
“Who is your master?”
“Herra…” The name dragged like a whisper on the wind.
“You shall not come to this place again.” I ordered and it began to laugh.
“We come for Gavran next.”
The boldness of the Genif infuriated me, making me scream. The Fire overwhelmed us in a white frenzy. I gave in to the urge to destroy the Genif and as I crushed it between my hands, the terrifying noise of the millions of tortured voices from its past screamed along with it. I wiped my hands together, letting the ash fall to the carpet.
“Well done,” Aletheia’s approval was akin to a proud Mother.
“Your arms!” Thayde pointed to where I’d ripped the Genif from my body. Blood streamed from the gashes wrapping around my upper arms. I was so angry, I hadn’t noticed the pain. Touching my hands to both wounds, I thought the healing word ‘blenald’ and they turned black.
“The evidence of the Genif is written on your body now,” Aletheia answered the question that hung in the air. I ran my fingers over the four black indentions in my skin and shrugged.
“We don’t have time for this.” I reached for Thayde and he pulled me to my feet. “I want to end all of this. Now.”
“Do not rush into war,” Vitahl warned. “Make sure your plans are in place.”
“Herra is goading you. She wants you to be careless. Do not give her what she wants.” Aletheia wrapped her arm around my waist as we walked. “We have to be very strategic about this. I suggest we call all the heads of the merfamilies for a meeting so we can discuss the plans for war.”
“I already have,” I said.
She pulled away, a shocked look on her face. “When?”
“Yesterday. Thayde and I called a meeting with the Elders and told them to notify the heads of the families to meet us here tomorrow at noon.”
Aletheia’s purple eyes bore through me. “You visited the Elders?”
“And deposed four of them,” Thayde interrupted.
“Who?”
I continued on to the house without her and she followed, catching my elbow.
“Morgan, who?”
“No one of consequence.” I replied.
Thayde answered for me. “She’s right. The worst was Xerin. He flat out refused to help her.”
Aletheia’s delicate eyebrows arched. “Xerin? That’s no big loss.”
We passed through the glass doors into the living room. The place was as empty as a shell washed upon the beach.
“Where is everyone?” Thayde asked.
“Most likely in the kitchen,” Vitahl dropped onto the couch pulling a small cushion from behind his back. “In a time of crisis, that is where everyone seems to congregate.”
“I should be with my parents,” I thought out loud.
“You should ask Gavran why the Genif wanted him.” Vitahl linked his fingers, resting his hands against his lips. “There is something amiss.”
“Now isn’t the time or place,” Thayde quickly said, his hand resting on my forearm. “Your sister just passed.”
His handsome face paled, showing fatigue.
What’s wrong? I thought and he took a step back.
Nothing. Just, leave him alone for now.
Something’s wrong.
Please leave him alone. Thayde warned and turned making his way into the kitchen.