“Do you know how any years I have planned this?” The Master focused his fingers at me, trying to control my body as Stitches had with Flynn. A tingling sensation threaded its way through me, but within seconds, I had dispelled it, throwing it back at him. Casting it aside, he attempted to pull me to him, but his powers barely registered. He was not nearly as strong as I.
I could feel my eyes growing black. Desperate, he attempted to teleport from me, but I wouldn’t release him from my shield. His fingers bent awkwardly as he strained against the invisible force.
“I am going to take everything from you,” I announced, my voice bordering on the edge of killing. “You are now human.”
His powers flew into my hands, jolting up my arms and into my torso. He screamed in agony, shouting for the others, but with the shield intact, they could do nothing but stare helplessly. His body began to shrink – like a plant devoid of water and his screams silenced as he withered into a mere shell of a man. Finished, I released my hold of him and lowered the shield. No one moved an inch. One of the vampires backed away from the scene. The smile returned to Flynn’s face as the Master crumbled to his knees.
“Let this be a warning to the rest of you,” I addressed his shocked followers standing in a semi-circle. “Never again will there be an attempt to meld our species. Your murdering of merpeople to gain extended life will no longer be tolerated. Find another way to extend your life or I will annihilate every single one of you.”
The Master coughed, white powder billowing from his mouth and though it was but a whisper, he spoke three last words before collapsing in death.
“Thayde, kill her.”
“No!” Flynn shouted, raising a hand to stop Thayde, but it was pointless.
Thayde lunged past Flynn, his strong hands tightening cruelly around my arms, and we rocketed upward leaving the plaza a faint dot below us. His grip was so powerful, I could feel bruises forming. I didn’t try to fight him – the last thing I would ever do would be to harm the love of my life. Instead, I held onto his granite shoulders and closed my eyes. If I was going to die, I’d rather it be by Thayde’s hand.
He flew until the air chilled and slowed to a stop, hovering several miles above the earth. I forced myself to look into his blank stare.
“Thayde,” my throat constricted, “don’t do this.”
He didn’t answer.
“You’re the love of my life,” I continued, praying he wouldn’t drop me. “Don’t you remember me?”
He frowned, his eyes darting away briefly. “My orders are to kill you.” His tone was unsure.
“I won’t fight you, Thayde.” His pale hands relaxed as I peeked past our feet at the sapphire sea far below us. “I don’t want to live without you.” I choked and released my hold from around his shoulders. Thayde stared at me uneasily. How could I force him to remember?
In a last effort, I gathered all The Love I had for him into my orb. All our memories, all the passion and care we held for each other stretched the orb to its breaking point. I released it just as he let me go.
Falling. Plunging toward the cement waves, my life flashed before my eyes – memories of the other Links mingled in between. The terror of death did not overcome me. Instead, an overwhelming sadness that Thayde would never know his child encompassed me. We would never have the normal life we’d once strived so hard to obtain. Closing my eyes, I resigned myself to death.
But it did not come. Instead, gentle arms surrounded me, slowing my fall. Radiant gold light and feelings of love and compassion flooded me. When the light subsided, I was able to see my rescuer.
“Naira?” I cried, completely taken back.
“Dear Sister,” she began, “I bring you a message: all is not lost. There is always hope.” Her stunning face filled with understanding. “You cannot come home – there is much more you must do. Your life is no longer your own; it belongs to your daughter and your species.”
“I can’t live without Thayde,”
“You can and you will. Despite all that has happened, you must continue to lead.”
Naira hovered above the choppy waves, refusing to drop me. She regarded the new tattoo on my wrist and smiled. “You must remember that you are never alone and all of this does not begin or end with you. The angels watch over you as do I. Those markings are my gift to you. Remember to trust and rely on God.” She hugged me close. “We are always with you.”
With that, she released me and I slipped into the cool water. The waves quietly closed over my head and I hung in the water.
My heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings. Seeing Naira once again was truly unexpected. Had I imagined her? I looked up through the undulating waves to try and catch a glimpse of Thayde, but he was gone. There had to be a way to make Thayde remember. I couldn’t lose him and I couldn’t allow Herra to win. It was time to prepare for war.