Page 94 of Voyage of Fury and Fate

“Elsie, burn him!”I don’t second guess. Focusing on the monster floating in front of me, I imagine his body bursting into flames. The energy flowing through me overwhelms me as I fight to regain control.

“Burn,” I whisper, turning my attention fully onto Kragen. “Burn, you son of a bitch.”

Kragen’s skin begins to glow as small cracks form on the surface. His eyes search for the source, and his hands are still held tightly to his sides. “What is this?”

“It’s redemption,” Thorne answers for our group. “You’re going to die now, Kragen. We’ve decided.” His skin splits as his body tears open, revealing what looks like hot lava underneath. The stake in his hand moves slowly from his side and in front of him, dangerously close to his heart.

“Burn,” I repeat. On command, his skin comes to life and begins to melt from his body, revealing something from nightmares.

“Do it now!” Everly shouts as a burst of energy flows from her tiny body and into Kragen. He loses control as the stake slowly slides into his heart and an ear-piercing scream escapes his lips.

Tears fill my eyes as the man who made me—the man who killed my brother—the man who tortured, raped, abused, and beat me for years turns into ash before my eyes.

Autumn continues holding him in the air until there’s nothing left to hold. She releases her hand, dropping his charred clothes into the murky water below. Everly collapses from exhaustion. Her eyes are closed, and her cheeks appear sunken in.

“Everly? Is she okay?” Autumn asks.

Thorne scoops her into his arms. “She’s exhausted. Killing Kragen took all of her energy.” Neither of them asks about the fire, and I’m grateful. I don’t have an explanation for myself, let alone anyone else.

Lifting Autumn into my arms, I hug her tight. “Thank you,” I cry and squeeze the tiny hand of the passed-out girl in Thorne’s arms. “Thank you, both.”

“Can we go get Alex now?” Autumn whispers, wiping tears.

I have no idea where to begin looking for Alex. I don’t share that information with the immortal child inmy arms. “That’s exactly what I intend on doing,” I answer, completely unsure how to make that happen.

“Where is Kragen’s crew?” Thorne asks, cradling Everly to his chest. “I sense more energy but can’t determine how many or where.”

“Aye. I feel vampire energy, but it’s weak.” I glance at Everly. “Do you think she’s still shielding us?”

He shrugs. “It’s possible. I don’t think we’ve discovered the limit of what she’s capable of.”

“I don’t feel anything special,” Autumn adds. “There are vampires, but they’re not any danger to us.”

“How do you know?” I ask.

“If they were, we’d be dead.” Her words are simple and straightforward. “Alex is our first priority. As soon as we tell the goddess that he’s dead, she’ll give us our brother back, right?”

Thorne and I share a knowing look. “Aye. Let’s get back to the city.” Thorne leaps from the porch to the top of a large tree with Everly wrapped in his arms. I do the same with Autumn, leaping from tree to tree until we reach the dirt road that leads to the abandoned vehicle.

Less than an hour later, we pull in front of the home we left only a few hours ago. Everly’s been awake since being back on the road. Several bottles of goat’s blood later, her energy is slowly beginning to return to normal.

“There’s someone new inside,” Autumn announces as we pull to a stop in front of the house. “I don’t recognize the energy.”

“I feel it too.” I turn toward Thorne, not sure what awaits us.

“If they’re in Fran’s house with the baby and Amelia, they won’t be a threat.” Thorne exits the SUV, opening the door for the girls to follow.

The visitor’s energy is strong, ancient feeling as we approach the door. I reach for the handle, just as the door opens, revealing someone who looks so much like Amelia they could be twins. Long red curls hang down her back and bright blue eyes stare into mine. “You must be Elsbeth,” she says with a bright smile. Kneeling, she brings herself face-to-face with the immortal children. “Hello, girls. I’m Celeste.”

TWENTY-FOUR

the demigod from hell…literally

“Celeste?”I question the young girl. “Amelia’s maker?”

“That’s me!” She smiles warmly, making me instantly feel at ease. She looks past me, moving toward Thorne. Tears fill her wide eyes. “My father was your maker. I smell him.”

“Aye.” Without another word, she wraps her arms around him, pulling him close. Thorne allows her to take in his scent without pulling away.

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