Page 47 of Taming Darkness

“Aleera,” I say, meeting his intense gaze. “We need power,” I explain, pointing to Kalen and then up at the veil. Spark’s eyes follow my finger, and I can see a glimmer of understanding in his fiery gaze.

He briefly regards us before letting out a soft, almost melodic squawk. The other Phoenixes respond, circling above us in unison. I can feel a surge of energy pulsing through the air, a tangible force that gives me hope.

Kalen steps forward, his face etched with worry.

“I’ll do my best,” he says, his voice steady. He closes his eyes, concentrating on the Phoenixes’ auras. I watch him, my heart pounding in my chest.

The Phoenixes start to emit a brilliant light, their fiery colors intensifying. Kalen’s hands move, manipulating their auras and urging them to do as he asks. The energy in the air grows stronger, building and building, until it feels as if it could tear through the very fabric of reality, and remove the illusion surrounding us. That is effectively what wards are, an illusion, a deterrent, only somehow Lydia has managed to solidify the one she created, so whatever she is using to power this ward must be powerful.

With a final flourish, Kalen releases the energy, directing it toward the veil. The resulting explosion is blinding, a storm of color and sound that shakes the earth beneath our feet.

As the light fades, I look up to see the veil shimmering, weakened by the onslaught but now fully visible. We’ve found a way to break through. Together, we take a step towards the now fractured barrier, ready to face whatever lies on the other side. We now just need to break through, which will be a lot easier now we can see fully what we’re dealing with.

Chapter34

~Darius~

“Now what?” Tobias asks, looking at the bubble-like structure encasing this place; the energy radiating off it is strong, too strong for me to absorb without having major issues.

“We use the Phoenixes. Aleera sent them back to us for a reason. I know she meant for her Phoenixes to help us. If we can get the Phoenixes to lend enough power to open a portal and get the recruits here, we may just stand a chance at bringing down the barrier between the two realms.”

“We still won’t have enough power. We’ll use it all, tearing that down,” Lycus grumbles, pointing at the ward. It’s like looking at the sun through a bubble, rainbows everywhere. But he’s right. It would take all our power to tear it down, but we have an infinite power source, an immortal one, her flock.

“We will if we convince her Phoenixes to charge us,” I argue fervently. “I can break this veil completely, but I need magic!” I growl at them, my frustration reaching a boiling point. I scoop up a rock, feeling its weight in my hand as I search the skies for the colossal Phoenix.

Ryze hisses at me, her slender body tense and ready to strike. Tobias and Lycus instinctively back away, their eyes darting between Ryze and me. As the massive Spark flies into the center, commanding his flock with the authority of a king, I take careful aim before hurling the rock. Channeling what little power I possess, I propel it high enough to reach him.

However, Spark moves with a grace that belies his size, and the rock misses him entirely. The bird doesn’t even acknowledge the projectile, but Ryze does. Seconds later, her sharp talons tear into my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake. Ryze squawks in rage, convinced I am attacking her father. I swat her away, holding out my hand as she tumbles off my back. The force of her attack sends me sprawling forward.

“Fuck!” Tobias hisses, his expression a mix of fear and anger. He waves his arms and rushes at Ryze, trying to protect me from her impending pounce.

“Bloody bird,” I snap, gritting my teeth against the pain in my back. I point to Spark, only to find him peering down at his daughter with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Ryze screeches again, the sound so piercing it feels like a dagger in my ears.

Tobias moves between Ryze and me, waving his arms in an attempt to calm her down.

“Settle, girl,” he coos, and she huffs indignantly, settling down a little, her eyes never leaving mine. However, her screeching has drawn the attention of her father, who now stares down at us with a penetrating gaze. He tucks his wings against his body and dives straight toward us, his massive form cutting through the air like a missile.

The speed at which Spark descends is breathtaking, and my heart hammers in my chest as I brace myself for the impact. But, at the last moment, he pulls up and lands on his feet with an earth-shaking thud. His wings outstretched, he hisses at me, and I take an involuntary step back. This is no juvenile Phoenix. This is a creature of immense power and ancient wisdom.

“We aren’t hurting her. Just trying to get your attention!” I yell at the magnificent bird, my voice cracking with desperation.

Ryze hops away, positioning herself by Spark’s side while he continues to glare at me. He caws loudly, and I curse as he lowers his head and charges at me, his beak wide open and wings spread wide like a harbinger of doom.

But before he reaches me, Kalen throws himself between us, his hands outstretched and glowing black with shadows. Spark rears back, snapping his beak just inches from Kalen’s trembling hand. I can feel Kalen's fear through our bond, and I grip his hips, ready to pull him away if necessary.

“Easy, Kalen,” I growl, my voice taut with tension. Kalen hesitantly steps toward Spark, his shadows slithering up his arms and dancing between his fingers.

“We don’t want to hurt her,” Kalen tells Spark, his voice strained with effort.

Spark snaps his beak mere inches from Kalen’s hand again, and he sucks in a desperate breath.

“Aleera!” Kalen yells furiously at him. The mention of her name seems to catch Spark’s attention. The bird cocks his head to the side, and Ryze nips at her father’s tail feathers. Spark’s wing bats her back, warning her to stay away from us.

“Aleera!” Tobias repeats Kalen’s words, his voice echoing through the air. Meanwhile, Spark tilts his head as Tobias steps forward. He holds up his wrist. “We need magic!” Tobias stresses to him, tapping his wrist.

Spark shakes out his feathers, taking a few steps back before nudging Ryze. Together, they take to the sky. Kalen snarls and reaches down before I can stop him. He grabs a rock and smashes it into Spark’s back, between his shoulder blades. Spark’s wings open instantly, and the bird pivots, rearing up. I yank Kalen back, only for him to turn and shove me.

“He’ll listen,” Kalen insists. When Spark charges at him, Kalen runs at him too, but instead of retreating from the attack, Kalen runs at him head-on.

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