When Darkness Fell: An Elemental Enchanters Story Page 6

  “What is the matter?” I asked.

  “I have to confess something to you.”

  “Okay.”

  “I am a soul reaper.”

  “What?”

  “I reaped my father’s soul.”

  “What? How? How do you know?”

  “I found out one night. I reaped an Ephemeral’s soul.”

  My pulse raced and my knees weakened. I could not catch my breath and then Colden helped me sit. I could not grasp his words.

  “This is my ability, Savina. After all these years, this is what it is. I could feel something inside me growing and I did not know what it was.”

  “What? What do you mean you reaped an Ephemeral’s soul?”

  “One night, many years ago, you and I had stopped in a village to stay for a while. You had retired for the evening, but for some reason I could not sleep. I walked around the town and wound up in a tavern. It was raucous and I wished for something quieter, but then I heard a soothing and peaceful sound. I pushed through the crowd and saw the most beautiful woman playing a harp. She had long brown hair and dark gleaming eyes and skin that glowed. Her smile made my heart race. When she finished, several of us applauded. She bowed and left the stage. I approached her and introduced myself as Jonathan.

  She smiled and held out her hand. “Esmerelda.”

  “That was wonderful,” I said. “I have never heard such a more glorious sound.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You are beautiful.”

  “Are you always so forward?”

  “Never.”

  “Are you new here?”

  “Yes. Would you care to dine with me?”

  “I would love to. I am starving.” Her dark eyes pinned me with a heavy gaze. My heart raced and I held out my arm for her. She interlocked her arm with mine and I escorted her to the balcony that overlooked the bar. We could still hear the noise, but at least it was not as loud. We ordered drinks and her smile teased me.

  “You play so beautifully. Have you always played?”

  “Yes. My father taught me. My parents and I traveled and performed in places such as this.”

  “Where is your family now?”

  Esmerelda frowned and her eyes darkened. An ache stabbed me. “They were killed.”

  “Oh, I am sorry.”

  She shook her head and took a sip of her drink. “It was ages ago. I have managed to perform well on my own.”

  “That is amazing.” I admired her strength.

  “I must say, you are not like many men I have met before.”

  “What am I like?”

  “You are careful. Quiet. Reserved. And quite handsome.” She licked her lips and leaned forward. Her eyes arresting me once again. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

  I shook my head. Two could play at this game. “Not at all.”

  Esmerelda gave a quiet laugh. She blushed and looked away. “I like you.”

  “I like you as well.”

  She lay her hand on top of mine, and my heart faltered.

  “How dare you touch her?” A man approached our table. His deep-set eyes glared at me. I hoped he did not want a fight because his tall and muscular frame daunted me.

  “Clarence, stop!” Esmerelda got to her feet and tried to block him with her small body. Clarence pushed her to the side and grabbed my throat, lifting me from my seat. I did not want to hurt him, but he would not let go.

  Esmerelda hit and pushed Clarence, but no avail. I could not breathe, nor could I fight back. I raised my hand and it happened so fast. Energy pulsated inside of me and then this white cloud emitted from Clarence’s eyes.

  I heard Esmerelda gasp and then Clarence loosened his grip on me. He fell to the floor and I panicked.

  “What-What happened?”

  “You must leave and forget me. I am sorry.” I started to run but she grabbed my hand.

  “Jonathan, wait!” her eyes watered, but there was something else in them. Relief? “Thank you.” She pressed her lips to me and for a moment, I lost myself in the kiss. When we parted, I took one last look at her and then ran.”

  Tears filled Colden’s eyes as he paced. “At first, I did not realize what had happened. I researched it as much as I could.” He stopped and looked at me. “Savina, I killed our father. I know he was evil, but he was still our father. And I killed an Ephemeral. I hate myself for what I have done, and for keeping it from you.”

  “Why did you not tell me?”

  “I feared you would hate me. I killed—.”

  “Colden, you acted in self-defense. I would have done the same. Do not blame yourself for either death. Corbin had to die.”

  He nodded. “How can you be so forgiving?”

  I stood and made my way to him. “You are my brother. You are nothing like your father. Together, we ended the war. We brought peace to our kind, and to the Ephemerals. It is over.”

  I wrapped my arms around him. I was still trying to process the news, but I comforted him.

  Over the years, we researched more and at first, Colden had moments when he acted like Corbin. We thought it was Corbin’s soul attempting to take over, but we knew there was no way of that happening. Colden kept the darkness at bay, and we lived in peace for years. Corbin’s army were taken to the Cruciari to pay for their crimes. Several Enchanters built the prison, ensuring its secretiveness and security. Since charms protected it and water surrounded the prison, no one could escape. We had placed a spell on the water as well so if anyone were to escape, the water would kill the prisoner.

  There were incidents of members of Corbin’s army who had somehow managed to escape their fate when we had searched for them to imprison them. They attempted to start their own armies, but we took them down with ease. They had tried to create a world like Corbin had, but we were stronger.

  I close my weathered journal and take a deep breath. I am no closer to finding an end than when I started reading. My pendant warms, and I clutch it, feeling several coven member’s pain and sorrow. But one in particular, I feel the most. Ava. She needs me. And she wants to know more about her mother. I promised I would, since I refused to tell her before, Ava sought out a Necromancer, who in turn had been coerced by Corbin’s men. Though, I guess he goes by Havok now.

  I am not sure what to tell Ava. Her mother, Lucinda, is still a mystery to me. I remember the first time I saw her.

  One evening a young woman came to us, abandoned by her parents. She had no idea what she was and how she was able to do the things she could do. Her name was Lucinda and she was a water enchanter. There was something about her, but I took her in and gave her a home. When she first came to me, she was starving and clearly unwell. Lucinda settled in and became one of us. She fell in love with an Ephemeral, and I felt as though she were my own daughter. When she became pregnant, she worried about the consequences for being with an Ephemeral, but I assured her she was fine. I did not want what happened to George and me to happen to anyone else, but there were no enemies as powerful as Corbin.

  She came to me one night in tears. She told me I needed to protect her baby and her husband. Whenever I asked who was after her, she denied telling me. I tried to reach inside her mind to find the answers, but there was nothing. I had no idea where her fear originated.

  When her daughter was seven, a Cimmerian killed Lucinda by lightning. We hunted the murderer, but had no luck. There were no wars. No mass killings of Ephemerals. But there were random killings of Enchanters. For years, I assumed Lucinda’s murder was another unfortunate random killing. And now Ava and I learned Lucinda had promised her daughter’s soul to Havok.

  I shake my head and wipe a tear from my cheek. How on earth could someone do that to their own daughter? Was she trying to save herself or her family? Why did she not come to me? We could have helped and stopped Havok. Perhaps, Colden would still be here.

  Corbin had been inside Colden for years, but it wasn’t until one night that he began to stir.

  On a cold dark
night, a new group of young Enchanters joined us at the Manor to figure out their powers. And Lucinda’s daughter, Ava, was among them.

  “Can you believe they are already seven years old?” I asked Colden.

  “No. They are lucky to be in such a peaceful time.” He smiled. “Shall we get started?”

  “Yes.”

  We led the three boys and three girls into our conservatory. I waved my hand around the room, and thousands of candles illuminated the room. It was a beautiful room with a globed glass ceiling. The purple velvet rug had a black pentacle design that we placed over the hardwood floors. I welcomed the children to join us around the circle, and they did.

  “You are all special,” Colden told them. “We have brought you here to bind you together as a group. In ten years, you will come back to us, and you will accept your powers.”

  “To become part of this Circle, you must agree to this,” I said. “You must invoke your powers.” I glanced at Colden. “Now, before we begin, we need to gather blood from you all.” I reached inside my robe and pulled out a small knife. A few of the children gasped, and it saddened me. I never wanted to frighten them, but no matter how many times I performed the ritual, the knife always scared the children. We initiated children into the coven so they would know the truth and not become dark enchanters.

  I instructed the children to lift their arms. I dragged the blade across their skin and let the blood drip into a goblet that Colden held.

  Then, I smoothed over the cut on their arms with my fingers until the wounds vanished.

  I pricked Colden’s finger with the knife, let a few drops of blood into the goblet, and then healed it. I did the same with mine. I took a sip of the warm blood and the metallic taste burst inside my mouth. The warmth of it filled my body and I felt connected to each of the children. Then, I passed the goblet to Colden.

  “We belong together in this Circle. Remember, you are sisters.” I looked at the girls. “And you are brothers.” I turned to the boys. “As you take a sip of the blood, let it fill you with warmth and comfort. This blood binds us together.”

  “Each of you is strong.” Colden told them. “But your powers will not manifest until you are sixteen or seventeen. And in ten years, you will all meet here. May the Circle be open and remain unbroken. Do not speak a word to anyone about this. You must not break your promise.”

  After everyone drank from the goblet, I instructed the children to hold hands. Then, I looked to the ceiling and concentrated. I felt the power from each of them emanating around the circle. I focused the powers of the children, and exhibited each one of their unique ability above in the glass ceiling. I watched as it displayed a beautiful starry night with a full moon. Then, the bright reddish-orange hue of the sun shone through, dissolving the image of the moon. Its corona flickered on the sides. The sun faded as water splashed across the ceiling, like the ocean crashing onto the shore. A fierce hurricane wind took over and then the hypnotic flames of fire burst to life. Finally, an image of the Earth rotated in the glass until it vanished, and the empty night sky encompassed the ceiling.

  I gasped.

  Colden turned to me with a wary look.

  I knew they were powerful but had had no inkling they were the Elemental ones. For several years, Corbin searched for a group of Elemental enchanters. We only realized this recently when several Cimmerians tried to create their own group. It never worked because they were never strong enough.

  And here, before us, stood an original group of Elemental Enchanters. There is no reason to worry. I mind-spoke to Colden. Corbin is dead, and no one will be looking for them.

  That we know. We must watch and protect them until they return here.

  I nodded. I knew what would happen if the Elementals fell into the wrong hands. But Colden and I vowed to protect them.

  I still hold my promise that no matter what, I will do whatever it takes to protect the Elemental Enchanters.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  To all of my readers, thank you immensely for your enthusiasm, your kind words, and most of all your support. I couldn’t do this without you.

  To my girl Paige. You are brilliant, patient, and kind. I’m happy to have met you.

  To Nicole. Thank you for all of your advice, the beautiful covers, and for letting me vent.

  To my remarkable and wonderful street team! I can’t thank you enough for all that you do!

  To my mom and Rob; my dad; Patrick, Morgan, and Alison. You are incredible and I love you all. To my amazing new family. Your kindness and zeal is greatly appreciated.

  To Chris. You amaze me each and every day and I am so lucky to have you. Thank you for making me smile and for challenging me. Always and forever.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Carrigan Richards is the author of Pieces of Me and The Elemental Enchanters Series. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in English. She lives near Atlanta with her fiancé and their three dogs.

  Website: www.carriganrichards.com.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarriganrichards

  Twitter: www.twitter.com/carrigan34

  ALSO BY CARRIGAN RICHARDS

  Pieces of Me

  Under a Blood Moon (Elemental Enchanters #1)

  Under the Burning Stars (Elemental Enchanters #2)