Skye's Arrival

While dawn breaks, I hear the sound of rushed shouting; demanding attention to the front of a camp. I ignore them and get off of Fidda, my newly acquired horse, and enter the east side of the camp. People pay no mind as I stalk towards my target, though I can hear someone shouting my name. Once my target is reached, I kick as hard as I can into the male’s leg, connecting with his shin.

After a surprised painful yelp, I get a verbal response. “What was that for Skye?” Nathanial yells as he grabs his shin, giving me a confused look while he looks me over. “Where have you been?”

“I warned you, you idiot!” I tell him, drawing more eyes this way. “What did you get yourself into?”

He straightens, “I…wha…huh?”

“Why in the name of Celestials did you get Koan involved?” I demand from him.

He grimaces, “Found that out, did ya?”

“No, he found me,” I yell, successfully capturing everyone’s attention in the camp. “You could have at least warned me.” I snap. “Do you know what I’ve been through?”

He looks me over, grimacing at the teeth marks on my neck. “Well, at least he didn’t seem to harm you.”

Anger flashes through me as the crimson stone in my hand lights up. I go to strike him, but a hand grabs my wrist, stopping it seconds before colliding with Nathanial’s paling face.

“Skye, might I have a word with you,” Rafi asks calmly while gently pulling my hand back.

“After I hit him,” I hiss.

“You’ll kill him.” Rafi says gently.

“And?” I hear Dawn hiss through my lips, making Nathaniel pale and Rafi stiffen.

“He doesn’t get to come back,” Rafi says as he lowers my hand. “Might I speak with you? You may speak with Nathaniel after you calm down.”

I glare at Nathaniel. “When was the last time we talked?”

Nathaniel hesitates before answering. “Three months ago.”

“I’m going to kill you!” I scream as I lunge towards him.

Rafi snags my waist, pulling me into his chest. “Get out of here!” He yells at Nate while trying to tighten his grip. “Skye, calm down!”

“I don’t have time to!” I yell at him. “Koan will be following me, and he’s going to get angry once he realizes what I did to Dawn. I have to finish it before he stops it. Just let me kill Nate and I’ll go peacefully.”

“Koan cannot find you here. It’s enchanted to hide all demon and mortal lifelines.” Rafi tries to reason.

“That doesn’t help me.” I tell him, trying to free myself from his arms.

“With a demon inside you, it will include you.”

“She’s not inside me!” I yell at him.

He lets go of me in shock, my words registering with him. Rafi’s cautious eyes look me over, his eyes landing on my jeweled hand. “What did you do Skye?”

I puff my hair in frustration. “Do you really think I have the time to tell you? Your brother is likely less than a day away from me. I have to get far far away from here if you want to have a chance of surviving.”

He grabs my wrist as I turn to go. “Skye, what did you do? What did my brother do to you to make you this scared?”

I glare at him as I try to pull my arm back. “He’s trying to remove Dawn from me. He’s figured out how, so I need to stall him.”

“Stall him how? Why does he want Dawn removed from you?” Rafi demands. He flinches when an alert through the camp is called, distracting him.

I have one guess on what that is. I grab Rafi’s knife from his belt. “Find me, and I’ll tell you.” I breathe as I stab his arm. “Morte.” I direct towards the blade, causing him to vanish as my green runes appear on my skin. It’s at that point that I start running. I cannot let Koan know there are lives down here, and that I have changed the Celestial King’s spell. I still have to seal the spell.

Fidda catches up to me after I’m out of the camp and I gladly accept the ride. I swing up on her neck while she still sprints, landing on her bare back. I know where I need to go, but I need to keep Koan away for those few hours. Hopefully, he doesn’t have a direct idea on where I would be going and he’s just following his brother’s scent.

By nightfall I have reached a crescent shaped lake. I get off Fidda as I wade into the warm water. “Ready Dawn?” I ask when the water is to my chest.

In unison, she speaks through my mouth, and I with her; “Sanguis per spiritum meum decurrit. Sanguis meas venas tangit. Liga mea Caelestia sanguis in Aurora caelestis daemonis.” I place the bloodied blade used in the beginning of the spell into the water. As our blood washes from the blade, purple runes form around the blood and spread over the water’s surface, covering every inch of it, including myself.

Sharp air invades my lungs as my legs lose their balance. I slip underneath the water’s surface, highlighting everything around me in purple with ribbons of blue spreading away from my body. The water begins to wave, moving me back in forth with it. Our spell echoes around us as the stone illuminates and shifts, showing a slender hand next to mine. Only my right hand holds the stone, the slender one has it on the left.

I gasp as the scene switches, and I catch a glimpse of the colorful world of the Celestials. I see the Celestial King completely frozen; his lilac eyes transfixed on something unseen. His skin is aged and holds the joy of thousands in a permanent smile on his lips. The beautiful white palace walls reflect rainbows around the scene of celestials enjoying life with their families. There are tears in my eyes as I long to return back to them. I wish to see my family again.

In a blink and the images change to a slightly darker setting. Not due to the environment, but due to the time of day. A black sky shows an array of colorful stars as demons walk on red colorful grass, holding hands or walking alone, enjoying their content life. The Demon King has his black and silver hair in multiple braids, his topaz eyes unfocused as several people he was speaking with try to gain his attention. There is a smirk on his face; and I feel as if it’s because he’s proud.

“Took you long enough,” both of the king’s voices echo through the water as the colors begin to fade.

Quickly I stand, letting air back into my lungs. I wade out of the water as I try to catch my breath. Once I’m out of the water I throw the blade into the lake, finishing the spell. I sit down on the rocky shore, letting my stone hand relax into the sand while my other one holds my head up. The stone then brightens, blinding me with light. This reaction was expected.

A body begins to show right next to mine. Slender pale legs form next to mine. They’re taunt in their muscled frame and are covered in leather pants. A woman wearing a black corset is turned towards me. Her ebony hair is cut in an angular bob, her pointed ears barely shown. She gives me a warm smile, her seafoam eyes highlighting her features.

“Nice to see you in person for once.” Dawn smiles at me, her dark voice is meant to give off a seductive edge, but I find it rather comforting.

I give her a tired smile. “Hi Dawn.” I give her a hug, grateful for something physical to hold for once. “How is being in your own body?”

She chuckles as I let go. “Strange, but I’ll be glad to get used to it.” She pulls me into her shoulder. “Rest for now Skye, I can take over from here.” I nod as I close my eyes, melting into her warm body.