Dark Dawn Page 12

  “You are weak, JP. And to think I had high hopes for you. You’re just like your mother, feeble. It’s why I ran her off that road and ended her worthless life.”

  “You’re a monster,” JP coughs out.

  “I did it hoping you would grow a spine,” Dagon says.

  “I wanted more from you. I don’t blame you, though. I don’t blame any of you. You’re all failed experiments that should have been destroyed at birth. Except for Aria. She is my greatest achievement.”

  “Ah!” Nico falls to his knees.

  Dagon throws Miranda to the ground at Mother’s feet.

  “Interesting,” Dagon says, staring at Nico. “I can see why Sarka wanted to train you, why she hid your full potential. But you’re still no match for me.”

  Nico screams louder. Blood trickles out his nose, ears.

  “I hate you!” Leung snaps. “You’re going to regret what you’ve done.”

  “Funny, that’s just what your father said,” Dagon says. “Look at him now. He’s on the winning team. And soon you will join him.”

  I help JP up. Leung does the same for Nico.

  I look at Dagon. Fuck this. I’m not letting him destroy us, me, the reason we are all here.

  “How can you live with yourself? You’ve caused so much pain. People serve you out of fear. Out of desperation. That’s not living.”

  “Wait, you think I’m the enemy? Poor little, Aria. Unlike my brother, Cadmus, I care nothing for politics and power.”

  “Brother?” Come on, are you serious?

  “Yes, we are one, big, dysfunctional family, Aria.” Dagon laughs. “The holidays are going to be interesting from here on out.”

  “You stopped being my brother when you turned to dark magic,” Father says. “Used it on our people, your own family.”

  “Such false innocence,” Dagon says, shaking his head. “You dragged me down that path when you banished me, stole Kassandra from me!”

  “You’re delusional,” Mother says. “We were just friends. I never felt anything for you.”

  “That’s not what you said when you came to me asking for help to conceive.” Dagon smiles.

  “Enough, Dagon,” Father says. “I banished you for the atrocities you caused all Crothinians. My greatest regret is that I didn’t kill you when I had the chance.”

  “Don’t worry, brother, you won’t have to live with that burden much longer.”

  Dagon throws his hands out. An electric mist shoots out his palms.

  Father creates energy waves that blast into the mist, forming a wall between us.

  “We can end this,” I tell everyone. “Let’s link.” Before anyone can acknowledge, I close my eyes and link with their powers. I fire an energy stream that combines with my father’s. The joint power causes Dagon’s force to waver. Shouting, Dagon links with all his followers. He’s relishing in the fact that he’s consuming their energy.

  I feel his dark magic slowly seeping into me. My skin feels like it’s on fire. His thoughts of rising to power consume me.

  “Believe in yourself, Aria,” Father commands. “In our love for you, our trust in you.”

  “She can’t,” Selene says. “She’s starting to bond with him.”

  Something’s happening. I try to break the link but can’t. The strange symbols carved into Dagon’s body begin appearing on my skin. Joy fills me. Power is seeping into me. So what if I’m pulling it all from them? I sense Dagon’s rage. I like it. I need it.

  “Accept what you’re meant to be, Aria. Join me. Be one with me.” Dagon flings his right hand out, forming a portal beside him. His lackeys from the Dark Realm are waiting to break through into Crothinia. They’re leading an army of Sethians and Havlas.

  An all-consuming craving for more power fills every fiber of my being. I can feel the lives of my family and friends slipping away.

  “Aria, No!” Nico’s voice is in my head.

  “There’s nothing you can do, the dark dawn rises,” Dagon says.

  Images flood my mind. Jumping for joy with Miranda and JP after receiving a standing ovation for our performance. The kiss I shared with Nico. Seeing Leung again. The hug I just shared with my parents. The images abruptly change. I see myself alone, crying over their dead bodies. I’ll be all-powerful, but I’ll have no one to share my power with.

  Dagon’s hold over me is slipping. The haze I’m under diminishing. He won’t win. I’m better than him. I unleash a beam of positive energy. The force of it slams into Dagon’s stream, physically pushing him back.

  “This cannot be!” A handful of Dagon’s soldiers fall. He’s drained them of magic and life. He’s trying to push back even harder. His hold reaches some of his soldiers outside the library.

  But he can’t touch me.

  I smile. I’m in control. I know what I want, and it’s not to rule by this asshole’s side. I send another burst of energy toward Dagon.

  He looks shocked. He lights up like a Roman candle—lights up the whole room. Bam! An ear-ringing explosion pushes me back onto the ground. When the light vanishes, Dagon’s gone and so is the portal.

  I did it. Yes! Ouch! Every muscle in my body is aching, throbbing. My brain’s scrambled. If this was a workout, I would void the membership immediately.

  “Aria!” Father rushes to me, encircling me in his arms.

  I stare out at Dagon’s followers. Most are dead, drained. Theron is still alive, but he’s weak. Death is the easy way out. I want him to rot in jail.

  “Seize the enemy soldiers!” Father says.

  My friends hurry over to me.

  “You okay?” JP asks.

  “Yeah. Where’s Dagon?” I ask.

  “Hopefully gone forever,” Father says.

  Suddenly, Mother collapses. Father and I kneel down next to her.

  “I love you both so much,” Mother says.

  What? No, this can’t be happening. This is the image I saw when I brushed hands with Remos. This is how she dies. I can’t lose her again. “Mom, please. I need you. I’ll find a way to cure you. Just hold on.”

  A faint smile appears on her face. “Not even you have that power. Death is a part of life. It’s my time. I’ll always be here.” She places her hand over mine.

  I bring it to my heart. All this power and I can’t help her. This isn’t fair.

  Father reaches for her other hand.

  She looks at him. “You’re a great leader, father, and friend. It takes time for people to embrace change. But I know you’ll do what’s best. I love you.”

  “Always mine.” Tears flow freely from Father’s eyes.

  “Aria, never close your heart to your friends,” Mother says. “I’ll always love you. You’re my greatest treasure. You’re Crothinia’s light—always remember that.”

  Her hand goes limp.

  I’m too numb to weep.

  Twenty-one

  · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

  I’M STANDING ALONGSIDE MY FRIENDS at the funeral. The numbness that has consumed me for two days suddenly breaks. I’m crying non-stop. I made all the arrangements, made sure everything was perfect, even picked the ethereal floral silk dress she’s wearing. She loved so freely and gave so much. If it weren’t for the four beside me, I would be lost.

  I’m barely listening to Elpson’s speech. It sounds heartfelt and inspiring. The gathered crowd is enormous. People have come from all over the five kingdoms to pay their respects. Father’s dressed in a simple robe of blue and orange—Crothinia’s colors. Sorrow fills his eyes as he stares down at Mother’s peaceful face, a stark red lily in his hand. They’re under the second tallest tree in the kingdom, symbolic of her stature.

  “Dagon tried to make us forget what our people stand for,” Elpson says. “But we remained strong. We defeated evil when it was at our doorstep because we were united.”

  As if on cue, the leaders of Crothinia gather at Mother’s side.

  “Many sacrificed their
lives so we can have peace. May their sacrifice never be in vain.”

  I’m spent. I lean over and rest my head on JP’s shoulder. Miranda strokes my hair. Leung’s eyes are red from crying. Nico’s distant. He hasn’t looked at me since the ceremony started. We haven’t spoken since Mother died.

  “May the queen, who returned knowing her death was necessary, forever rest in peace,” Elpson continues.

  “To Kassandra, Queen of Crothinia,” the crowd shouts in unison.

  The trees release dozens of colorful flowers that fall on the ground beside Mother.

  Father lays the lily on her chest and kisses her. A group of five priestesses, one from each kingdom, form a circle around Mother. They wave their hands over the burial ground. Roots drift from the ground. They wrap around her as everyone sings our song—my mother’s and mine.

  “No matter how long I stay or bad a day, I’ll always be with you.

  No matter how far I stray or rough the waves, through darkness I’ll guide you.

  It’s why I sing this song to you.

  Why my heart will never desert you.

  Yesterday, today, always—I’ll forever love you.”

  It makes me feel close to her even in death.

  The roots gently pull Mother underground. Her body is now one with Crothinia.

  “Do you need anything, Aria?” JP asks.

  “No.”

  “I love you.” JP kisses me on the lips.

  I smile. “Me too.” I need him. I need all of them—now more than ever.

  I look up. Nico gives me a half-hearted smile. I wonder what he’s thinking now that I’ve made my choice.

  “We’re here for you,” Miranda says.

  Leung hands me a tissue.

  I wipe away the tears.

  “Aria.” Father walks over with Elpson.

  I hug him.

  “Are you okay?” Father asks.

  “I will be.” I turn to my friends. “I really appreciate you all staying through the ceremony. It means a lot. But it’s probably time for you to head back to Earth.”

  “We’re not going anywhere,” JP says. “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

  “If Earth is to be safe, Crothinia needs to be strong,” Miranda says. “We’ll help rebuild before heading back.”

  “It’s going to be crazy around here for a while,” I say.

  “We’ve all had a hand in the craziness,” Nico says. “At least, I know I have. I need to help fix this.”

  “At least we don’t have Dagon to deal with anymore,” I say.

  “Let’s hope so.” Father places his hand on my shoulder.

  “Either way, the covenant is here to help,” Miranda says.

  “I knew you were cool when I first met you.” Leung wraps her arm around Miranda’s shoulder.

  “Miranda’s right. Whatever the future holds, we’ll be ready,” I say. “It’s our time to bring about a new dawn.”

  · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

  The End

  Acknowledgments

  To my better half, thank you for letting me—us—follow our dreams to the fullest. Your love, endless help, and support mean everything.

  My daughter, hearing you laugh fills me with joy. You are beautiful and make me so proud. When you’re old enough to read this book, remember always that anything is possible as long as you believe in yourself. Dream big. Love you always.

  Lisa Cerasoli—many people said, “I love this idea”; you were the first to say, “I love this book.” Thank you for never doubting me and for always being in my corner. Your forward thinking, positivity, and endless edits helped me reach that final goal. This is just the beginning.

  To my readers—may this book transport you to a world where friendship, family, and hope matter.

  Dark Dawn