Descending (The Rising Series) (26 page)

“
Aella is the least of your worries, but if you must know, follow the daughter of the sea king. She will lead the way. Kill the condemned mermaid quickly, for you are running out of time.”

“Are you
saying Sara will lead us?”

“Yes, she is a key, one of four needed to
unlock the cage of the forgotten king, but you must hurry. Her mother is in great danger, and without her mother, she will never be able to open the lock.”

“I don’t understand what you are talking about. Are
you saying Sara’s mother, Nicole, is in danger?”

“You must hurry
. Gather the daughters that join the four corners, and then go to the place where the mountain touches the heavens. There you must free the king by the fourth new moon. If you fail, the wind will drive fire across the land and the earth will crumble into the seas. All mankind will perish.”

“
You can’t be serious.” A vision opened to her mind. Fire raging, buildings crumbling, and her family lying crushed beneath debris as the crashing waves from the sea covered everything. She gasped at the sight, the horror stealing her breath and breaking her heart. And then the images were gone. Gretchen found herself on her knees, her breath heaving from her chest, her heart pounding like a drum against her chest. “May the gods have mercy on us,” she breathed.

She looked up into
Andre’s face. His hands dropped and eyes closed. When he opened them, they were his own again, and they looked haunted.

“She
showed you a vision, didn’t she?” he asked, his voice raspy, weak.

Gretchen nodded, still stunned by the exchange. “Who
showed me?’

“
My patron goddess.”

“Which goddess
?”

“I cannot say.
”

“You can’t say, or you don’t know
?”

“Both, actually
.” He smiled weakly. “What exactly did she show you?”

“
You don’t want to know. Just keep your family close, and if you have any unfinished business, you’d better get it finished.”

He blanched at her words and nodded weakly. “
Did she at least tell you where to find Aella?”

“Sort of
.” Gretchen frowned.

Andre frowned in
return, and then his brows pinched together in confusion. “You know, you remind me of the last person to come in search of Aella.”

“There have been others?”
The words came out in a breath.

“
Only one before you.”

“When? Who was it?”
Her voice rose.

“It was over two decades ago. A man with power that surpassed Aella came in search of her.”

Gretchen’s mind whirled. Who would be more powerful than Aella?

“
What makes him so powerful?” she asked.

“His father is death.”

“Hades?”

He shook his head. “No
. D
eath
.”

“I thought death was something that happened to you, not a person.”

“Death is not a person; he’s a god. He is also known as Thanatos. Strange, but your eyes are the same.”

“What do you mean? I look like him
?”

He shook his head.
“There is death in your eyes.”

Could he know I’ve killed before?
She didn’t like where the conversation was headed. “Listen, it’s imperative that we stop Aella quickly. Can you please allow Hank to take us to find her?”

“No, I
’ll not allow my son to take such a risk.”

“
What now?” Her shoulders sagged. “It will take us much too long to swim there.”

“You have others like you?”

“Not exactly like me.”

His eyes widened as he looked toward the door. “They are descendants of
Dagon—the Sumerian sea god, aren’t they?”

She nodded.

“
Strange companions for a mermaid.”

“How did you know
about them?”

“That
’s not important. The important thing is to stop Aella from killing others.”

“It would help if we had a boat.”

“You
do
have a boat.”

“But you said
—”

“
That my son wouldn’t take you, but I will.”

Gretchen smiled. “You will?”

“Yes. I’m not thrilled about this journey, but I’ll take you there.”

“Thank you
,” she answered. She was relieved as she stepped out the door. The wind blew around her. Kyros stepped up to her, his eyes bright and anxious.

“Everything set to go?”
Kyros glanced at Andre.

“Yes
.” Gretchen stepped close and whispered, “I have to warn you, Andre can’t be compelled.”

“Why not? Who is he?”

“
He’s an oracle.”

Kyros’s eyes widened as he looked at the rugged old man.
“Did he say anything important?”

“
Oh yeah. I don’t know what in the heck she was talking about, but I’ve a feeling it’s extremely important.”

“She?”

“The goddess that spoke through him.”

“Do you know which goddess it was?”

“I’ve no idea.”

Kyros shook his head. “
Normally, I’m supposed to kill those who discover our identity, but I doubt his patron goddess would be happy with me killing her oracle.”

“Y
ou couldn’t kill him anyway. He’s the one taking us to Aella.”

“Having an oracle for a guide is a good thing.”

“I hope so.” Gretchen looked at the gathering clouds and wondered.

The w
ind whipped around and skipped over the waves as they climbed into the boat. Below deck, Gretchen found a cushioned seat next to Sara.

“Do you think we’re headed in the right direction?” Gretchen asked her
, remembering what the oracle had said—that Sara would lead them.

Sara was frowning at her husband when she gave a dismissive answer. “I sure hope so.”

Gretchen wondered if she should mention the oracle’s words. No. He never said she had to solicit Sara’s help. Besides, knowing Sara like Gretchen did, Sara would freak at what the oracle said.

“Are you as
nervous as I am?” Sara whispered to Gretchen.

“Probably.”

“Just look at them. Shouldn’t they be a little more somber and less like a child the night before Christmas? I mean, they look excited at the prospect of killing.”

Xanthus had guns and other weapons
lain out across a table. He and the other Dagonians were deep in conversation. Xanthus described in detail how to operate each weapon. Gretchen only half listened. She already knew how to shoot; she was more concerned with
who
she might have to shoot.

“I guess they enjoy their work,” Gretchen shrugged.

“Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Their behavior?”

Sara nodded.

“Not really. What I see
are men who are excited about new weapons and are anxious to learn how to use them. It makes me feel more confident that they will be able to save my baby brother or sister.”

Sara raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a point.”

“Besides, you know your husband. Have you ever met a person with a more protective nature?”

“
No, I haven’t.” Sara sighed. “I think I’m just scared about what we’ll find ahead. I really don’t want to see more innocent people hurt.”

“I don’t either. And I’m sure Kyros and Xanthus are concerned as well. They just know how to compartmentalize it.”

Sara nodded and Gretchen wondered if she should tell her about the prophesy. She looked her best friend up and down. Her hair laid limp again her head, and purple shadows darkened her drooping eyes. She looked exhausted. Now was not the time.

“Why don’t you get some sleep?” Gretchen asked. “There may not be a chance to rest once we reach our destination.”

“All right, but wake me before we get there.”

“Sure.”

Sara lay down across the cushioned bench. Gretchen caught Xanthus watching his wife with concern in his eyes. It was easy to see how much he loved Sara. Gretchen cracked a smile. Sara had had such a hard life. It was a thrill to see her find happiness.

Sara’s breathing deepened within minutes. Gretchen searched and found a small spiral notebook and pencil. She wanted to write
down what the oracle said before she forgot. She was a whiz when it came to remembering words, which was why she’d done so well in school. But even her memory wasn’t infallible. She only had so much time before her mind muddled the words or forgot some of them completely.

The pencil scratched across the surface, giving her a clearer view of what the oracle said. The part about Sara leading them to Aella was easy enough to comprehend,
though unbelievable. But the rest, about Sara’s mom, about finding the daughters that join corners… Gretchen had no idea what that meant. Perhaps the others would know. But right now, Gretchen felt that this was not the time to bring this up. Their first responsibility was to kill Aella. The rest would have to wait.

Sara
jolted up like she’d heard a shot, and Gretchen jumped in surprise. Sara’s hands grabbed the cushion, crushing it in her grasp.

“Sara? What’s wrong?” Gretchen rushed to her side.

Xanthus was there a second later. “Sara, what is it, baby?” He took her head in his hands, trying to get her to look at him.

Sara’s eyes looked strange. Not
strange like the oracle. These were still Sara’s eyes, but they seemed to be taking in a scene that no one else could see. Color drained from her face.

“We have to change course.” Her voice came out i
n a whisper.

“Why? What do you see?”

“We have to save them.”

“Save whom?”

“They’re lost. They’re dying.”

“Did Aella do this?”

“Yes, much too long ago. It’s been over a week. They’ll die.”

Sara blinked
. The vision seemed to disappear from her vision, and she looked at her husband.

“We have to save them, Xanthus.”

“Who are they?”

“They’re a family. Lost at sea. And they’re dying. The smallest, a little
girl, will die first, but the others won’t be far behind. It’s going to take us far off course, but we have to save them.”

“Of course,” Xanthus
said, turning to Kyros. “I’ll tell the captain we’re changing course.” He turned back to Sara. “Can you lead us to them?”

She nodded.

Gretchen’s heart clenched when she realized, Sara was now deciding their course. The oracle’s words were coming true.

Xanthus and Sara made their way up to the bridge. Gretchen stayed behind. The bridge was barely big enough for two more.

Two hours later, Xanthus finally came down below. “I’m just getting Sara a coke. She could use some caffeine.” He pulled a bottle from the fridge and turned to leave.

“Xanthus, I need to talk to you.”

He must have heard the worry in her voice. He turned a sympathetic look on his face. “Don’t worry about Sara. She’s stronger than you think.”

“That’s not what I wanted to talk about. I need you to know what the oracle said about Sara.”

Harsh worry lines flashed as Xanthus’s jaw tensed. He looked terrified.

“Stop jumping to the wrong conclusions
.” Gretchen rushed to ease his fear. “He didn’t say anything bad was going to happen to her.” She pulled out the notebook and handed it to him. “Here, I wrote down every word that was spoken.”

His brows pinched together as he read,
and then his eyes widened in confusion. “Sara should be the one to lead us to Aella?”