Mayan Blood (26 page)

Sarian snapped his jaws at Arwan, who rolled and planted the axe deep into the beast’s thigh. It growled and swung its tail, ramming Arwan across the patio. He slammed into the side of the building, cracking the stone on impact.

Zanya took the vial from the bust of her gown and turned to Jayden. “Get everyone together.”

“Yeah, I’m ready to get the hell out of here.” He sprinted away.

Zanya ran to Renato’s side. He watched with sadness in his eyes as Arwan and Sarian fought like two bloodthirsty animals. She grabbed his arm. “Hey, we have to go!” Renato only stood, staring. “What are you doing?”

Renato’s frown deepened. “I knew this day would come. I’ve known since Arwan came to our side.”

“What are you talking about?” Shards of sharp stone rained over them when Arwan was slammed into the building again. She screamed and covered her head. “Sarian will kill him!” She tugged on Renato in a desperate attempt to shake him out of his daze. Whatever had gotten into him, they didn’t have time to waste. Contessa was right. Sarian was more powerful than they realized, and if they didn’t get out of there soon, none of them would make it out alive.

Grunts and animal-like sounds mixed together while the two battled in the center of the marble arena. Arwan shouted when Sarian grabbed hold of his shoulder with his jaws. Zanya gasped, then whimpered, staring at Renato for the guidance he was always there to provide. “Help him.”

Renato shook his head. “He does not need help.” His eyes finally met hers, and the depth of sorrow that filled them nearly took her breath away. “Arwan is not who you think he is, Zanya.”

Sarian’s claws now pinned Arwan to the ground. She didn’t care who he was. Arwan wouldn’t die. Not here, not now. “Fine.” She slipped the stone out of its pouch. “If you won’t do something, I will.” With the stone held in front of her, she closed her eyes and connected the invisible bond between her and her legacy. “I am Zanya Coreandero, descendant of the first Stone Guardian.” The light in her chest burst to life, as did the light of the stone. When the two powers connected, a great burst of energy shot through the air and struck Sarian in the ribs. He howled and tumbled over the stone patio.

Arwan pushed himself to his feet, blood dripping down his arms.

Sarian regained his footing with a large burn stretched over his skin. He shook off the impact like a wet dog and limped forward, focused on Zanya. As if his violet irises were his bond with the stone, it too glowed a deep purple.

Sharp pain tore up her arms. Zanya screamed and dropped the stone. She outstretched her trembling hands, raw and red with burns.

Her stone didn’t recognize her. Worse, it had rejected her.

Arwan picked up his axe and hurled it at the beast. The blade sparked when it hit his armored skin.

Sarian crouched and leaped at Zanya. She dropped to the ground and covered her head. The impact of the beast’s landing rocked the building. She looked up at Sarian’s underbelly while he stood over her, like an animal claiming its territory.

Renato stepped forward. With a clenched fist and fury in his eyes, he struck Sarian with all his might, hurling the beast across the floor. Sarian scratched at the ground, reaching for anything he could before crashing into the stone handrail, snatching Hawa’s limp body. Renato screamed as Sarian dragged her into the forest, out of sight. “Hawa!”

“We can’t fight him for long,” Jayden said. “He’s too strong.”

Renato scrambled past the rubble of marble. “I’ll go get Hawa. You work on a way to get us out of here.”

“I can’t leave without the stone.” Zanya crouched beside it. It was angry, fearful, and it didn’t trust her. He must have influenced it, or it would not have lashed out like it did. Her hands were already healed, but if she tried to touch it again without its permission, it might kill her. It may take time to convince it that she wasn’t the enemy, but time was something they didn’t have at the moment. “Shh.” She extended her hand. “I’m your guardian. You can come with me.” She paused, listening to its whispers. “I know you’re scared, and confused, but it’s okay. I am too. But I’m here to protect you now.” A tear slipped down her cheek. She hummed the same tune as when she bonded with the stone. The melody swam through her, and she closed her eyes, picturing the day she sat in her mother’s bedroom with the stone. The song was even more beautiful on her violin, and she could almost hear the strings vibrate beneath her fingers as she hummed through the tune.

She opened her eyes to the stone morphing with colors of blue and white. “See. You remember me.” She caressed the stone’s surface. “It’s okay now.” She cupped it in her hands, and it reacted with a warm glow. “We’re going home.”

Sarian barged back onto the patio. Renato followed close behind, cradling Hawa in his arms. “Her leg is broken.”

Zanya jumped to her feet. “Everyone’s here. Let’s go!”

Jayden, who had only a patio umbrella as a weapon, tried to hold Sarian at bay. He glanced back at Zanya, and for a split second, they locked eyes.

Sarian grabbed Jayden’s torso and thrashed his head from side to side. Zanya watched in disbelief as Jayden’s body was flung to the stone floor where he slid, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Zanya ran and collapsed beside him. He lay with his gut torn open and deep puncture wounds in his chest. He opened his eyes, sucking in shallow, labored breaths. She grabbed his hand and wrapped her fingers in his.

“You’re going to be okay.” She sobbed. “I’ll heal you. I can do it now. I can heal you.” That’s when the realization hit her like ice water. What would her life be like without Jayden? He filled a gap in her heart like no one else could. Losing him would mean losing a piece of herself.

A strange silence filled the air. Jayden stared up at her blankly.

Something was wrong.

He was so still.

The gaping holes in his chest no longer leaked blood. “Jayden.” Her demanding tone somehow ached with desperation. “Jayden!”

It was as if the universe had collapsed on top of her. The air became heavy, pressing on her skin and chest. Her stomach twisted, acid and bile coating her tongue.

Renato and Arwan were busy distracting Sarian, but they were out of time. “We have to go. Now!”

Even in Sarian’s beastly form, his eyes churned with magic, and hunger.

Zanya jumped to her feet. Renato grabbed Sarian’s back leg with one hand and screamed like an enraged madman. “I may not be the guardian, but I will tear you limb from limb before you touch my family ever again.” Like an Olympic discus thrower, he swung Sarian’s body and launched him into the air. The beast’s heavy frame crashed into the alabaster railings, and then tumbled down a steep cliff, out of sight.

“Let’s go!” She threw the vial to the floor. It shattered, and the fog rose around them.

Sarian let out an animalistic scream from the valley below. The snapping of branches and scratching footsteps grew closer.

Zanya closed her eyes, envisioning a place and time. There was only one place she wanted to go—to the only one who could help. Without the smallest hint of transition, they stood in the center of Contessa’s kitchen.

“Contessa!” Her screams filled the small room. “Contessa!”

She appeared, clearly angry to see the group in her home. “Why have you come here?”

“Jayden; I think he’s dead. You have to help him.” She dropped to her knees and cradled his head in her lap while the temptress inspected him.

Zanya dragged her fingers through Jayden’s tangled hair. Contessa would know exactly what to do. She had survived being stabbed in the heart.

With every moment of silence, her anxiety grew. What the hell was taking her so long? Why wasn’t she doing anything?

Contessa reached out and closed his eyes. “His soul no longer dwells in his body. I don’t smell it. I don’t see it. It’s gone.”

“What?” Zanya's breath stalled. There was no way he could be gone. She wouldn’t accept it. After lowering Jayden’s head to the floor, she jumped to her feet. She didn’t care if this bitch could snuff her out with a flick of her wrist; there was no way they were giving up that easily. “No. You have to help him. You have to bring him back.”

Contessa shrugged. “There is nothing I can do. It is too late.”

Zanya balled her fists. “There has to be something, anything. I’ll do anything.”

“The only one who can help you now is Houn, bearer of souls.”

Renato stepped closer. “Zanya. We cannot bargain with the gods of the underworld. They are a dark kind, who reign with ruthlessness and greed for souls.”

“I have to get him back.”
Whatever the cost.

“Many have fallen in the cause of protecting the stone. Jayden is one of many. I understand you are mourning the loss of a fallen friend, but this is not an option.”

“This is the only option.” She squared her shoulders toward her uncle. Jayden had earned his respect, and he wasn’t showing even a hint of gratitude. “How can you turn your back on him after he came to help us? He deserves the same efforts I know he would make for me in a heartbeat.”

“Jayden fought bravely to defend your life, and the security of the stone. Let him die with honor.”

So that was how it would be. Fine. She didn’t need his help. Not with this. Zanya ignored Renato and twirled to Contessa. “How do I get to Houn?”

“The soul bearer lingers at the gateway of the underworld. You must first travel through the caves of Naj Tunich. One of its tunnels leads to a lake where you can pass to the gate of the dark realm. When you reach the cave, you must gain access before you descend.

“How long do I have?”

“Houn will hold his soul for three days before deciding his fate.”

“I will not allow this,” Renato shouted. “You have no heir to pass your legacy to. If you die, the stone will not only obey Sarian, but whatever hands possess it. Do you have any idea how many lives you are endangering if you pursue this insane plan?”

“I won’t let Jayden die.”

“It is already done.”

Zanya stared down at his lifeless body, his skin a sick gray.

Renato recollected himself. “This is counterproductive to our mission.”

“I have the stone. My only mission now is to get Jayden back.”

“Just because you have the stone does not mean your job is done. You need to continue to protect it. If you die now, Jayden’s death will have been in vain.”

Zanya swallowed. This was such bullshit. “If you won’t help me, I’ll go alone.”

“You won’t go alone.” Arwan’s voice clawed its way out of his throat. “I’ll go with you.” He limped beside her.

“Very well,” Contessa said.

Zanya gave her uncle one last chance. “You won’t come?”

He paused for a moment, then pinched the bridge of his nose, and exhaled. “I’ll be damned if you are not an exact replica of my sister. She never listened to me.”

“What do you have arranged for the empty vessel of your pupil? It cannot stay here.”

“We have nowhere else to keep him,” Renato said. “If we can leave him here for just a few days—”

“Absolutely not. He will begin to bloat and stink. Treat your fallen warrior with respect. Keep his body preserved if you wish to reunite it with his soul.”

Renato’s gaze darted from Jayden’s body to Hawa, who lay moaning in pain. “I’ll figure something out. Perhaps Marzena will have an idea since our welcome here is clearly overstayed.”

It was going to be dangerous. They were about to venture to a place only spoken of in myth and legend. A place where the dead dwelled, trapped beneath the roots of the tree of life. Nevertheless, if she had to face the gates of hell, she would. She had to, for Jay.

Epilogue

Sarian

He paced while his dogs sat on either side of him, holding so still Sarian would have thought they were statues if he didn’t know better. One of the hounds growled.

Sarian watched carefully, his eyes focused intently on the king, who was quiet. Even though he would never admit it openly, his silence was frightening. Shouting orders, demanding the hellhounds to tear another underworlder to shreds; he was used to that. He had seen many unfortunate dwellers of the ninth realm torn limb from limb.

Sarian cleared his throat. “I will get it—”

“You fool,” he bellowed, his eyes dark with wrath.

Sarian stood from his general’s chair and straightened his coat. He had led the underworld army for thousands of years with great success. He had spent so many years of loyal service to the ancient king, and had earned his place as heir. Now if he could only convince the king. “I seized the stone before; I will do it again. You need not be concerned.”

“You allowed the guardian to recover the stone, you inept halfling! You cannot even prevail over a group of inexperienced Riyata.”

The largest dog cocked its head and released a threatening bark. The king stroked the hound between its ears and it submitted, as everything in the underworld did at his command.

The king looked at Sarian in disgust. “You are no match for the true heir of the throne. My son…” He turned his head sharply. “Does he still refuse his rightful place?”

Rage simmered in Sarian’s bones. His breath quickened while he stood there, outwardly calm, but inside him churned a furious storm of wounded pride and provoked scorn.

“That boy is no more an heir to your throne than you are human.”

The king stared at Sarian with such hate in his eyes, they lit up like burning coals, glowing a mixture of red and black.

While the lord of the underworld strode across the room, for a fleeting moment Sarian wondered if he’d said too much. The dogs followed closely at the king’s side. The train to his royal cape dragged behind him, leaving molten lava on the ground where it touched. “You are running out of options, General.” His tone was low and ominous. Sarian swallowed. “As you continue to fumble with the book, I grow weary of your doltishness. If you do not soon succeed at your task, I will be forced to take control of the situation.”

One of the hounds barked ferociously.

Sarian startled, then composed himself. His gaze averted, he bowed.

As he returned to his seat, his fury and humiliation calmed. Another emotion took over—gratification.

The king did not know he had already broken the obedience spell, and had other plans for the middleworld.

It was the guardian he wanted.

He wanted her so badly the tips of his fingers tingled at the mere thought of her. When his mind lingered for too long, his lips burned with the taste of her skin.

Sarian’s stomach tightened, remembering how she tasted as he ran his mouth along her neck and shoulders. Oh, how he wanted to consume her. He’d shown such restraint; restraint he did not have when he captured the last guardian. But he’d learned since then. He was willing to wait, to plot, and to be patient for the right moment to strike.

Sarian touched his chest, where a crescent-shaped scar sat hidden under his clothes. The wound was his fault, really. He didn’t notice the pain until she nearly took a chunk out of his muscle.

She fought so vivaciously, and like a wild stallion being tamed, he enjoyed the process of breaking her. It was the thrill he lived for, which made his chest stir with exhilaration.

This guardian was so much like her mother. He sighed. It was unfortunate the last guardian was not more submissive. She would have made an equally suitable queen.

So powerful. So beautiful.

Just like her daughter was now.

While he taunted her in her dreams, it was difficult not to reach through her subconscious and take what he wanted. But like a fine wine that becomes more decadent with age, his patience would someday pay off.

Soon she would rule by his side, and he would take her as he pleased. She would complement him with her beauty, cower in his shadow, and then perform at his will.

Sarian opened his eyes and peered across the room. The king, with his hounds faithfully beside him, now also stood completely still. Not a word, nor a gesture. Not even the hint of a breath passing out of his lungs.

In one quick motion, the king locked eyes with him. “If you do not leave now, I will release the guards.” The dogs stood at full attention, yelping and growling in anticipation.

Sarian stood and pressed down the creases in his clothes. After retrieving his cane from its spot propped against the wall, he limped across the room.

He would possess the guardian, and then be in control of the great powers of the middle and underworld. The stone, the guardian, and the book. When he did, he would overthrow this kingdom, slaughter the king, and have complete, absolute power over all.