Grounded (14 page)

He surprisingly stood bare-chested and his hunter green pants hung from his hips. His black hair had been tousled and windswept, his eyes remained half shut.

“Maybe I should come back later.” Avery whispered. She knew that day had just broken, but Mikhail didn’t exactly seem like a person that slept. Seeing him half dressed was shocking. Mikhail almost looked vulnerable.

“No, it’s quite alright. I simply didn’t expect you.” He said smoothly. His eyes finally opened and the last of his dreamy stupor had dissipated. His sharp and calculating look returned.

It would seem odd that Avery would show up here to see him, especially considering he had not forced her to show up. She didn’t want to raise his suspicions too much or her plan would fall through. Mikhail’s mind appeared to click over the options but he hadn’t called her out on it yet. Trying not to lose her nerve, Avery stood by it.

“I have a few requests to make.” She tilted her chin up and kept her voice steady. “I’ll help you. I can show you how to use the magic. You’re trying to study it right? There isn’t a better way to learn.”

His eyebrow arched with surprise but he did agree.

“Yes.” He said. “Observing it in its natural form would be best.”

Avery swallowed, clearing the knot in her throat. It was working so far. She went on with the next part.

“But I’ll only cooperate under two conditions. Leela walks. And I don’t want to hear you say that Leela’s here by choice. Don’t give her a choice. Send her back to Alaska and never speak to her again.”

Both eyebrows had now risen and he took a step back to clear the doorway.

“I’d expected that was a given. Any other demands?” He asked.

“You send her home today.” Avery added.

He rocked back on his heels, folding his arms and shaking his wings out.

“I don’t think she’ll be very happy. She’ll try and find us again. But if you know this, then I’ll arrange to have it done.”

“Last thing. I want three harpies to take her. Rafael included.”

Mikhail’s eyebrow shot up. Before he quizzed the odd request, Avery forced an answer.

“I want her to be safe. There is a harpie named Patrick that might hurt her.” She said slowly. It wasn’t exactly true but she knew that three less harpies on the island meant her plan would play out easier. “That’s all. Then I’ll help.”

“Well then if you’re quite done with your conditions,” He gestured for her to go inside.

“Uh okay.” Avery reluctantly shuffled into the room. The sheets on the bed had been torn up but the rest of the room was exactly as pristine and neat as she remembered it.

She had to be insane, she told herself.

“Sit.” He indicated a red chair in the corner. Brushing by her, he snatched up a blue amulet from the nightstand and in seconds, smashed it open on the ground. The mist of a communication amulet filled the room.

Avery sat.

“Eva dear.” Mikhail’s voice purred into the mist, a disturbing mix of politeness and threat. “Send Rafael, Jackson, and Tamara off to take the human home now. You stay here.”

Mikhail never waited for Eva’s answer. He smashed the amulet again with the heel of his boot and the fog immediately dissipated.

“So,” He prompted, strolling back in front of Avery. “You have something to show me?”

Avery knew this part was inevitable but still had to gather her nerve anyways. She just had to summon the magic and make a mini-lightning show like usual. That was the easy part. It was the next part of the plan she’d been dreading.

“Is Leela gone yet?” Avery bought herself a minute.

Mikhail gave her a flat, almost threatening look, but obediently went to the window. Opening the shades, he revealed the bright blue sky in the distance. As promised, four silhouettes were in the sky-- Leela’s being the most obvious.

“I have no reason to want to keep your friend now that I have you. I don’t need her to make you keep up your end.” The words were sharp and cold but Avery remained unfazed.

“Then forgive me for not being very trusting.” She responded half heartedly. Her eyes remained fixated on the disappearing figures in the sky. They were heading North and reaching a high altitude.

“You’ve gotten smarter.” Mikhail suddenly cracked a smile. “But my end of the agreement is complete.”

“You won’t be able to call them back?” Avery pressed the last question, knowing she was aggravating him into dangerous territory but she needed the answer.

Mikhail’s lips pinched together.

“No,” He said.

Satisfied with the answer, she stopped stalling.

She looked down at her arm and pulled the sleeves up until the majority of the Willow burn mark showed. She concentrated on the faint tug in her chest, willing it to budge-- something she hadn’t done since Patrick and Adalyn, but something that also came fairly easily. The tug in her chest pulled easily, and soon she felt her blood heat up. She pushed the sensation of prickling needles down through her arm, her hand, and her fingers. Just above the web of her hand, a flicker of electrical white flashes started up.

The magic flared with pure energy. With it, the aura around her body changed. At least, that’s what she’d been told. Mason had noticed this once and Mikhail studied it now.

“How much can you pull?” He quizzed, his voice low with intrigue.

“I’m not sure. It hurts after a point.” She tried anyways and the magic lit up the room like a fire cracker.

“It’s because you’re weak. But then that magic in your body is growing.”

Avery suddenly dropped the magic, letting the light show dissipate in the air, and cast him a shocked look.

“It’s expanding.” She tried to correct him but Mikhail cut her off with an open hand.

“It’s growing. Stupid human, you think that magic is static? But it won’t grow very much in you now will it? Not as weak, human, and small as you are.” He drew out the words cruelly.

Avery cast a quick glance toward the window. She had to stop stalling. Launching into the plan she shifted her hand and grabbed his wrist. Then she used the magic.

The electrical current hit Mikhail like expected. The old harpie let out a deafening screech of rage. He broke her grip and freed himself. Though she had the advantage of surprise, he rebounded quickly.

He lashed out and caught her throat. His long fingers wrapped around her neck and his talons drew blood. Avery struggled but his grip tightened and her thrashing ceased. He leaned forward and narrowed his black eyes. This wasn’t part of the plan. She was supposed to have knocked him unconscious with the initial blow. Plan unsuccessful, Avery’s thoughts scrambled.

“Get off.” She gasped.

His lips peeled back with a feral growl. His fingers suddenly tightened and Avery’s world blurred. Black creeping up at the edges of her vision, she buckled and thrashed but oxygen flow slowed, she grew weaker by the second.

Unable to think of any other options, her hands reached into her belt. Her fingers met the firm handle and she gripped it tight. Freeing the kitchen blade she’d hidden in case of emergency, she swung blindly. The knife made grazing contact and Mikhail released her out of shock. She jerked backwards, but crashed into the nightstand. The wooden desk went sprawling and Avery fell to the floor. Mikhail let out a roar of outrage and sprung to his feet instantly.

He dove for her but Avery swung the knife again. She’d only meant to use it against his wings but she didn’t have time to summon the magic. The kitchen blade made contact again and blood splattered. He rolled off of her and Avery scrambled to her feet.

Blood splattered over the floor, making it slick. Avery didn’t want to fight. She didn’t know how. She just wanted to take out his wings, use the magic, and take off. Mason would be here soon—he’d have to be. If he followed the magic, he could find her.

“You are not leaving!” Mikhail hissed but before he could get another swipe in, Avery let out the last burst of magic. This one was decidedly stronger than the rest and the electrical charge it manifested as lit up the room. Mikhail’s grasp broke and Avery scrambled to a stand. Her heart was pounding and adrenaline flowed through her veins.

He’d been floored, but still awake and aware, he struggled to stand. Her eyes caught on the kitchen blade on the floor and stayed. Some part of her mind urged her to take it and land a swift blow to the downed harpie. But she stayed immobile. Avery shook her head, eyes burning with tears. She couldn’t kill him. She couldn’t.

Turning, she ran from the room. Her heels clacked loudly in the hallway and she desperately summoned the magic in her chest. It had wound in her chest and pulsed through her blood. She reached the last door and broke it open. Outside the bright sunlight was blinding. Avery looked toward the sky.

“Come on, Mason. You can’t get a greater call of magic than that.” She hissed.

A glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye sent her running. She needed Mason to show up now.

The Band members started appearing. Hands out, she got ready to fight.

The first harpie came at her. Ready to fight, Avery met him while he was still in the air. She grabbed one of his arms and yanked. Gravity and weight on her side, the harpie went plummeting into the sand. Now on the floor, Avery went for him. Magic bundled in her chest, she readied to give him the shock of his lifetime. That’s when the other harpies came in. One caught her from behind, tearing her backwards. The movement was harsh but not lethal. Using the surge of magic, she shocked the harpie that had yanked her. The electrical magic made contact. The harpie screeched and fell away.

The other rushed her and she kicked up at him. Her foot made contact and he let out a grunt. Harpies’ bone density was light so brute strength was a good way to go, and Avery did just that. She kicked again, her heel knocking the harpie hard. Then she threw the last harpie off of her.

Running across the beach line, she kept moving. Any place the harpies couldn’t fly was just where she’d go. The island lacked forests but it did have a thicket of palms dense enough to do the same. She slipped through them.

A harpie landed nearby and she whirled to face him. Her eyes lit up upon contact.

“Mason.” She gasped. Eva had been absolutely right. He’d followed the magic right to her. Cheeks red and brown hair tousled, he’d probably flown straight over. He didn’t smile when she greeted him but he grabbed her open hands. Swinging her behind him, he ordered, “Stay there.”

Avery understood why in the next second. Mikhail had resurfaced and stood before them. Avery had cut him badly and the wounds bled steadily, but he stood at his full stature. His face had twisted with anger and his body radiated with a thick aura of danger. The sight nearly made Avery’s blood freeze over.

“Mason, let’s just go.” She hissed, desperately tugging him.

The great escape sounded perfect but Mason didn’t budge. Mikhail approached a few more steps and the berth between them grew smaller. Apparently concerned that Mikhail could make a grab for them upon takeoff, Mason stayed on the ground and kept his defenses up.

“Back up, Avery.” He hissed.

Reluctantly she obeyed, casting her eyes toward the sky. It was then she noticed Eva lingering nearby.

The harpie woman had taken to one of the palms. Her green eyes stared downward but she kept still. Avery’s muscles tightened and she turned back towards Mikhail.

“You know what I see every time I look into the faces of Jericho’s children? I see the throne that was stolen from me. I see the life and the knowledge that was taken from me. And I remember why I have to take everything by force.”

Mason cautiously watched him.

“My father stole nothing from you.” Mason answered.

“Mason, look out!” Avery screamed but her companion didn’t turn in time. A harpie dropped from the sky and hit them from behind. Mason and Avery went sprawling into the dirt. That’s when Mikhail came at them. He went for Mason first but Avery never got to see it. The other harpie yanked her sideways. His grip was agonizingly sharp and the radical sideways movement left Avery defenseless. She thrashed but couldn’t get a good grip. Sand was kicked up everywhere, blinding her.

She lashed out at the harpie but he held her firm. She was trapped. Her eyes drew up suddenly when she heard Mason gasp. Mikhail had him in a bone breaking grip.

“Now,” Mikhail growled, “You will understand exactly why the government should fear me.”

Fourteen

“Mason!” Avery screamed but her voice did nothing to pierce the tension of a stalemate. The harpie that had her around the neck tightened his grip until Avery stayed reluctantly immobile. Avery watched on horrified.

Mikhail still had Mason pinned in the dirt and his grip around Mason’s throat grew tighter until it was nearly fatal. Mason couldn’t even fight in this position—any sudden movements would drive Mikhail’s talons deeper.

“I’m done with you both.” Mikhail seethed. “Remember Jericho’s descendants. Remember this is what you made me do.”

Avery screamed as he tightened his grip. It happened in slow motion. Avery only saw a blur of black dive from the sky. Mikhail was thrown backwards in an explosion of sand. It took half a second for the chaos to clear. Only then did she realize that Mason rolled free.

It was Eva who had knocked Mikhail back. Attacking with jerky, chaotic jabs, Eva landed on Mikhail. The flurry of battle ended swiftly. Eva jerked backwards, taking to flight, and separating herself from the downed Mikhail.

An arm abruptly snaked around Avery and pulled her to the side. Recognizing Mason as the one grabbing her, she latched onto him so they could take off into flight. Mason’s wings pounded, putting as much distance possible between them and the island. The island and Mikhail disappeared fairly quickly.