Grounded (15 page)

Mason’s flight pattern was shoddy. By the time they approached land, they spiraled and slowed.

Mason’s feet touched the ground, and Avery broke free and turned on him.

“Are you okay?” She gasped. The weight of used adrenaline suddenly hit her shoulders and her body trembled. Exhaustion made her knees weak but fear kept her upright. Her eyes immediately went to his wounds. The skin on his neck and chin had been smeared with blood. Before she could examine it, he waved his hand.

“Get inside.” He ordered while closing his wings. Desperately trying to regain her composure, Avery nodded.

Avery glanced to where he pointed, taking in her surroundings. They’d flown from Mikhail’s island and landed somewhere on the West coast. The grey beach was cold and breezy with rocks and twisted stumps blocking most of the land from view. Perched just at the edge of the beach, beaten by waves, was an old concrete building. Maybe an abandoned Coast Guard or oceanography building, it was built sturdy but small.

Doubling back to take Mason’s hand, she led him inside. The door gave way easily and Avery trudged through an explosion of dust. Light flooded in to illuminate the room. Ancient furniture cluttered the place and tarp covered tables lined the walls. Swatting cobwebs aside, she led him inside. He lumbered to the first seat and collapsed into the cushions. His long limbs splayed out awkwardly and his chest heaved. Avery was too afraid to approach.

“It’s too late to stop him now.” Mason admitted slowly.

Avery pressed her lips together before they could quiver.

“I’m sorry.” She gasped. “This is my fault.”

If Mason heard her, he didn’t let on verbally. His head rolled back onto the top of the chair and he folded his arms.

“I could have killed him. I had the chance. I just didn’t. I froze.” Avery raked her hands through her curly, tangled black hair. “It’s my fault.”

She turned and paced from one side of the small place to the other. Through a dirty window, she could see outside. Her eyes focused on the sky above the thrashing blue ocean. She didn’t see any oncoming flickers. Still shaken, she turned and focused on him. Mason’s dull green eyes finally settled and he shook his head.

“It’s not your fault. You’re not a murderer, Avery.” He sighed.

Avery rubbed the wetness off her cheeks.

“What’s gonna happen now? He’s gonna absorb the magic and come after us.” She stuttered.

Mason pinched the bridge of his nose and shrugged. A sudden sharp popping noise at the door grabbed their attention. Just outside stood Eva. Her raven black bangs covered her face, making the green eyes and expression indiscernible. Unsure of how to react, Avery stood still.

“Yes, Mason. What’s your brilliant plan now?” Eva asked pointedly. Her tone was calm, controlled, and absolutely curious.

Mason perked up and leaned forward in his chair.

“Why are you here, Eva?” He asked darkly.

Eva’s face scrunched up and she glared his way.

“That’s not a lot of enthusiasm for someone who isn’t a pile of bloody ribbons right about now.” She snapped.

“And you’ve just decided to help, why?” Mason didn’t ever get up from his seat but his talons came out to tap his knees. Muscles tightening, Avery knew he would be ready for anything.

“Don’t get all sweet on me with thank yous. This isn’t really related to saving your ass.” She leaned against the frame and her expression changed. “If you must know, I misjudged Mikhail’s intentions.”

“What, you didn’t think he’d be a vicious murderer?” Avery posed bravely—something that earned her a harrowing glare from Eva.

“Simply that his intentions now run counter-course to mine.” Eva hissed.

Leela had once said that they were “moving Eva out”. Eva might have been picking up on it too. It somewhat justified Eva’s actions. Avery did consider the possibility of Eva’s actions being a trap. It wouldn’t have been the first time the Band was absolutely underhanded. But considering she’d just saved Mason from untimely death, Avery trusted her. Backing up a step, she let the girl into the building. The metal door swung shut behind her and the room got substantially darker. Being so close to Eva felt awkward. Trekking across the room, Avery perched on the side of Mason’s chair.

“You mean Mikhail suddenly remembered that you still are and always will be Jericho’s child?” Mason suddenly harped at his sister.

“Shove it or I might finish where Mikhail left off.” Eva stood, apparently ready to go through on her threat but Avery intervened.

“Hey wait up!” Avery held two pacifying hands out. “We can’t fight each other! Or did you guys just miss the part where Mikhail swore to kill us all and is going to fill his body up with Willow magic? The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Whether or not the two siblings wanted to agree, she had a point there. Eva leaned back, her attitude sliding from anger to apparent calm.

“So start thinking dear brother. What’s the next step?” Eva quizzed with the rational approach.

“We tell the police about Mikhail’s location.” Mason said first off.

Eva broke down that option quickly.

“He likely won’t be there, but if they can track him they might find him.”

“Will the police be able to hold him this time?” Avery asked next. A few months ago, Mikhail had broken out of prison and escaped. He’d taken out dozens of harpies just to do it. And now with the magic of Willow, he’d be harder to contain.

“It might slow him down.” Mason answered. “But they wouldn’t be sending enough police to stop him. They’re going to be holding down the fort. They know where Mikhail will go.”

“What do you mean?” Avery interrupted, feeling out of the loop. During the conversation, Mason and Eva sent silent glances to each other sharing some unspoken understanding.

“Mikhail’s going to take back his throne after he kills everyone standing in his way.” Eva snapped out. Avery knew without asking that the harpie woman was wondering if she’d allied herself on the losing side.

“I guess we should just pick a place, hunker down, and get ready for the attack.” Mason said.

Avery looked between them, only finding matching scowls. They weren’t waiting for an attack, Avery realized. They were waiting for an execution.

“You guys aren’t talking about giving up that easily, are you?” Pacing through the small room, she wrung her hands and thought. “Even if he makes an amulet following that book’s directions, then it’ll be no stronger than the Willow magic, right?”

“What are you getting at, girl?” Eva turned the full weight of her stare on Avery. For the first time, Avery had earned their attention and she went on.

“That means we can fight him on an even playing ground. We can win.” Avery’s voice spiked with a fresh wave of energy.

Eva didn’t share the enthusiasm.

“Are you insane? You can’t fight Mikhail.” The female harpie said blatantly. “Believe me on this one, human. He never loses.” She put particular emphasis on the “never”.

More defensive, Avery wrapped her arms around her chest and debated.

“There’s a first for everything. He’s not invincible. And there are more of us.” Avery then gestured to all of them.

Mason shifted in his chair and his hand snaked behind Avery’s back.

“Avery, you’re not compensating your theory for the rest of Mikhail’s associates. We don’t know what we’re up against.” He pointed out, tracing his fingers lightly beneath the bottom of her shirt.

Determined to stay focused, Avery shook her head.

“Yea, we do.” Avery then pointed at Eva. “And with the police, we can win. It’s that or prepare to die. I’m not willing to die.”

Avery shifted her attention to Eva, waiting for the woman’s reaction. The plan would be pivotal on her agreement. After a minute, Eva nodded stiffly.

“You think you know how to fight little brother? Because I’m in now whether I want to be or not.” She threw the ball back to Mason’s court.

Mason’s eyes clouded with debate. Hand continuing to trace over Avery’s bare skin, he clearly thought about it.

“Maybe. No, it’s a yes. I guess it’s a must.” He clearly struggled with the answers.

“So what would be Mikhail’s first stop on his revenge on society thing?” Avery quizzed Eva this time.

The woman thought about it for a second but answered fairly quickly.

“A year before Mikhail was cast out, his fate was uncertain. The counsel was divided. But then one harpie—the harpie who was later Jericho’s assistant—came on board and swayed the vote. Considering that he doesn’t live within the secure borders of the Court anymore, I imagine he’ll be the first target. His name is Samuel.”

Avery’s let out a breath of disbelief.

“Small world.” She whispered after it fully sunk in. She didn’t relish the thought of Adalyn and Patrick again but pushed those worries aside for later complication.

“What about Leela? I know they took her back to Alaska, will she be okay?” Avery asked the next.

“The popsicle stick?” Eva frowned but obediently answered. “I imagine. They wouldn’t have any contact with Mikhail until they returned to the island.”

“Good, I can call her later and have her go somewhere safe.” In fact, Avery rapidly realized, she could use Nate to do that. She hadn’t talked to the boy since the encounter at Moose Pass, but she knew he’d be in on keeping Leela safe.

“Fine, but you,” Mason pointed toward Avery, “Should disappear into a human city too. You can still slip away. Mikhail will be distracted by searching for us.”

Avery’s jaw dropped before she could properly construe a set of vicious protests. Eva beat her to it.

“The white horse thing, Mason? Really?” Eva rolled her eyes like a teenager.

Finding it just as unfunny, Avery spoke up.

“Are you serious? I’m not leaving. So don’t try to protect me either.” Avery started and then felt more strength return as she kept on. “That aside, you can’t do it without me. I have some of the Willow magic so if we’re using the magic to fight, then we need to be together. Mikhail wants me dead so this is my fight too.”

Avery smirked, having found her own argument convincing. Eva even piped in.

“She’s so much like a harpie isn’t she?”

“Avery is a human. Avery is not a harpie.” Mason shot up from his seat the second his voice began to rise. “Avery is not a killer. And Avery shouldn’t be involved.”

Apparently sick of sitting there, Mason stormed for the door. Before he could get away, Avery hurried to follow.

“What is wrong with you today?” Avery shouted.

“It’s not me, it’s you.” He finally turned but she didn’t expect the blank expression he wore. “You shouldn’t be like a harpie. That’s not a favorable thing.”

Avery’s brow furrowed but she couldn’t muster an appropriate response.

“Says the harpie.” She pointed out.

Finally, Mason paced back. When he got close enough, he snaked his long arms out and caught Avery in a hug.

“You don’t understand. I’ve had a lot of time to think about my life, Avery. All while staying in Alaska with you.” He whispered into her hair. “I like you because you’re brave and ready to fight for anything, but you’re not a killer. I don’t want you to be like a harpie. I don’t want you be corrupted into being nasty and violent all of the time. Why is it such a bad thing that I can trust one person to not be a damned murderer?”

Pressed against his body, she arched to place her lips on the nape of his neck and took in a breath of his peppermint scent.

“It’s not going to be like that. I don’t plan on changing, I just plan on fighting. And to be fair, as much as Adalyn drives me up a wall, I don’t think I could even kill her.”

Although, Avery wouldn’t mind hog tying Adalyn and ditching her in the forest. That comical thought wasn’t something she’d mention in the serious moment. His muscles relaxed under her touch and she tilted her head up until their eyes connected.

“Now you, you’re acting like a human. You’re being so sweet and modest!” She curled her voice at the end and gave him a mocking, brilliant smile.

One of his eyebrows arched.