Whirl (Ondine Quartet Book 1) (22 page)

With a growl, the Aquidae came after me.
Dazed, I struggled to get back on my feet. The landing had
completely knocked the breath out of me. A hand grabbed the
Aquidae's hair and pulled. His head snapped back. A blazing
kouperet
pierced through the turtleneck, stabbing the Origin
with steel precision.

Breathing hard, I saw Julian's smirk as he
dropped the Aquidae. He actually winked at me.

"You owe me, sweet iris."

Arrogant ass.

Before I could respond, two more Aquidae came
at us. Julian whipped around to engage the one nearest him and I
ducked, avoiding the blow coming at me from the other. It was
close. I felt its fist whizzing through the hair at the top of my
head. I was still winded and they were just so damn fast. Using a
combination of evasion and defensive techniques, I tried to fend
off its assault as best I could.

Tristan suddenly charged in like a fierce
avenging angel, his jacket whipping around him. He slashed his
kouperet
in a diagonal motion, slicing deep into the
Aquidae's back. Drops of black blood spattered in the air and it
screamed in agony. It pivoted, aiming a fist at Tristan's face.

With one hand, Tristan grabbed its wrist and
stopped the blow. I recognized it as the same move he'd pulled on
me twice. He twisted the Aquidae's arm behind its back and drove
the
kouperet
through, staking it in one fluid movement.

Julian disappeared into the chaos of the
ballroom and I whirled around, my body tense and ready. The
once-elegant room was now in complete shambles. Destroyed tables
and chairs littered the floor and broken glass was everywhere.
Parts of the wall were missing chunks of plaster from the force of
Aquidae slamming into it during the battle. Crying, screaming
people tripped over debris, still trying to stampede through the
exit.

Tristan stood with his back to me, arms
outstretched. His body crouched and coiled with power as he slowly
circled around, covering me from all sides.

I kept my blade in front, remaining steady.
My eyes flew around the room, and I could see that the worst of it
was coming to an end. There were just too many gardinels and
chevaliers for the attack to succeed.

But the Aquidae had put up a hell of a
fight.

A chill ran through me as I finally noticed
how many bodies were on the ground. Most were Aquidae. But there
were also bodies in fancy gowns and tuxedos. Too many bodies.

Nausea suddenly threatened to overwhelm me
and I fought to hold it back. Where were Marcella and Gabe? Rhian?
Jeeves?

Bright crimson fluid—mortal elemental
blood—stained the white marble floor in coagulating clumps. My eyes
latched onto a thick pool of red blood spreading beneath two bodies
and intertwining with the black ichor of a nearby Aquidae.

The grotesque sight of the two bloods mixing
together shot a wave of revulsion through me. Last night's dream
came back in a sick rush, the thick swirls of blood snaking around
each other in a macabre pattern…

My mind reeled, struggling to comprehend.
This kind of horror…it was the thing of nightmares, not real life.
How could the Aquidae be here? In Haverleau? I was dimly aware of
my hands shaking. The adrenaline from the fight disappeared in a
blazing rush, leaving behind only a cold numbness that settled deep
inside my core.

Everything around me blurred and faded, the
chaotic sounds turning into a buzzing that filled my head.

"Kendra. Kendra!"

It took several moments before I realized
that Tristan stood in front of me, his hands on my shoulders. He
shook me gently.

"Are you all right?"

I stared into dark, worried eyes, clinging to
the strength and power in their depths. His calm voice stabilized
me. I bit the inside of my lip hard enough to taste copper blood,
and managed to give him a steady nod.

Tristan exhaled deeply. Putting an arm around
my shoulders, he pulled me close in a protective stance.

The battle in here was over. But what if it
was continuing outside? If they got into the Governing House, there
could be more of them in Haverleau. Or God, the school…?

Panic and fear welled up, spiraling into a
hard, painful knot deep in my stomach.

"Most of the gardinels and chevaliers have
already left to secure the rest of Haverleau," Tristan said
quietly. "The school and the town weren't left without protection
tonight. Not everyone was here at the ball. They'll make sure
everyone is safe."

The remaining chevaliers dealt with the
aftermath of the brutal carnage, identifying and handling the
bodies with a sad weariness. I turned my eyes away, unable to
stomach the sight of the dead elementals.

The moment the Aquidae scanned the room, the
deepest part of me had known who they were searching for. A
massacre unprecedented in Haverleau history had happened because of
their attempt to kidnap me. By being in the same room with these
people, I'd cost them their lives.

If I hadn't come here tonight, if only I'd
stayed at the school. But the same thing would've happened at the
dorms…

No. It was too much. I shoved the black
shadows back down, locking them up tight.

Tristan made me sit on an unbroken chair.
Someone brought me a glass of water. At some point, a Healer
examined me for injuries. She removed the bruising along my back
and arms in a few minutes and this time, I welcomed the magic's
fiery, uncomfortable pain.

Tristan spoke several times on his phone,
coordinating with the rest of Haverleau security. He remained cool
and collected, patient authority radiating off him. He finally bent
at his knees so his face was level with mine.

"Come on," he said. "Let's get you back."

I struggled to speak, afraid to ask the
question that seared my insides like black bile. I swallowed hard.
"Was…was anyone else…" I couldn't finish.

"No one else was hurt. The attack was
centered here. Haverleau is secure. Your family, and your friends'
families, are all safe."

I nodded, unable to say anything. He gently
pulled me up and I let him lead me out. The damage sustained to the
Governing House wasn't limited to the ballroom. The hallway through
the west wing to the foyer was a mess, shredded pieces of precious
artwork and shards of broken wood paneling scattered all over the
floor. The panicked crowd had smashed through the House, destroying
everything in its path.

Tristan drove me back to the Academy in
silence, his arm occasionally brushing against mine. My hair had
tumbled out of its updo. I let it cover the side of my face so I
wouldn't have to look at him.

I finally realized what Nexa, Tristan, Rhian,
and everyone else had been trying to tell me and I'd been too
stupid to understand. It didn't matter whether or not I believed I
was the
sondaleur
.

Because the Aquidae did.

And as long as they did, they would keep
coming after me. I had to accept my role. Otherwise I would
continue to endanger others, just as I did tonight. Just like the
night at Axis.

I'd never wanted the responsibility of other
people's lives. But as Nexa had pointed out, I really had no choice
in the matter. Whether I wanted it or not, it was there.

Lumiére was eerily silent and normal. After
what had happened, I felt as if I was entering an alternate
universe. One where the only things to think about were parties and
boys.

They died because of me. They died because
I'm the sondaleur
.

It repeated over and over like a broken
record in my head.

Tristan shot worried glances at me, but
didn't speak. For once, I appreciated his silent stoicism. In the
dorm lobby, I insisted I was fine and just needed to sleep it
off.

Once inside my room, I sat in the darkness
and let loose the black shadows of pain, fear, guilt, and anger
from the cage deep within me. Given free reign, they reared up,
clawing at the pit of my stomach and burning through my veins.

I don't know how long I sat there on the
floor. After awhile, I noticed the beaded wristlet lying on my lap.
With slow, jerky movements I removed my cell phone.

I sat at my desk, connected the phone to my
laptop, and transferred the photos of the prophecy. Clicking on a
file, I zoomed in to read the baroque calligraphy.

She comes from the waves and cliffs,

From the land and air,

And from the light and dark.

Rising from Fire and

Born with The Elements on her left
ankle,

She shall mark herself as One of the
Water

on her right shoulder.

Possessed of an unlimited source of
Virtue,

She shall stand alone as the Light against
Darkness,

Though she will remain a warrior of
Shadows.

At the very bottom was the attribution. The
prophecy was made eighteen years ago by Naida Irisavie.

For a long moment, I stared at the
screen.

Finally, I crawled into bed. Holding my
stomach tightly, I pushed back the ache that threatened to eat me
up inside. I lay awake until morning, my midnight blue dress
billowing around me like the rich splash of blood.

SEVENTEEN

The pounding on the door wouldn't let up.
Each knock was like another nail into the headache grinding against
my skull.

"Go away," I groaned, rubbing the grittiness
out of my eyes. I'd fallen into a restless sleep just as the light
of dawn crept through the windows.

It wouldn't stop. I dragged myself out of bed
and staggered to the door, determined to make whoever was causing
that noise pay.

"Who's —"

Someone slammed into me.

"You're okay."

Warm, strong arms wrapped tightly around me
and I recognized Ryder's familiar smell.

"Can't….breathe…" I squeaked.

"Oh. Sorry."

He pulled back and his grey eyes, filled with
worry and relief, examined me closely. I don't think I'd ever seen
him look so serious before.

"God, Kendra. When I heard what happened, I
kept calling, but couldn't get through." I vaguely recalled turning
my phone off last night.

Ryder had raced over because he'd been
worried. About me.

I clamped down on the part of me that was
selfishly happy someone had cared enough to worry.

Ryder was a nice guy, someone who really
liked
me. But I'd been stupid to think I could ever have a
boyfriend or any kind of normal dating life.

They died because I'm the
sondaleur
.

My mother had been right. She'd always known
I could never have what others had. Innocent people who got close
to me would get hurt, or even worse, killed. I was the one silly
enough to start needing things. Things I believed I might have a
chance at.

I'd gotten weak.

I stepped out of his arms and gave him a
cocky grin. "It'd take more than that to bring me down."

It was hard to meet his eyes, especially
since what I saw in them pained me. He looked at me as if I were
beautiful, even though I was a complete mess. I was still wearing
my mussed up gown from last night. My makeup was smeared and my
hair tumbled about in a tangled nest. His adoration made me feel
sad and guilty.

By the time I finished my shower, Chloe and
Aubrey were waiting with Ryder in my room. After reassuring them
that I truly was fine and uninjured, we made our way down to the
cafeteria for breakfast.

The anxiety and fear in the Academy was
palpable. Students with solemn expressions spoke in hushed tones
and the air crackled with tension.

"Where's Cam?"

Just as I'd predicted, Cam and Chloe had
started dating after the beach party two weeks ago. They'd been a
hot gossip item for a few days before the school social scene moved
on to other topics. I thought he'd be glued to Chloe's side after
what happened.

"Taking it out on a punching bag in the
Training Center," Chloe answered listlessly. She waved her hand.
"You know how he is."

Actually, I completely understood. I was
itching for a good, old-fashioned fight right about now. It'd help
take the edge off.

"I can't believe they got past the wards. How
is that even possible?" Chloe was pale, her eyes bigger than
usual.

"It means they got past a Warden Pair."
Aubrey absentmindedly swirled a spoon in her yogurt. "But that's
almost unthinkable."

"What's a Warden Pair?"

"Four strong couples are chosen to be Warden
Pairs. They're selected based on the strength of the ondine's
Cloaking Virtue and her bond with her mate. Her Virtue, combined
with the magic from the couple's bond, act as a double-guard in
reinforcing the wards," Ryder explained, between bites of his
scrambled eggs. "Four Warden Pairs are always on duty at one time.
One for each compass point around Haverleau—North, South, East,
West. The only way for Aquidae to enter is by breaching one of
those points."

"It's hard to believe." Aubrey shook her
head. "Those couples are the best."

"And they're highly protected," Ryder added.
"Only Council members know their real identities. It's for their
own security in case Aquidae target them."

"But even if they were targeted, it wouldn't
matter," Aubrey said. "The magic is structured so that if the
couple is taken out, the wards still stand. The essence of their
souls continues to maintain the boundaries, even after death. Once
the next Warden Pair is assigned, the control of that ward boundary
is linked to the new couple's magic."

The philosophy behind the wards made sense.
Ondine magic was based on protective and nurturing values that
sustained life. The best way to create a magical boundary to shut
out dark, soulless creatures would be fortifying the Cloaking with
the emotional and spiritual bond between an ondine and her
mate.