Ashure picked up the hoop. He frowned when Ariness placed a hand on Orion’s arm and shook his head when the Sea King paused outside of the circle. Orion stiffened for a moment before he stepped back.
“What is it?” Ashure demanded with a frown.
“You must go alone,” Ariness said.
Ashure stared at Ariness with a frown before he looked at Orion. “I don’t understand. Why?” he asked.
Orion touched his arm. “Mike cannot hold off all the aliens by himself. Ariness must focus on the spell, and out of all of us, you must be protected at any cost. If the alien were to control you, it would control the Cauldron of Spirits—which contains some of the most dangerous criminal magic known to any world. I will assist Mike,” he said.
Ashure stared in silence at the men in front of him and knew that they were sacrificing their lives so he could succeed. The alien had grown too powerful, already taking the life of one of their group and countless others. As things were, there would be no surviving this attack for any world, it was do or die. He nodded and sheathed his sword. Stepping back, he lifted the Time-Space Hoop above his head.
“Now,” Ariness murmured, removing his hand from the staff.
The protective bubble evaporated, and shrieks of rage sounded from the possessed entities surrounding them when they were finally able to see the small group of men. Ariness lifted his hands and began chanting the spell to control the Time-Space Hoop. The silver etchings on the hoop began to glow in a specific sequence, but Ashure focused his attention on the battle.
Black discolorations now covered Mike’s skin, and the human man flung out gestures in various directions like a desperate conductor, sending out commands to the attacking forces. Orion used his Trident to send powerful bursts of energy through the vines that were hungrily reaching for them.
Ashure cried out in denial when one vine pierced Mike’s chest, lifting him off the ground. The memory of Ross Galloway’s body flashed through his mind. Deep down, he knew that this time the Goddess would not interfere. If Mike was to have a second chance at life, Ashure would have to be successful in changing the past.
Orion’s shout drew his attention, and he watched in horror as Orion sliced through the long stinger of an enormous scorpion that was rising from under the cobblestones. Large stones tumbled aside as the unnatural creature snapped its pincers. Orion blasted one off, but he was unable to get a clear shot at the scorpion’s body. The scorpion grabbed Ariness around the waist with its other pincer and lifted the old wizard off his feet.
“Now, Ashure!” Ariness choked out.
Ashure dropped the hoop. The sights and sounds around him were forever burned into his memory. Blood seeped from Ariness’s mouth as the scorpion crushed him. Orion roared a fierce battle cry as more scorpions appeared faster than even he could blast them. In that split second before he disappeared, he knew a hell far worse than even the deepest level of the Cauldron of Spirits. He briefly closed his eyes as he spun backward. He hoped the world he was going to would be much better than the one he had just left behind.
Chapter 22
Valdier:
The Hive
The storm was raging with gale force winds by late evening, but three powerful dragons cut through the wind and driving rain, intent on reaching their destination.
How much farther, Zoran? Creon asked, thankful of the connection between the dragons that made mental communication possible.
Not far, Zoran replied.
Creon cast a worried look at the dainty dragon flying beside him. Carmen had refused to stay home, so they had left Spring with Abby, Zoran’s mate.
We are almost there, he encouraged.
The white dragon with shimmering scales edged with red, pink, and purple nodded her head. Admiration for his mate filled him.
How could Phoenix have made it through weather like this? Carmen’s thought whispered through his mind.
He didn’t answer, but breathed a sigh of relief instead when the Hive’s rocky cliffs came into view through the swirling rain. The wind intensified as they neared the island. The thought of his tiny daughter facing such a journey—even with Stardust by her side—threatened to choke him with fear. He reminded himself that both of their daughters had their mother’s indomitable strength and determination.
There is a cave near the foot of the mountain, Zoran said.
Waves crashed against the rocks as they swooped through the tall stone pillars rising out of the ocean. Carmen followed Zoran while Creon took up the rear. His dragon banked around another tower of rocks and under a natural bridge created by the relentless force of the waves. He veered again and lowered his head against the force of the wind. Zoran glided into a landing near the mouth of a cave. Carmen landed next to him with Harvey beside her. Creon’s solid black dragon shifted a moment before he landed, lightly stepping forward into the cave.
He steadied Carmen when she shifted to her two-legged form. Goldie transformed from Zoran’s armor into her four-legged form, and Zoran shifted too. The group stared out at the driving rain in silence.
“Goldie, light, please,” Zoran said.
Goldie’s body began to glow, illuminating the entrance to the cave. Creon looked around the area, stopping when he noticed a small firepit.
“Creon… she was here. I recognize the way she built the fire ring. Paul taught Trisha, Ariel, and me how to make one just like it,” Carmen exclaimed with relief.
He strode over to the pit and knelt on one knee. Carmen followed him. She handed him a thin piece of partially burned driftwood. He took the stick and poked at the remains of the fire before he held his hand over the ash.
“It’s still warm,” he said.
He threw the stick into the fire pit and rose to his feet, pulling Carmen close to him. A shudder of relief ran through both of them.
“Let’s find our daughter,” she urged, kissing his
