Page 83 of Taming the Kraken

“I deserve to have it easier now. You have no idea how rough this one was when she was younger. We’re actually lucky that our fairies have such strong mates, Mikah. Because of this, we get more time to relax. Once everything is settled with Erebus, you’re going to have a lot of free time on your hands. You may want to pick up a hobby, or a woman.”

Mikah looked away, unamused. Brody laughed and shook his head. “Hey, I know how you feel. I never planned on taking a mate either. It just happened. You don’t have to force anything, but don’t block the chance from happening either.”

“I understand. I’ve already had this conversation with Alexa. I appreciate it. Like I told her, right now it isn’t even a thought. I just want Alexa safe. That’s my only concern.” Mikah looked over at Alexa in time to see her roll her eyes. He smiled and winked at her.

Suddenly Reiya and Alexa simultaneously collapsed onto the ground. Brody and Chelsie went to Reiya, and Mikah grabbed Alexa’s shoulders, holding her against his chest.

“What’s going on?” Brian asked, seeing the wave of pain and disbelief wash over all their faces.

“No … please, no … NOOOOOOOO!” Reiya screamed as she grabbed her head. “I can’t.”

Levi appeared instantly, feeling his mate’s distress. He knelt down, wrapping his arms around her, and then turned to look at Alexa. She had her head buried in Mikah’s chest and was quietly sobbing.

Three strong lights had vanished from the fairy world. Alexa began to tremble as a soft sound drifted in through the open window. Tranquil voices hummed on the breeze, mourning the loss of the fairy royalty and guardian. Their songs offered their condolences and captured their own pain. Her eyes burned from her tears.

“I can’t believe they’re gone.” Brody sniffed as he embraced Chelsie. All fairies and guardians were able to feel the tragic loss.

Levi stroked Reiya’s hair as he held her close. She wasn’t saying a word but was quietly crying. There was no need for words right now. The agony they were all feeling was evident. He could hear the fairies singing their mournful song.

Their lights hadn’t faded … they were gone. Alexa wouldn’t see them or feel their warmth ever again. It was all because of her. Her tears soaked Mikah’s shirt as she softly sobbed into his chest. “This is all my fault.” Her inside squeezed as the raw pain washed over her.

“Shh, Lex. This isn’t your fault,” Mikah crooned to her, wetness gathering in the corners of his reddened eyes.

Such a pity. This is all your fault. They’re dead because of you. You made me do this to curse Ken back to where he belongs. Such a pity. You only have yourself to blame.

The cruel voice sliced into Alexa’s mind, as if the words themselves had edges. The pain filled every corner of her skull, then gathered into a single point behind her eye, turning like something lodged there had awakened. She grabbed her head and screamed. Her grief had nowhere to go, and the voice gave it a direction. What surged out of her was not sorrow anymore. It was vengeance.

A bright glow surrounded her as Mikah gripped her tightly. Red drops trickled from her eyes as her magic tried to reject the glass. Grandpa Sage and Bella stepped into the room right at that moment.

“No! She’ll hurt herself! You have to do it now, Bella!” Grandpa Sage yelled as the bright glow exploded, sending everyone to the floor.

Mikah lifted his head as his own blood dripped down his face. His gaze immediately swept the room, searching for Alexa.

“LEX!”

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The room was quiet as everyone stared at Alexa. She was standing near them, a dark energy emitting from her. She raised her hand to wipe away the blood that had fallen from her eyes, smearing the red liquid across her face, then looked down at her hand and stared at the traces of her blood.

“Lex,” Mikah whispered, taking a step in her direction. She turned her gaze toward him. A red hue flashed behind her blue eyes. Her warm white light was no longer shining. Instead, there was a suffocating darkness swirling around her.

“Alexa!” Reiya cried out, rising to her feet. “Oh, my poor baby. What did he do to you?”

A cruel smile spread over Alexa’s face as she slowly turned in her mother’s direction. “Do to me? Who can do something to me? I just accepted the truth.” She shrugged her shoulders. “And that is that the light only exists to emphasize the dark.”

Reiya went to step toward her daughter, but Levi grabbed her shoulder, holding her firmly in place. “No, Reiya—don’t. That is demonic energy. Lex, this isn’t you. Let us help you.”

“Help me?” Alexa chuckled and then sneered at her father. “You want to hold me back. You both have always wanted to hold me back. Well … I’m not being chained up anymore. By the way, it’s Xi now, not Alexa. That person is dead.”

“No, she isn’t,” Reiya said calmly, a faint smile on her face. “Your light shines right here.” She tapped on her chest. “You just need to find your way back. We can help you.”

Reiya reached out, sending a warm, gentle light toward her daughter. Alexa glared at her mother with contempt.

“That will not work on me. It’s unwanted.” Alexa sent a dark, pulsating light toward her mother in retaliation.

Levi raised his hand and sent the energy back toward his daughter. The energy collided with Alexa, sending her to the floor.

“What are you doing?!” Mikah growled as he lifted his dark gaze to Levi.