Page 85 of Taming the Kraken

“Alice already knew that Erebus was going to come looking for Asher. She wrote everything down in that letter and sealed it down here for when the event happened. She said this was the choice they made in order to strengthen Elysia. They have joined with Elysia’s living barrier. Erebus will no longer be able to enter here. The three of them all decided on this choice to protect us all,” Grayson said solemnly. “We sent word out to your Uncle Drew. Hunter, make sure you visit him after you return.” He then glanced around. “Where’s Mikah?”

“He went with Alexa,” Brody said quietly.

“Good. He’ll keep Alexa safe.” Lita sighed and nodded her head. “Reiya.” She looked into her daughter’s damp eyes. “It’ll be okay. We won’t lose Alexa.”

“We don’t even know where she went. She teleported using demon magic. Lee couldn’t trace it,” Reiya whispered.

“Her soulmate can find her.” Lita looked up at Asher. “I was able to go to Asher when he was missing.”

“They haven’t marked each other. And Derrick wasn’t able to find Lucie.” Reiya straightened up and felt Lee’s warm hand on her shoulder. He gently brought her back into his arms so they could comfort each other.

“That is different, Reiya. A deity was keeping Lucie hidden. As long as Alexa doesn’t go to such lengths, Ken will be able to find her. We’ll put our faith in him to reach her.” Lita took in a deep breath as she folded the letter her mother had written her.

“What if he can’t reach her?” Reiya asked, meeting her mother’s eyes.

“Then we will have to seal her away. As the strongest fairy princess to ever exist, it will take the combined strength of you and me, and most likely Lucie in order to do it. We can seal her and purify her with time.” Lita watched Reiya’s worried eyes look up at Levi.

“Are we strong enough to seal Alexa?” Reiya leaned into Lee’s chest as she gathered her courage to move forward. The loss of her grandparents was a terrible blow. But losing Alexa … she could barely stand from the shock.

“If Ken fails, there won’t be another choice. We have to be strong enough.” Lita felt Asher’s hand curl around her waist, his head leaning into hers.

“At this moment, we have to wait for Ken. For now, we’ll give Alice, Nathon, and Dylan the proper send-off they deserve.” Asher rubbed Lita’s side, pulling her into him.

From the upper level of the castle, they all stood on the balcony as the sky dimmed. Fireflies began to light up the sky as the fairy’s song rose to greet the night. During their sorrowful song, the barrier around Elysia responded. Yellow streaks zig-zagged over them, emitting a familiar energy and light they all recognized.

A faint smile reached Lita’s lips as she leaned into Asher. Their energy had changed form, but it was them. Her parents and Dylan were now constantly guarding and protecting them. They were still here … part of the living barrier that protected Elysia.

My beautiful daughter. Sometimes it’s a blessing to know the future even if you don’t avoid it. If you’re reading this, it is because the future finally arrived. Know this … we are not dead. Your father, Dylan, and I sent ourselves into the barrier the moment before we died. Our bodies remained only as a shell to fool Erebus.

I had several premonitions about this day that showed the different possibilities and outcomes. Selene visited me, and Endymion offered to protect us, since the fairies belong to him. However, with every change, the casualties were different. And with the growing future threat, Elysia needs a stronger barrier.

Elysia is now safe from Erebus. He will not be able to get to our family behind the barrier. You must bring them all here. Until Erebus is destroyed, this is the safest place for them. Selene will send Rogio to protect the Vampire Kingdom and Lycaon will watch over the Black Ice Pack.

Your father and I already decided a long time ago that we would enter the barrier. This just presented the right opportunity for us. And of course, Dylan wouldn’t be left out. Don’t cry for us. This way we will never leave you.

We could have fought this and changed the future, but this is the destiny we chose to embrace. We love you and will always be here watching over you. Feel our energy that swarms around you and smile.

Until we meet again.

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

High-pitched screams echoed through the dark forest. Closer. Closer. Closer. The cries drew closer, wailing in the wind.

Mikah turned and stared in the direction of the sound. He didn’t move or flinch as he braced himself for the approaching evil. Alexa chuckled and walked next to Mikah.

“You aren’t afraid of the shrieks, are you?” Alexa scoffed and turned as the shrieks arrived en masse.

Instantly the shrieks stopped, and their screaming ceased. It was as if they sensed the unnatural energy swirling around the woman in front of them. And for the first time ever, the shrieks retreated, deep into the forest. Entities of evil retreated from the dark fairy princess, because what was in front of them was an untouchable creature. One that didn’t fear death but welcomed it.

Alexa shrugged. “I guess they didn’t want to play.” The world was quiet now, and even the birds didn’t dare to sing.

Mikah stared at Alexa as he tried to adjust to her new personality. He did what he had to do back at the castle. He made sure that Alexa allowed him to stay close. He would protect her no matter what, and he hoped he could reach the real Alexa that was deep inside.

“What is the plan now, Xi?” Mikah asked casually when he noticed her gaze landed on him. “Are you going to turn into Elsa and let it go?” He chuckled and watched a wry grin spread over her face.

“That’s not a bad idea.” Alexa walked into a small clearing in the middle of the forest. Then she spread her hands out and began to build her fortress.

Mikah watched with a sense of dread as Alexa’s beautiful ice magic was now dark. Black ice sprang from her hands and rose from the ground. A black-ridged crystal tower reached for the sky. It branched out from the center like limbs from a trunk. Sharp dark ice spikes spread out in an imposing warning. Two thick, round towers branched out from the center but remained connected by obsidian ice walls. A set of small, icy stairs led to the center of the ice building, which had two thick frozen doors.