Taming Darkness
Chapter 33

-Darius-

The Phoenixes circle above us, their radiant feathers shimmering like precious jewels against the sky, jolting the veil between dimensions that shield this place from our view. Now that Tobias has pointed it out, I can feel the vibration all around us, feel the veil pulsing like a living thing. We just have to figure out how to drop it.

Lydia-that cunning, twisted woman-she has created her own world between realms. We need only the power to bring down the shield and send enough energy into it to shatter the veil that keeps this place hidden. Wards can only go so far, which makes me wonder what exactly she uses to maintain this never-ending charge.

I carefully examine the translucent veil, its shimmering surface now more apparent after the Phoenixes revealed its existence. We possess a lot of power, but it would be foolish to use it all at once and burn through it. We need to conserve as much as possible because we have no idea whether Aleera can feel us or not. She has given us as much power as the bond allows her to transmit, but it is nowhere near enough to bring down the veil dividing the two realms.

As I stand before the circling Phoenixes, I can feel my strength beginning to wane. The Phoenixes, on the other hand, possess an unimaginable amount of power-the ability to regenerate their lifespans and thus create an unlimited energy source. But without Aleera's help or the Phoenixes willingly agreeing to share their power with us, this energy remains inaccessible.

My mind races, trying to come up with creative ways to tap into this power. What specific forces are at work in maintaining the veil's existence? Each possible answer brings a new set of questions: What will it take to break through it? Will it require a monumental effort on our part? The answers seem daunting and elusive, but I know that success will be within reach if we can replace them.

Tobias and Lycus scan the ground, their eyes darting back and forth as they search for a power source or anything that might be a ward. Knowing that they have to have a barrier here somewhere, just as I placed a barrier around Astrid. This is just about the same only, stronger and slightly different. My ward is merely camouflage. This has gone beyond the realms of that, which makes me question how Lydia managed it because it would take a lot of power to hold a ward between dimensions. But I know we won't replace anything. Lydia hasn't survived this long, like a cockroach, by leaving a map behind to locate her. We need something to drain its power or overwhelm the source. If we can somehow control something like a solar flare, that might possibly do the trick, but I have no idea how to conjure up something like that.

In the distance, Kalen also stares up at the magnificent birds. Ryze, the most familiar of the Phoenixes, drops out of formation not too far from him, making him jump. He watches the bird, and Ryze stares right back.

I force myself to drag my attention away from them and focus on the task at hand. There has to be a solution to this, and I need to figure it out quickly.

"Nothing," Tobias huffs, wandering over to my side. He glances over at Kalen as he interacts with Ryze.

Lycus joins us, watching Kalen and Ryze before tipping his head back and studying the other birds.

"We need their help, but without her, there's no way to control the flock," he says, shuddering at Kalen's proximity to the lethal creatures.

"Maybe I can try to absorb it," I suggest, my voice heavy with desperation.

"Are you insane?" Tobias demands, turning on me with a mixture of anger and disbelief. "We don't even know what is powering this. Even your incubus side has limits on what it can absorb. What do you plan to do if they can't charge it? Absorbing it may kill you, Darius. What if whatever is powering this thing between realms is more than you can handle?"

I scowl, frustration bubbling within me. "Well, do you have a better idea? I can try to siphon it while they charge. It might be enough to break through it."

"We did not come all this way to save her just to lose you," Tobias snarls, his eyes turning a dark shade of crimson. "Aleera would be furious if you went and killed yourself trying to get her out."

"It's the only plan we've got right now!" I snap back, my voice is raw with desperation.

"Perhaps not," Lycus muses, his voice quiet but determined. He takes a step towards Kalen, who has abandoned his conversation with Ryze and is now hunting for a way to drop the veil. Lycus hums thoughtfully, clearly deep in thought. I am proud of him, but also a little worried about what he might say.

"What are you thinking?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"Kalen...he can manipulate our auras, our intentions," Lycus says, pointing at Kalen. My eyes widen, surprised by this revelation. Yet, Lycus knows more about Kalen's magic than even Kalen does. He has shared enough that we know we have to keep him protected. "What if he can manipulate the Phoenixes, show them his intentions and what we need from them?" Lycus continues, still surprising me with his ideas.

"They won't allow a Dark-Fae to control them," Tobias argues, his voice filled with skepticism.

"Lycus is right. Kalen is strong enough. He'll be able to if he can get near enough." Tobias looks at me funny as if to ask what I'm hiding, but I haven't got time to explain what I've observed. But I know Kalen is strong enough because if he can manipulate my incubus side that has no bounds, a Phoenix should be no problem for him.

Phoenixes don't answer to Dark-Fae. They only tolerate us for Aleera's sake, their loyalty remaining with her. However, Kalen hadn't always been Dark-Fae, and neither had I. Some part of me knows they must be able to sense that through her, so maybe it really could work.

"We can't know that for sure, Darius; they could hurt him,"

"They won't. They can sense him, just as they can sense what I was," I tell him, and this time, both Lycus and Tobias look at me suspiciously.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Kalen desperately searching for her. Just like me, he believes the flock brought us here for a reason.

So many secrets we've all kept, secrets that have been our downfall. "Is he part of the reason you didn't want Aleera to complete the bond? He is one of your dirty secrets, Darius?" Tobias snarls at me, and I look away.

"There is a reason the shadows taint him. I thought I was protecting him," I answer. Lycus and Tobias' brows furrow, both of them clearly confused at my words.

"Kalen used to be Harmony-Fae, just like Aleera and I," I admit.

"Excuse me!" Tobias snarls, yet Lycus' reaction is entirely different.

"That explains so f*****g much to me," Lycus exclaims, clutching his hair. Tobias turns to him. "You knew too?" Tobias exclaims.

"No, but it explains his gifts," Lycus mumbles. Tobias shakes his head, trying to wrap his head around what I said before pinning me with a glare. "Wait, how do you know?"

"I didn't know he was a Harmony-Fae. I just knew he was different. I've witnessed it." Lycus snaps at me. Tobias, however, is just a mixture of confusion. "Witness what?" Tobias asks, and I am curious too.

"He can't control it. He only did it once. But he has more power than even he knows about. His medication helps suppress it."

"Suppress what?" I ask curiously, glancing at my mate, who has no idea we are talking about him.

"When my father found me."

"Which one?" I ask.

"Porter... he..." Lycus looks over at Kalen. "He didn't even touch them," he mumbles.

"I shake my head. "What?" I ask.

"Kalen...my father and some of his friends from the pits stumbled on us, and I was in a bad way. I thought we would be killed until Kalen made them kill themselves. He gave it to them. He gave them the shadows. It sent them crazy. His ability to manipulate auras goes beyond anything I've ever seen. He didn't just touch their feelings and tweak them. He used them as a weapon, so I know he can manipulate that oversized pigeon," Lycus explains, and I blink at him. That explains how he is strong enough to manipulate my incubus. Nodding, I look at Ryze.

"Ryze!" I call, and her head turns to look at me. Opening her wings, she flaps them twice before riding the breeze and dropping in front of us. She squawks in my face, beak snapping. They are all on edge, restless for their Queen.

"Aleera," I simply tell the Phoenix, and she tilts her head. They're such smart birds that they recognize our language. I just need her to convince the others to allow Kalen to manipulate them.

I turn my wrist up to show her, tapping my infinity mark. "We need power." I point up, then at Kalen. Her head follows my finger, and considering she doesn't try to bite it, I take it to mean she is paying attention. Ryze, however, is far different from the others; she is as much ours as Aleera, though she would turn on us without a second thought for Aleera. But Ryze isn't the head of the flock; Spark is, her father.

Kalen glances over when I point him out before wandering over to us through the long grass. "What's going on?" he asks, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"We need you to manipulate their auras," I explain as Ryze observes him.

"I haven't got the power to do that, and I..." Kalen pauses, looking at Ryze. Her bird-like eyes watch him intently. He's right; we still require magic. "And I don't think I can use it on an animal," he finally says, uncertainty clouding his face. I nod in agreement. "Your father," I say, grabbing Ryze's beak and turning her attention to me. "Magic," I explain to her before pointing to each of us. Ryze watches, trying to understand what I am saying to her.

She ruffles her feathers, her tail cutting through the air like a frustrated cat, clearly struggling to grasp the concept.

"Magic," Tobias repeats, tapping his wrist. She c***s her head to the side, observing him, before her tongue flicks out, licking his cheek. He sighs, shaking his head. In return, she screeches loudly in his face. "This is pointless. Do you want to piss them off?" Tobias asks, his tone exasperated.

"She doesn't understand. She's a juvenile, and I'm not pissing off Spark," he clarifies, his voice tense.

I chew my lip, anxiety gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. We have no choice. Ryze hops along on the grass as I storm past her, scanning the ground for anything that will help us. "Darius!" Tobias snaps at me, his voice full of worry.

"We need Spark. He'll understand!" I retort with a growl, my determination unwavering.

"Are you f*****g insane? He could fly down and rip you to pieces!" Lycus objects, tossing his arms up in the air, his face a mix of fear and frustration. He is right. The Phoenixes aren't in the right frame of mind. They want their Queen, their mother. And we aren't her. But the desperation gnawing at me pushes me to take a risk. If we're going to save Aleera, we have to do something. I close my eyes and gather my courage, summoning Spark with as much conviction as I can muster. "Spark!" My voice rings through the air. The large Phoenix turns his gaze toward me, his eyes burning with intelligence and a hint of curiosity.

He flaps his wings, the gusts of wind created by the motion causing the surrounding grass to ripple like waves. His majestic presence sends shivers down my spine as he lands in front of me. I can feel the immense power radiating from him, making it hard to breathe.

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts.

"Aleera," I say, meeting his intense gaze. "We need power," I explain, pointing to Kalen and then up at the veil. Spark's eyes follow my finger, and I can see a glimmer of understanding in his fiery gaze.

He briefly regards us before letting out a soft, almost melodic squawk. The other Phoenixes respond, circling above us in unison. I can feel a surge of energy pulsing through the air, a tangible force that gives me hope.

Kalen steps forward, his face etched with worry.

"I'll do my best," he says, his voice steady. He closes his eyes, concentrating on the Phoenixes' auras. I watch him, my heart pounding in my chest.

The Phoenixes start to emit a brilliant light, their fiery colors intensifying. Kalen's hands move, manipulating their auras and urging them to do as he asks. The energy in the air grows stronger, building and building, until it feels as if it could tear through the very fabric of reality, and remove the illusion surrounding us. That is effectively what wards are, an illusion, a deterrent, only somehow Lydia has managed to solidify the one she created, so whatever she is using to power this ward must be powerful. With a final flourish, Kalen releases the energy, directing it toward the veil. The resulting explosion is blinding, a storm of color and sound that shakes the earth beneath our feet.

As the light fades, I look up to see the veil shimmering, weakened by the onslaught but now fully visible. We've found a way to break through. Together, we take a step towards the now fractured barrier, ready to face whatever lies on the other side. We now just need to break through, which will be a lot easier now we can see fully what we're dealing with.