From the Flames- Book Six

Ch. 26- Gods & Monsters

As soon as we entered the home where the God and Goddess lived, it felt like I was dying. But I was not. The energy here, I could not describe it. It was like being plunged underwater until I couldn't breathe anymore. I stood close to Aeson and Jesse, though I could protect myself if I needed to. 

We went into a large room and to my surprise was where Verena de Blaire and Moros sat on the dais. Their chairs were all black and it almost looked like it was made out of glass. My parents were much different than theirs. Despite my injuries, I stood tall and stared at both of them. They knew me, I thought. I shouldn't be worried about what they think of me. But I am. 

 I took one step after another until we were only a few feet away from them. I could feel the death in their blood, the powers they hold. It made a shiver go down my back. "Hello, Verena and Moros." I muttered, faking a smile. "I am sure it is a surprise to see us in Makaria." 

And at that, Verena de Blaire smirked while Moros frowned. "Well, I can see you have the ability to make jokes when you're slowly bleeding to death on my floor. It is a surprise but I am glad you and your brother are here." She peered at the other male beside me, who stood absolutely still. "Who is this?"

"That is Jesse Davenport. Werewolf, bodyguard, and a huge pain in my ass." I joked, trying to ease the tension. 

Jesse turned toward me and opened his mouth in shock. "Princess, I am not your bodyguard. Quit telling everyone that." he then turned toward the two powerful creatures sitting on the dais. "I apologize. I am not used to traveling to new worlds and meeting Gods and Goddesses."

I was the one that frowned. "So you admit you're not my bodyguard but not that you're a pain in my ass?"

"I happily admit that I am." he smirked deviously, winking at me in the process. 

"Do you see what I have to deal with?" Aeson muttered. Verena de Blaire laughed and it eased the tension that Moros was radiating to everyone. My brother took a step forward. "I am glad to see you again, as does my sister. But we wouldn't be here without a reason. You know we have been at war for a few years now. Yesterday, we went into battle and the person responsible, Eva, took our mother and we do not know where. After that, we were going to lose if we did not join our powers together and wipe them all out. But--" 

"But in the process, it created a rift between our worlds." Moros interrupted. All of us stared at him as it was the first time he spoke. Even Verena. He clicked his tongue, deep in thought. "And Sebastian? Is he back in your world?"

"Yes. Our father managed to get all our allies to safety while we did it. He's doing everything he can to find Elora." I said. "But as you can see, this man next to me managed to get out of my father's ruthless grasp."

"Not as ruthless as yours." Jesse confessed. 

"And in this battle, you got injured." Verena questioned, eying my wound in my stomach. 

I nodded my head. "Unfortunately, yes. But I can manage. I just need to heal and have a good night of sleep and I will be good as new."

"We will give you that as soon as you answer my question." Verena said. Her red eyes were similar to that of Kellan's, but hers were brighter and more terrifying. "Do you need our help? Because we will go to war with you if you need us. Elora and I are friends and I would do anything for her. That includes protecting her children and her world. So tell me, Kalama, do you need our help finding your mother?"

I hesitated. I did not know what to say to her. I know my parents did not want Verena and Moros involved because they thought they could handle this war on their own. But at this point, we need all hands on deck. And I think having a God and Goddess on our side would make us win this war. Maybe. 

I clutched my wound tightly, trying my hardest to stand straight. My vision blurred but I blinked a few times to clear it. "I know how important it is to not abandon your kingdom of Makaria and go off to war with us. They would think you two simply disappeared. And I know my mother wanted to handle this war on her own because the person responsible is her own mother. Well--" I stopped, thinking over the past few hours. 

"Well, what?" Moros questioned.

I glanced at Ace, who did nothing but shake his head. I ignored him. "I am telling you this because it is critical to finding my mother." I paused. "We are not sure whether that is true or not. Whether Eva gave birth to my mother because she might have admitted the opposite when I was being held at knifepoint by her. But all of it might be a lie to keep us weak."

"Then who did?" Verena asked. 

I shrugged my shoulders. "No one knows. As I said, it might be a lie. But if it's not, then it changes everything."

Verena de Blaire leaned back on her throne. "You are correct, Kalama. It is important for us to stay here in Makaria, although we would go in a heartbeat. But you do know Scarlett, who is a descendent of my sister, Viktoria. She can fight with you."

Before I could reply, my vision blurred even more and I saw blackness. I fell down on the marble floor and landed on my back. I coughed and I knew blood would spill out of my mouth. "Kala!" yelled Jesse and Ace. 

"Witches blood." I muttered before I passed out on the throne of the God and Goddess of Death. 

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