Page 54 of Ever Dark Academy: Volume 6

“That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works,” Grayson said softly. “I wish you would let me save you.”

A small smile. “You are saving me. Just fall, Ashyr. Fall into my arms. Fall into my vastness.”

Grayson grabbed hold of his power. “No.”

And he sent a blast of his power at the center of Artemis’ chest. If Artemis had been human, his chest would have been crushed. He should have been thrown like a rag doll across the room. Grayson saw the fireplace with the soul gems shatter. Sparks of orange light flared in the room. But that was because when he had pushed, he hadn’t pushed Artemis at all.

Artemis wasn’t in front of him any longer.

The fireplace was. Or had been. Now the light from the burning soul gems was low, an eerie pumpkin-light, with most of the room in blackness. But he could still feel Artemis’ hands on his face. And that was when he realized that something was wrong about that touch. The angle was all wrong. Fear spiked in his chest.

“That was so impressive!” Artemis breathed in his ear from behind him. “I know you well enough, Ashyr, not to make myself a static target.”

Grayson’s body suddenly was out of his control. He was sagging. Falling into Artemis’ arms. He could barely see the other Immortal hover above him as he was gently laid down on the divan. Artemis straddled his body lightly and stroked his cheeks again.

“That was your last hurrah though. It’s all over now. And I commend you for it,” Artemis said without any malice. “Truly, you are remarkable to have come so far. Even as a human, you are different, Ashyr. Now… I will turn you into something even better.”

No, Grayson tried to mouth the word, but his lips wouldn’t move. No. No. No. This is not how it is supposed to go.

“This is fate, Ashyr,” Artemis said. “I took you out of the world of Vampires once. It’s all the more fitting that I bring you back into it.”

Glamour

Earlier…

Ryder shifted into the Stormbird. He felt himself grow, expand, become paradoxically lighter and heavier all at once, and then he flapped his wings. Charlie was pushed back a few feet. Fiona had to cover her face with her forearm and squint. Khos huddled down on the ground.

“Goodness, old man, you’re quite the big bird, aren’t you?” Charlie laughed, clearly delighted.

Are you really going to let them ride on top of you? Eyros sounded both amused and a little aghast as if he were worried for Ryder’s dignity.

Just you wait until the future when you’ll be asking to pet one of my forms. I’ll remind you of this moment, Ryder said.

Pet? Pet you? I don’t–

And you love cats, Ryder cut in.

No! That’s impossible! They’re creepy little things that steal one’s breath and fur your pillows! I would never–

Oh, but you would. And you’re animating a dead bear that loves you so much that it naps in your bed, Ryder said.

That’s… that’s uhm, hmmmm. Well, I… really?! Eyros laughed a little.

Really. And you love it all, Ryder said. Every single silly, wonderful moment of it while you get to say droll things and dress like a dandy.

Eyros went silent at this. Ryder knew he was trying to imagine himself that way. He was likely sifting through Ryder’s memories of his times with Balthazar and the others, too. He’d find that his new life was complex, but joyous. Far from what he’d ever had.

Ryder dug his claws into the earth as he shifted his body and lowered himself so that both Fiona and Charlie could get on. Fiona went first. Charlie gestured for her to do so like a gentleman, but they all knew he wanted to see how she approached riding the Stormbird before he attempted it.

Fiona showed no fear, but a striking excitement as she lightly approached him and leaped up onto his back. She ran her hands through his feathers, making an appreciative sound.

“Oh, you’re so soft!” she laughed. “I have to admit I’ve always wanted to touch the Weryn when shifted, but it’s like a thing one doesn’t do.”

“So this is a treat then, yes? Yes,” Charlie answered his own question as he more tentatively approached Ryder.

Ryder turned his large eye onto the Mirryr Vampire, his head tilting in that bird-like way. He let out a soft hoot, but it sounded more like a shout. Charlie drew his arms over his chest as if he feared that Ryder was going to start pecking at him. But then he made it to Ryder’s side and climbed up behind Fiona. She gave him a hand.

“Hold tight to me if you’re too worried about gripping Ryder’s feathers,” she suggested.