Alliance of Blackbirds

Alliance of Blackbirds

  Book 3

  M.M. Gavillet

  Also by

  M.M. Gavillet

  Blackbird Trilogy

  Gathering of Blackbirds

  Band of Blackbirds

  The Librarian’s Daughter

  The Story of Abi VanHaven

  Watch for new releases

  at

  mmgavillet.blogspot.com

  Alliance of Blackbirds

  Copyright © 2013 by M.M. Gavillet

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of the book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission from the author. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidences are the product of the author’s imagination, any resemblances to real events, locations, persons living or dead, are purely a coincident.

  Front, back and all interior photos taken and designed by

  M.M. Gavillet

  To everyone who dared to dream-no matter how old they are.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to all of my village people and to my family who still make me laugh, cry, love and for just being the most important thing-themselves. And thanks to all who read the first two books-glad that you’re reading the third and a big thanks to the lovely Sabina. And as always to my dad who I know is still with me when I write late at night or early in the morning-you’ll forever be my muse.

  Chapter One

  The wind pulled at my hair and tiny droplets of rain stung my skin. Everyone stood in silence on the windswept hill overlooking the small village Port Blue on the island of Meropsis.

  I was finally in Atlantis with Gabe. The portal that had taken us to Eutopia now brought us back to Atlantis. Only, I had hoped for a happier return and one that found a home for the amulet.

  I tilted my head up glancing at everyone’s turned down faces. The grey skies matched our sorrow and the storms we’ve been having I can only guess match what Alicia is feeling.

  Zach’s body was dressed in a creamy white gown and covered in an array of flowers. David killed him when he changed into the beast he’d become. And with much effort in searching for him, David remains hidden. My insides burn for justice in what he had done to Zach, Alicia and the rest of the Blackbirds.

  I stared at Zach wishing him to move and get up saying this was all a joke. No one spoke unlike funerals at St. F where people would speak, sing and talk of fond memories. We simply stood there in the unison of sorrow and pain after each of us covered Zach in the flowers that bloomed vividly on Meropsis—words I don’t think could help heal the wounds we all suffered.

  “Come on Em, time to go,” Gabe said with trembled voice.

  I curled my arms around him, held him tight and released my own tears.

  “It isn’t fair, Gabe,” I protested as if that would change anything.

  He didn’t reply, only wrapped his arms around me like a protective cocoon. I could feel water drop onto my head and the sound of Gabe drawing in a raspy breath. Rain began to mingle with our salty tears.

  “No!” Alicia yelled at the top of her voice followed by the crashing sound of glass.

  “Alicia, stop!” Karinna’s calm voice could be heard from the back room.

  Soon Alicia’s whimpers and moans slowed to a stop and Karinna with dark circles under her eyes came out.

  “Can I get you anything?” Alice asked Karinna in a low whisper. Karinna smiled with a shake of her head.

  “She’s asleep. I gave her something to calm her down.” Karinna maintained composure, but I could see her lips tremble and her voice quiver with worry for Alicia, her daughter.

  “Unfortunately, I will have to report on everything that’s happened.” Abe rubbed his chin not looking at anyone in particular. Abe is the leader of the Blackbirds and mentor to Gabe. He is in charge of the Blackbirds and father to Alicia. “I hope the weather cooperates.” He looked out the window with clasped hands.

  Karinna came behind him and placed her delicate hands on his shoulder gently kissing him on top of his head. He didn’t look at her, only stared out the window as he rubbed his thumb over her white hand.

  “I’m going to go lie down…just in case Alicia needs anything.” Karinna patted Abe on the shoulders and went down the hallway.

  Rain pattered on the roof as everyone sat in an exhausted silence.

  Suddenly, the door opened and a very wet Caleb came inside brushing the water off of his leather poncho. “Rain evidently comes down in buckets here.”

  Caleb flipped back the hood as he looked at me with his neon green eyes. He was the first person I met from Eutopia. I remembered him pulling me from the shark infested waters and smiling at me as if he’d never had a worry in the world. “I’ve found tracks and Quil, with his Ranger sense of smell, has picked up on David’s sent, though it’s weak and could be another animal.”

  Gabe stood up and went to put on his boots.

  “Where are you going?” I asked.

  “Where were the tracks?” Gabe ignored me and looked at Caleb.

  “Close to where you are going to cremate Zach,” Caleb’s voice was soft.

  Rain had stopped the funeral pyre. It was customary to cremate an Alliance member rather than burying them believing even in death, their souls would still protect the vault of Meropsis that housed many magical implements of untold power.

  “I forbid you, Gabe,” Abe said in a parental tone. Gabe continued to get ready.

  “You can’t find him in this weather.” He stood beside Gabe who didn’t pay attention to him.

  Abe watched him for a moment. “And what are you going to do when you find him?”

  Gabe’s grey eyes flickered with lightning. “The same thing he did to Zach,” his voice rung with vengeance.

  “Gabe, please,” Abe placed his hand on his shoulder. “You can’t find him, not in this weather.”

  Gabe adjusted his rain poncho he took from Caleb and looked Abe in the eyes. “Where’s Quil at?” He turned to Caleb.

  “Just outside…the rain doesn’t seem to bother him, rolls right off his fur.” Caleb uncomfortably shifted his eyes from Gabe to Abe. “Look, really, the weather is atrocious out there Gabe. You’ll be fighting it more that trying to find David.”

  Gabe didn’t listen to Caleb and started to open the door when Abe slammed it shut with his hand.

  “I know Zach was like a brother to you, but he was like a son to me.” Abe stood close to Gabe who avoided any eye contact. “I can’t lose another son!”

  Gabe turned to him with his grey eyes. “He deserves justice and David deserves to die.”

  The door opened to the storm that tortured the island of Meropsis. Abe stood in defeat watching Gabe go out the door.

  I got up to go put my shoes on. I wasn’t going to let Gabe go by himself.

  “No, you’re not going,” Abe said pulling another poncho down from the closet by the door. “I’ll go with him.”

  I stood with one shoe on as Abe looked at me and smiled. “You need to stay here…for Alicia.” He motioned towards the hallway.

  I nodded my head and swallowed hard trying to contain my tears. Abe’s eyes softened and gently patted me on the shoulder.

  “She needs all the support right now,” Abe said opening the door into a whirlwind of rain.

  He left and I looked at my feet, one with a shoe and one without. That’s how I felt my whole life in St. F—almost reaching something and letting it die only halfway finished. I could never cross the finish line to happiness and everything from paying the bills to work and school was a struggle for me. I wasn’t going to let Gabe search for David without me. I s
tarted to put on my other shoe when Karinna called my name.

  “She wants you, Emily. Alicia is asking for you.” Her eyes were two different shades. One blue and the other green and both looked like they were colors derived from Atlantis itself that could be found nowhere else. She could easily persuade anyone with a glance.

  I looked at my shoed feet and then at Karinna who patiently waited. I drew in a deep breath, removed my hand from the doorknob and followed Karinna into the bedroom.

  Alicia was still, almost like she was a corpse herself lying on her bed. She had her back to me and faced the wall. I quietly walked in as Karinna started to shut the door. I glanced back and her eyes met mine.

  “She asked to speak to you in private.” Karinna’s voice was soft tinged with hurt around the edges.

  The door went shut and I looked at Alicia in the blue-black light that rippled with the pouring rain.

  “I can even see your aura reflect off the wall R-girl,” Alicia all red-eyed and nose swollen, turned around and sat up. “It’s amazing. You’ve gained power and strength.”

  “Thanks,” I said after a few moments of confused silence. “I mean…I’m sorry…” Alicia got up shaking her head.

  “Don’t waste being sorry. It doesn’t get you anywhere.” Her mouth slightly turned upward into what looked like a small smile. “I asked you in here alone so you could help me—or, I mean ask for your help.”

  “Yeah, I’ll help you Alicia, you don’t have to ask.” She only deepened her smile.

  “I need to get to the vaults of Port Blue.” She gazed down at me. “And you can help me do that.”

  I shifted my weight side to side and then glanced at the window just as lightening flashed with the rumble of thunder causing them to vibrate. “Why—why do you need to go in there?” I asked not sure of what Alicia was up to.

  “There’s a pool in there…one you know as the “fountain of youth.”” Alicia’s eyes searched mine. “It can produce miracles, Emily do you understand what I’m saying here because I’m not a girl of many words.”

  “The fountain of youth is a fable, fantasy…” Alicia tilted her head to the side and widened her eyes. That’s what I thought at one time—mythical things are just that—myth, until the amulet found me. “It’s only a fable on Earth.”

  “No, it was on Earth at one time, but humans used it unwisely. You don’t just cannonball into the fountain of youth and expect a miracle instantly.” Alicia’s sarcastic humor was returning. “I can bring Zach back.” Her eyes gazed steadily at me.

  “Alicia,” I started to say when she turned and grabbed a small dagger that sat on the tall dresser beside the window.

  “We have to hurry because they’ll cremate him tomorrow. We’ll have to walk and hurry because if I don’t move now I’ll never have a chance.” Alicia repressed her tears trying to stay composed as she grabbed another poncho and handed it to me.

  “What do you say because I’m doing this with or without you?”

  I looked at her determined eyes. “Alicia…I don’t think it’s a good idea. Zach…”

  “Wouldn’t you do it for Gabe?” She stood in front of me. “If you knew there was a chance to get him back, wouldn’t you take it?”

  I looked away and then back at Alicia. I knew I would. I hesitantly took the poncho from Alicia’s hand.

  “The rain is actually a good thing, not so many out around town. Let’s go.”

  The rain came down in sheets making tiny rivers over the gravel road that led towards the twisted looking buildings of Port Blue. From a distance they looked white, but as we neared them I could see blue hues that looked like someone threw blue water in random spots until the structures were marbled.

  I skidded down the steep incline of the mud slicked hill. Alicia practically flew ahead of me and I struggled to keep up. Thunder rumbled overhead as I looked up at the grey clouds dropping silver droplets of rain. They hit against my hood and face running down my neck to my shirt underneath. I shivered making my way to the bottom of the hill.

  Alicia waited urging me with her eyes. I barely caught my balance and she was off following the clay road embedded with crushed shells. I ran up to her rubbing my shoulders against her.

  “Where are the vaults at?” I asked.

  “Not far, just around the corner.” She didn’t look at me only looked forward.

  The road led us into the maze of buildings. The roads curved and turned labyrinth like among the connected buildings of various heights. Arched windows were carved out of the coral like structures and enclosed with brightly colored stained glass. Most of the windows were solid pastel colors, but some had pictures of colorful fish, seahorses, dolphins and mermaids. Some of the buildings were square while others curved and spired upward pointing at the grey sky.

  There was no one around. Large awnings were folded down covering the fronts of businesses. Even though the streets of Port Blue were deserted, I still felt that eyes were watching us.

  Alicia pushed her way around the street until the maze led us to the center of town to a large building with a bell tower at the top. Curved steps graced the front of the structure.

  Alicia ran up them until we were under the roof covering the entrance. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a round, thin, sapphire colored stone. She held it in her palm letting the brilliant color bleed into her pale skin. She held it up to a conch shell that was half mortared into the wall beside the door.

  “I take it this is the vault,” I said only assuming since Alicia wasn’t saying much.

  “Shh,” she whispered carefully positioning the stone to the opening of the shell.

  Suddenly, a hollow sound, like someone blowing across the top of an empty glass bottle, came from the shell followed by thin, curling, black tentacles. It reached for the stone and gently caressed it before receding back into the pink tinged shell.

  With a click from the double, solid glass doors that were the same blue as Alicia’s stone, we went inside and out of the blowing rain.

  It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the dim light. I pushed back my soaked hood and gazed up at the many glass shards of various shades of blue that levitated just over our heads. It was beautiful and dangerous looking at the same time.

  “What is that,” I turned to Alicia, “and what was that…thing in the shell?”

  “The door guardian and over our heads,” she tilted her eyes upward. “Those attack anyone who enters without validation.”

  “You have validation to be here?” I kept my eyes on the glinting sharp glass.

  Alicia quickly smiled. “No, not yet I’m too young, but my father does.” She held up the blue stone and smiled. “Come on the vaults are this way.” Her voice echoed off the opal colored walls that were fragmented with pinks, pale oranges and lavenders.

  There was no furniture, no people, nothing but colored light flowing through the windows high above. The hallway curved nearly concealing a room filled with shelves, boxes and crates. Everything looked organized.

  Alicia spun in a circle quickly looking at each of the shelves that had squiggled marking burned into the ends of the wood shelves. She mumbled to herself and pointed her finger to each one.

  “There, this one. Come one.” Her dark eyes flashed to me.

  “Why isn’t there someone here? I mean we walked right in.”

  “That’s what the guard is for and if someone enters without validation, then they will be served glass justice and be diced into small pieces.” Alicia stopped midway through the tall aisle and glanced at the crates overhead. “As much as I would like to play tour guide, I can’t. We have a lot to do.”

  Alicia was tall, nearly a head taller than me and had no problem reaching the shelves.

  “There, there it is. They really do a good job categorizing everything.” Alicia pulled down a small crate that looked like it could hold a basketball, but was perfect
ly square.

  “That’s it?” I asked.

  “What did you expect?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, maybe something bigger…”

  “Well, be glad it isn’t because we have to take this back with us and we’ll have to hurry.” Alicia snugged the box under her arm and went back down to the hallway.

  “Now comes the hard part.” Alicia stopped at the door. “Nothing is supposed to leave the vault without proper validation.”

  “Alicia, what do you mean? We’re stealing?” I looked at the crate she held securely.

  “Borrowing or creative acquiring as Claire calls it. What do you think; this isn’t a library where you can just check things out.” Alicia shrugged her shoulders not bothered. “I’m going to open the door. Go outside and I’ll throw it to you as you make a run for it. I’ll follow from behind.”

  “What…” I started to say when Alicia pushed the door open and shoved me out.

  “Run R-girl!”

  The crate twirled in the air and amazingly I caught it. Alicia yelled to run as she flew down the stairs. I turned to run when suddenly Alicia screamed. I stopped to see whatever was living in the conch shell had twirled its long tentacle around Alicia’s ankle. With outstretched hands she clawed at the ground trying to slow herself as the thing reeled her back towards the open door. The sound of clanking glass echoed from inside the building. Immediately, I dropped the crate running towards her.

  Alicia managed to pull her dagger from her belt and before she could sever the black appendage, several more tentacles curled around her body nearly covering her.

  She let out a scream and looked wildly at me as I picked up her dagger and begun to cut her loose. I didn’t know where to start. The fibrous tentacles were tough and different sizes making a mesh around Alicia.

  Frantically, I sliced at them only to have the ones I did, replaced. My hands shook and were covered in black slime that burned my skin.

  Alicia squirmed and now was nearly mummified by the black vines as I continued to cut and finally freed her hand when the first glass shard whizzed past me slicing my shoulder. Her legs were nearly inside the building when a flash exploded in front of me.

  I fell back throwing the dagger over my head blinded by the light. I rolled to my knees still trying to focus when someone grabbed me by my arm.

  “Run, now Em!” Alicia screamed as I looked back at the doorway to see a creature all white and silver and staring at me. It was David.

  Even transformed into the monster he has become I could still tell. Alicia pulled at me to get up with the crate nestled under her arm.

  We ran through the streets and the rain not stopping until we reached the crest of the hill. I collapsed on the grass breathing hard trying to catch my breath. Alicia stood in front of me. The rain had nearly washed the black slime from her face. My hands were slightly numb and pink from the irritating substance.

  “We have to keep moving. They’ll be hunting for us.” Alicia gazed down at me.

  “That was David back there standing in the doorway. I think…I think he’s the one that cut you lose.”

  Alicia stared blankly at me. “I didn’t see anyone, only you covered in excrement.” Her tone was flat. “We have to move.”

  Alicia ran like nothing could stop her until we reached Zach’s body. The rain had flattened all of the flowers covering him and even bled their vivid colors into his gauzy clothing.

  I looked around and saw no one. I wondered where Gabe was and could only wonder where David was, that is if I saw him. My skin felt hot and my blood began rush through me. My heart suddenly felt like a drum pounding in my chest. I fell to my knees as Alicia opened the crate with her bare hands slicing them open on the protruding nails.

  “Alicia, I don’t feel well,” I said.

  “It’s poison from the guard. It isn’t deadly and I’m feeling the effects too. It’ll pass.” I watched her remove several clear stones from the crate and place them on the ground.

  “Over here,” she took two stones and started to put them around Zach.

  I managed to help her with my head spinning. We sat each of the clear stones around the stone pillar that held Zach, until he was surrounded by them. I looked at Alicia who stood at the foot of the pillar and stared at him.

  “Alicia…I don’t think this is….” I doubled over and vomited into the wet grass. My stomach tensed and pain shot through me.

  “I’ll heal you when I’m done,” she said. “For now, I need your strength.” She bent down as the smell of acid filled my nose. “I need your help, I need your power Emily.” Gently, she held and then dropped the heart shaped amulet that hung around my neck, and looked at me with her unmoving dark eyes.

  I heaved again, but nothing came up. Alicia took my hand and I could feel the instant connection. It was like a string, long and thin pierced my skin and traveled down my arm and then throughout my body. Alicia and I were tied together, bound by our separate magic.

  Alicia belonged to the Phoenix clan. They were the magical clan of the Alliance, each having a special capability. Alicia’s had the power to heal. Only she is half Phoenix leaving her not strong enough to handle her ability. She joined the Blackbird clan not only because Abe was her father, but because she had to develop her ability. The first time I saw her use her power that left her weak, now has gained in strength and I could feel it rush through me.

  Light surrounded us and tiny particles of translucent colors of lavenders, mauves and blues enclosing everything in a fog. Everything began to swirl and the ground moaned under my knees as Alicia still hung onto my hand. Thin cracks formed along the inside of the stones in the oval shape we had made.

  I could see Zach’s body slowly sink downward as the ground parted in a jagged line. His body sunk until I could hardly see him. Clear water then began to pour out of the exposed black soil in thin ribbons filling the indentation quickly.

  My legs trembled as I stood to see Zach’s body submerged in the water. Some of the flowers had floated to the top and the stones we had placed around him burned in many different colors.

  I looked at Alicia who had a distant look in her eye. I called her name, but she didn’t respond to me. Slowly, she let my hand go. I could feel my strength being pulled out of me by the string that connected us.

  Alicia went into the water kneeling at first beside Zach. The water began to sparkle and turn with many different colors. A mist boiled as Alicia lowered herself into the water.

  I stepped closer in awe of everything. Alicia, now underwater, curled her delicate arms around Zach and tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder. She then moved on top of him and began to twirl in the water until the mist thickened and the water boiled with thousands of bubbles. I lost their image and fell to my knees again.

  Suddenly, a cry split the thick air. It was Zach. I crawled closer to the pool letting my fingers touch the cool water.

  “Zach,” I said between dry heaves. “You’re alive…it worked!”

  He sat in the pool like he was sitting in a bathtub. The gauzy shirt clung to his skin and melting flowers were tangled in his blonde hair. Zach’s eyes blinked and then focused on me.

  “Em,” his voice questioned.

  “Alicia…” I screamed in pain. “Is she…”

  Suddenly I was pulled back by two strong arms and then thrown to the ground.

  “Emily, you’ve got to help me!” David grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. His face faded from all white and silver to his usual darkness. He grunted and groaned struggling to maintain what was left of him. “Please…Em.”

  “I don’t…” I tried to keep my stomach from churning, but was no use. This time something metallic tasting filled my mouth and hit the green grass with a splat.

  I whimpered as David yelled at me demanding that I help him. His voice was filled with fear and desperation. I suppor
ted myself on trembling arms.

  “We’re both in danger. My father won’t rest until he finds you. Pandora’s Lock is the only thing that will save us…save me.” David then tilted his head back and let out a scream. He looked back at me with white eyes and pale skin. His dark hair fluctuated between brown and white, finally giving into the whiteness. His throat vibrated and sharp teeth protruded from his snarling mouth.

  David crouched in front of me and stared. I wasn’t sure if he was going to attack or not.

  “Don’t. Don’t do it David. You don’t have to give in to what your father did.” I didn’t have strength to fight him physically, so maybe words could act as my weapon. “I can help you, but you have to let me.” I held out my hand and realized it was covered in blood.

  My eyes went from David to the pool of blood soaking into the green grass. I winced at the sight trying to contain my fear. I lifted my eyes to David and held out my bloody hand inviting him to take it.

  David tilted his head and slowly looked down at his own hand. He held his talon tipped fingers in front of his face and scowled. His head dropped slightly and silver streams ran down his face. Then, he looked at me. My hand trembled and his eyes shifted to mine. I could see clearly in David’s white eyes—he was still in there despite his appearance.

  His mouth parted trying to speak as he stretched his hand to mine nearly touching it when something black and fur covered pounced out of the white mist. David rolled to the ground then jumped back up facing Quil.

  “Don’t fight him David…he wants to help you too!” I stood up swaying with my eyes focused on David. His eyes were steady on me. I kept my eyes on him trying to keep him clinging to what human part was left.

  Quil took the opportunity and snapped his neck leaving him unconscious on the ground. I couldn’t look away. He appeared as the David I had always known, only now caught somewhere between beast and human.

  I could feel my knees giving out and before I hit the ground, someone caught me. Zach, with wilted flowers still entangled in his hair smiled at me.