Phoenix Ashes: Maggie Henning & The Realm, #4

By Lisa C. Morgan

Maggie Henning has fallen.

Sent to Ashe, stuck between life and death, Maggie is living in a dream; remembering nothing of the battle to save the world or of her love for Luc. There is only one way back- she must remember it all. But in leaving the perfection that is Ashe, she’ll lose her mother all over again.

Luc won’t let Maggie go without a fight. Even as he watches her body withering before his eyes, he refuses to give up on their love. Aided by trusted friends, Luc wages a war to bring back the Phoenix he loves, even as a threat far bigger than Ossa lets his presence be known.

When you are left with only one chance to get it all back, do you seize it, or do you burn the world to the ground?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa C. Morgan
• Release date: Feb 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386118275

Book preview

One

Luc

There’s too many of them...

The revenants swarmed around us, gliding out from the trees and shrieking as they attacked. My katanas swung fiercely, cutting down the horde as they approached; all glowing eyes and bones and sinister looking cloaks.

Where did they even get all these burlap colored cloaks? Did they buy in bulk maybe?

Maggie was doing well, better than I’d imagined she would have. Even without her fire, she fought with a renewed passion and dedication. That, along with her sky blue eyes, were just a couple of the reasons I found this female so enchanting.

I felt the sudden piercing impact to my stomach. Shocked, I grabbed at the offending item as I slipped to my knees on the ground. I felt my wing bend and break beneath my body, and I bit my tongue to prevent myself from screaming out in pain.

With a quick glance, I saw it. A silver tipped arrow had ripped through my shirt and when I attempted a breath, the arrowhead wedged in my gut wiggled, slicing pain throughout my abdomen. The small pool of blood that seeped through my shirt was nothing more than an annoyance as I tried to get back to my feet, but it was the sharp pain in my fractured wing that made me rest my head in the grass again. I could feel the tiny hollow bones knitting themselves together. I would heal in just a matter of moments, but they were moments I knew we couldn’t spare.

I heard Maggie scream, and even as I tried to lift my head to see her, willing my body to rise, I found myself unable.

Rest Luc, I heard the Angel Gabrielle’s words in my thoughts. Our Phoenix is alright, and you shall need your strength in the hours ahead. Panic and fear for Maggie boiled under my skin at the angel’s command.

I listened to the exchange between my brother Michel and the female that held my heart so delicately in her palms. She was frightened, but trying to hide it.

That’s my brave girl...

The rest of our plan, carefully concocted and strategized, licked my thoughts and inwardly, I frowned. Where the hell are Davis and his pack of hounds? He should have been here by now. I worried that he’d been unsuccessful in getting the other weres to join the fight, and without their aid, we’d never win.

My fear evaporated like rain in the desert when I heard the low rumbling growls from the shadows of the pines that I knew resonated from the shifters.

I  credited  Davis  for  his  bravery  as  he  faced  my  brother, throwing barbs back at the monster Michel  had  become. The snarls increased in both volume and number as more sets of red eyes made their way into the yard from their hiding places in the shrouded covering of the trees. I smiled, knowing these allies were  nothing  that  Michel  and  his  new  skeletal  buddies  had bargained for.

I heard Davis, his threat spoken icily.

It would seem your extinction wasn’t as complete as you may have thought.  I promised I’d have my vengeance, Maggie. Tonight, I keep that promise.

The werewolves joined the fray; lunging and growling as they fought. They attacked any revenants in their paths without discrimination. The combination of shrieking monsters and the snarls of shifters was the most beautiful melody my ears had ever heard.

With one notable exception. I could listen to Maggie tell me she loved me every second of every day for the rest of my life, and  the  words  would  be  as  chimes  in  a  breeze;  lulling and comforting me, making me complete.

My eyes closed as I focused on my heartbeat and keeping it steady to help my battered body heal faster. I sensed something beside me and I blinked my eyes several times to clear away the blur. It was Maggie, on her knees beside me and pleading.

Luc! Come on, you have to get up! She begged, and even with the taint of panic in her words, her voice was beautiful.

I felt her hand moving mine, her other steadying the silver arrow in place. She tore at my shirt and continued to breathe heavily. That chauvinistic part of my mind couldn’t help  but  smirk  at  the  idea  of  making  her  heart  race  as  she touched me.

Blood?

I smelled blood, and it wasn’t mine. The aroma tinted of iron and heat.

Maggie’s blood...

I panicked, forcing my eyes to open and see her. My heart filled with worry and I desperately wanted to take her in my arms and examine her for injuries. My eyes shifted with my emotions— fear, love, lust, worry— all for my precious Firebird.

Maggie, I spoke, reaching out and grabbing her wrist. The metal sammutin lay beneath my palm, still keeping her fires contained inside her.

I want this gone. I want her free...

The tingle in my chest started first; a warm sensation that spread from my soul and searching for hers. It grew hotter as it left me and focused on her wrist. I could feel the heat wrap itself over and through Maggie, and with it came the realization that her arm I held was beyond broken. It was shattered and bleeding, the fractured bone protruding through her skin.

I seethed. Who would dare to hurt her like this? One of the attacking revenants?  Michel?  But in the end, it wouldn’t matter who had done it.

I will slaughter them all.

Almost  unnoticeably,  the  heat  began  returning  to  me, slithering in my veins, and I heard Maggie’s pulse slow to a more relaxed pace.  My eyes began to settle to their normal green color that had always seemed to captivate my Phoenix.

Luc? I heard her ask of me.

Well done, Gabrielle’s voice whispered in my thoughts.

I looked to the beautiful creature with the stray crimson wisps of hair flying from her face; her blue eyes glistening with the threat of tears. I glanced to her arm and exhaled quietly when I found no evidence of injury other than the remaining stains of her blood caked to her skin and an almost invisible scar.

It was as Gabrielle had told me. The valjastaa, the special necklace Muriel Henning had left behind for her daughter, had drawn from me the power I had and not only healed Maggie’s wounded bones, but melted the cursed bracelet from her into a puddle in the grass.

I test my injured wing, wiggling it slightly. There was still pain, but a far more manageable one now. I looked to Maggie’s face and found her waiting for an explanation.

Sort of an Angel... kind of powerful, I teased at her. "And when combined with the valjastaa, pretty much the most awesome thing ever. But you already thought that about me anyway."

I pulled at the arrow, tossing it aside as I sat up. The injury was minor, having the full force shielded from me by the necklace she’d asked me to wear, and I would heal quickly now that the arrow was removed. If not for Maggie’s charm, the gift from Liam she didn’t want left behind in The Trust; the arrow would have torn through my middle and sent me to Shadow for good.

I opened my arms to Maggie and she let one sob escape her as she moved closer to lean against me. It was over her shoulder that I saw him approaching, his sword high and his face twisted. I clutched her and rolled, spreading my wings to shield her from the upcoming blow that would rob me of her.

It wasn’t heroic, it was purely selfish.

I thought you were dead already, my brother, mostly revenant now, spoke with ice water words.

With my hands still holding Maggie, I spun and thrusted out my leg to get Michel to back up. I pulled Maggie to stand with me, carefully positioning her behind me. I didn’t want him to see that the sammutin was gone.

That was our new ace in the hole...

"You? Kill me? Brother, I’m not one of your little flunkies you can

bully. I’d think you would have known better by now."

Michel was unfazed. Give me Maggie.

Like I’d hand over my heart on a silver platter to him? Not gonna happen...

Umm, no. I don’t think I will. You see, this is my wife, and maybe sometime in the future I’ll decide what a critical error in judgment it was to get tied down so young, but I haven’t reached that point yet, so I think I’ll keep her—

You always thought your humor could save you, Michel spat back at me. That your artful quips were so supremely clever and alluring. Who could resist Prince Lucian of Celine?

Really? I couldn’t resist mocking him, letting Maggie think I was more confident than I was. "You’re not going to get all Wind Beneath My Wings are you, Michel? Because I’ve seen the movie and—"

It happened almost in slow motion. Michel lifted his claymore high above his head. His knuckles were whitening under his grip and I knew that was his mistake. He needed to loosen his hold to more deftly swing the heavy weapon. But in that one opening, it gave us the chance we needed.

Your time here is finished! he threatened.

I faced Maggie, smiling down to her azure eyes. I winked at her and hoped she understood my intent.

Do your thing, Hot Stuff.

I pushed off the lawn, one hard beat of my wings to clear out of her way. The injured wing ached under the pressure, but with a glance below, the pain became worth it.

Maggie stood with her feet braced and the most gorgeous stream of pale colored flames leaving her perfect fingers, burning Michel.

I heard the creature that had grown up beside me his entire life scream out as the fire connected with the little flesh that remained on his skull. It blackened and charred under her command.

It would take only moments to end this forever, I smiled to myself, flying higher. My heart released the tension it had held like a fist to the throat, but that relief was to be short lived.

From my vantage point, I saw him standing before Maggie. His wavy brown hair and the slim features of his body pulled at my memory. I saw the man in another time, standing before my parents and bowing. Recognition finally hit me.

Heron.

He’d been a trusted advisor to the king and queen, my parents. After Ossa had come to power, Heron had vanished.

No, that’s not right. Heron had disappeared just before...

It was an icy dawn on my horizon when I understood.

Heron didn’t vanish before Ossa... Heron was Ossa.

I could see Michel, kneeling at Heron’s feet, but with the wind rushing past, I couldn’t distinguish what he said. Maggie stared ahead, watching the revenant leader. He appeared distracted.

With another violent beat, I plunged downward; directing myself at the wicked man who I knew was the biggest threat. I was within feet of him when his hand lifted and something unseen nailed me in the chest.

I flew backward under the force of the magick Heron had directed at me, finally stopping when I crashed against a tree, cracking it with a snap that could rival thunder, and both of my wings screamed out in suffering.

My head pounded in time with my heart and warm liquid spilled from the back of my skull. The world grew hazy as I attempted to locate Maggie.

I put my hands on the ground, willing my body to get up. I need to help her... to protect her...

But even my love and determination wasn’t enough to keep me conscious, and I slipped into a gray fog.

My eyes opened when the burst of heat walloped me. Instinctively, I shielded my face to avoid further injury. As quickly as it arrived, the heat was gone.

I rubbed my eyes with my palms, trying to wipe away the dryness and gain focus. My head ached dully, and my wings and back had become stiff.

Stay still. You hit your head pretty hard, I heard the voice command gently. I managed to turn my head and found Seatha squatted beside me. Everything came back in a rush. I looked to the yard, my heart now in my throat.

The only soul that could set my heart to beating was on her knees in the grass, flames sputtering weakly from her hands. Heron, Ossa, whatever he wanted to be called, was standing over her. He glared maliciously down at Maggie, his eyes burning with hatred. He used some sort of spell to divert her flames, casting them in a wide arch around his body with as much ease as it took to bat away an annoying insect.

The sky over us flashed with creeping tendrils of lightning. It blackened, the moon ghosting away, but it hardly registered. I was rapt, watching Maggie and Ossa square off.

You are finished, Maggie Henning!

She yelled back at the monster now wearing human skin, That may be, but I’m taking you with me!

Maggie! I called out for her, but if she’d heard, she didn’t acknowledge.

Something had landed behind the revenant king. It looked like a person, but instead of battle clothes or weapons, the creature was comprised of living fire.

The uneasy silence was cut by high pitched shrieking, like the banshee coming to lay claim to her victim. The noise drew my eyes to the heavens and I saw them.

Gabrielle, her wings spread wide to measure her decent, followed by an army of the winged beings blocking out the night sky above like an eclipse.

The Angels landed, assorted weapons of choice in their hands, and they struck out at the revenants without hesitation. They fought with a languid grace that I envied. They danced and spun and cut down the offending monsters with such glorious beauty that defied the calm and caring stereotype humans had given the angelic race.

My attentions, however, did not dwell on the beings from Empyrean. I took in the sight of Maggie, red curls sweeping in the air and her ire directed at Ossa. I could see in his face the first hint that just maybe he doubted whether or not he could win.

The creature that stood behind him lifted its arm-like appendages and cast an intense arc of fire directly into Ossa’s back. He screamed as the cloak he wore ignited. The fire person took steps closer, never letting up its assault. Maggie continued to send her own flames at Ossa, the magical shield he’d conjured beginning to waver and lose strength.

I brushed away Seatha as I forced myself to my feet, my eyes remaining on Maggie and her unusual ally as they used flames to attack the monster that became man again.

Even as I felt proud of what the female I loved was doing, I saw her own power begin to weaken again.  Maggie’s face was strained and under the illumination of the destruction she was helping to rout, I saw the glimmers of perspiration across her brow. I tried to pierce her thoughts, to encourage her to stay strong, but it was like a brick wall had been erected to keep stray things at bay. I focused harder, but still couldn’t get through. I was forced to watch as Maggie’s fire finally gave out and exhausted, she slumped to the ground.

Maggie!  I  rushed  toward  her,  my  battered  wings  like  cinder blocks that weighted me down and kept me from getting to her fast enough. It wasn’t until I’d almost reached her that I finally heard it. Her heart was slowing as her breathing weakened.

I ran though my legs wanted to give out, and I slipped to the ground, sliding like a baseball player to close the final few feet between her and me.

Her face had grown pale, her eyes closed as if sleeping. I lifted her head and shoulders carefully, my lips close to her.

Maggie? I attempted. Her heartbeat was faint; barely a whisper in my ears.

No... not now...

Maggie! Stay with me, Sweetheart! I’m right here... but still, she didn’t move or answer me.

I took her hand in mine, bringing it to my lips and kissing her knuckles. I began softly praying the touch woke her, fear on the verge of consuming me as I clutched to the hand growing so very cold in my palm.

No! Maggie! I yelled, swallowing the fear that clawed for freedom. The pain in my wings, the heavy sensation that dragged me backward, replaced with panic. I squeezed her hand tighter; holding it to my chest and hoping my racing heart would send its strength to her weakened one. I felt her body slackening in my arms.

I released her hand and clutched her desperately against me, rocking her back and forth as I begged to her with my thoughts.

Maggie, please? Please? I love you...

The  thumps  were  growing  fainted,  and  I  listened  as  they spaced  themselves  further  and  further  away  from  me.  No! Please... Maggie...

Maggie’s head moved slightly and for a second, my spirits began to rise.

She’s coming back to me...

Her lips parted and with her eyes still closed, Maggie managed to whisper my name.

Maggie! I urged her, determined to not let her leave me.

I’m right here. I love you, Maggie... I lo—

Words disappeared. I held her, staring down to her beautifully still face, and watched as her head lolled sideways and her body went limp. I listened as the feeble beat of her weakened heart called out for me before it became so soft, I had to concentrate my enhanced hearing to even detect the flutter that remained. So weaken, it was practically silent.

On my knees, cradling her limp body against my chest, I cast my eyes to the lightening flashing above me and screamed.

Two

This isn’t supposed to happen...

I willed her eyes to open, wanting nothing more than those pale blue eyes to gaze back at me.

Maggie, you need to open your eyes now, I heard my own voice, sounding like a small child’s, as I begged her to wake up, ignoring the nagging reality.

Maggie?

There  was  a  hand  on  my  shoulder  and  I  twisted, snarling my fangs at the one who dared to come near her.

John Henning, coated with ash and sweat, his face drawn in and his shaggy red hair plastered to his damp head, looked down at his daughter in my arms.

Luc—

I was aware of the silence surrounding us, and I looked about the yard. Davis, returned to his human form from the wolf he’d fought as, watched from a few feet away, hugging tightly to Autumn. Seatha was on her knees, her hands over her face as two angels stood behind her, their hands on her shoulders just as John’s were on mine.

There were piles of dust from the revenants that had been destroyed. A few angels lay crumpled in heaps, now made of stone. Gabrielle and Raphael watched on as I cradled Maggie, refusing to release her to anyone. Not even her father.

No one will touch her.

Any revenants that may have survived had vanished, including Michel. The spot where Ossa had been was void of him now. Tiny flakes of what looked like burnt tissue wafted in the air, and were carried off toward the heavens by an uncharacteristically warm breeze for November.

I looked to Maggie, brushing away the wispy curls that had pulled free from the ponytail she’d put in before the battle.

They’re gone now, I told her tenderly. We won. You can open your eyes now.

I listened for her heart, and was only answered with silence.

Maggie? I whispered against her ear, my lips touching her cheek gently as I pleaded with her. You have to wake now sweetheart.

One of the people watching sobbed loudly, but I didn’t bother to see whom. Everything I needed, my entire world, was here in my arms, growing cold.

And I screamed again. A strangled, angry curse yelled to the moon that shook the earth. I vowed to scream until my lungs gave out; until my heart stopped beating and I joined Maggie. But as the sound left me, I choked.

I clung to her, rocking her as I sat on my knees and lifted her against my shoulder. Her body moved so easily. She wasn’t fighting me, worried about what her father would think.  She wasn’t smiling at me playfully. She wasn’t breathing...

Reality crashed in a frozen tidal wave of salty truth, stinging my eyes.

Maggie was gone.

I carefully removed the hair tie to free her curls. Silently, and holding her tightly in my arms, I rose to my feet. Her legs hung over my forearm and her arm not tucked beside me slipped free, dangling toward the ground. I swallowed, cradling her head as I looked to her. The cascade of copper hair fell and I was once more amazed by how beautiful Maggie was.

Soundlessly, I walked with measured steps toward the front door of The Trust. I saw from the corner of my eyes, each angel we passed slowly bow to their knees, but I said nothing. I didn’t so much as spare them a glance as I concentrated only on bringing her into the house.

I took each porch step with care as the higher I climbed, the weaker my knees grew. But not from her weight. Maggie was like a feather, floating freely in the wind.

My heart beat was steady and the night air froze the dampness on my face. I felt the tiny flames in my eyes as they danced slowly to a melancholy song I refused to listen to.

I paused at the porch, turning to face the crowd below us in the grass. Her father and our friends were the only eyes that met my gaze.  The dozens of angels, including Gabrielle and Raphael, were all on their knees, heads bowed to the ground and eyes closed.

With Maggie in my arms, I scanned them all, waiting for one to utter a sound, but the night was heavy and silent. I faced the door, kicking it wide open and leaving them all behind.

I took the stairs three at a time, climbing to the hallway and moving to her bedroom. Again, and with more force necessary, I kicked it to open. The wood splintered and crashed to the plush carpet. I stepped on it, walking to her bed.

The only light inside her room came from the full moon outside her windows. I stood, staring at the comforter and recalled laying there not more than hours ago with her in my arms, inhaling the scent of her shampoo that had lingered in her hair. Watching her sleep so peacefully, her lips slightly parted, just as they were now.

Methodically, I laid Maggie on her pillows, her cooling body pliable and willing. With my knee on the bed beside her, I untied the sword belt and chest plate, setting them on the floor. One by one, I unlaced her boots and slipped her feet free.

I walked into the bathroom, dampening a cloth with water and brought it along with me to her side. I sat and carefully wiped at the grime and filth that coated her countenance. I cleaned the dried blood from her wrist and removed as much dirt as possible from under her fingernails.

I discarded the cloth beside her armor and just adored her. I could count each of the light freckles that crossed her nose had I wanted to and never have grown bored.

As if not to wake her, I slid beside her, lying on the pillow I’d rested on before.  I  pulled  her  closer  me,  wrapping  my  arms around her to keep her safe.

And as quietly as I could, I wept.

I’d been able to visit Maggie in her dreams. I’d hidden in the shadows of her childhood home with the hope she’d be daring enough to sneak back there. I’d been right, of course, and she’d visited once. She had almost caught me then, and I’d had to fight my instincts and remain hidden.

When Brian Anders, her friend’s step father, had revealed himself to not only be a werewolf, but an uncle to Davis, I’d begun to form a plan. Anders had told Maggie and Autumn that there were more shifters in hiding. If I could somehow convince them to join us against the revenants, we would be an army.

I’d discussed this in the evening after I’d returned to The Trust and although Davis had balked at first, he was willing to swallow his pride and speak to his long lost Uncle.

I now wondered, if he hadn’t, would I be with Maggie in Shadow? Would I have been left behind?

My brother was a revenant now, and the thought of it sickened me. He’d been a whiny child, and overly obedient to our father; more than willing to follow orders to exterminate the Lycanthrope race. I wondered if that had all been part of Heron/Ossa’s larger plan.

None of it mattered to me anymore. Maggie lay beside me, her heart still and her mind quieted. Where ever my beautiful Firebird had been taken, I prayed she was finally safe.

I rolled to my side, caressing her face with my knuckles. She’s cold. I should cover her with a blanket... Maggie told me she hates being cold...

She should be here. Maggie should be sitting in the dining room, cheering and celebrating, laughing with her father, smiling at her friends.

Smiling at me.

I could hear voices from the floor below. They were trying to decide if they should come upstairs; if they should check on me.

Me? I’m not the one who’s de—

I wouldn’t think it. I wouldn’t let the truth escape the recesses of my thoughts.  I couldn’t face it yet.

She sleeping, merely sleeping for now.

I should go down there. Maggie needs to rest...

Careful to not jiggle the bed, I warred with myself and finally released my embrace of her and stood.

As I spared a moment to simply gaze on her peaceful form, my breath hitched.

No Luc, you can’t lie to yourself much longer.

No, I couldn’t. Eventually, I would need to be honest with myself and admit that she was gone.

But not yet...

Just... not yet...

Three

Maggie

I groaned before I ever bothered to open my eyes.

My alarm clock screamed at me in a high pitched repeating noise that was most likely an audio recording of mice with Emphysema. Reluctantly, I rolled over and searched for the offending device to quiet it. Sunlight streamed in through my window, blinding me. I’d forgotten to draw my curtains closed before I went to bed last night.

I wonder if old Mr. Harris got a good show? I pictured the elderly fellow with thick binoculars in hand and gawking out his window at me. Mrs. Harris, swatting the back of his head with a slipper to admonish him before she took over observation duties.

With a huff, I threw my