Spirits: Book Two: Spirits, #2

By Guendalyn Brennan

After facing off with the being who is stealing the magic of the gods, Arlen and Oleander are content to let the gods handle the situation on their own. That plan is ruined, though, when they find out that another spirit, and a friend of theirs, has had his element stolen from him. Thus begins the next leg of their journey as they search for a way to fix him. Also, who's this weirdo that's following them? He doesn't exactly look trustworthy...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Guendalyn Brennan
• Release date: Jul 7, 2019
• ISBN: 9781949591057

Guendalyn Brennan

Guendalyn K. Brennan lives in New Mexico with her family, two dogs, and two cats. She has a degree in robotics, and she could have been an engineer if it weren’t for the voices of all the characters that live in her head. In the time that she manages to rip back from the void of YouTube, she likes to make cosplay and plushes of her favorite characters (both other people’s and her own) and to draw as much as possible. She has occasionally dabbled in the agony of animation.

Book preview

PART ONE

THE SUN ROSE OVER DELPHI in yet another display of its eternal fortitude. Rays of soft light spread over the city, gently warming those small humans who rose with it. A soft wind rustled through leaves, and the world seemed entirely at peace.

Despite all this Arlen was restless, his tail flicking back and forth as he sat atop Apollo’s temple and stared out at the city. It had been five days since they had encountered the being that had stolen the gods’ magic. Oleander seemed perfectly content to laze around Apollo’s temple. Arlen couldn’t blame him. At the same time, he felt the clawing urge to try and find the figure.

He climbed down from the temple roof and started walking, needing to clear his head. Were they just supposed to head back to Zaya? Trying to find the figure from that night just seemed like it would end horribly. Even if he didn’t want to hurt them, he didn’t seem like the type to allow anything to get in his way. Arlen was pretty sure that the two of them were definitely qualifying as in the way.

This early in the morning, it was calm and hardly any people were on the streets. Even the market seemed sleepy and empty, despite the vendors that were already there and setting up their stalls. They must have started preparations before dawn, given that many of them were already trying to catch his attention to sell him various foods and trinkets. Arlen mostly ignored them as he wandered aimlessly, occasionally climbing up buildings to look around and admire the view.

He finally dropped down into an alleyway and glanced back and forth, feeling like his thoughts just kept going in circles. One direction would lead him back to Apollo’s temple, and the other could take him to the center of Delphi, and closer to the Oracle. He wasn’t exactly ready to head back to Oleander yet. As long as he stayed out in the city, there weren’t any problems. As long as he kept himself distracted by the calm outdoors, he could ignore his niggling unrest. They were safe and nothing was wrong, if just for this moment. And he didn’t want to let go of the moment. Not yet.

Perhaps the Oracle would have something interesting to tell him, like how to never trust or follow a god. That was a good one, although at this point he already knew it. Would have been more useful earlier. He and Oleander should have gone to Delphi instead of Athens all those weeks ago; it would have saved them a lot of trouble. Arlen shook his head. He was getting himself worked up again, and that was no good. There wasn’t anything he could do now, no matter how much he regretted his past actions.

Compared to some of the other temples he had seen recently, the Oracle’s temple seemed lackluster. Vines climbed up the walls, spilling over bricks in brights swaths of green, a sharp contrast to the pale stone. There was a small olive tree on each side of the door, both sprouting out of simple pots with designs depicting battles of old. Ultimately though, there wasn’t anything about the place that really made it stand out. Nothing that screamed that an important magic human resided there. Maybe that was the point, though.

Arlen walked inside and took a seat against a wall next to a young woman. The small waiting room was a lot more packed than he remembered it normally being at this hour, although the new ornate pottery and finely painted tiles along the walls gave something to look at while waiting. He curled his tail around his legs, trying to make himself small and unnoticeable. Just a year ago he could come in and talk to her without waiting on others who sought her wisdom as well.

What brings you here? The woman next to him asked. My mother passed away, and I need to know if I should follow in her footsteps, or move away to Corinth with my beloved.

Arlen rubbed the back of his neck. This was why he didn’t like waiting in line. Things have gotten rough, an’ I’m tryin’ ta figure out what my next steps are.

She nodded. Understandable. Where are you from? Your accent is fascinating, I have never heard it before.

Arlen grimaced. Up north. It’s a smaller place than this.

Amazing! What is it like?

Arlen debated the merit of just leaving. He really didn’t have anything urgent to talk to Pythia about, at least not anything that she alone could help with. It’s, uh, green. Lots o’ magic.

The woman leaned closer, eyes wide with fascination. Tell me more, please! It sounds like a wonderful place.

Arlen was saved by one of the priestesses parting the curtains at the door, letting someone out. She pointed to the woman talking to Arlen. Your turn, she said cheerfully.

Wish me luck! the woman said to Arlen.

He nodded and mumbled something vaguely affirming as she stood and rushed off. Luckily nobody else took it upon themselves to try and talk to him while he sat and waited for his turn. He had nearly fallen asleep when the priestess gently touched his shoulder to get his attention and gestured him to the back.

Arlen stood and brushed himself off before following her. She led him to a fountain where Pythia was running her fingers through the waterfall. The priestess backed out silently, and Arlen waited until she was gone to take a seat next to the Oracle.

Hi, Pythia.

She looked up in surprise. Arlen. I didn’t think I’d be seeing you anytime soon. Her smile shifted to a grumpy thoughtful face. Why didn’t I see this coming?

Things have been unexpected lately, Arlen said. ’Least fer me.

Pythia poked the water, and an image rippled up. Arlen himself couldn’t interpret it, never had been able to, but from the way she was glaring into it, she could. This doesn’t look good, my friend. What have you gotten yourself into this time?

Arlen buried his face in his hands. I’ve no fuckin’ idea. It’s bad. I tried ta help, an’ it’s jus’ blown up.

I’ll say. She patted him on the shoulder. So, did you come here just to talk, or did you want advice?

Arlen dropped his hands into his lap. Advice.

Excellent choice. Her voice dropped low, but not quiet enough that he couldn’t hear her in the echo-y chamber. You need all the help you can get.

Pythia cleared her throat and ran her hands through the water. Show me the path that is the most wise for Arlen to follow.

Human shaped blobs shimmered up onto the surface of the water and she watched with rapt fascination. Pythia made a frustrated humming sound. Is this truly the best path?

The image didn’t change, and Arlen guessed that the answer was ‘yes’.

Very well then. She lifted her hands from the water and wiped them off on a fine linen cloth that sat next to her. You must start your journey by traveling back to the woman with the magic.

Zaya. Arlen sighed. I guess I thought that was gonna be th’ answer.

There is good reason, and it does not involve my gods. At least not this time.

Arlen looked up at Pythia. Yeah? Can ye tell me th’ reason?

She smiled knowingly. Normally I would say no. But today is a little different. I can show you.

She stood, and Arlen followed her to the front of the temple. She parted the curtains, gesturing a hand towards the waiting people. Sitting in the waiting area was the air spirit Evette, and a lightning spirit he recognized as Blix. The two of them were arguing quietly. Pythia placed a hand on Arlen’s back and whispered, Take care Arlen, the road ahead is not an easy one. And chaos will not lie to you.

I’ll keep that in mind, Arlen replied slowly, trying to figure out what on Earth she meant by that. Thanks.

She patted his back and invited someone else to the fountain.

What’re ye two doin’ here? Arlen asked as he walked up to the spirits.

Evette grinned. I could ask you the same thing Bubbles! Last I heard you were supposed to be babysitting some gods!

Arlen decided not to ask how she knew that. She had strange ways of getting information and he really didn’t want to know. That specific thing’s done. I didn’t think ye were th’ type ta go ta th’ Oracle.

Evette’s bright smile dimmed. I’m not. Not usually anyway. We need a little more backup for this one. She patted Blix heartily on the back.

Arlen glanced over at Blix since he hadn’t said a word yet. From what little he could remember about the guy, it wasn’t like him. Ye okay? he asked, noting that the lightning spirit looked paler than normal, almost like he was sick.

Blix gave him a glare, eyes completely bloodshot. What do you think? He held out a hand and tiny sparks popped and fizzled above his palm. That’s not what I was going for!

Arlen gulped, realizing exactly what the situation was. They were definitely going to Zaya. Come on, we’ll go get Ollie. We know how ta deal with this.

Evette perked up. Really? That sounds excellent! I am ready to get rid of him!

Thank you, really! Blix snapped. It’s not like I was trying to protect your stupid ass or anything!

Arlen grabbed each of them by the arm and dragged them out of the temple, starting down the road back towards Apollo’s temple. As soon as he was sure that they were going to follow him, he let go of them. When did this happen?

Last night, Evette replied. We were making lightning shots in the air, solstice and everything you know? And it just came out of nowhere. I don’t even know what happened.

Stupid prick just grabbed me and did something, and now I can’t do anything! Blix yelled.

Arlen felt guilt pang through him. If he hadn’t gotten himself and Oleander involved with this, Blix probably would not have been targeted. He took a deep breath and reassured himself that he would fix it. They knew how to fix it.

Halfway to the temple, Blix fell flat on his face, so Evette just picked him up and carried him on her back, much to his distress. Very loud distress. It seemed like even though having his element drained from him took his energy, it didn’t take his will to scream about believed slights.

I can walk just fine! he screeched.

Arlen shook his head, glad that they were almost to the temple. He spotted Oleander by his bright red fluff of hair. The fire spirit was lounging back against the entryway arch, basking in the morning sun. Despite the other clothes he had been trying out during the last few days, he was once again wearing his green shirt with the red tunic over it, and the light pants he never tucked into his boots. It was annoying. Blix screamed again, and Oleander jumped, startled out of his cat-nap. He frowned with a raised eyebrow and silently gestured at the other two spirits as Arlen reached him.

What’s going on? Oleander asked, giving Blix and Evette a wary look.

Arlen gestured towards Blix. Looks like th’ spell we heard ‘bout works.

Oleander paled, swallowing hard. Oh. Okay then. That’s bad.

We need ta go back ta Zaya.

Oleander nodded. Definitely. I was really hoping to avoid this.

Me too.

Oleander gave Arlen’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. We’ve got this. I’m gonna see if I can get us some horses.

Arlen nodded, watching as Oleander walked away. He glanced back at Blix, grimacing at the grumpy look on his face, and the tiny sparks that occasionally burst from his hands as he tried to make some real lightning. Oleander was right. They had this. They could do this. They were going to fix Blix, and prevent Evette from getting hurt, and then they were going to stop the figure from hurting any more spirits. Or gods, that was probably a good idea too, he supposed.

Evette’s gaze followed Oleander until he was out of sight behind a building. She looked almost sad, but the moment she faced Arlen, her expression was chipper again. Now what? Do we wait here for him?

Seeing Oleander next to the other two had made him realize just how much better dressed he and his brother were. Evette’s dress had once been white, he was sure of it, but it was now stained with dust and green from the various plants she must have slept in. Blix wasn’t any better, and they were both barefoot. Apollo had been urging him and his brother to change up their clothes for a while, but Arlen just hadn’t wanted to. He liked the blue tunic he had, and the darker blue shrug over it. The pants were interchangeable, but he was absolutely not going to trade his boots for a lousy pair of sandals. They gave hardly any protection. Given the god’s insistence on smothering them with clothes, though, Arlen didn’t think he would mind if other people took some.

He jabbed a thumb over his shoulder at the temple. Apollo’s got a lot o’ clothes in there, if ye wanna get a change.

Sounds good! We’ll hang out inside the temple! Evette agreed, light blonde hair bouncing as she dragged Blix inside with her while he grumbled about being in a god’s home.

Arlen sat down with his back against the wall beside the door. He didn’t feel like being in there again, and he was even less eager to talk to Evette and Blix. The sun was high in the sky now, and the feeling of it shining down on him was pleasant despite his sour mood. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back against the wall.

Not too long later, he heard a strange shuffling noise. He opened his eyes to see an unusually small jackal with yellow fur pawing at the ground across the street from him. The jackal looked up at him. Its eyes were a truly unnatural shade of gold, almost glowing in the shadow cast by the house it was next to. It stared at him, then bared its teeth in an expression that felt less like a snarl and more like a surreal grin.

Arlen watched it strut away until he lost it to a shimmer in the hot air. He shivered despite the warm day. Something about that thing gave him a bad feeling.

He heard a quiet squeak from the door as it opened slowly, and he looked up. Blix crept out of the temple, tongue poking out of his mouth as he concentrated on being sneaky. He was wearing a new dark blue tunic, and had sandals on now. He looked a lot more respectable, which Arlen hadn’t thought was possible. But still, with the way his hair was a bright white speckled with pale yellows, Arlen seriously doubted his ability to sneak anywhere.

How’re ye doin’, Blix? Arlen asked.

Blix jumped and swore, slamming the door accidentally. What the—I thought you were in there!

Arlen shook his head. How bad’s it?

Blix sat next to him, an arm wrapped around his middle. Bad. I can’t explain it. It’s like—it’s right there! Why can’t I get to it? He hunched over further, grumbling under his breath.

We’ll fix this. Arlen hesitated, but gave him a reassuring pat on the back.

Blix jumped, and Arlen grimaced, pulling his hand back and closing his fist. His hand felt like it was buzzing. Sorry, I jus’—

Blix gave him a wide-eyed look. That was weird and tingly.

Arlen furrowed his brows. That doesn’t make sense.

Blix shook his head, clearly agreeing, but he had an awed look on his face. He poked Arlen in the face.

Arlen shoved him back. C’mon, what’s wrong with ye?

You’re tingly! Blix said. Evette isn’t. It doesn’t make any sense! Air is closer to lightning that water is.

Arlen paused. It is, but..., he trailed off, holding his hand out and summoning a point of light above it.

Blix’s eyes widened. That’s amazing! You have two elements? When did you get that?

A week ago. Ollie has darkness.

Blix squinted at the light, then poked