Dark Possession - Aja James Page 0,20
The second layer is young and influenceable, I believe. Some of the lesser Elementals have already fled to faraway lands. They cannot fight us and win; they know it. The remaining collective number less than two hands.”
“What is their strength?”
“It is difficult to assess what damage they can do,” the queen’s Consul inserted from her left side, stepping forward.
“But what my sources tell me is that these young Elementals do not have the stubbornness and experience of their predecessors. They cannot control their powers as reliably as their elders. They are angry. They are mourning. But most of all, they are afraid.”
Lightning streaked across the blackened skies, followed by the ground-shaking boom of thunder.
“Not too afraid to show off, it appears,” Ashlu remarked with a twist of her lips.
“Their elders made the oceans rise, submerging entire islands,” the Consul reminded her. “They made the ice on the mountains melt and flood the plains beneath, destroying everything in the deluge’s path. They made the earth split and the volcanoes erupt. Yet all we see from these Elementals that are left are landslides and thunderstorms. I think we can call their bluff.”
Ashlu narrowed her eyes in consideration.
“We only have a quarter of our original forces,” she pointed out.
“Less than ten Elementals remain in our territories, refusing to submit,” the Commander returned. “Our quarter forces number ten thousand. These are favorable odds.”
Ashlu drummed her fingers, waiting for him to continue.
“My spies report that even the creation of landslides and thunderstorms is taking a toll on the unpracticed wielders.”
“It is your Destiny to rule the races on earth,” the Consul added with a sense of urgency. “You are the prophesized Queen of All Kinds, my lady.”
Ashlu arched a skeptical brow.
“Isn’t this what you and my mother’s advisors told her? Perhaps you sent her on a fool’s errand. Perhaps you are sending me on one now. Perhaps you are eyeing the throne for yourself, Consul, hmm?”
To the male’s credit, he did not flinch, nor did he retreat.
Calmly he said, “The future is difficult to divine, my queen. Our interpretations are not always accurate. Queen Gaia paved the way for your leadership by eliminating all of the Elders. This is your chance to rule supreme. It would be my honor and pride to serve the greatest Dark Queen of all time.”
Ashlu drummed her fingers in that same staccato beat, contemplating her options in pensive silence.
Finally, she asked, “What would you have me do?”
“What you do best, my queen,” the Consul answered. “Negotiate. Align interests. Reap the rewards.”
And so, with only a small squadron of personal guards, including the queen’s mightiest Commander, Ashlu trekked far from the safe stronghold of the Dark Ones’ fortress and climbed to the tallest peak of the Fire Mountain where the Elementals dwelled.
“You dare invade our home!”
Ashlu was greeted with blinding flashes of lightning and earth-shaking thunder as soon as the open cave where the Elementals huddled came into view.
A tall, slender female and a similarly lithe male stood side by side in front of their cave, barring the occupants within from view.
The female’s robes were entirely silver, as was her long, flowing hair. Her complexion was dark by contrast, and within the palm of her outstretched hand danced a rolling sphere of liquid. Clearly, she was a water Elemental.
The male’s attire was completely black, as was his shoulder-length wavy hair. He was quite pale, and it was impossible to tell the color of his eyes. He stood with his arms to his sides, his hands rolled into fists, both of which were shrouded in smoky tendrils. He must be an air Elemental.
Ashlu assessed both of them shrewdly and considered her words. She didn’t know the extent of their powers, but she could tell from the unsteadiness of the female’s hand and the uneven breathing of the male that they were afraid.
Furthermore, if they were very powerful, they would have demonstrated their abilities already. Perhaps a tidal wave to push Ashlu and her contingent down the mountain. Or a maelstrom to throw them right off the cliffs. Instead, they held back with suspended water spheres and smoky fists.
Weaklings.
It was always difficult to tell the real age of an Immortal, for they looked eternally youthful, but their eyes…their eyes showed their newness.
Despite Ashlu’s own young age, her nature was by far more dominant. And then there was Ashlu’s unique Gift—the ability to sense hesitancy and fear. She was an incredibly strong telepath, well in tune with others’ emotions.
The better to persuade, coerce, and