Sixty-five

I keep talking to Marin, while at the same time, I gently work the block he has around us. I felt calm as I did so. After Aspen talked to me, I began to focus.

Now, I listen to Marin as he continues to talk about how he plans to use me to do what he wasn't able to when I see Aspen behind him, entering the meadow cautiously. I try not to react, I was so happy to see that I succeeded in what he wanted, happy I wasn't alone. Aspen put a finger to his lips and quietly crept around using the trees as cover.

Marin continues talking, and I watch him warily. But he starts to turn towards Aspen and I interrupt. "Marin?"

Marin pauses his monologue and glances at me, surprised I decided to speak. "What?"

"Who is Leilani?" He raises a brow. "I mean, what is she? She can't be human like us, can she?"

He hums to himself and folds his hands behind him. "You are right. She isn't human. She's something else. I call her a creature because I don't know the specific term to use."

"Do you know what she can do?"

"Some."

"How does she do it? How does she turn into someone who she's never seen before?"

Aspen gets closer, a knife ready in his hand. I try to focus on Marin, but I'm afraid Aspen will get hurt.

"I don't know exactly. I have a theory."

"What is it?"

Marin frowns. "Why are you so curious all of a sudden?"

"You didn't give me time to ask before and didn't give me a chance to try before you had me attacking people, so why not?" I shrug. "Besides, you want her tamed so badly, I need to know exactly who and what she is."

"Why? I'll be controlling you."

I snort. "No you won't. Once she has me, you'll let go. You only control me to try and kill Lucas. That's it."

He smiles. "You seem to be understanding more as time passes." I stare at him, unsure how to respond. Marin gives a nod. Then, without warning, he spins around and stabs Aspen in the gut.

"No!"

Aspen falls to his knees and holds his stomach, wincing in pain. I struggle against my bonds, crying and screaming.

"No! Aspen! Aspen!"

Marin chuckles. "Did you think I couldn't see the act you played, Zahra? Did you think I don't know when my block was being tampered with?" He comes towards me and clicks his tongue. "I am not Lucas. I am stronger than that. I am smarter than he will ever be. Don't underestimate me. I am not a fool!"

"Aspen!" I cry again, ignoring Marin's closeness. Aspen was still on his knees, but he didn't seem to be in pain. He seemed to just hold still, as if waiting. I saw blood, but it wasn't flowing like I had thought. His hands weren't bloody either. I was confused and yet hopeful, but feared my eyes were playing tricks on me.

"He shouldn't have come," Marin whispered. "He is stuck here until I release your mind. And if he dies here, he dies for real."

"No!"

Marin chuckled again. "I'm afraid it's true."

"Aspen! Please, Aspen!"

Aspen glanced at me, his eyes holding reassurance. I wanted to plead for him to fight his way out of here so he could live, but felt transfixed by his gaze. He mouthed, "I'm fine."

Marin stood straight and sighed. "Unfortunately, I need to kill Lucas before he escapes. So, Zahra, I think it's time we went on a field trip!"

"No! I'm not leaving here!" I screamed.

Marin laughed. "You're right! You aren't leaving here!"

I stilled, not understanding. For a moment, Marin just stood by my feet with his eyes closed. Nothing happened. Then, our surroundings changed. It went from my meadow surrounded by forest, to a desolate wasteland of sand continuing on forever in every direction. Behind Maric, Aspen struggled to his feet, then over to me. Winds began to whip around us, causing him to lose his balance a few times, but he made it and began to untie me. "You have to fight him!" Aspen yelled through the chaos. "You have to stop him before he hurts someone!"

"How?"

Aspen shook his head. "Get him out of your head. If he's out, he dies."

I sit up and wrap my arms around him, holding on. "He's too strong! Aspen, I'm scared!"

Aspen hugs me back. His arms are protective and secure. His mouth goes to my ear and he says, "You're strong too. You can do it. Think of Roan. Think of Jed. Think of home."

I close my eyes and think of all those things. I think of how Roan spent years searching for me, of how he finally did and I got to know him. I think of how he and Aspen are now friends again, of Aspen's freedom. I think of June. I think of Damon, who hated me in the beginning, but now trusted me.

"You will stay close?" I ask softly.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered.

I nod and pull away to stand up. Aspen stands behind me as I face Marin who seemed unaware of what was happening here. Producing a ball of fire, I throw it at him. It mounted off a wall. I curse and come to the decision to get close. So, I charge.