A month from now, Crowning Essence will be published. The second book i’ve ever finished writing. Writing the sequel to Crowning Soul made me cry even more than the first book. I challenged myself to become more vulnerable and allow my characters’ emotions to run free. With explorations of grief, loss, family and the meaning of strength, it is the Inuyasha inspired remix I am really excited to share with the world!

Here is the synopsis of Crowning Essence:

Synopsis

The heart of your power, is the power that lies beyond your fear.

Nezha successfully restored the angel’s soul. Despite that, Noorenia’s life force continues to dwindle as winter’s teeth sink into the land and the angel’s body remains lost.

Now she needs to find other jawhars, who like her can control the elements.

Nezha and the others are led to the city of Veer where jawhars are mere performers, magic is illicit entertainment and the water jawhar Amaya, under the control of the evil jinni Lexa—wreaks bloody havoc. If Nezha wants to keep Noorenia from falling apart, she needs to get the other jawhars to join her quest and find the angel’s body.

Not only must they face Lexa’s corrupting magic, but their own inner demons.

Then, tragedy befalls the city, testing Nezha with loss and as she struggles to hold onto what’s dear to her, she will be forced to sacrifice—and what—if she wants to keep the world of Noorenia from falling.

A breathtaking tale, Crowning Essence is the dark and dangerous sequel to Crowning Soul.

Here is the excerpt:

Chapter 1: Butterfly

It was on these butterfly wings that Amaya felt free.

The crown of her head led her body through the blue as she propelled herself forward. Water drops glimmered as her arms extended above her head. Her thumbs led her hands into the water. These were her wings. Life demanded she carry burdens and they weighed heavily in her chest. When she rose her head up to breathe, all of it fell away. Freeing, powerful, the energy rushed through her body whenever she preformed the butterfly, the most difficult swimming move.

Amaya Koizumi was currently in her university’s swimming pool. She and a few of her friends would do a relay. Although it was leisure for them, for Amaya, it was more. It had been her dream to become a competitive swimmer since her first swimming lesson, aged just six. In the swimming club Amaya had won seven medals. She’d been in second place for four of them, but it never quashed her determination.

Just as life needed water, water was life to her. Amaya craved its cool caress. The way it soaked through her skin, merging with her soul. It wasn’t just swimming to her. It was a chance to get away from responsibility. With the water lulling against her, she was on the wings of calm and ease.

“Amaya-chan!” her teammates called out.
They were two teams of four.

This time Amaya and her friends were swimming against four other members of the swimming club. This time, it wasn’t calm settling in her heart. It was anxiety leaping in her chest. She needed to reach the wall as fast as she could. Each push of her arm, each kick of her legs, her muscles burned. Her thoughts blurred. Swim. She needed to swim. With a gasp, her head surfaced one last time as she reached the end and touched the wall. Breathing deeply, she pulled her goggles off. Claps echoed as people cheered. In the sea of chanting, she could make out the faint call of her name.

“Amaya-chan!” Many called out.

She could only pray she didn’t let down her team. A part of her didn’t want to come in second. A small part of her heart wanted to win.

After the teams totaled the combined times. They called out the winners.

“Yui-chan!” The winner’s name crashed most into Amaya’s mind. She’d come second. Again.

“Good job, blue butterfly.” One of her friends Saki, patted her back as she rested her arm on the ropes.

“Thanks.” Amaya smiled as she pulled herself out of the water and grabbed the towel Saki handed her and dried herself. Her other three friends joined in to congratulate her. The twinge in her arm, and the sinking feeling in her chest didn’t make her feel like she’d accomplished anything. She pulled her yellow cap off and let her auburn locks fall to her shoulders once more.

***

The sun had set when Amaya left the university and headed to catch the train. Togenkyo was one of Japan’s most scenic cities. With mountains in the east, and peach trees with their bright fruit and the bluest ocean to the west.

Amaya chatted with Saki and three of her other friends as they made their way to the station, where they took the most vibrant transportation in her city. The turquoise train was embellished in silver, whimsical with the sakura trees bowing over it and the pink blossoms caressing the train as it rumbled off on the tracks. At night, Amaya sometimes thought she saw the blossoms glow whenever the lights shone over them.

Second place. She didn’t mind being second. It was comfortable. If she’d been in first, then there would be too much attention on her. Too much to have to live up to. She knew, because the girl who was always in first smiled bright, but she’d seen the dark hollows under her eyes and how she tried covering them with concealer. Draining, high expectations, she could never live like that. Second was good, second was high enough. Butterflies didn’t need to be in the mountains. The flower-filled meadows were sweet, the tree tops were high enough.

Amaya slid out of her seat, Saki and the other two girls were up with her as they hopped out of the train. More sakura flowers painted the tracks and drifted over Amaya’s head.

Saki nudged her as they made their way to the sidewalk. “Hey, we should go to karaoke next weekend.”

“Yeah, we should.” Amaya toyed with her ponytail in contemplation. She always liked having it hanging over her left shoulder.

“I have to head this way. Say hi to Inoue kun for me. See you later!” Saki threw up a peace sign and waved to her as she turned a corner with the girls. Her house was just two blocks from here.

Amaya waved to the group and turned to the street. Tama said he’d meet me here. Amaya searched for him. Most of the time he’d be standing at the corner to meet her after school. So how come he wasn’t here?

After a few minutes she clutched her cell phone in her hands, fingers ready to dial his number if he took longer.

“Am I late?” A voice called from behind her.

“Tama…” Amaya walked up to him. The boy was Tamaki Inoue, her fiancé.

“Gomen.” Sorry. He shrugged and an apologetic smile pulled up his lips. “I had to get something on the way.” He smiled at her. The edges of his pointed eyes crinkled, making them softer.

“I forgive you this time.” How could she be mad at him, when his bright smile made her heart flutter? Amaya walked with him, her red sweater billowing around her waist as she wrapped an arm around his. Her knee-high black skirt rippled from the breeze. Amaya was always soft spoken, but with those close to her, her voice had the vibrancy of a windchime.

Tamaki mussed his golden-brown hair. His wavy bangs bounced over his eyebrows. “Oh, this is why I was late. I got you something!” Tamaki loosened his arm from hers and pulled out a small brown paper bag and held it up in the air with both hands. “It’s Dango.”

“You’re so sweet.” She grinned and poked his cheek, accepting the treats.

Tamaki stuffed his hands into his pockets as they walked down the street. “So how was your relay?”

“Good. We came in second place.” The grin that lit Amaya’s face was genuine.

“Congratulations. I’m proud of you, Amaya.” They held each other’s gaze as they crossed an intersection, a warmth in her chest.

They continued to laugh and chat as they ascended the stairs to Amaya’s apartment building. They were at the final step when Tamaki’s finger grazed hers.

Amaya brought her sleeve to her lips for a moment, then gladly placed her hand into his as he led her up the final step to the apartment’s front door.

“Are we doing anything tomorrow?” Tamaki asked as they stood at the door while Amaya turned the key into the lock.

“Mmm I’m going over to Okaasan’s?” Amaya suggested.

Tamaki smiled. “Sounds good!”

She stepped inside as Tamaki held the door.

“Thank you for the dango.” Amaya smiled sweetly.

“Anything for you Maya!” Tamaki stood closer to her, his voice down to a whisper. “So cute.” His lips were parted and so close to her cheek. He paused and then added, “I love stuffing your face with sweets!”

Amaya chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Tama…”
“Oyasumi.”
“Good night, my dango.”

Tamaki waved to her before turning and walking down the stairs.

Amaya’s shoulders slouched as she made her way up to the silver elevator. Lately, whenever he left, her chest ached. She stepped inside and pressed the button for the ninth floor and the elevator’s doors closed.

She kicked her shoes off at the entrance and slipped into a pair of pink slippers. “Tadai— ma.” I’m back— home. Her voice trailed off as she stepped into her apartment with her bag of dango in hand. That’s right. She wasn’t living with okaasan anymore. Why hadn’t she gotten used to it yet?

She had recently moved out. After turning eighteen, she’d taken up various jobs. Okaasan had told her to make sure she always had money on hand. She wanted her daughter to have more than she had when she’d been younger. Amaya had made sure then. It took five, maybe six years to save up for her own place. Okaasan insisted on giving her money to support her. Maybe, she’d been so insistent because of papa. After being a single mom, Okaasan never let her feel like she couldn’t stand up on her own two feet. When Amaya lost a job, it was Okaasan who helped her find another and send out resumes. It was her who stood by her side with joyful tears when she found the cozy apartment, she now lived in. “I want you to stand tall. Never have to bend to the weight of loss,” Is what she’d told her once Amaya had settled into her home.

She blew a breath. Despite it being a one-bedroom apartment, with no other person by her side, the walls seemed to stretch, making the silence invite a loneliness that made her crave for someone by her side. She slumped over the kitchen table, leaving the bag and her keys on the counter. She lifted a sweet dango from the bag Tamaki gave her, and took a bite. The sweet ones were her go-to snack.

Amaya crossed the living room, passing by her cream counter, and futon. The walls were painted taupe. Okaasan had gifted her the futon and armoire in the corner. Just a sofa and coffee table were what she needed, with various cushions embroidered with inspirational quotes and one with a curtain of ocean waves meeting the shore. Her papa had painted the scene, and her okaasan had turned it into a threaded cushion. No matter what, she’d never throw it out.

She pulled back the curtains and marvelled once again at the sprawling cityscape. The view from the ninth floor was expansive, the skyscrapers rose into the sky like beams of light. The billboards flickered with bold signs, casting neon colors across the city streets. People rushed to and fro on the sidewalk below, and cars scuttled between the buildings like bugs. It was always busy.

It had been a long day. She finished her dango and glanced at the clock. She was relieved she arrived home on time tonight. It was lonely sometimes, living on her own in her apartment. She had Tamaki to give her company, but they lived separately. Her okaasan followed tradition strcitly. It would give her mother a heart attack if he ever moved in. Besides, they were going to get married in a few months.

Amaya lowered herself to her futon and traced a wave on the cushion. Seeing Okaasan tomorrow would do her some good. It had been a week since she’d seen her. Amaya stood up and glided over to her bathroom. She’d have to sleep early to see her tomorrow. She’d head there right after university.

***

“Okaasan.” Amaya addressed her mother, slipping out of her flats, and into a pair of slippers kept at the front door. “Konnichiwa.”
“How are you?” Amaya’s mother Moroha Koizumi smothered her in an embrace, before pulling back and poking Amaya in the side, her round face scrunching up.

“Hmm?” Amaya squeaked and pulled back, clapping a hand over the ticklish spot.

“You look so thin. Don’t you eat? You need to eat. Come in, come in and let’s eat.”  Her mother smiled and turned to the kitchen.

“Neechan!” Her younger sister ran up to her, her small arms flinging up and around Amaya’s waist. She was in an orange blouse. Her short black hair was styled into twin buns.

“Are you trying to impress someone Rin?” Amaya lowered to her sister’s face and pinched her cheek.

“Mmm-hmm. Tamaki-kun needs to know someone in the family makes sure we dress nicely.”

Amaya pinched both of Rin’s cheeks this time. “Are you saying I’m a slob?”

Rin stuck her tongue out. “Mama! Neechan’s being mean to me.” Amaya pushed her in the direction of the dining table with an amused smile.

Their mother only laughed and then clapped Amaya on the head with one hand, the other holding a pan. “Neechan is going to help me cook as punishment, right?”

“Right.” Amaya nodded, her face heating up.

“When’s Tamaki kun coming?” Rin asked as she drummed her fingers on the dinner table and puffed up her cheeks.

Amaya chuckled. “He said he’ll be here soon. He has a surprise for you.” She tapped on her smartphone, reading Tamaki’s message. He’d said he was on his way and would be there soon and wasn’t empty handed.

“Did you do anything fun while I was aw—” Okaasan turned Amaya’s chin to her and poked a spoon at her face. She allowed her to feed her the seasoned rice.

“Yeah. Mama bought me a new doll. Sango said she liked her too.”

“I’m glad,” Amaya said and then gave Okaasan a nod. “It’s so good!”

“Of course.” Okaasan said, a smug smile on her lips.

The doorbell rang in Amaya’s ears. That must have been Tamaki.

It was him, bowing at the door carrying bags. “Hope you didn’t eat without me.”

“You’re lucky Rin didn’t make a hole in the table,” Okaasan said to him.

They greeted each other and Rin ran up to him.

“Hello little flower.” Tamaki kun winked and handed her a bag.

“It’s for me, right?” Rin said.

Tamaki shrugged with mock disappointment. “Yes. I guess your neechan won’t get anything today.”

“Is that so? Well,” Amaya said, facing her Okaasan. “I guess we won’t be sending Tamaki home with his favorite food tonight. Too bad.”

Tamaki pressed a bag into Amaya’s hand. “Oh look. I guess I was wrong.”

Amaya met his gaze and smiled. She hadn’t teased him in a while. Studying, swimming, it had taken over her life the past few weeks. Being around the ones she loved was a balm to her soul.

“Wow, I’ve missed your cooking! It’s been so long since I’ve had a decent meal!” The table was laden with a veritable feast. Alongside the huge plate of teriyaki salmon, there was a bowl of rice, two side dishes of steamed and fermented vegetables and miso soup.

Rin spoke up after she slurped her soup. “Neechan, are you going to stay here?”

Amaya smiled. “I won’t be here for too long.”

Rin’s eyes were cast down as she prodded a fermented carrot.

“But, we do get to catch up,” Amaya whispered and Rin’s small face lit up.

Amaya and Rin were in the living room after dinner, while Tamaki helped okaasan clear the table. Rin was playing with her dolls. One had a middle school uniform with a blue bow. Her hair was made into two buns. One on each side of her head. Maybe she was a magical school girl. It was a recent style she’d seen all over Togenkyo, especially since an anime was said to be getting a reboot and the heroine had twin buns.

Along the mantelpiece were pictures of Amaya’s papa. She pressed a thumb against one of the frames. It had been eight years since her father had passed away. Rin was born nine months later. But, Amaya still remembered him. The times they went to the festivals, how he’d pick her up onto his shoulders so she could see the fireworks. He’d tell her to never choose the easy path. The toughest path always bore the most beautiful flowers. His words, his smiles and his kindness stuck with her as she grew. She passed the same wisdom onto Rin as she grew up. Rin knew they had a father. Okaasan would tell her he’d become an angel in the clouds. But Rin only had that ethereal notion and his pictures to cling to.

“Amaya.” Her mother’s touch on her shoulder lifted her out of her reverie.

Amaya ran her finger over the picture frame once more before setting it back down onto the dresser.

“Okaasan, how is everything? Are you and Rin doing well?” Amaya asked as her mama patted her shoulder.

“Amaya, you always put us first. Sometimes, you need to take care of yourself.” She stood and glanced outside.

“I just want to make sure you’re both well.” Amaya followed her gaze.
“We are good. You study hard and work hard. With that I am happy.” Mrs. Koizumi gazed out at the setting sun, the golden glow stretching out like fingers through the blinds.

Amaya smiled in thought. “Hmm.” But working hard had been keeping her away from them. She didn’t want to sound like she was complaining, so she stayed quiet. Even though she wanted to tell her she felt like there was a hole in her heart that she couldn’t fill. That her wings were getting heavy.

“Neechan…” Rin said as she pulled on Amaya’s teal sweater.

“Yes Rin?”
Rin studied Amaya’s face, her head tilted. She reached her hands up and Amaya bent down to her eye level. Her eyebrows lifted. A film of tears started to blur Amaya’s vision. Rin had noticed. Her small hand wiped at her older sister’s eyes. Amaya embraced her, her hold tight, her heart turbulent. She didn’t want to leave them again. She needed to be around Rin’s pretty smile, to eat together with okaasan, and be in their company. She felt that loneliness dig into her heart. She’d wanted to move out. But as more time passed, she wasn’t sure anymore. But she had to be closer to the university.

Amaya wanted to be with her family. She’d always wanted them to be happy. But, ever since her papa passed away, she’d been left feeling like she had to grow up quicker. She worked part time at the Smoky Grill Restaurant. It wasn’t her dream job, but it was something which could keep her busy. Her mom had her own small business selling charms at the local shrine, where people would write their wishes. Along with the baked goods, she worked from home and it was going well. She never noticed anything wrong when she visited. There was food in the fridge, health glowing on their faces and the house was clean and well taken care of. It wasn’t enough, she knew. So Amaya would hand money to them every month. She was the eldest, and as a daughter, she’d been told to be responsible and take care of her family. They relied on her. She had to have the cadence of a calm koi pond, not the unpredictable waves at sea.

“I’ll visit when I can, Rin. We’ll go to the festival together,” Amaya said and kissed her little sister on her forehead.

“We’ll all go together.” Rin smiled back.

Amaya’s okaasan turned her daughter’s face toward her, searching her eyes. That warm concerned look made Amaya’s chest tighten. She never wanted to see tears in her eyes, never wanted to see frown lines around her beautiful smile. To bring her comfort, she’d sacrifice her own. Just for her and Rin. Okaasan kissed her head. “It’s getting late. Head home and we’ll see you again my darling.”

Amaya smiled and kissed her okaasan’s cheek. “I’ll see you later.”

Chapter 2: Ripples

She lifted the white brim of her sun hat. Her eyes met the clear blue of the ocean, its surface glittering in the sunlight. Amaya walked along the sand, grains clinging to her feet and meeting between her toes. Her blouse fluttered in the soothing breeze that whipped up across the ocean’s surface. She’d been thinking of spending time alone this weekend. Last weekend she had fun doing karaoke with Tamaki and her friends.

Gulls squawked overhead, weaving in and out over the beach.

 She tugged at one strap of her bag, finally finding a place to sit and relax.

She swung her bag to the sand and unpacked a blanket. The cloth rippled like waves over the grains of sand. After sitting and sticking an umbrella with red hearts into the sand, Amaya took a swig of water from her bottle and rummaged through her bag. She wasn’t planning on doing any physical activities— other than swimming of course, so she had brought something special with her.

She’d almost giggled when she pulled out the book.

 Finally, she got to finish where she had left off. The book Amaya had been so excited to finish reading was Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi, the fifth volume. I was on chapter forty. Oh, my goodness, his hair!

After finishing her book, it was time for a swim. She headed toward the frothing waves, to where the sand beneath here feet grew firm, and bent down. She drew a heart. A moment later, the waves foamed and bubbled towards her feet, enveloping the heart, wiping the slate clean. She took another step, the waves filling in the spaces her footsteps left.

Her earrings were glowing, a blue light reflected off the water. Amaya’s smile slipped off her face as the current yanked at her legs, knocking her down. She kicked at the water, but it was somehow snaking around her legs and dragging her into its maw of bubbles. Her nails dug into the sand, but she couldn’t crawl away. There was no one close to her. No one to see her being ripped away from the shore and into the sea.

Bubbles spiraled around her body as she was submerged within the water. The force that pulled her down now pushed her up, and she was floating. She tried to catch her breath. To grab onto something. Her powerful swimming muscles were no match for the invisible grip holding her locked into place.

Just then, the pressure lifted, and she felt like she was falling. But she wasn’t falling. The feeling was a deception. Actually, she was flying up like a butterfly through the water. She recalled her swimming practice, the thought a mere flicker as her head surfaced.

Her breath came in stammers. Her shaking hands scrambled for purchase as she pulled herself out of the water and onto grassy land. It was night. The shadows clung to their surroundings.

Amaya scrambled to her feet, and once her head had finally settled enough for her to take in her surroundings, she stood there in frozen silence. She was not on the beach anymore. Instead, she’d just stepped out from a river, the towering trees of a forest stood proud around her, and she was completely dry.

Amaya coiled her arms around her chest, tightening her fingers around her midsection. A rush of panic filled her body. It was a dream. An illusion. A lapse in her sanity, maybe. But the creaking of the trees said otherwise, and the crispness of the leaves beneath her feet begged her belief.

Something in her compelled her to walk. To go onward and not look back.

Where was she? She was all alone. Okasaan, Tamaki… Rin. No one was here. She was just alone. She needed to find help. Help with what? She didn’t even know.

Amaya continued to walk until she heard rustling from one of the nearby bushes. A crack of sticks and the patter of feet. She peered behind her. There was nothing there. The sound came from in front of her, this time accompanied by a low growl. Amaya’s head snapped back round and her eyes met with a fox.

The animal stood silent for a few moments, its head held high. Everything was darkness all around her — the fox looked like a red stain painted in the brush. His eyes flashed white as they caught the light of the moon. Amaya was frozen still, a curious sheep in the headlights of the animal’s reflecting eyes.

The fox’s ears swiveled to her, then it began walking toward her, each footfall hesitant and slow.

Amaya whistled and held out a timid hand. “I won’t hurt you. You’re a good fox, aren’t you? I’m just lost.” She wasn’t sure if talking to it would do her any good, but the silence shot her anxiety up. Amaya’s steps forward were more assured as human and animal made their ways into the brightness of the moonlight. The fox slunk forward with beguiling grace, its head tilted and its eyes forming discerning slits.

Amaya’s earrings caught the light and flickered.

The fox halted and tipped its head forward, raised its hackles and growled.

“No…no.” Amaya backed up as the fox sprung at her. “No!” She sprang clear of the fox’s trajectory and made a break for it into the forest. Her hands scraped against bark and branches as she zigzagged through the trees.

The fox’s cry was a guttural scream as its body streamed through the thick foliage, buoyant and fluid.

The river was running by on her left, the flow of the water a mirror of the tears that ran down her cheeks.

It can’t be. I’m all alone. There’s no one to help me. I don’t know where to go!

Her foot lodged in a root and Amaya hit the ground. Cold ran down her spine, though her cheeks were heated from the blood that desperately coursed through her body.

As soon as Amaya raised her head and scrambled to lift herself, the fox launched into the air. His rumbling growl reverberated around the woods. Then, a series of events happened in succession: She curled herself into a ball. She raised a hand in front of her face, shielding it from the fury of teeth and claws flying through the air towards her. Then water. Everywhere. Gushing from her palm and her fingers, rippling and bubbling around her, bursting forth with such a force that it knocked her backwards, pushing her into the rough ground below and tearing a scream from her lungs.  

A blurred image of red rose in front of her. The fox whined and Amaya heard the faint footsteps of the animal carrying off into the night. As silence settled back in and Amaya’s panting slowly receded, a prickle crawled down her neck, and heat mingled with sharp pain. The throbbing pushed deep into her bones.

Amaya’s head burned and black dots scattered across her vision, until finally everything went dark.

It dripped over her chin like red wine, but it was blood that drenched her parted lips. Her tongue emerged to sweep up the liquid. the woman’s fingers splayed over her face, one of them pressed over her mouth. She leaned over Amaya. The woman had recently eaten an animal from the woods.

“Why is she so quiet?” It looked like a shadow cast over the woman’s  face as she crept closer.

“Don’t let her excite you, Rana. She’s not your prey.” The man stood next to Amaya and pushed a handkerchief into Rana’s hand. She stared at Rana and then back at him once more.

“W-who are you?” Amaya’s voice was weak, but her expression was alive as her eyes raced between the man and Rana. Amaya’s gaze landed on Rana’s blood-soaked lips for a few seconds before she dropped it back down to her bed.

“Mmm, I admire how you keep your instincts at bay.” The other woman whispered, and then made her way to the man. “How’s our guest?” The woman’s voice was awfully cheery.

Amaya turned to her. The memory of the red figure appeared in her mind’s eye. “It was you. You saved me from the fox?”

The woman introduced herself and the others. Lexa pushed Zul aside. “Don’t crowd her, Sire. The poor thing just woke up.” Lexa smiled. “I was just in time. You were about to be his meal.”

“What…where am I?” Amaya’s eyes flickered around the room. The walls were stark white and the pillows and the throw were brightly coloured in shades of purple and red. The three people in front of her were dressed in dark coloured clothing. Besides Lexa’s fiery red hair, they looked so out of place. As if they were shadows, haunting the mansion. Fear shot through her. What would they do to her? She wanted to run, but to where?

“Noorenia. A dread—odd name, but this is where you are. Do you like our mansion?” Lexa giggled and hooked her arm around Zul’s. He scowled at her and shrugged out of her grasp.

“Noor…enia?” Amaya pressed shaking fingers to her mouth. The way they looked at her sent shivers running over her skin. Especially the one with the red hair. A hunger welled up in the woman’s eyes like blood.

Lexa’s eyebrow shot up. “You don’t need to fear us. We know you’re not from here.” Lexa held out a glass of water to Amaya.

She took the glass and cupped her shaking hands around it. Wait, there was water. Did I do that? As a swimmer, Amaya knew how it felt to manipulate water with the power of her body, but what happened there… it was more like she’d manipulated it with her mind. She must have hallucinated. She did hit her head pretty hard.

“I…” Amaya’s voice trailed off as she stared down at the water.

“Don’t worry. We didn’t poison it.” Zul Sharr smirked.

Amaya set the glass on the table, her shaking hands almost dropping it.

“Great, sire. Now she’s terrified of us,” Lexa said and back-handed his shoulder. She took a step closer to Amaya. “What’s your name? We can help you find your way back home.”

“Amaya. You can?” She thought of her mother and sister and her fiancé, their memories entering her mind in waves.

Lexa tilted her head. “Amaya, do you know who you are?”

Amaya started thinking. “Who I am? What are you talking about?”
Lexa smiled without mirth. “The water, my girl. You could form it. You’re a water elemental. A water jawhar. Didn’t you know?” Lexa bit her lip.

Amaya’s head ached, a surge of hot and cold rippling through her body.

Lexa continued; her voice sultry. “You are so fortunate. You should rest, sweetheart.”

Amaya’s eyes drooped and she started swaying to one side until her head hit the bed and she’d fallen asleep again.

***

Zul Sharr stood over the bed, staring at the sleeping girl.  “Lexa…how’d you do that?”

“The girl is in a fragile state, Sire. Since she’s a water elemental, she’ll be even easier to influence. We’ll bring out her inner turmoil. The pain, the guilt and horror will turn her icy. She will help us cripple those wretched angels and humans. It’ll be so much fun, seeing their faces!” A toothy smile crept wide over her face.

“Terrifying.” Zul Sharr’s hand glided over the front of his maroon shirt, fiddling with the buttons. He’d become used to Lexa and her creepy glee, but the way she smiled now with the strange delight that licked out of her aura, was something he’d yet to come to terms with. She was a shadow jinni, and he knew there were such evils even he didn’t want to know she’d committed.

“Now, watch how truly delectable my shadow magic is.” Lexa knelt on the bed where Amaya lay. She raised her hands and the shadows around her slinked up and around her arms before they slipped like a silk cloth over Amaya’s body. “Wake up.”

Amaya’s eyes snapped open and she bolted upright, a dull haze hindering the sheen of her gray eyes.

“That fox was your enemy Amaya. He was the one who attacked you long ago. It wasn’t the first time. And, we can help you find the answers you need.”
“How? Will I find out why he did it? Why I’m here all alone?” Amaya’s voice was flat and lifeless.

“Yes. You wanted to be a professional swimmer, right? It’s sad that you can’t do what you want. I know how much you love your family. It’s heartbreaking. Your mother, your sister, all alone and your fiancé… Tamaki must be so worried about you. You have no one here…except us.” He lips curled in a devilish grin.
“How can I trust you?”

“The foolish hand out trust like charity, but you know it has to be earned.”  Lexa procured a dagger from the holster at her thigh. “You want to know where the fox is and we want something in return. If we fail to tell you the whereabouts of the fox and harm you, you may attack us with this.”
“If I am a water elemental, I don’t need a blade,” Amaya said coolly. She lifted her hand and water droplets flowed in her palm, rocking back and forth.

“Good. First, agree to my task or my shadows will suffocate you.” Lexa said, her face twisting with the hint of a snarl. “You will find the fox, Amaya. Let your anger, your pain and loneliness guide you. You are such a kind girl, Amaya. You deserve to get answers.”
Amaya grew silent. She met eyes with Lexa. “I’ll do it.”
“That’s delightful!” Lexa trilled as the shadows trembled around Amaya. They pulsed as they wrapped around her body, twisting into a long curling black dress. “You’re afraid of being alone, but you don’t need to be now. That fox tried to kill you. He will surely regret it. You want to kill him, don’t you? It’s his fault that you are all alone. His fault that you lost your father.”

Amaya raised her head. Lexa had hit a nerve.

A slight smile tugged at Amaya’s lips, and then with bitter scorn, she spoke. “I’ll never be alone again. He doesn’t deserve the escape of death. He will suffer. Now, tell me what you need done.”

“Rest for now, until we have everything prepared.”

Amaya stumbled to her feet.

“How long? I want to find him. I need to know what happened.” Amaya’s eyes burned with hatred as she leaned against the bedframe.

“It’ll be tonight, don’t you worry. Now, rest.” Lexa waved at her and Amaya lay back down, closing her eyes as her head sank into the pillow.

***

Zul Sharr leaned into Lexa as they left the room. “Is that all true what you just said?”

“The fox didn’t kill her father, but it will feel like he did, to her. Lace one truth with enough lies and it’s all a lie.” Lexa walked on, leaving Zul behind.

Zul Sharr glanced back at the door before following her to the main room.

“Are you planning on killing her?” The way Lexa entered her prey’s mind was frightening. Knowing someone’s inner demons, their wants and regrets. Fracturing thoughts led to dangerous acts. He knew that too well. The thought of his mother convincing him his memories were wrong jabbed at his mind. He inhaled sharply, and focused on Lexa’s gaze.

“Of course I’m not, sire!” Lexa was back to her sprightly self. Her lips in a smug smile, and a bounce in her step. “Why would I kill her, when she can be used to our advantage? The jawhars and angels can’t simply die. That’s too easy for them. I want them to suffer, sire. They may have the Angel of Mercy’s complete soul, but they can’t return it to him, if they don’t even know where he is. And after what I’ve done, they don’t have a chance of finding him.”

“Good. I knew I could rely on you.” Zul Sharr paused a second.  “Lexa, I don’t know how to revive Sanari. I’ve tried all the magical incantations you gave me. Still nothing.”

“Hmm.” Lexa tapped a finger to her cheek in thought. “Well, we’ll keep trying and I’ll look for more incantations. Shouldn’t we break the jawhars’ hopes in the meantime? The water elemental will be keeping them distracted.”

“But, I can’t just do nothing, Lexa! What if it’s not magic that’ll help her? Maybe it’s me.”

Lexa regarded him. “Sire, maybe it’s time for you to strengthen your iron manipulation. Learn to move the iron within a body.”
“You mean, moving their blood?”

 “Yes, blood manipulation. Practice it, but trust me sire, right now, we must not let them try and take this girl as a companion. She must break their spirits.”

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