Ash (The Underground Series Book 2)
ASH
The Underground Series
by Melody Robinette
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright 2015 Melody Robinette
Cover illustration and jacket design by Nathalia Suellen
Editing by Todd Barselow
Formatting by Author’s HQ
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author rights.
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Chapter Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Three
Chapter Twenty Four
Chapter Twenty Five
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty One
Chapter Thirty Two
Chapter Thirty Three
Chapter Thirty Four
About the Author
Book 3 Teaser: Alder
For my husband, who puts every hero I’ve ever created to absolute shame. You’re the best in the ever. I love you, Baben.
Olympus’s Surprise
CHAPTER ONE
Autumn and the other Quinn Warriors crouched down behind an oversized rosebush, peering around the thorned flowers at the elf town in the immense valley below. The Atrums had managed to surround the elf inhabitants of Rose Valley with the help of a band of Shadows and their leader, Victor Vaun. This was Autumn’s first time seeing him since watching Avery’s arrow pierce through his heart only weeks ago. She had watched the blood spurt from his chest, watched him crumple to the ground. She had been sure he was dead. But there he stood, leading his evil followers into battle.
“Don’t screw this up, Ogden,” Luke warned Edric.
“Shut it, Oaken. I got this,” Edric spit back.
“Now is not the time, lover boys,” Forrest said. Luke and Edric both shot a glare his way.
Kyndel sighed. “How much longer?”
“We’re waiting for Willow’s signal,” Autumn snapped at her.
As if on cue they saw Willow, in the form of a white eagle, fly low over the valley.
“Now!” Avery shouted.
Autumn jumped out from her hiding place and belted out a stream of Song as loud as she possibly could, aiming it at the Atrums, Shadows, and Victor. If she had only been aiming it at a couple of Atrums, it would have been a lot stronger, but the more creatures she covered in Song, the weaker her Power was. Rather than hypnotizing them, it simply slowed their reflexes. This was enough. The Tetras and Quinns had now both opened attack on the Atrums and Shadows.
Edric used his Shield to erect a protective boundary around the Quinns, keeping them from harm. The Atrums in the valley quickly spotted them and sent dozens of flaming arrows their way, ricocheting off Edric’s invisible Shield. Luke conjured up a fierce thunderstorm and the Atrums were pelted with rain, sleet, and hail. A tornado materialized from across the valley where the Tetras were stationed, sent by Jack, the small Tetra with enough force to take down fifty Shadows at once.
Meanwhile, Crystal took out ten Atrums with her jet of Ice as Ember did the same with her stream of Fire—the yin and yang of the Quinns. Forrest called for all the unicorns in the area to attack. Autumn watched as the sleek, black creatures galloped as if in slow motion into the valley, piercing any Atrum and Shadow they passed mercilessly through the chest with their deadly horns.
Jastin stunned a horde of Atrums with Mental Pain while Charlotte shot each one with a well-aimed arrow. Kyndel took down Shadow after Shadow with her own arrows, her Invisibility enabling her to move around freely without being seen.
It became clear that the Atrums and Shadows had not been expecting an outside attack because they soon retreated on Victor’s orders. He shot a murderous glare in the Quinns’ direction before he and his followers disappeared into thin air, leaving their dead behind to litter the ground like forgotten trash. The Warriors let out cheers of triumph and the elves of Rose Valley came out of their tree homes to thank them for saving their town.
This was not the first time the Warriors had come to the aid of a neighboring elf town. Ever since the Warrior Trial a month before, the Atrums and Shadows had been attacking magical creatures all over the Underground on the Vaun sibling’s orders. Atticus thought that they were trying to stir things up, hoping to start the second Underground war. At the rate they were attacking, this seemed like a highly plausible explanation.
Much had happened since the Warrior Trial. Ember and Edric had both gone through their month of intensive training, nearly dying from exhaustion in the process. They also passed their own Warrior Trial, which Luke said shouldn’t count because it was clearly not as difficult as the one the original Quinns had to endure. The two of them wouldn’t say what it was they’d had to do, but everyone knew it didn’t involve Alder Island.
“They probably had to fight petalsies or something,” Luke had said. He had a minor problem with Edric Ogden, who had proven to be as much of a ladies’ man as Luke himself.
“Or some fay fairies,” Forrest had added.
For the past month, the Quinns had been working with the Tetras much more frequently, especially when they were called to fight the Atrums and Shadows. Autumn got along with most of the Tetras, except for Candi, mostly because she wore an ever-present frown and hated royals.
Autumn and the others still mourned the loss of Cera. She had been such a source of light and humor to the Quinns. Visions of her death continuously haunted Autumn’s nightmares. Atticus said that they were lucky they’d only lost one Warrior because of how dangerous the situation had been.
One of the only things that hadn’t changed was that Autumn and Avery were still together—their red rose was showcased in a glass case on Autumn’s vanity, reminiscent of her favorite childhood fairytale. They had managed to keep their relationship a secret from everyone but Luke and Crystal. Dating a castle worker was still against Olympus’s rules so they planned to keep it that way until after graduation in a few months when Avery would be receiving payment as a Warrior and would no longer have to work as a castle guard.
After accepting the praise and thanks of the inhabitants of Rose Valley, the Quinns and Tetras flew back to Arbor Falls. Autumn and Luke’s winged horses, Thunder and Sundance, were finally old enough to ride. Sundance stayed true to her name, gliding over the setting sun as if she were dancing on the rays of sunlight. Luke flew next to Autumn on Thunder, who had definitely lived up to his name as well. His sleek, black body was easily the largest of all the other pegasi and he wasn’t even fully grown yet.
“Could you guys just stay put? You’re making me nervous,” she called as Luke and Autumn coaxed Sundance and Thunder to do a barrel roll around each other.
Autumn laughed, leveling Sundance out. “Sorry, Crys.”
“We fight Atrums and Shadows every day,” Luke said. “But flying makes you nervous.”
“The flying doesn’t make me nervous, but all of the flipping does.”
“Don’t worry, Crys,” Luke said. “I’ll teach you how.”
Crystal frowned at this and Autumn and Avery exchanged an amused glance.
After they landed and put their pegasi back into their stables, they trudged up to the castle for dinner.
“Oh, I have your gown ready for your birthday ball,” Crystal said, more animated now that they were on solid ground.
Autumn and Luke’s eighteenth birthdays were coming up on March 17th, just a little over a week away. Olympus was having a grand ball in honor of their coming of age. Apparently it was a big deal or something. Avery laughed at Autumn’s indifference.
“Turning 18 is extremely significant in the Underground, especially for royals,” he’d said when she told him she didn’t care about coming of age.
Autumn had simply shrugged. “It’s just an age. It’s not like I’ll be any different or anything.”
Avery shook his head in exasperation, smiling nonetheless.
When they entered Arbor Castle, Autumn and Luke were approached by a castle worker who informed them that they were to have dinner with Olympus that night. They said goodbye to Avery and Crystal and went up to their branches to change out of their Warrior gear and become presentable for dinner with their grandfather.
“Wonder what he wants to talk to us about,” Autumn said to Luke as they traveled down the spiral staircase towards Olympus’s living quarters.
“He probably just wants to congratulate us on saving Rose Valley from your ex-boyfriend and his stupid evil followers.”
Autumn glared at him. She hated when he referred to Victor Vaun as her “ex-boyfriend.” It brought back too many unpleasant memories. But Luke didn’t know just how unpleasant they truly were.
When they approached the threshold of Olympus’s living quarters, the burly guards standing watch smiled at them and opened the double oak doors to grant them entry.
Olympus flashed them his white smile surrounded by a flaming red beard. His hazel eyes twinkled brightly. “Ah, children. You look more and more mature each time I see you. Must be your upcoming birthday. Have a seat,” he said, waving his hand at the two vacant chairs situated around the grand dinner table.
A waiter approached the table and Olympus ordered the dragon for the three of them. Autumn did like dragon, but she didn’t quite enjoy being ordered for. She never told Olympus this, though. They exchanged light small talk until the food arrived, talking about the Warriors, the most recent attack, and the increased Atrum and Shadow attacks.
“Now, for the serious talk,” Olympus said after the waiter had left them with steaming plates of dragon meat and mounds of fluffy whipped potatoes. Autumn and Luke glanced up from their food, listening intently. “When royal elves turn 18, a number of things come about. I won’t list them off now so as not to overwhelm you. You’ll learn everything in time. Tonight I wanted to address one particular change. Now, you may or may not know that on the eldest royal elf’s 18th birthday, it is typically announced that they will be the next elf ruler.” Autumn and Luke’s mouths dropped open and Olympus chuckled. “I suppose you did not know then.”
Autumn glanced at Luke. Technically he was older by a couple minutes.
“Because the two of you are twins, I see you as equal in age. You’ve lived the same amount of days and are equally wise.” The twins listened to him with wide eyes. Autumn had to admit that she’d never given much thought to the matter of the next elf ruler. Judging by the look on Luke’s face, she wasn’t the only one.
“I refuse to choose between my grandchildren so I am giving you the job of deciding who will be the next ruler. It will be your decision. You have until your 18th birthday to decide.”
At these words, Autumn and Luke exchanged a quick glance.
“Perhaps I should first ask if both of you are even interested in becoming the next ruler,” Olympus said.
Autumn frowned at the table, thinking. Did she want to be a queen? It would be a huge responsibility. But then she thought of how many people she could help. How many lives she could change. Helping people had always been a passion of Autumn’s—a dream.
Of course she wanted to be the next ruler, to have the power to make a real difference in the Underground. Then she had a thought. “If we were to become the next elf ruler, would we still be Warriors?”
Olympus considered this. “It wouldn’t be advisable because of the dangers Warriors face, but I would say that it’s up to you. If either of you want to continue being a Warrior in addition to ruling the elf world, then that’s your choice.”
Autumn and Luke were silent.
“So?” Olympus said. Autumn and Luke both nodded and then exchanged another uncomfortable glance. “Both of you?” Olympus asked. They nodded again. “Well, then, I suppose you will have to come to the decision together.”
“But don’t the men usually get the first pick?” Luke muttered.
Autumn shot him a glare. “Why should the man get to choose first? The woman is just as capable of ruling the elves, if not more so.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “I highly doubt that. Like the woman could actually stand up to another magical creature ruler, since the woman feels the need to make everyone in the Underground happy.”
“That’s not true!” Autumn protested. “The woman can stand up to other rulers just fine. Besides, it’s not like the man knows what’s best for the elves or has any sense of compassion for anyone other than himself.”
“The man has compassion, but he also knows that you can’t please everyone.”
“The woman never said that she had to please everyone.”
“Well, the woman sure acts like it.”
“You are so stubborn!” Autumn shouted, standing up.
Luke stood as well. “You just can’t admit that I would be a better ruler than you. People like me more.”
“Ha! If you’re talking about all of the girls you make out with then, yeah, I’m sure they do.”
Luke turned slightly red. “You just want to use your power to help everyone and make them all happy. Well, that’s impossible. You would go crazy trying to be the ruler because there will always be someone who’s unhappy.”
“You just want the power of being on top. And you probably think you can command all of the girls in Arbor Falls to bow down at your feet!”
Luke opened his mouth to reply when Olympus cleared his throat, silencing both of them.
“I think it would be best if you two slept on this. I will send a castle worker up to your branches with some tea to calm you down. Perhaps you would do well to look at things from a different perspective.”
Autumn and Luke left Olympus’s dining quarters and traveled angrily up to their branches in silence. Luke entered his branch and Autumn stomped the short distance up to her own, slamming the door behind her. This was so typical of Luke, thinking he should be the next ruler just because he was the man. Well, if anything, Autumn thought that should count against him.
She plopped heavily down in her armchair by the fire, which had been lit by a castle worker sometime while she was away. Not long after she’d entered her branch, there was a knock on the door. Autumn hoped it was Luke, having come to beg for her forgiveness, but instead she found a castle worker with the tray of tea and cookies that Olympus to
ld them he would send.
Thanking the worker, Autumn returned to her armchair, sipping her tea slowly. As she gulped down the dregs of her cup, she was pleasantly overcome with a sense of calming serenity. Olympus must have asked the workers to put some sort of draught or something in the tea to calm them down.
Autumn poured herself another cup and finished that off as well, reveling in the calming sensation. But when the teapot was empty, she began to feel extremely drowsy. Moseying into her bedroom, she fell sleepily onto the bed, not even bothering to crawl under the covers.
A ray of sunlight falling across Autumn’s face awakened her. It was Sunday morning and she had nowhere that she needed to be. She stretched and rubbed her eyes and then stopped suddenly. Something was wrong. Different. She looked down at her hands. But these weren’t her hands. They were way too large, way too rough—like a man’s.
Autumn hurriedly got up from her bed, knowing something was definitely not right because she was much taller than she had been last night. When she came to stand before her full-length mirror she let out a loud, bellowing scream. The sound that escaped her mouth was not high pitched like it should have been, but was instead a deep baritone.
She screamed because, looking back at her in the mirror with the same shade of hazel eyes as her own…was Luke.
Different Perspective
CHAPTER TWO
Luke’s eyes. Luke’s hair. Luke’s nose. Luke’s mouth. Luke’s body was somehow now Autumn’s. Holy petalsies. How did this happen? Then Autumn remembered the tea Olympus had sent to her. He had said that she and Luke should look at things from a different perspective. This was what he meant—for them to see things through each other’s eyes. Literally.