by Valia Lind
Majyk Reborn
Skazka Chronicles #2
Valia Lind
Contents
Majyk Reborn
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Note from the Author
Do you like academy adventure romance?
About the Author
Also by Valia Lind
Copyright © 2020 by Valia Lind
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover by Gombar Cover Designs
Majyk Reborn
Skazka Chronicles #2
Valia Lind
"Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."
G.K. Chesterton
When the leaves start to fall,
And then winds start to change,
Every step is a choice,
The Wanderer must make.
The sky may be blue,
And the grass may be green,
But the majyk inside,
Doesn't follow a stream.
It's a window outside,
It's a mirror within,
You must choose your path,
For the world hangs in between.
The battle is raging,
The story begun.
The steps of a hero,
Will go unsung.
For the war has come.
1
The metal clashes with a loud ring, the force of the attack pushing me back against the tree. Swiftly, I dodge the next swipe and bring my own arm around, drawing blood with a flick of the hand. The creature screams, the pungent smell of rotting flesh eating its way into my nostrils. I choke as the smell becomes taste at the back of my throat, but I don't back down. What used to resemble man is now a jumble of mismatched body parts, all sown together for one purpose: to kill. And they're here to do just that.
"Move it, Max!" I scream, as another creature advances on my friend. Maxwell turns, but the monster is already on him. I stab my sword into the one in front of me, before rushing toward Maxwell. Sliding across the grass, I drop to my knees at the last moment, using my momentum to come right under the creature, slicing his stomach open. The half man, half animal screams, before slamming into the ground.
I jump to my feet, yanking Maxwell up beside me, as I race toward the sound of swords clanging. Brendan is right on the other side of the clearing, engaged with two of the reeking monsters. He twists his body in a fluid motion, staying off the creatures with a practiced ease. Well, maybe ease isn't the right word here. Brendan notices me the same moment the monster in front of him goes in for the kill. I'm there in a flash, using my majyk to travel faster than normal, and my sword comes down across the creature's arm, slicing it right off. He screams, turning on me, but Brendan is already there, a swipe of his own sword and the monster's head goes flying. We turn to dispatch the last one, but Maxwell has already taken care of him.
He drops to his knees, breathing heavily. We're a sight to behold, all three of us covered in blood and sweat. I take a mental survey of them both, making sure none of the blood is theirs, before I turn to study our surroundings. The clearing is now empty of the bodies, dead or alive. I have learned, in the week that we've been back in Skazka that the disposal of remain is still the same. The majyk of the land takes back what is rightfully hers. Every time.
I'm waiting for her to take me as well.
"They're toying with us," Brendan states, wiping his blade against the grass, before throwing it into his mesto and standing up. "They could've had us if they just waited to ambush."
"You know they're not that intelligent," Maxwell replies, straightening his clothes the best he can. He told me from the beginning that he's more of a book lover and sword hater, but he can handle his own. After all, he trained with us. It was his choice to follow in his family’s footsteps and become the next historian. I'm still trying to reconcile myself with the childhood I apparently had. Learning that Maxwell was there every step of my childhood life makes me that much closer to him and Brendan. At this point, I will take any positive about my past that I can find.
The rift between Brendan and I has become the Grand Canyon.
"They are plenty intelligent," I say now, turning my attention back to the present. "But most of all, they are obedient. I agree with Brendan. Glava is cooking something up and they're keeping us distracted.
"How do you know it's the Glava?" Brendan asks, running his hand through his dark locks. His hair, just like the rest of him looks so much sharper in this realm. As if he's finally come into focus. Sometimes I forget myself and stare. Like right now, apparently.
"It's a strategic move. Keeping us busy with chores, while Cornelius comes up with a better plan than "invade all of Skazka". He's waiting for me to get past all this, come and get Jemma, or get my head cut off in the process." I say this matter of fact and Brendan makes a small noise in the back of his throat that travels over my whole body in that split nanosecond.
We haven't really talked much since leaving the human realm and we definitely haven't discussed what happened in the bedroom before we left. But we're safer in our corners. With me as the leader, and him as the soldier. It's how we work best and that's how we're going to rescue Jemma. It doesn't matter that I want things to be different, or that my body reacts to his proximity in a way that makes me warm from inside out. We have a mission and I need to keep my head on straight.
"Come on. It'll be dark soon. We need to set up camp." I say, shoving the rest of the conversation on the back shelf for now. Shelter is important in these parts of the land. All kinds of fun evil creatures come out to play.
And I'm not just talking about myself.
When we finally make camp, it's so dark, it's hard to see a hand in front of my face. Granted, my supercharged sight helps a little, but the Shadowlands are called that for a reason. Even the most powerful volshebnik must succumb to the curse of this land. Or at least pretend so for the sake of her companions.
I hate lying to Brendan and Maxwell. I hate that I can't just come out and tell them exactly who I am and why I've done what I've done. But with pieces of my memory still on lockdown, even I'm not one hundred percent sure of my intentions at this point. What I do know for sure, is that I don't want to disappoint the two people in my life who have stood beside me through it all.
"Cal, up?" Brendan's voice reaches me through the darkness and I look up to find him crouching down on the lowest branch of the tree. Sleeping on the ground is out of question in Shadowlands. If Skazka replenishes our magic, Shadowlands steal it. Just like I do. So
trees have been our saving grace. It's a plus that they offer a vantage point advantage as well.
I reach for Brendan's outstretched hand, grasping his forearm, and pulling myself easily onto the branch beside him. We really do have this down to a practiced dance. Maxwell is settled into a tree a few feet to my right, his legs outstretched in front of him, his back to the trunk.
It's surprising to me that these trees are still tall and strong, even with the raging evil that spreads through the land. Maxwell thinks that it's just part of the curse. Something has to stand guard against Skazka and trees provide a good barrier between the lands. I think it's just part of the majyk. The land is older than any of us, and I think she's fighting, just as much as we are to save her.
"Are you okay?" Brendan asks softly, and I turn toward his voice, his eyes shining brightly in the darkness. I wish I could tell him how beautiful he looks in this light, like a dark prince, but I'm not supposed to be seeing him that clearly. I must've been quiet longer than I thought, because the concern in his voice is unquestionable.
"Just tired. And worried."
Those two have become my go-to responses and I think he's noticed. Actually, I'm sure he has. He does know me best, after all.
"We'll get her back," he says, pulling himself farther up the tree and leaning against the trunk.
"Not if we keep wandering aimlessly in this maze," I sigh.
"Cal, Glava may be powerful, but this war is draining them as well. They won't be able to keep it up forever."
"So, what? We wait them out? Jemma doesn't have that kind of time and you know it." I snap.
I'm terrified for my best friend, but I'm also scared of what will happen when we reach the Heart of Shadows. There is no doubt in my mind that's where Cornelius took her. It's protected by a putanitsa spell. Whichever direction we chose, the spell is designed to confuse our steps, taking us in a different direction. And of course, to add salt to the wound, Cornelius keeps sending his minions to meet up with us. He wants the orb, sure, but he wants to torture us in the meantime. Or me, that is. He wants to torture me.
It's his way of punishing me for my betrayal. But it doesn't matter, because I would've made all of the same choices all over again, if it came down to it. I don't regret choosing me, and I'm not about to start now.
"Cal, this is not your fault. I need you to remember that."
"And I need you to keep your pity in check," I reply, my voice going cold. Brendan visibly stiffens, and I almost apologize. But I can't. Anytime he shows concern or care, I shut down. It's the only way I can find to deal with the fact that I can never have him. That there can never be an "us". I can be his commanding officer, and he can be my soldier, but that's as far as it can ever go. Maybe I can find a different way, but for now, this is the best I got. Even if it hurts both of us.
"I'll take first watch," I say, before I continue making a mess of things. Swinging my body, I grab for the branch on the nearest tree, and pull myself onto it. Maxwell hasn't said a word during the exchange, but I know he heard it all. As much as I'm trying not to disappoint anyone, I seem to be hitting all the targets anyway.
Moving swiftly, I find a tree that gives me a good view of the entry points where the boys are sleeping. Or at least resting. But I know I'm far enough away that they won't be able to see or hear me. Closing my eyes, I hone in on the majyk running through my body. I've been working hard at keeping it at bay, but sometimes it overwhelms me and I have to release it. Getting attacked sure helps that urge, because the boys are too busy to notice exactly what I'm doing. But this time, I didn't let out as much as I needed to, so the buzz right under my skin is still there.
Placing my hands on the trunk behind me, I lean my back over my hands, just in case the purple tint of my majyk shows itself. Then, I take a deep breath and as I exhale, I allow the majyk to pour out of me and into the trunk. The tree shudders beneath me, as if I've thrown cold water on it and it's shaking it off, before it settles again. I only let a little of the majyk out, mostly to know that I can, before I pull my hands back and open my eyes.
When I do, a noise reaches my superhuman ears and I twist to the left, zeroing in on the sound. It's soft, almost unintelligible and I try to bring it into focus. When I do, my insides clench. It's a purr. A cat's purr.
Pushing up to my feet, I do a three sixty, trying to see through the black, but while I make out a lot of my surroundings, I don't see him.
But I feel him.
The palm that's resting against the trunk tingles and I realize my majyk is being pushed back at me. Wherever he is, he felt me and now he's letting me know he's here too. The moment that thought forms in my brain, an image springs up with it, followed by the pain. Accustomed to it, and a bit more in control, I grab unto the trunk and lower myself as the memory assaults me.
I'm standing in the meadow, the same one I first saw him in, but this time, I'm not waiting. He's already here. His fur is in the process of changing color again, the turquoise is almost completely blended into the blue. He's watching me as he walks to stand in front of me and I reach out a hand towards him. He bumps it with his nose, a gesture so purely sweet, that I can't imagine him being evil. But he is. And he's letting me know he's found a kindred spirit.
I come back to myself in a furry of pain and sweat, clutching at the tree. Every time I see the truth about myself, I wonder if coming back here, if getting my memories back, is such a good thing after all.
2
It takes me a bit of time to fully regain my senses. When Brendan is with me, he acts as sort of an anchor, pulling me back into reality. But when I get these vision memories on my own, I have to be my own anchor and it's a lot more difficult than I'd imagine. Without his voice guiding me, I'm flying blind and it's not a feeling I particularly like.
It's frustrating to know that I still don't have all of my memories. Whatever safeguards were put in place, they're doing their job. I'm gripping the tree bark so hard, I'm sure I'll have cuts all over my hands. But at least I didn't plummet to the ground while I was inside my mind. Relaxing my fingers, I flex them a few times and sit up straighter.
Even now, I can still feel the purr, as if it's in the earth itself, snaking it's way up the tree and towards me. A part of me was hoping the sound was only a memory, but no. He's here. He's close. I have no idea what to do about it. I can't exactly get down and go in search of him, but I also can't just let him be. I'm afraid his lullaby will suck Maxwell or Brendan in. Even though they should be immune to the majyk, I'm not taking any chances. All of the rules flew out the window the moment I stepped across the threshold into the human realm. Also, if this is a trap, I'm not about to give Cornelius a satisfaction in seeing me fall into it. Although, if I'm to be honest, I doubt Cornelius has anything to do with Kot Bayun. The creature seems to operate on a completely his own set of rules.
Getting to my feet, I scan the immediate area once again, still not seeing anything through the thick darkness and tall trees. Maybe, if he's here for me, he can sense me like I can sense him. Closing my eyes, I search for the bond I sensed in my memories. At first, I think it's useless, but then, from deep within me, the call is answered. Sensing him so much more than before, I push my desire for him to leave his way. I think he's going to resist. He definitely wants to. But in the end, I am his master. With another wave of majyk, he goes silent and disappears.
I breathe a sigh of relief when I feel him leave. I'm not exactly sure I'd be able to explain away why one of the most evil creatures known to Skazka is suddenly my pet. Maxwell would freak, but Brendan? He wouldn't understand why I kept this from him in the first place. Although, maybe he would. He knows what it means to put duty above all else and right now, my duty is to Jemma and to Skazka. Emotions get in the way.
Once I'm sure I'm alone again, I settle back down on the branch. Even though I won't admit it, I am exhausted. My body hums with energy, with Znaniye burning deep within my chest. One of these days, I may burst. Somedays it feels so, more
than others. But for now, I allow my focus to zero in on the darkness and wipe my mind blank.
It doesn't last long.
I start going over every little piece of information I have gathered since Brendan and I fought those creatures on the rooftop near my college. Back then, I thought I was just a regular girl, embarking on her college journey. I cared about classes and what coffee to order from the college shop. I didn't think I'd ever hold a sword in my hands, or fight monsters from my nightmares.
But here we are.
I turned out to be a lot more than I bargained for. This power running through my veins, the inheritance of the most evil of the Volshebnikov of our land, is a constant reminder that I have to be more, every step of the way. Will I be more good than evil? Will I be more evil than good? There's no easy answer to that.
Cornelius thinks I don't have a choice. That from the very beginning, this stupid curse has controlled my actions. He doesn't believe that I can make a different decision, that I can go against the nature that is instilled to me by my ancestor. But I proved him wrong. And I will continue to prove him wrong, because I don't believe in things being so black and white, that they are this simple. There's more to every decision than just the consequence of ones birth. We make our own fate and that's exactly what I've been trying to do.
