Majyk Reborn (Skazka Chronicles Book 2)

by Valia Lind

  "Brendan and Maxwell didn't know," Devra answers my next question before I can ask it. "They were both after you the moment you disappeared. The queen was specific in keeping them out of the loop."

  That last part doesn't sit well with Devra, I can tell. Which make sense, because it doesn't sit well with me either. I look over at Maxwell laughing at something Lana is saying and I get angry. It's one thing to mess with me, but them? It makes my blood boil.

  "Where were my parents?"

  "They were here. They were here till the moment William went to get you."

  This time, I can't stand still. My body jerks with the realization that Queen Vasilisa is playing with me. She had me fetched and she sent my parents away at the same time. It makes me nervous not knowing exactly where they are or in how much danger. My paranoia is not just that apparently. She knows more than she lets on and that just means I need to figure this out that much sooner.

  "My memories aren't..." I pause as another couple walks by with a greeting to me, "They're not what they used to be. I remember so much, but I'm also missing many crucial points."

  This is not news to Devra, as I'm sure Brendan or Maxwell filled her in. But I need her to know that whatever I do next, it's not because I've lost my mind. It's because it's what I need to do.

  "But even with missing pieces, I know who I am." The dark majyk rises up at my words, as Devra glances at me and my obvious determination. She's working through this situation, trying to figure out what I'm doing, and I hold my breath, wondering which path she's going to take. After what seems like forever, she turns back to watch the room.

  "Whatever is going on," her barely audible words reach me, "I am your third. Now and always."

  Exhaling as if I've been holding my breath for years, I reach over and squeeze her hand as a silent thanks. She returns the gesture and then moves away. I know she doesn't expect what comes next, but she's trusting me to make the right decision, just like Brendan always does. The faith they have in me boost my confidence, even as it terrifies me. It's up to me to make a change now and I would be lying if I didn't admit to the terror that courses in my veins. Whatever happens next, it won't be pretty and it will be all on me.

  16

  After Devra leaves me, I resume my walk through the rooms. The area which houses the Royal Dinner is spread out across a whole floor, with doors open in between, allowing for easy access. As I make my way between the bodies, the uneasy feeling grows within me. At this point, I don't know if I'm just making up conflict where there is none, or if there is something going on.

  Pushing my way outside, I breath in the fresh air. The Royal Dinner isn’t just a few hours ordeal. The days here in Skazka are longer, and the celebrations go for weeks at time. I’ve already been inside, making my rounds, for half of a day and I need a break.

  Moving swiftly, but not so fast as to attract attention, I head for the trees. The need to be closer to nature rises inside of me, the worries and concerns making it difficult to keep the majyk at bay.

  The moment my hand touches the trunk of the closest tree, the majyk unfurls and the pull and tug of the two parts of me send it into confusion. It moves to comfort, the same moment it pulls away, making the leaves rattle. I yank my hand back as if it's on fire, and after a quick glance around to make sure no one saw, I push farther into the trees. But the longer I walk, the less calm I feel. The frustration bubbles at the back of my throat and all I want to do is scream. Stumbling against the nearest tree, I lean over, trying to catch my breath. The sound of my majyk fills my head and when I hear movement behind me, I don't think. I react.

  My hand finds the dagger hidden in the folds of my skirt and I'm twisting with the movement before I can second guess myself. But Brendan anticipates my move, throwing me off balance and pinning me to the tree. My chest rises and falls as I try to calm my racing heart. He stares down at me, his arm over our heads, holding my own, with his other around my waist, placing me between his body and the tree. Now, I'm on fire for a whole slew of different reasons.

  "Breathe, Cal. It's just me."

  "You say that like it makes things easier." I don't mean to say it, but the words are out and I once again curse my stupid mouth. Brendan's face transforms into an emotion I’ve been trying to ignore.

  "Cal."

  "Don't say it, okay?" I push away from him, trying to find that distance I so desperately crave. But maybe he's just as fed up as I am with this game, because he doesn't drop it. Instead, he steps in front of me, blocking my path.

  "Cal, you've got to talk to me. We're not in the woods anymore. We're surrounded by the queen's greatest discerners. There's more at stake."

  I point at the trees surrounding us, but he doesn't find it funny.

  "Don't do that," he comments, rolling his eyes and I know I've pushed him way too far with my secrets. He's finally reached his boiling point and it can't really blame him. I would've reached it a long time ago.

  "If I tell you my...suspicions, it'll change things."

  "You don't think I know they've already changed? I'm not blind, Calista. And I've known you long enough to realize you don't come to conclusions easily. Whatever you know or you think you know, it hasn't just appeared in your mind. You have some kind of a proof and I think that if I am to stand beside you, I deserve to know what I'm fighting against."

  I study him, seeing the sincerity behind his words, but it still makes me pause. This will be just the beginning. The beginning of me shattering every illusion he's known as truth and held dear. But I knew this day was coming. It's why I've been running from him as hard and fast as I can. The day in the forest, when Cornelius finally told me who I was, changed everything inside of me. Now, I'm about to start that downward spiral for Brendan. Taking a deep breath, I look him straight in the eye.

  "I don't trust Vasilisa."

  There's a moment of confusion on his face, as I’m sure he remembers me mentioning this before, but then it becomes acceptance. Maybe not of what I said, but my belief in it. He doesn't kid with his promises. He said he'll stand beside me and that's exactly what he's going to do. Even if it doesn't make sense right now.

  "Care to..." he begins but doesn't get farther than that before the world around us explodes in colors.

  Brendan and I don't hesitate. Turning toward the castle, we sprint through the woods, the path opening up in front of us as the urgency reaches the forest. The moment we burst through the trees, we're met with soldiers. Cornelius' science experiments.

  Brendan barrels into the closest one as I reach for my mesto. Pulling the sword out, I slice it through the closest opponent in the same move. Metal clinks against metal as Brendan takes out his own sword. We push through the ranks, our dance a familiar set of moves. Just like from the very beginning, we move together, keeping an awareness of each other at all times.

  When we reach the back balcony, we stumble over bodies. Something prevents them from disappearing like they’re supposed to and we have to step around some of the people we've known our whole lives. My Warrior majyk rises up in anger, but so does my dark side. Revenge is an emotion felt by both.

  "Jemma," I whisper in realization and Brendan pivots toward me, coming to the same fear. While Maxwell and the rest can protect themselves, Jemma is once again in a middle of a battle she has no weapons against. Together, Brendan and I take off toward the main dance room, the last place I saw our friends. There is fighting all around us, but we're not slowing down as we cut through those in our way. I want to scream in frustration as I search the faces of those around us, dead or alive. She's not here, and neither are the rest of my soldiers.

  "Cal," Brendan's voice reaches me through the fog in my mind. "They would've gone for Vasilisa."

  I nod, twisting in time to place a fatal blow at my attacker, before taking off for the panic room. The queen, along with the tzar and the council would've been hustled inside the moment we had a breach. If I was still on her side, it would've been my first priority. But as
it stands, I haven't even thought about her. If Brendan didn't see the truth behind my words before, he sees my priorities now. He knows what I said I believe to be true. I used to be nothing but a soldier, blindly following orders. Now that I think for myself, it's different.

  Stumbling into the next room, Brendan grabs for my hand, pulling me behind him and into the wall. He would know where the panic room entrance is, even though it moves around to protect the royalty. But the moment we're through the secret passage, we find ourselves in the In Between.

  "What?" Brendan asks, dropping my hand as he looks around. I turn to go back through the door, but the passage shuts, sealing us inside.

  "This doesn't make sense. This should've led to the panic room. Why would it lead here?"

  I study our surroundings as Brendan continues to voice my concerns out loud. The immediate area around us is clear, with the woods to the right and mountains to the left. A noise reaches my ears and I have a split second to realize what it is. I grab Brendan, pulling us away from the passage way and into the woods, just as a group of soldiers come around the boulders. They stop in front of the space where the passage was and to my surprise, the air ripples and opens up for them to walk through.

  "The passageway has been reversed," I say, watching the soldiers disappear through the rift. The moment the last one is through, Brendan and I bolt for the door, but it has already shut and no amount of our majyk seems to be able to open it.

  "Brendan," I say, placing my hand on his arm. "This is how they got in. Someone on the inside opened the door for them."

  Once again we're interrupted as another group of soldiers come around the corner. We race for cover, diving behind some rocks. We're not fast enough. My hand is already gripping the sword and I swing it wide as the first creature comes at me. Brendan is at my back in an instant, his aim solid as it plunges into his attacker. We twist and turn, keeping our bodies in fluid motion.

  "We have to move!" I yell over the noise of the battle, because being this close to the portal just means we'll be fighting every squadron, as they come along.

  "Left!"

  Without hesitation, I follow Brendan to the left, my body pumping with adrenaline. All that energy I've been storing while I tried to play a good warrior burst out of me. Suddenly, I'm yanked back, my scalp on fire as the creature gets hold of my hair. I'm thrown off balance, but recover a split second before he's on me. My sword clatters to the ground, as his huge body falls on top of mine. By some instinct, I push my hands against him and my majyk bursts free. The creature flies off, landing good twenty feet away from me, his body blackened by my majyk. Still on my knees, I reach for my sword and twist around just as Brendan lunges at his attacker. But the creature is bigger, causing Brendan to stumble. The majyk rises up in me once more and with my free hand I send a pulse of energy toward them. It hits the creature straight in the chest, bursting him into flames. Surprised by my own actions, I stare at my hand. It seems that every time I use my majyk, I discover something new about it.

  Glancing up, I find Brendan's eyes on me. He's just as confused, because I know without him having to say it, we don't shoot fire from our fingertips. Curling my hand into a fist, I drop it to my side.

  "Come on," I say, moving past him and farther into the trees. "We need to find another way back."

  "We're not going to talk about it, I see."

  "Not now, Brendan. First, we figure out how to get back. While we try to stay alive."

  "Cal, what is going on?"

  "Brendan," I sigh, understanding his need to talk through it. He's lost in the sea of new information and it's up to me to guide him through.

  "Don't say it," it's his turn to echo my earlier statement. I can see him working through what I said earlier, what he's seeing with his own eyes. It's a lot to take in. We walk a few more feet, crouching down between some fallen trees, and he sits down heavily.

  "We need to keep going," I say again.

  "None of this makes sense," he whispers and I see the moment he slips. He's no longer a soldier, just a boy whose whole life is shattered into the unknown. I crouch down in front of him, reaching for him before I can think twice about it. I place both of my hands on his cheeks, cupping his face. The feel of him beneath my fingertips sends a million sparks through my body. But this is not about me. It's about him.

  "I know you're confused and I know this is a lot to handle. But Brendan. You are one the greatest warrior’s I know and an amazing soldier. Pull yourself together. We have a work to do."

  A part of me wants to wrap him in my arms and comfort him, protecting him in a way that I have no right to do. But I know better than to think I deserve such luxury. I'm not sure if it's my words or my touch that gets to him. He places his own hands over mine, holding on with tenderness that brings tears to my eyes. There's something in him that pulls me closer and even as I know I should move away, I stay frozen in this moment.

  The darkness dances around us like a leaf in the wind, winding its way here and there, sending shivers up my spine. The time in the In Between is different, even from that of Skazka, the shadows here more alive. But I don’t look at how the trees sway, or listen to the faint heartbeat of the land. I just look at him. He feels it too, the heaviness of this moment. I can see it in his eyes. There are a million things we still haven't said and a million more memories we haven't shared. But we're always going to be in this limbo, because neither one of us have the freedom of choice. Instead, we are bound by the chains of duty.

  Yet, in this moment, there are no eyes upon us and for the first time in ages, I feel like I can breathe and I'm drowning all at the same time.

  "Cal," my name is a breath of a whisper, but it shatters the silence around us like a canon going off. My chest fills with all the emotions I can't express, the orb pounding to the rhythm of my racing blood. I know something is happening, but I have no words left. When he speaks, his voice strips me down to my very core.

  "Cal...may I...may I kiss you?"

  His words are barely audible over the blood rushing to my head. There. He stepped over the barrier we so carefully placed between us so long ago. The logical answer would be no. And I know he won't push it. He would never disrespect my wishes and that knowledge just drives me to say yes so much more. But how do we go back to our corners after being tangled in each other's arms? Already, nothing will ever be the same with just those four little words.

  My need for him rises within me like a wave, and the crushing weight of it is almost too much to bear. He opened up the floodgates and it's my choice that decides where we go from here. Maybe, this is the only choice I will ever get.

  If it is my only choice, I will always choose him.

  Instead of answering, I close the distance between us, catching his lips with mine. The contact is as light as a feather, but it ignites an inferno within me that I don't know that I will ever be able to put out.

  His arms catch me by my waist, as my own wrap around his neck, pulling him closer. The second kiss doesn't carry any of the innocence of the first. We dive into each other as if this is our last moment on the planet and nothing, in this realm or the next, will ever be able to pull us apart.

  We become each other's sanctuaries, but in reality, he has always been mine. My body is burning with the need to pull him closer, the frantic way we hold each other is heaven and hell. Because in the end of it all, we know this changes nothing for us.

  We are never two separate entities. We are always two halves of a whole. He is the light to my darkness, the calm inside my storm. We are warriors, together. We stand tall, side by side. I don't need him to save me. I've always been able to save myself and that is something he's believed in from the very beginning. But we save each other, because we can’t live in a universe where the other doesn’t exist.

  When the world comes crashing down around us, and I rise to the position I was destined for, I am terrified that he won't look at me the same. It's why I've kept my secrets. To keep him safe
is my greatest desire.

  So just like always, I'm the first to pull back.

  My breathing is shallow, my skin is on fire, and I can feel my lips are swollen from his kisses. And no matter how much I want to, I can't regret the feel of him against me. I will carry his taste within me for as long as I'm alive.

  "Cal, your hair." The awe in his voice forces me to meet his eyes and what I find there is pure wonder. He looks at me as if I'm the most precious person in this world and I would do anything to pull him back to me. Instead, I focus on his words. Tugging at the lock of my hair, I bring it in front of my face and drop it in shock.

  It has turned a shiny, glowing silver, with purple and blue undertones. My hair has always been swayed by my emotion, but I have never seen a color so beautiful. And pure.

  "I don't understand."

  "I think I do." The awe in his voice has not diminished and when I look back at him, he's so handsome it hurts. The words we don't say hang in the space between us, alight from the glow coming off my hair. If this is what true happiness looks like, then I've never really been happy at all.

  Not like I am, with Brendan's arms around me.

  "We need to get going," I say, pushing it all away. The feelings, the wonder, the beautiful boy looking at me with promises in his eyes. There is no future for us and we both know it. I was selfish. I took what he offered because it's the only thing I ever truly wanted for myself. But now, we are both destined to live with that memory.

  "Cal,"

  "I think we should try to open a door. With my majyk, we should be able to do something. We'll come in outside the walls, it should give us a good point of view advantage."

  "Cal, you can't keep doing this."

  "And what exactly am I doing?" I turn to him, my hands on my hips.

  "Not talking to me." He knows I'm pulling away, he's seen me do it plenty of times.