Magic Underground: The Complete Collection (Magic Underground Anthologies Book 4)

by Melinda Kucsera

  “Who? The sorcerer? He just ran off.” Ed sheathed his sword back into the scabbard at his back. “Do you want me to go after him?”

  “No, not him. The woman!” She stared at him, incredulous. “Didn’t you see her?”

  Ann looked at the spot the woman had been in and reached out with her mind. Nothing. The elements didn’t detect any traces of the stranger’s magic. That seemed odd. All Magickind left lingering traces of energy—whether they used any magic or not.

  “Ann?” Ed squeezed her shoulder. “There wasn’t anyone there. Perhaps you just imagined it or caught a glimpse of one of the fleeing ogres.”

  She glared at him. “There was someone else here. I saw her.” It was unlike him to doubt her word. Why didn’t he believe her?

  A crow squawked overhead and swooped down, landing at Ed’s feet. In a flash of black feathers, the crow morphed into a dark-skinned man with a bald head and a chiselled face. He wore a black tunic and leather trousers. “Thought I spotted you two down here. What are you doing?” He glanced around, as if expecting to see something.

  “Fighting off ogres, maniacal sorcerers, and an invisible woman,” Ed remarked and clapped him on the back. “What are you doing here, Jax?”

  “I’m just on my way back to the Larenth,” Jax said.

  Julius Jaxon, or Jax as he was known by, had grown up with Ed as his foster brother. He was a fellow member of the Black Guard. The Black were an elite group of warriors, trained in magic and weapons, who protected the Archdruid.

  Ann moved away from them, muttering words of power as she went.

  “Ann, what are you doing?” Ed asked again as he came over. “There wasn’t anyone else here; I would’ve seen them. Maybe you thought you saw someone when—”

  “I don’t think, I know I saw someone. There was a strange-looking woman here watching us,” Ann replied.

  “I didn’t see anyone.” Ed sheathed his sword.

  Ann turned to Jax, giving him a pointed look. “Did you see anyone else as you flew toward us?”

  “No. I just saw you, Rohn, and that man you were talking to,” Jax said. “Oh, and some big-looking guys running away. Think they were ogres by the look of it.”

  “You sure you didn’t see a woman? Dark hair, odd-looking black eyes?” She would have expected Jax to have least seen something. He had a much greater advantage point from being up in the air.

  Ed and Jax glanced at each other. “No.” Jax frowned. “Did you hit your head? Ed said you fell off your horse. Maybe we should take you to a healer and get you checked out.”

  Ann rolled her eyes and slipped her knife back into her boot. “No, I saw someone watching us,” she said, picking up her other discarded knives. “But I couldn’t sense what she was. What did that damn sorcerer mean? Why would anyone have a problem with the treaty?”

  “Not everyone is happy about the treaty,” Ed said. “You know some people like things the way they are.”

  “Yeah, they’re not happy about the changes coming,” Jax agreed.

  She sighed. “I need to talk to my father, find out what all of this means.” She frowned at Jax. “Where have you been?”

  As one of the Black, Jax was often sent to gather intelligence for her father. Thanks to him being half shifter, he was good at blending and not being spotted by anyone in his crow form.

  “To the border between Caselhelm and Asral. General Reevus sent me to check on Lord Byron. He’s been gathering a lot of people around here.” Jax brushed off a few lingering feathers off his clothes. At age twenty, he still struggled with shifting from one form to the other. Sometimes he still had feathers attached to his skin. Or he often tore his clothes when he shifted into his crow form. “I had a look around at Orla’s new place too.”

  Ann winced at the mention of Orla, her father’s former demon mistress. “What did you find out?”

  “Not much. I couldn’t get too close.”

  “Let’s head back. I don’t want to stay in these woods any longer than we have to,” said Ed and called his stallion over.

  Ann glanced back at where she’d seen the strange woman.

  Ed mounted his horse and Jax swung up into the saddle behind him.

  Laughter carried on the air. Ann took off in the opposite direction, trying to find the source of it.

  “Ann!” Ed called after her.

  She ignored him and carried on running. Branches and leaves snapped to her tunic as she pushed past the trees. She needed to find out what that woman was. The woman appeared beside her, making Ann gasp.

  “Soon the house of Valeran shall fall. The stars will darken, and your path shall be revealed,” the woman hissed then vanished as quickly as she’d appeared.

  Chapter Two

  The moment they arrived back at the palace; Ann hurried up to her father’s meeting chamber. To her relief, Darius didn’t have any of his advisers around. “Papa, I need to talk to you,” she gasped, out of breath from running so fast.

  Darius looked up from his desk. He and Ann shared the same blond hair and blue eyes. Darius kept his tied back at the nape of his neck.

  “Good, you’ve returned. I thought you might miss the meeting of the leaders.” Darius looked up.

  “Edward and I were attacked on our way back,” Ann said, still panting. “I—”

  Darius shot to his feet, moving around his desk. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Are you hurt? Who was it?”

  “I’m fine. It was a rogue sorcerer and a few ogres. They didn’t hurt us,” she said, brushing off his touch. “The sorcerer said he wanted to warn me. That the treaty is a bad idea. And if you didn’t stop it, there would be repercussions.”

  Darius laughed. “They’re fools if they think I’ll scare so easily,” he scoffed. “Even so, stay close to the palace the next few days.”

  “Papa, there’s more. I saw someone…a strange woman. She said the house of Valeran will fall,” Ann said. “She said—”

  He laughed again. “Now is the perfect time for the lunatics to come forward. People always fear change.” He moved back to his desk.

  “Only I could see her. And I couldn’t sense what she was,” Ann said. “She must’ve come to warn me for a reason.” She repeated the seer’s exact words.

  Darius listened, and his lips quivered as he bit back more laughter. “Darling, you know I have many enemies. There are a lot of people who don’t want to see this treaty come to pass. Some like the chaos the other realms are in. Especially Asral.”

  “What if she was telling the truth?” Ann clutched the top of the wing-back visitor’s chair that sat in front of the desk. “I didn’t feel any deceit from her.”

  Druids had strong instincts, but Ann couldn’t directly tell if someone was lying. Not unless she listened to their surface thoughts. Most druids who had more than basic magic were taught how to read surface thoughts. As were the Black.

  “Rhiannon, I have too much to worry about without wasting time on a supposed prophecy.” Darius sighed. “Did Edward think she was a threat?”

  That was another strange thing about her father. He seemed to trust Edward over many of the other Black.

  She’d asked him about it before, but he’d only smiled.

  Ann bit her lip. “No,” she admitted. No point in lying to the archdruid. He’d know. Somehow he’d find out.

  “Then forget about it. Concentrate on the meeting. I need you there by my side. It’s important to put on a united front. Especially if your mother doesn’t join us.”

  Ann knew things had been strained between her parents recently. She’d wanted to ask Darius about it but decided against it. His numerous affairs had always been a sore point during their marriage.

  “Maybe you should postpone the meeting. Just for a few days.”

  He stared at her, incredulous. “What has got into you? First this morning you talk of leaving and travelling like some—” He shook his head. “No, this prophecy means nothing. Don’t pay heed to such nonsense.”
<
br />   “Surely we should at least be extra cautious?” She moved around the chair.

  “If I stopped every time someone predicted my demise, I’d never be where I am today. I haven’t spent almost two centuries building Caselhelm into the realm it is today by letting others dictate what I must and must not do.” Darius waved his hand. A gesture he always used to show he was finished with someone.

  Ann gritted her teeth. “I meant what I said about travelling. I can do more good out in the world than I can here.” She turned and stormed out.

  If he wanted proof, fine. She’d get it for him. Usually she’d dismiss some crackpot seer’s predictions too. But there had been something about this seer that seemed different.

  Ann would have to find whoever wanted her family dead by herself.

  Fine, then she’d start with someone who knew of the Valeran’s greatest enemies the most.

  Ann knew her elder half-brother was back. As Darius’ illegitimate son, Urien had the luxury of coming and going as he pleased. She’d always envied that about him. But if anyone could help her figure out who this seer was, it would be him. Ann might’ve known all of her father’s advisers and close allies, but Urien could go places and do things she couldn’t do as the archdruid’s heir. She hoped he hadn’t been visiting his mother again. Despite his insistence he’d stay away from her, Ann wasn’t sure she believed him.

  She stomped down the hall toward his chamber. Past gleaming suits of armour and intricate tapestries depicting various events in the druid’s history.

  The two guards both wore the long leather coats and armour of the Black.

  One of the men cleared his throat as she passed him.

  Ann ignored him. She didn’t have time to chat with the Black like she normally did. She flung the door to Urien’s chamber wide open. Clothes were scattered across the flagstone floor leading to the bed. That didn’t surprise her. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d found a servant in Urien’s bed. But she did so hate seeing it. Didn’t the man have any self-control?

  “Urien, we need to talk.” Ann moved around the bed covered in heavy linen. “Where—?”

  A woman with long black hair and pale skin yelped as she looked up.

  Ann gasped, recognising Ceara—Ed’s foster sister and her lady’s maid.

  “Ann, what are you doing here?” Ceara grabbed a blanket, using it to cover herself with.

  “I might ask you the same thing.” Ann grabbed Ceara’s fallen dress from the floor and tossed it to her. “Get out, right now.”

  Ceara scrambled off the bed, grabbing her things as she hurried from the room.

  “Sister, why do you always have such bad timing?” Urien grumbled. “What did you want to talk about?”

  Ann put her hands on her hips. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “Blessed spirits, you’re even worse than Papa!” She picked up his trousers and threw them at him. “She is our aunt’s fosterling. More importantly, she is Xander’s lover. Did you, for one moment, consider how he will feel when he finds out about this?”

  Urien, with his dark hair and dark brown eyes, looked nothing like their father except for his lean, lithe body.

  He groaned and rose from the bed. Ann looked away to avoid seeing him in all his glory.

  “Calm yourself, sister. We were just having fun.” He laughed. “As for Xander, I doubt he could have kept a woman like her are satisfied for long.”

  Ann slapped him hard across the face. “This is no time to joke.”

  Blessed spirits, she thought Urien would at least be her ally now. They often disagreed with their father’s decisions and banded together against him.

  “Xander will be devastated,” she began.

  “What Xander doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Are you suggesting I lie to our brother?” She shook her head. “You idiot!”

  Urien pulled on a white linen shirt. “Tell me what you want to talk about.”

  Ann turned away, too furious to even look at him. “Forget it,” she growled. “You’re the last person I want to talk to right now.” She turned to go.

  Urien grabbed her arm. Power crackled against her skin. “Tell me,” he demanded. “Look, I’m sorry about Ceara. It won’t happen anymore.”

  “Anymore?” She spun around and glared at him. “Has this happened more than once?”

  “I’m in love with her.” Urien’s face turned serious. “I tried not to, but there you have it.”

  “You are in love with Ceara?” Ann didn’t believe it. It was hard to tell when he lied. He’d always been good at charming people. Even her.

  “Yes, I have been for a long time. You should know what it’s like loving someone from a distance never being able to act on your feelings.” Urien ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Ceara felt it too. We couldn’t resist it. Surely you must understand?”

  Ann shook her head again. “No, I don’t.” I’ve never been in love, she thought. “How would I know? I don’t believe in love. Not the romantic kind.”

  After all the pain it had caused her mother, Ann vowed to never fall in love.

  “I meant you and Edward.”

  “Urien, now is not the time for this nonsense,” she snapped and made a move to leave.

  “What is it?” Urien asked. “You wouldn’t have stormed in unless something was wrong. So tell me.”

  So, she blurted out about the attack and what the strange seer had told her.

  Her brother’s expression darkened. “Father doesn’t believe you, does he?”

  “You know how he is. He won’t have anyone raining on his moment of glory.” Ann sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Maybe Father is right. The seer could be a charlatan. Out to trick us.” Urien rubbed his stubbled jaw.

  “Have you been to see your mother? Is she planning something?”

  “Ann, you know I turned my back on her the last time she plotted against our father.”

  Her frown deepened. “She’s your mother. It would be hard for you to turn away from her.”

  “She’s an evil manipulative hag. She cares for power more than anything.” Urien scowled. “I’m a Valeran and that will never change. But if you want, I’ll use my contacts to see if I can find anything out about this seer. Perhaps one of the leaders coming to the meeting is using her to scare us.”

  Ann nodded. “Thanks.” She walked to the door, hesitated. “You need to tell Xander the truth.”

  Urien scowled deepened. “He won’t understand.”

  “If you love Ceara as much as you say, do the right thing.”

  Ann left, feeling more confused than ever over what she should do next.

  Chapter Three

  Ann had been silent when Ed had finally caught up with her. She stayed silent even on their ride back to the palace in Larenth city, which was unlike her.

  When they arrived back, Ed and Jax went to report to their general. General Reevus was head of the Black Guard and one of the archdruid’s closest allies. They met Reevus in his meeting chamber. The room’s dark, stone walls were covered in different maps of the five realms, comprising of Caselhelm, Asral, Lulrien, Vala and Gumorya. A dark oak desk made from dryad wood stood in the centre of the room, covered in pieces of parchment. A large sword glimmered over the fireplace behind where General Reevus stood.

  Both he and Jax punched their chests with their fists when they saw Reevus, as was the customary sign of respect within the Black.

  Reevus was a giant of a man with tanned skin, dark brown eyes, a black ponytail, and a short, well-kept beard. He too wore the traditional armour of the black covering a long black leather coat. “What do you have to report?” Reevus asked. “Rohn, you go first.”

  “Sir, on the way back from the healing house, Ann and I were attacked by ogres and a rogue sorcerer,” Ed explained. “We fought them off and Ann is unharmed, but the sorcerer mentioned there are people unhappy about the archdruid’s peace treaty.”

  R
eevus’ expression darkened. “Did he threaten Lady Rhiannon?” he asked. “Why did you not call for aid? You have learnt how to communicate in speech, haven’t you?”

  “No, sir, I think they just meant to scare her,” Ed replied. “I didn’t need to call for aid. The attack ended as quickly as it began.”

  Reevus rubbed his beard. “I shall tell Darius and see security is tightened.” He turned to Jax. “What reports do you have from the border?”

  “I saw movement, sir, and a lot of people were coming and going from Orla’s tower,” Jax replied. “I couldn’t get any solid proof. Do you want me to go back and keep watch again?”

  “No, I need you here. The leaders of every realm are gathering here in a few days and security will be tight,” Reevus said, picking one of the reports up from his desk. “You are both dismissed.”

  Jax bowed his head and left the room but Ed remained standing there.

  “Something on your mind, Rohn?” Reevus arched an eyebrow as he lowered the report in his hand

  Ed bit his lip. “No, sir. It’s just… I’ve had a bad feeling since the run in we had with that sorcerer,” Ed admitted. “And the Black are taught to trust their instincts. Sir, I don’t have a good feeling about this meeting between the leaders. I feel something terrible is about to happen.” He gripped the hilt of his sword. “Can’t you—?” He considered telling Reevus about the woman Ann had thought she had seen, but decided against it, since Ed himself couldn’t verify what the woman looked like or had even done.

  “It’s not my place to question the archdruid’s judgement. It’s our job to keep him and his family safe and keep the peace between the realms.” Reevus settled in the high-backed chair behind his desk. He looked uncomfortable here in his meeting chamber. He was more a man suited to the battlefield, than sitting behind a desk.

  “Don’t you frequently question him, sir? You are his oldest friend.” Reevus frowned. “Sorry, sir. I only meant—” Ed stammered, cursing himself for speaking out of turn. Again. This had become a bad habit of his recently. No doubt Ann’s influence was wearing off on him.