“I’m afraid we won’t get another chance,” he answered.
“We have a week, Kellen.” I tossed the blankets aside and rolled from the bed wearing the one t-shirt of Logan’s I still had. I don’t know why I insisted on torturing myself with his memory, but I did.
“That never seems to work out for us,” he muttered. “Every time I think we have a plan, it all goes up in smoke.”
“That’s not true,” I argued. “Any plans we have between us go up in smoke. Thwarting the last attack against Victor worked perfectly. Almost.”
I dug through the closet looking for something comfortable, like the pants I left in LA. All I had were blue jeans or a really dressy dress. Jeans and a t-shirt won. I made my way to the bathroom and Kellen followed me to the door.
“I know this is a horrible time to discuss this,” he called through the door. “But I feel like I’m losing you.”
“That’s because you are,” I whispered, looking at myself in the mirror. “Give me a minute!” I yelled so he could hear me.
I quickly changed my clothes and brushed my teeth, then ran my fingers through my hair. It was getting too long for the finger comb. I’d have to either get it cut or buy a brush. Not today.
I pushed open the door to find Kellen still waiting on the other side, his hands stuffed in his pockets. I was so grateful not to feel his emotions, but the expectant look on his face said everything.
“I’m not coming back from this, Kellen.”
He raised his eyebrows at me and leaned against the door frame, not letting me out.
“That’s ridiculous,” he said. “What happened to your surety that we would win?”
“We will win,” I said, “but there’s a very good chance I won’t survive. If the vampires don’t kill me, the fae queen will. My death is unavoidable.”
I tried to push past him, but he wouldn’t budge. “I can’t accept that.”
“There is no choice,” I hissed. “More is revealed to me every day, and each new piece of information is another nail in my coffin.” I poked his chest with my finger. “Move.”
“Tell me what’s happening so I can help,” he insisted, letting me by.
I rushed through the bedroom and into the seating area. Yes, I was running away until I reached the small space. My mouth fell open. He’d bought me a desk and one of those stupid fluffy chairs I would never get out of. Damn mage. I fell into the soft fabric and it swallowed me just like I imagined. I didn’t stop the silly giggle escaping my lips.
“You like it?” Kellen asked, standing next to my new desk.
“Yes, but you’ll have to pull me out.”
He extended his hand, but I ignored it. “Not yet. I’m comfy. My fae magic will be the difference in this fight, but it will also make me an enemy to everyone,” I said. “You’re not ignorant of their power like I was. You should know what I’m saying. Now that the spells are floating around in my head, I understand why a rogue fae isn’t a good idea.”
I wiggled my butt, shifting deeper into the cushy fabric. Kellen dropped into the desk chair and shook his head.
“They will consider you a hero, not an enemy,” he argued.
“No, they’ll fear me,” I said reluctantly. “It’s not only that. If the fae queen doesn’t kill me immediately after the fight, I’ll be on her hit list. And if I’m ruling at your side, that puts you on the list, too. You can’t hide from the fae.”
“Why would she kill you?” he asked. “She let you live all this time. What changed?”
I tried to wipe away the patronizing look on my face. I had the same questions just a few days ago. “I’m only alive to help win this fight,” I replied. “It was the deal made between the elementals and the queen.” I wasn’t mentioning her oath with Braden or how it tangled my life and his.
He leaned back in the chair and let out a long breath. “We’ll protect you,” he said. “She can’t have you.”
“After the battle, let me know if you think you can protect me,” I said, hating the condescension in my voice. “Keep in mind, I’m not really trained. But the fae hunting me will have a lifetime of training.” He opened his mouth to protest and I held up my hand. “Help me out of this thing.”
He obeyed, pulling me to my feet. I could tell he wasn’t giving up. It made my heart swell, but there was no way I’d let him hold on to hope that I would stay.
“You will find someone who loves you,” I said. “Someone who can give you a family and a future. Something I can’t do.”
“Are you telling me you don’t want a life with me?” he asked, barely above a growl.
My heart ached with my words. “I don’t want a life where you have to look over your shoulder every minute. I don’t want your resentment because I can’t give you children.” If I was honest with myself, having a life with Kellen wouldn’t have been a bad thing… aside from the obvious complications. In another life, it may have worked. “And I don’t want you to fear me, because you won’t be able to avoid it.”
“What does that leave for you?” he whispered.
“Nothing,” I replied. “Which is why I believe my life ends when this is over.” The more I said it, the truer it felt. I couldn’t survive this, which meant I needed Dusha to separate me from Braden. He couldn’t die with me. “Come on. We have a meeting to attend.”
I walked with him down the spiral staircase and out into the courtyard. It was a beautiful afternoon. A cool breeze drifted across the open space, bringing with it the smell of rain. I filled my lungs with the soothing scent.
Several people murmured their hellos but no one hindered our progress towards the portal. Brian, Hettie, and Dale already stood at the dark, swirling gate. Hettie’s eyes widened when she saw me, most likely because of my ears, not me. Brian and Dale nodded and looked away.
“I’ll meet you there,” I said, not wanting to discuss any of their shock. Kellen could explain.
Creating a picture of Kellen’s training room in my mind, I jumped. It became easier each time I did, making the trip feel quicker. I still landed on my ass, but at least I hadn’t rolled over. Starting the trip from a seated position worked much better, but plopping down in the middle of the palace courtyard seemed inappropriate.
I dusted off my jeans and entered the hall. The smell of several shifters assaulted my nostrils. I’d forgotten I could smell Yun the last time we were together. None of these were her. I hung my head with the realization they would smell Braden’s blood. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like I could leave, so I might as well get it over with.
I rushed through the house and slid open the patio doors. A large rectangular table lined with chairs took up the center of the garden looking entirely out of place in the tranquil setting. Someone’s smartphone was propped up in the center. I assumed the rest of the group was on speaker phone.
Victor and Matt sat at the end farthest from the door. The council members filled the seats between them and Jonathan. Elaine and Otto occupied the last two seats closest to me. They smelled me first. Otto jumped to his feet and spun around, probably looking for Braden. Elaine wrinkled her nose, then growled. Their eyes fell on me the same time Victor caught my scent. His chair fell to the ground behind him as he stood, his shifter magic humming in the air. Kellen paused at the far end of the table, bewildered. He had no way of knowing what just happened.
“Stop.” I commanded. Thankfully, everyone actually did.
“Explain now,” Victor growled, his form wavering between wolf and human. Matt stared at me with a hurt expression, like I’d betrayed him. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed his carefree attitude and harmless flirting.
“Please sit,” I said as politely as I could manage. “I’ll explain everything.”
Slowly, they took their seats as I slid the door closed. I didn’t move any closer to them and wouldn’t until I knew we were all on the same page.
“I have a blood oath with Braden,” I said, eliciting a gasp from Otto. “It’s why yo
u smell him so strongly. The oath secured his alliance with us. He has the Russian vampires as well as what’s left of the South Americans and Europeans. He believes he may also be able to sway the Australians.” I shrugged. “We’ll see.”
“What did you give the elder in return?” Otto asked. “I can’t think of a single thing he would agree to.”
“That’s none of your business,” I retorted. “But thank you for pointing out that he would not trade his alliance for sex. That seems to be the first thing popping into everyone’s mind.”
Several nervous laughs erupted around the table, and Kellen glared at me. I didn’t care. It was his first assumption.
“It’s most certainly our business,” Victor growled. “How can we be sure you’ve not changed your alliance?”
“Do you know where I was last night?” I asked, already knowing he didn’t. He shook his head. “I killed Ernesto, one of their council and the leader of the South American vampires,” I continued. “Let me give you a demonstration of how it was done. It’ll kill two birds with one stone, providing an explanation for my other changes.”
I looked around the garden for a moment and noticed a large butterfly hovering around one of flowering bushes. I called to it easily, leading it to the center of the table. No one seemed to notice the insect landing among them.
“Let’s pretend the butterfly in front of you is a vampire,” I said, drawing their attention to the delicate insect. “In the end, Ernesto’s death was quick, but he suffered greatly before he revealed his knowledge of Jack’s plans.”
I called on the vines to entangle the poor creature. They sprang from the table and caught it easily, twisting around its body. Its bright wings battered the air, trying to escape, but it couldn’t. When the vines consumed its body, tiny dark red blooms shot into the air, creating a miniature version of Ernesto’s prison. The plant swayed as its captive continued its struggle.
“I’ve heard this called the ‘tree of death,’” I said. “I don’t know its real name, but it feeds on the life of its host. For a vampire…” I looked at Otto. “I’m sorry. For a vampire who is eternal, it will constantly drain his blood. Never killing him, only feeding its blooms.”
“Dear God,” Hettie whispered. “What are you?”
“Do you really not know?” I asked, hating the fear and disgust on the woman’s face.
“She is fae,” Dale replied, frowning.
“I am Lily Rosewynn’s daughter, and my father is fae,” I replied. “I didn’t know until a few days ago, when my fae magic was awakened.”
“Does Braden know?” Otto asked, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table.
“Yes.” I gave my focus to the barely living butterfly, releasing the vines. The insect fell to the table and I approached it, gently cradling it in my hands. “I’m also a water and air mage.”
I reached for the water around me and blanketed the small creature. I expected pain, not the debilitating ache that robbed my body of all thought and function.
“You cannot heal a creature that close to death, child,” Göksu’s voice echoed around me. His healing warmth caressed my body and I forced open my eyes.
“Maybe not, but you can,” I croaked.
The insect’s wings fluttered against my hand and it flew away. I smiled and realized I’d collapsed next to the table. Kellen stood next to Göksu, but everyone else remained in their seats, gawking at me and my elemental.
“Damn,” Otto whispered.
“Yeah,” I whispered back. He chuckled, apparently not expecting anyone to hear him.
Kellen pulled me off the ground and wrapped a protective arm around me. “You okay?” he asked.
“Always,” I replied, eliciting a frown from him. I looked at the rest of the group, meeting each of their startled gazes. “Despite my changes, I’m still here doing what I promised to do. Now more than ever, I believe humanity cannot know we exist.” I wriggled out of Kellen’s grasp and glanced up at Göksu. “If the humans had witnessed what happened in South America, they’d have sent a butt load of soldiers to kill us.”
“What happened?” Brian asked, drawing my attention. The kindness he once held for me was now gone.
I contemplated how much to say. Did they need to know about the rift in the vampires’ hierarchy? Would they want everyone to know of their own divisions created by King William? Jonathan returned my questioning glance with a blank stare. No help there.
“The events leading up to last night are complicated, not that the battle was a walk in the park,” I began. “We confronted Ernesto and a couple hundred vampires, most of whom were part of the Russian and European regions.” I paused and allowed a tiny smile. “Thanks to your efforts defending Victor’s lodge, we only faced twenty or so of the South American group.”
“Who is we?” a voice asked from the smartphone. “Did Kellen go with you, or maybe Logan?” It sounded like Jim’s Australian accent.
I swallowed hard and pulled my phone from my pocket, unlocking the screen. I pulled up Logan’s text message and enlarged the picture Jack sent to me. The knot in my throat kept me from speaking, so I handed the phone to Kellen. He gasped, but I couldn’t look up at him. I wasn’t the only one who cared for Logan.
Deep breaths. In and out. I closed my eyes, forcing away the red haze trying to creep in. Another deep breath and a tug on the earth beneath me, beat it into submission.
“Alisandra?” Jim asked.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I needed a second. I’m passing around a picture sent to me by Jack. They killed Logan and threatened to do the same to Kellen. I received the picture just before my confrontation with Ernesto.” I took another deep breath, my little beast once again rearing up. “I used my fae magic to contain most of the vampires. My companion fought off the rest while I encased Ernesto in the tree of death.”
I watched the group’s reactions as my phone made its way around the table. The mages paled and covered their mouths, quickly handing the phone the next person. Victor and Matt growled, but I wasn’t sure if it was delight or anger. Neither liked any vampire regardless of their attachment to me. Which was probably why they sat at one end of the table and Otto at the other.
When my phone reached Jonathan, sadness flitted across his face. A low rumble escaped Elaine’s lips, and the vampire growled. Logan had been their friend. Otto offered my phone and whispered his apology. Braden’s comment about vampires having emotions resurfaced. I’d seen it several times and brushed it aside, but Otto’s anger reminded me they weren’t completely devoid of feelings.
“I assume Braden was your companion,” Victor stated, a snarl forming on his lips. “You promised to help him gain control of the vampires by ousting Jack. We’ll be trading one tyrant for another.”
I closed my eyes and gripped the earth beneath me. My beast would not show herself today.
“Yes, Braden was my companion, Victor,” I snapped. “Are you so narrowminded that you cannot judge people by their actions and not their species?” I turned on the rest of the group. “How many of you have actually seen an ogre?”
Jonathan’s group nodded, and Victor rumbled again. The mages stared at me with wide eyes.
“That’s what I thought. Never in a million years would I want to be one. They’re ugly, nasty creatures who eat people, but I don’t want to annihilate their species,” I said. “I feel the same about the vampires. Sorry, Otto, not exactly the same, but I can’t imagine being a parasite for eternity. That doesn’t mean I want genocide for them. We’re all different, but that doesn’t make us inherently bad.”
I waved a hand at the council members. “How many of your mages willingly went to Jack and betrayed you? Should we all be destroyed because of them? Of course not.” My anger turned itself back to Victor’s arrogant ass. “If you cannot set your prejudices aside and see the bigger picture, maybe you should leave.”
He rose from his seat and stared down at me, somehow managing to tower over me even from the oppo
site end of the table. His large hands gripped the edge of the wood as he leaned forward. His aggression fueled my monster, and no amount of breathing was calming it. He was challenging me. I could feel it in the air between us.
“You would challenge me?” I asked, my voice no more than a harsh whisper.
“You’ve given yourself to a vampire,” he growled. “They’ve never had our best interest in mind, only their own. I will not allow you to lead us into our death!” His head flicked to the others and he pushed away from the table. “I think she’s lying. She’ll lead us away from our homes into the desert halfway across the world, leaving everything here unprotected. Then her elder will swoop in and destroy us.”
I stood, welcoming the anger and darkness flooding my veins. My elder, indeed. Long claws extended from my fingers, my muscles burning from their desire to attack this obstinate ass.
“I’ve sacrificed every part of my life to stop Jack,” I hissed, drawing the shifter’s attention. “You will not demonize me for the decisions I make to save you.”
I leapt over the table, and he shifted. I’d never seen Victor’s wolf and kind of wished now that I hadn’t provoked him. He was enormous.
I landed on his back, sinking my claws through his thick fur and forcing a painful howl from his lungs. He darted towards the gated entrance, leaning forward with his shoulder. He was going to fillet my body on the iron posts. In a few seconds, I’d look like sliced cheese if I didn’t do something. Spells ran through my mind at lightning speed, but nothing stuck.
“Shit!” I needed to get over the fence and take the angry wolf with me. I pictured a bird large enough to carry us both over the ten-foot iron gates. A split second later, we were airborne as the gate passed beneath us, but I wasn’t holding it for long. His wolf weighed a ton.
My flying whatever-I-managed-to-conjure faded, and we fell to the ground. I released his shoulders and rolled to the side, creating a long dagger in my right hand.
“You want to fight?” I yelled as he hunkered down on all four paws. The muscles in his shoulders and hips coiled tightly. “What do I gain from siding with the vampires? Nothing but death!” I screamed. “The same thing I get for siding with you.”
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