“It’s better if you didn’t, especially now,” he said, but didn’t turn to face me.
I watched him stroll to a nearby sofa and fall into it, with his head in his hands. I looked around and realized we were in a small sitting room. A matching sofa faced the one Kellen sat in. A large, flat-screen TV hung from the far wall and glass doors opened onto the desert. Rather than the stark contrasts in Kate’s room, this one was filled with muted shades of tan and white.
I started to speak and stopped several times, uncertain what to say. Had I just traded one prison for another? This one was certainly nicer, but that didn’t mean he’d keep me here. I could run, but where? Several hours of desert separated me from home. Did I have any options?
“Come here and sit. We have a lot to discuss,” he said, lifting his head from his hands.
I moved to the sofa across from him and sat down. He looked at me and shook his head.
“This cannot be possible,” he said, staring at my face. “What did Logan say to you while you were at the Casino?”
His abrupt change in topic startled me, along with his knowledge of the so-called vampire. “Nothing really, but now I realize it was a lot,” I replied. “How do you know him?”
“Explain what he said.”
I sighed. “Some people are so demanding. He acted a lot like you. Cool, impartial, bossy.” I watched him raise an eyebrow, but he remained silent. I leaned back and sunk into the soft fabric on the sofa, unable to contain my unwillingness to cooperate. “Wow, this is nice.”
“Continue, please.”
I sighed and pulled my scarf around my neck. “Just before my meeting with the council, he said he wished he could prevent them from seeing what he saw.” I held my hands out, as if I were cradling his face. “He placed his hands on my head and did something weird. I thought my heart would explode.”
I dropped my hands into my lap and looked at Kellen. He had the same blank expression.
“Anything else?” he asked.
“He told me to trust no one but you and your sister,” I replied.
“So, did he see the real you?” Kellen asked. “Or did he only suspect the veil hid your true identity without being able to see it?”
What did he mean? His reaction to seeing me could only mean I was still the same person. There was no stupid mask waiting to reveal a secret identity. Should I confront him with it or play along? What was the best way to get a ride back to Vegas? I didn’t know the answer, so I asked another question. “He let Raul and Sammy in this morning, didn’t he?”
He gave me a surprised look. “What makes you think he would?”
“Because I’m not stupid. For obvious reasons, I have no social life, which made me an excellent student and avid reader,” I retorted. “He also said neither of us had choices, which means he was being forced to play his part.” I settled deeper in the soft material and sighed. “Besides, I know there were seven high profile men there last night. In every movie I’ve ever watched, powerful people have an entourage that travels with them, which means several more vampires,” I air quoted to show my disbelief, “for each council member. Where were they when our rescuers showed up?”
He rubbed his chin and looked out the window behind me. A deep scowl replaced his thoughtful expression.
“What now?” he asked as the door swung open and Kate darted into the room.
“Kellen, the Magister…” She stopped mid-sentence and mid-stride, staring at me. “Holy shit.”
Chapter 6
“What do we do, Kellen?” Kate asked as she closed the door and moved into the room. She dropped down next to her brother, still staring at me. What were they gawking at? Had something really changed? I reached beneath the scarf at my neck and traced my fingers along my chin. My eyes widened to find a smooth transition from my face to my neck, not the bulbous deformation I’d lived with all my life. My fingers trembled as I pushed them through my hair, forcing my scarf to fall from my head. A smooth scalp caressed my hands.
“I assume the Magister wants to see her,” he said, also staring at me.
“Yep.”
“Where can I find a mirror?” I asked, my whole body now trembling.
Kellen rose, strolled across the room and disappeared through a door next to the TV that I hadn’t noticed. He re-emerged with a square, hand-held mirror. When he reached the sofa, he held it out to me.
“It won’t explain anything for you,” he said. “But I understand your need to know.”
I tentatively reached for the mirror and held it in front of my face. A stranger stared back at me. I had the same pale skin and white hair, but my icy blue eyes were no longer hiding behind abnormally large eyebrows. Thin lips sat perfectly beneath my tiny upturned nose and a round, smooth chin replaced my deformed jaw. I was no longer a monster. My fingers continued to tremble as I touched the perfect skin on my cheek. Tears rolled down my face, and I lowered the mirror. Could I continue to deny the magic they claimed to possess?
“Is this me or another veil?” I asked in a small voice. Even if I wasn’t convinced about the vampires or magic, I couldn’t deny that Kellen had somehow changed my entire face.
“It’s you,” Kate replied gently.
“Who would do that to me?” I asked, looking at my reflection once more. “Who would hate me enough to put me through a lifetime of that torture?”
The siblings looked at one another in silence.
“We can’t keep it from her,” Kellen finally said.
“But it changes everything, Kellen,” Kate argued. “How could she do this? She can’t deny that AJ is her blood. They’re mirror images of one another.” She clapped her hand over her mouth and twisted on the sofa to face her brother. “I have to bring her back to the palace,” she said between her fingers. “but I can’t do that.”
“I know, Kate.” He looked from me to Kate and back again.
“We could disguise her,” Kate suggested, waving her hands in the air. “She’s small enough. We could dress her up as a boy. Put a hat on her head to cover her hair.”
“It might work,” Kellen agreed, “But, I think our best option is to take her to the Magister’s Palace just as she is.” He held up his hand to interrupt his sister’s protests. “We make sure as many people as possible see her and recognize her. If we disguise her, only the Magister will recognize her true identity. She would be free to make AJ disappear with the next group of mages.” His gaze landed on me and softened. “But if we parade AJ through the palace, the Magister cannot harm a daughter she just found.”
My mouth hung open as I tried to process what they were saying. Did they just say daughter?
“My mother is alive? Surely she didn’t do this to me?” I asked. “You guys make her sound evil.”
“We don’t know if she did or not,” Kellen replied, regaining his place on the sofa. “We’re jumping to conclusions, for which we have no proof. I’m not sure I would call her evil, but some of her actions of late have been questionable at best.” His gaze swept over my features again. “You never knew your parents?”
“No,” I replied, looking away from his intense gaze. “I grew up in foster care. I hoped my parents would come back for me, despite everyone’s cruel comments. But they were right, who would want me?” Tears threatened to spill over again. “She’s been alive all this time and never came for me.”
“There may be reasons that just aren’t obvious, AJ,” Kellen said. “Let’s take one step at a time.”
I looked back at him through my tears. Was that compassion from him or pity? I wiped my face with the back of my hand, refusing to cry for a woman who didn’t want me. “Explain this binding thing Kate talked about. Is it real? Will you remove it before we go?”
He shook his head. “A binding is a spell that confines your magic, making it unusable by you and hidden from others. I think it’s best I don’t remove it. There are very few people who can remove a binding.” He looked at his sister. “The one who placed it is t
he obvious choice, as they know what they did. I’m the only one I know of in several hundred miles who can remove it, but it will be difficult because I don’t know the caster’s intent.”
“You think the Magister would offer to remove it herself?” Kate asked, curling her lip. “She’s not stupid.”
“We don’t know that she did it. But no, I’m certain she’ll make me remove it. Which is fine, I want to witness her reaction to seeing her daughter bound.”
“My mother,” I whispered, laying the mirror on the sofa beside me. I couldn’t stop the tears spilling down my cheeks. “All this time I assumed I didn’t have one. My foster parents couldn’t wait to leave me when I turned eighteen, and they certainly never loved me.” I looked up at the siblings across from me and tamped down my jealousy. I’d never known love from anyone. “I don’t think I can face her.”
“I think you’re much stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Kellen replied. “You survived a childhood most people would have abandoned before the age of ten.” His gaze swept to his sister, then back to me. “We will not abandon you, no matter what occurs with the Magister. There is more happening here than you realize, and I think you are the catalyst for it all.”
“Do you mind explaining that?” I asked.
“Let’s see the Magister’s reaction first,” he replied.
Kate leaned forward to embrace me, and I shifted away. “No touching, remember?”
“How could I forget?” She grinned. “I owe you a hug when he’s done.”
The corners of my mouth twitched up, but worry and sorrow washed away my smile.
“We’ll use the portal to get back,” Kellen said, rising from his seat.
“Can I go to my apartment first? I’ve been wearing the same set of clothes for two days. I also need a shower, especially if I’m going to be paraded through a palace.”
“I might have something small enough for her,” Kate offered, glancing at me. “Maybe.”
“You’ve got twenty minutes,” Kellen replied. “The Magister will already be unpleasant to deal with. Forcing her to wait will only make it worse.”
Chapter 7
I stared at the stranger in the mirror while Kate cursed over how small I was, and how she would never find clothes in her closet to fit me. The skirt she gave me hung just below my knees even though it was meant to be above them. Kate also loaned me a white tank top with adjustable straps and a light blue button-up shirt that I wore over the top. None of her shoes were small enough, so I kept my own well-worn sneakers.
Twenty minutes later, a shimmering portal stood before me framed in dark wood with strange patterns engraved along the edges. Its inky surface distorted the image beyond. I couldn’t imagine going through it. Kellen insisted it was the only way to get to the Magister’s Palace, but I didn’t want to go. Why did I care if a bunch of weirdos knew who I was? I reached for the scarf that Kellen said I couldn’t wear. Why was I listening to him? I never went anywhere without it.
My fingers grazed the smooth skin on my cheek, and a shiver ran down my spine. They said it was my true appearance, and while I marveled at how lovely it was, I wanted to know who would do this to me and why. Which meant going through this damn portal.
“What if only half of me makes it through?” I asked.
Kellen rolled his dark eyes, and Kate giggled.
“I promise it will not hurt you,” he said. “I’ll throw you through myself if you don’t do it on your own.”
“No touching, remember?” I fired back.
“Your magic will not hurt me, little girl.”
I looked at the portal once again and swallowed loudly.
“Alright, I’ll see you two on the other side,” Kate said before disappearing through the shimmering light.
I tried to make out Kate’s form through the portal, but the inky haze blurred everything.
“On your own, or am I tossing you?” Kellen looked down at me with narrowed eyes.
“If you can touch me without either of us getting hurt, then why can’t you hold my arm as we walk through?” I was pretty sure I couldn’t do it on my own, and tumbling out on my ass wasn’t the best first impression.
He held out his hand to me, and I placed my palm in his. The size difference was astounding, but the contrast between his dark skin and my paleness was even more so. He wrapped his fingers around mine and pulled me through.
The world lurched, and my stomach rose to my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut and held my breath until I slammed into Kellen’s solid form. He released my hand, and I dropped to my knees.
“That was rather unpleasant,” I mumbled, pushing myself up onto my wobbly legs.
“Let’s go,” Kellen said, strolling across a large, paved courtyard.
I cursed and jogged to catch up, stumbling as I reached him. He grabbed my elbow to keep me from falling. I looked up to thank him, but my words died with his scowl. I jerked my arm away and smoothed the skirt Kate gave me. Unconsciously, I reached for a scarf that wasn’t there. Damn him for not letting me wear it.
Kellen regarded me for several seconds before starting off again. The courtyard ended at a set of wide, sweeping steps leading up to a genuine castle. At the top of the stairs, I stopped and gawked at the beautifully carved wooden doors set in white stone walls.
A large hand on my back reminded me I had someplace to be. The doors swung open, and I was awed once again. Black and white tiles lined the entryway, and the buzz of low conversation drifted around me. My gaze rose to the high ceilings and dark, stained rafters. On a second-floor balcony, people stopped what they were doing and stared back at me. Again, I reached for a scarf that wasn’t there. My already fragile insecurity threatened to crumble beneath the weight of their scrutiny.
Kellen pushed me forward, and silence fell over the enormous space. His frustrated huff echoed against the stone, and he grabbed my hand, dragging me towards another set of ornately carved wooden doors. Low mumblings followed us, a large crowd gathering in our wake.
My escort stopped at the doors and looked down at me. Uncertainty flashed in his eyes for a moment, increasing my own apprehension, before he pushed open one of the doors. It moved silently, and he dropped my hand as he entered what I assumed was the Magister’s Hall.
Low whispers followed us into the room, followed by several gasps. Dozens of people were already present, some of whom I recognized from our long van ride out of Vegas. I took a deep breath and followed Kellen through the crowd. They parted for me with looks of shock, suspicion, and hope. The latter confused me. What could they possibly hope for from me? I still struggled to believe any of this was real, and I knew nothing of the people around me.
Kellen stopped before a dais covered in fresh cut flowers. Sitting on the top step was a tall, slender woman with white hair, icy blue eyes, and a small, round face much like my own. A long, black dress clung to her slender frame, making her pale complexion appear sallow. I stared at her with mixed emotions. This was the woman who gave birth to me, then threw me away. Anger and hatred won out over my curiosity, and I struggled to keep my face passive. It would be difficult to deny my relation to her, but instead of joy or surprise, she held a dismissive look, as if someone presented her a puppy she didn’t want.
“My goodness, Kellen. What have you brought me?” The woman said, her voice a slightly deeper version of my own.
“She was with the others that were rescued this morning,” he replied, looking past the Magister. “A veil covered her appearance, and I thought it wise to remove it before introducing her to our palace.”
“My palace,” she corrected.
“Of course, Magister.”
He continued to avoid her gaze as her eyes drifted over him. She didn’t even try to hide her desire, allowing a small smile to grace her lips. Did they have a history, or was this woman pining after a man young enough to be her son?
“It’s known by very few that I bore a child. I was told she died just after birth, but ther
e is no denying her, is there?” The woman transferred her icy gaze to me, and I struggled to keep my trembling fingers from reaching towards my face. I missed my scarf and the security it gave me, no matter how false it was.
She rose from her perch and stepped down the stairs, crushing the flowers beneath her sandaled feet. Low mumbling drifted up from the crowd of people behind me, but the Magister ignored them. She stopped in front of me and looked down her nose, then reached out a finger to touch my chin. I turned away.
“It’s not a good idea to touch me,” I said in a low voice.
“Why is that child?” the woman asked, tilting her head.
“I might bite,” I replied with a growl.
The Magister dropped her hand, her eyes narrowing into slits. “She is still bound.”
She turned to Kellen, and I noticed his lips draw into a thin line. I didn’t miss the fact that she said ‘still.’ She knew I was bound before I got here.
“Why have you not released her?” the woman asked.
“I was not certain what the binding intended,” he replied, almost casually. “I was hoping you would be able to see something I could not.”
The Magister glared at him. “Of course I cannot see any more than you,” she hissed.
“I hoped your parentage would reveal a link between you,” he said, shrugging. “The binding is intricate. I was concerned for her safety.”
“Of course you were.” The crease between her brows deepened. “Undo it now.”
“With everyone here?” he asked. “I would prefer it be done in a controlled environment in the event that her suppressed power needs to release unexpectedly.” His gaze deliberately drifted over the Magister’s head and landed on me. “It seems she has been bound since birth. It takes a powerful mage to create such a binding, or someone must have renewed it every four or five years.”
“You’re right, of course,” she said, waving her hand in the air, as if the matter were settled. “Take her to one of the training rooms and see it done.”
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