He rose to his feet, and I rose with him, keeping my distance. Not that it would matter. He moved way faster than I did.
“Logan, you can’t come back,” I said. “The wolves won’t think twice about killing you. They only spared your life because of our friendship. They will gladly mistake you for just another vampire the next time they see you.”
The ring around his eyes grew, and he looked towards the door. I followed his gaze. It opened quietly, and Kellen entered. He carried two large, glass bottles with deep, red liquid swirling inside. A low snarl erupted from Logan.
“Stop, Logan,” I commanded, unable to keep my voice from quivering with fear. Not just for me, but for Kellen too.
Logan’s whole body shook. Kellen closed the space between them quickly, handing one of the bottles to Logan. He snatched it from Kellen’s hand, then grabbed the other jar. The bathroom door slammed shut before I realized he moved.
My knees buckled, and I fell to the floor. Kellen scooped me up, and I wrapped my hands around his neck. Tears poured from my eyes, as I buried my face in his collar. He let me exhaust my tears and rub my nose on his shirt. There’s no way I deserved this man.
“Did he hurt you?” Kellen asked, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
“No, he just scared me,” I replied.
“I didn’t expect him to wake up so soon, or I wouldn’t have left you.”
Kellen’s guilt and anger mixed with my fear. He couldn’t have known how quickly Logan would have recovered. I shouldn’t have approached a wounded vampire. I shivered again, and Kellen rubbed my back. I’d spent the last several days trying to convince myself that Logan wasn’t a vampire, but all those arguments just went out the window. He terrified me.
I looked up into Kellen’s eyes. He wasn’t afraid of Logan; he was worried about me and berating himself for leaving me alone.
“This is not your fault,” I said. “He’s okay now, right? I assume those bottles had blood in them?”
“Yes, but it’s not human. He’ll still need to leave, but that will calm his thirst long enough to talk.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my still pounding heart. I didn’t even want to know where Kellen got that much blood in a shifter camp. “He has bite marks all over him, Kellen. Why would they do that?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “I’m not sure why they let him live.”
“I guess… he just acts so normal. I forget that he’s a vampire.” Kellen pulled me closer, wrapping an arm around me.
The bathroom door opened, and Logan emerged. I could see the pain and guilt in his red eyes. I tried to see the man I’d grown to trust, but I couldn’t get past the vampire.
“What’s happened, Logan?” Kellen asked.
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No. I assume they’re coming. When and how many?”
Logan continued to stare at me with a haunted look. The dirt and blood covering his clothes only added to the stranger who took my new friend. “I’m sorry, princess. I thought I could protect you, ensure you took your rightful place, and bring the mages back to where they need to be.” He dropped his gaze to the floor. “This monster I’ve become controls everything. When you need me most, I cannot be here for you.”
I took a step towards him, but he raised his hand to stop me and turned to Kellen. “Don’t leave her with me, Kellen. I’ll continue to fight for you, but I cannot risk her life.”
The two men stared at one another for several seconds, then Kellen nodded. “How many are coming, Logan?”
“Two hundred,” he replied. “Seventy-five like me. They’ll be here before midnight. They assume they’ll win by sheer numbers. Victor doesn’t have two hundred fighters here, and there isn’t time to summon more.”
Kellen pulled me closer. “We’ll tell Victor and let him make the choice to leave or stay.”
“Don’t sacrifice her life for these mutts, Kellen.”
“I think you know better, my friend.”
Logan’s expression softened, and one corner of his mouth turned towards a smile. I held my breath—the Logan I knew must still be in there somewhere if he could manage his infuriating grin.
“I see she’s discovered her ability to boss everyone around,” he said.
“Did it work on you?” Kellen asked.
“Just barely,” he replied. “If I weren’t like this.” His eyes narrowed again, the smile vanishing. “If I were in control, it might have been different.”
“Be careful, Logan. I still need you in this fight,” Kellen stated.
Logan nodded. The shades covering the patio doors fluttered, and he was gone.
I turned to my partner and rested my forehead against his chest. I tried focusing on his warmth and strength, but all I could see was Logan and his warning about the army of vampires descending on us.
“I can’t do this, Kellen,” I whispered, tears falling again.
His arms snaked around me, pulling me tight against him. “You can do this,” he said. “You’ve survived a childhood of anguish, and your short attempt at adulthood hasn’t been any better. But you’ve never given up.” His voice softened. “I know you’ve been thrown into this with most of the choices taken away from you, but we can do this together.”
As he started to pull away, I blinked away the last of my tears and squared my shoulders. Kellen was right. I had survived for a long time, through situations and people nearly as nasty as vampires. “Okay,” I said finally.
“We need to go to Victor,” he said.
“I know.”
Chapter 24
“I will not abandon my home!” Victor thundered.
“Did you not hear what I said?” Kellen asked, raising his own voice. “How will you defend against them? They aren’t just vampires.”
“This is my pack!” he yelled. “I know our strengths and our weaknesses. You can leave if you wish, but we will fight.”
We were once again in Victor’s office, the two men standing within inches of each other in the center of the room. Kellen glared at Victor, then turned his back and walked towards the door. I joined him as he stomped down the hall and through the great room. I understood Victor’s unwillingness to abandon his home. As much as I didn’t like him, he was a proud leader with a lot of responsibility. I wasn’t sure what I would do in his place. Would I risk my people to defend my home? Maybe if I thought they could win, but Kellen seemed to think otherwise.
Several people watched with open curiosity as we left the lodge and crossed the yard to the arena. Kellen stopped in the center of the circle, removed his boots, and sat crossed-legged in the dirt.
I stared at him for several seconds before doing the same.
“We’re staying, aren’t we?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “That arrogant bastard irritates the shit outta me, but I understand why he won’t leave. I’m…”
“If you were alone, you would stay,” I offered. “But I’m a liability. You feel compelled to protect me from everything that’s coming.”
“You are not a liability,” he replied. “You are the key to our success. You’re the hope that will keep everyone fighting. You are the last of your family. If you die…”
“Someone else will take over the mages, Kellen. I’m not destined to do it.” I placed my hand on his knee. “It won’t be the end of the world if someone else takes control. Governments change leaders all the time.”
“It will be the end of life as we know it if the Magister keeps control,” he replied. “She will give the mages to the vampires. I can’t let that happen.”
I pulled my hand away and looked at the scarred earth between us. I didn’t know the answer, but I knew I couldn’t fight against a bunch of vampires. I could barely fight against one wolf.
“I want to teach you a few offensive and defensive techniques,” Kellen said, breaking the silence between us. “You can help protect the kids, and your ability to heal will surely be needed.�
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“Where will you be in all of this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“I’m going to assume your elements respond similar to mine, even though wind seems to be a little more aggressive than I suspected,” he said, ignoring my question. “As you’ve seen several times, the earth provides very nice protective barriers. Let’s see if water can do the same.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” I stated, crossing my arms. That little trait was getting really irritating.
“Where do you think I’ll be, AJ? I won’t sit in the back when I can fight.”
I pressed my lips into a tight line and stood, glaring at Kellen. “My friend, the one who seeks to destroy, what do you choose?” I asked, knowing the wind would answer my overly dramatic question. Its translucent form flitted into view next to me.
“You already know that answer,” the wind replied. “It appears your partner is the one who requires reassurances.” It circled me twice. “And please, call me Niyol, if you must call me.”
Niyol disappeared, leaving a shocked expression on Kellen’s face. A satisfied smirk spread across my lips as I beckoned Water to answer the same question. It did not reply, and I frowned.
“Will you not protect these people from the very thing you chose me to fight against?” I asked. “Will you remain silent when I call for your aid?”
A pool of water formed at my feet and rose into the fluid, humanoid form I witnessed at Kellen’s home.
“You call me with anger in your heart. Remember who you are to these people,” it replied with its slow whisper.
“I don’t know who I am,” I said. “And I’m angry because I’ve been forced into a role I don’t want and a fight I know little about.”
It rolled to my other side, losing its form for a moment as it moved. “You are exactly what your partner told you,” it continued. “Call me with love and compassion, and I will come.” The water fell to the ground with a splash and disappeared into the earth. I followed it, falling to my knees and placing my hands on the damp earth.
“I can’t believe they talk to you,” Kellen said, drawing my attention. He still sat crossed-legged in front of me, but he leaned back, bracing himself with his hands. His wide-eyed expression startled me. “They’ve never spoken to me, AJ. Not until the other night when we summoned them together. I just watched the wind tell you his name.” He leaned towards me, brushing his hands on his pants. “I didn’t even know they had names.”
“What does it mean, Kellen?” I asked. I didn’t know my relationship with the wind was so unique. It felt completely natural to me. Was I so different from everyone else?
“It means so much more than I realized.” He unfolded his legs and stood. “There are rumors that your family could do what you just did, but like everyone else, I never believed it. We’ve only ever known the Magister, who doesn’t have that gift.”
I frowned. Besides hours of practice, I really needed a history lesson about my family. I dropped my gaze to the damp earth beneath my fingers. Maybe Kellen couldn’t teach me what I needed to know. Maybe my lessons needed to come from my elements.
“AJ.” Kellen’s voice drew my attention again. I looked up at his outstretched hand and took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet. He turned me around, and my eyes widened in surprise.
Dozens of people lined the arena, staring at me in wonder. Had they just witnessed the exchange with my elements? Victor’s imposing form stood in front of the group. He nodded to me and lowered himself to one knee.
“I can no longer deny what my eyes have just seen,” he said, his voice echoing across the space between us. “You have our strength, loyalty, and protection.”
The other shifters dropped to one knee, and my mouth dropped open. “What the hell?” I whispered.
“You are the chosen ruler of the mages, AJ, whether you like it or not,” Kellen said.
“What does that have to do with Victor?”
“The shifters have been the mages’ allies for centuries…until the Magister,” Kellen responded quietly. He nudged me forward, and I realized they expected me to say something. I barely spoke to one person effectively. How was I supposed to speak to a group? Focus on Victor, ignore the others.
“Thank you, Victor,” I said. “I’ll try to be worthy of your strength, honor your loyalty, and be grateful for your protection.”
He looked up at me, and his chocolate eyes swirled. “I will treasure the day that you replace her.”
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to replace my mother, but it’s what everyone expected. They somehow thought I was the answer to this mess the Magister created. How could I be when I knew so little about this world?
Kellen placed a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s prepare for battle.”
Victor rose and started barking orders at his people. I watched in amazement at his ability to direct them so efficiently. I couldn’t do that. I had no idea how to lead anyone, much less a community of magically gifted people. I wasn’t doing any of this without my partner.
The arena emptied, leaving Kellen and I alone. My mind whirled with questions, but the looming battle dominated my thoughts.
“Let’s get something to eat,” Kellen suggested.
“Shouldn’t I be practicing more?” I asked. “I feel helpless. All these people are going to fight, and I barely understand why.”
He gently squeezed my hand. “You need to save your strength, and I think your unique connection to your elements is your greatest asset. I’m not sure the small amount of training I can provide in an hour or two can compare.”
“I disagree. Niyol, that’s a cool name…” I said, then shook my head. I didn’t need to get distracted. “Anyway, Niyol is really demanding. I don’t know if he would bother distinguishing between the good guys and bad guys.”
“I think you underestimate your element.” Kellen started towards the lodge, pulling me after him. “Let’s see what’s for dinner. I assume they’ll feed their fighters early.”
Commotion filled the great room when we walked in. People rushed through with large crates, leather bags, and several spools of wiring. Children stacked plates and utensils on the long counter lining the wall beyond the dining table. The smell of roasting meat floated through a swinging door every time it opened, and my stomach rumbled. How did I ever survive on one meal a day?
“What are all the crates and wiring for?” I asked as two more rolls of wire passed by, carried by well-muscled shifters.
“I imagine they’re setting traps.” He followed their progress out the door, then turned back to me. “I’m going to help,” he said. “I’m sure you can find something to do.”
Uncertainty flooded me. These people had just tried to kill me a few hours before. How was Kellen letting that go like it meant nothing?
“I think I’ll come with you,” I said, gripping his hand.
He moved around in front of me, placing his free hand on my shoulder. “They will not hurt you,” he said. “Victor’s pledge to you will ensure that.”
“But.”
He put his finger on my lips. “Marissa will show you around. I need to help them set up their defenses. I think your talents will be better utilized in here.”
A woman walked up beside him, and I recognized her from the specialty shop in Reno. Kellen leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. It was gentle and personal, but not demanding or passionate. “See you at dinner.”
I turned and watched him walk away, stuffing my trembling hands into my pockets. What was wrong with me? I never had separation anxiety, not even when my foster parents dropped me in the office of my apartment complex and left. I’d spent my entire life with them and felt no loss when they were gone. But Kellen walking out into the nearby forest left me feeling empty.
“I’m so stupid,” I mumbled. I spent my whole life taking care of myself. A few days with a man who seemed to care, and all of a sudden, I couldn’t do it anymore. I shook my head in disgust.
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br /> “Sorry for the way we met last time.” The woman’s voice next to me interrupted my moment of self-pity. “I’m Marissa.” She held her hand out, and I accepted the friendly gesture.
“Thanks.”
“We’ve got a ton of work to do and could certainly use another pair of hands.” Marissa looked at my hand in hers and smiled. “Even ones as small as yours.”
We spent the next two hours prepping food for the evening meal. Marissa kept me busy, but my restless brain constantly mulled over my situation and the coming battle.
“Does your mind ever stop?” Marissa asked, placing a platter of sliced venison on the serving counter.
“What do you mean?” I asked, setting my own platter next to hers.
“I’ve been trying to talk to you for the last half-hour, but you’ve completely ignored me.” She placed her hands on her hips and looked down at me. “What do you want to know? I hear everything, so there isn’t much I couldn’t tell you.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t even know where to begin,” I replied, feeling a little guilty for ignoring her. “Last week I was a complete outcast to society. I couldn’t keep a job, and I think my landlord was only charging me half the rent of everyone else in the building because he felt bad for me. He knew as well as I that I couldn’t afford to go anywhere else.” I looked around the extravagant room. “Now I’m here.”
“Come on. We can chat and work, as long as you stay focused.” She led me back into the kitchen to get another round of serving plates. “There has always been an alliance between us and the mages,” Marissa began, “at least as long as anyone here remembers. All of that changed with the current Magister. I don’t completely blame her, though.” She handed me a large bowl of pasta and picked up a basket of dinner rolls. “Your grandfather fell in love with a normal human, one without magic. He went against every tradition the mages had and married your grandmother. The mage community was furious. Generations of Rosewynns had always arranged their marriages carefully to ensure the dual-mage trait would continue.”
“Rosewynn?” I asked, following her through the swinging door. “Is that their name?”
Magister's Bane Page 17
