by Meg Anne
Effie blinked back tears, not about to try and stand in the way of anyone and their destiny. “Will you at least come visit?”
Nord’s grin softened, and he held his arms open for a hug. “Don’t worry, little sister. This is hardly the last you’ll see of me.”
She rushed forward, curling herself into his embrace. “Be safe?”
His chest vibrated beneath her cheek. “But where’s the fun in that? Who doesn’t love a little danger?”
Effie pushed back and glared up at him through watery eyes. “Nord Amadeus Raggnarson!”
Nord stared down at her with wide eyes before sputtering with laughter. “What did you just call me?”
She shrugged. “When I was in trouble, people always used my full name.”
“But that’s not my name,” he pointed out.
“Well I don’t know your full name, so I just gave you one. Deal with it.”
His expression softened, and he pulled her back in for another hug, giving her a brotherly kiss on the forehead. “I promise to keep myself safe. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Effie squeezed him hard. “That’s not how family works. I’ll always worry when we’re apart.”
She heard Nord draw a startled breath before he rested his cheek on the top of her head. “Ah, lillesøster, I do not deserve you.”
Effie stepped back, trying hard to keep her voice steady. “When do you leave?”
“Today.”
“So soon?”
He nodded.
“Well what about the Triumvirate? Can you really leave when there’s no one to replace you?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” Lucian said, moving back into her line of sight. “How would you feel about officially joining us?”
A high-pitched ringing started in her ears and Effie shook her head, not certain she’d heard him. “Me?”
Lucian tilted his head. “Who else would I ask?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, I just assumed someone else from the Brotherhood would be sent to take Nord’s place.”
“Why send for someone else when you’re already here? Unless that’s what you want. I won’t force this upon you.”
Effie took less than a second to consider what a lifetime of secrecy and leadership at Lucian’s side would be like. “I’ll accept on one condition.”
Lucian raised his brows.
With a devilish grin, Effie projected her terms to Lucian and Nord through their link. She knew they weren’t going to like what she wanted to do, but the same impulse that had her request the condition in the first place was pushing her to ensure it was met.
There was one stunned moment of silence before Lucian laughed. “You can’t be serious.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but hear me out. By the time I’m done, I think you’ll agree with me.”
Lucian crossed his arms, exchanging a look with Nord before leveling his dark eyes back on her. “Go ahead, I’m listening.”
Effie was oddly nervous as she knelt on the floor, Kael, Nord, and Lucian, standing around her wearing the scarlet robes of their position.
Lucian hadn’t said much about what would be required of Effie once she took her formal vows. As with everything else that happened to her in the last year, she’d have to learn as she went. Thankfully, she at least had his memories to help provide a little bit of context for what was about to happen.
“Initiate, state your intention.”
“I come before you—clear of mind, pure of heart, and free from the ties of my past—requesting a place among you.”
As she spoke the words, Effie realized they were true. For quite possibly the first time in her entire life, she was not wholly defined by her past and the way other people saw her. Of course those old aches would always be a part of her, but they no longer had the power to cut. Darrin, her grandmother, her parents: they were the storms that tempered her, but she was the one who learned how to rise from the ashes. They had made her, but they no longer defined her.
“The Triumvirate are eternal.”
“They are the memory of the past.”
“The watchers of the present.”
“The guides of the future.”
The spectral voices rose around and within her, stirring her pulse and calling up her power with the majesty of their inflection.
“The Triumvirate are unified.”
“They have no names.”
“They have no faces.”
“They have no desires outside the protection of those they serve.”
Effie bit back a smile. That might be true of the Triumvirate, but she had it on good authority that the Guardians were not so limited. Thankfully, becoming one did not preclude her from being the other.
A voice of smoke and crackling embers filled her mind. “Focus, fledgling.”
“I thought I was an initiate now.”
Lucian’s amusement coursed through her, soothing her with its warmth and infusing her with its love.
“It is not a path for the weak of heart or mind.”
“It is not a path for the selfish or self-serving.”
“It is not a path for the prideful or those filled with doubt.”
“Do you believe you are worthy to walk it?”
Effie hesitated. Not because she was unsure of her answer, but because the sudden image of a mist-shrouded field and a woman with a crown of stars filled her mind. The woman smiled, and just as quickly as it came, the vision dispersed.
“I do.” The voice that left her mouth was not her own. It was both ancient and ageless, filled with the power of a thousand storms and yet as gentle as morning dew.
Cloth rustled around her as the men shifted in surprise.
“Then stand, Sister, and take your rightful place among us.”
Effie stood, her movements graceful and sure. As she did, her gown of simple blue cotton transformed into a robe of deepest scarlet. She lifted her arms and the sleeves fell back, revealing pale arms that were covered in navy runes. Grasping the edges of the hood that was settled around her shoulders, Effie looked at each man in turn.
“I vow upon the Guardian blood that lives in my veins, this hood shall be my crown. It is not merely a reminder of the duty that binds me, but it is a tribute to the people that I serve. A promise that I will spend the rest of my life fulfilling.”
When she was done speaking, the hood rested over her head, concealing her within its warm folds.
“Witnessed,” Lucian said, his voice steady and filled with pride.
“Witnessed!” Kael and Nord repeated.
Deviating from tradition, Lucian pushed back his hood and gave her a blinding grin. “Welcome to the Triumvirate. May your people be infused with your grace, kindness, and wisdom. May your reign be long and uneventful. But most importantly, may the Mother bless us with the strength to withstand the systematic unraveling of millennia worth of tradition you’re about to subject us to.”
“Uneventful?” Kael asked, nose wrinkling. “Have you met the girl?”
Lucian broke the circle to step forward and wrap her in his arms. “I have, which is why I know we’re in for the ride of a lifetime.”
“I feel like I should be offended, but you’re likely right. You know how I feel about stupid rules. You gave me a position of power; I’d be remiss not to use it to my benefit.”
“I’d have it no other way.”
Effie beamed at him, knowing that while Lucian may not be able to see her smile, he could feel her joy.
“So what are we waiting for?” Kael asked with his signature dimpled grin. “I believe your entry to our esteemed ranks had conditions. Are you ready to collect?”
“Now?”
“We’re nothing if not men of our words,” Lucian said.
“But—”
Lucian was already pushing her to the door. “Oh no . . . there’s no backing out now. You asked for this. Demanded it, actually.”
“Why are you suddenly more ex
cited about this than I am?” she asked, suspicious of their overenthusiastic willingness to indulge her.
Lucian exchanged a wordless glance with the other two men who quietly left the room. Her question had been playful, but there was nothing playful about the way Lucian was looking at her. He dropped his eyes, taking her hand in his.
“For too long you’ve stood in the shadows, content to hide while others stole the glory. It is time for you to claim your place in the light. Today you will show the people who matter most to you what I long ago learned to be true. You are a force to be reckoned with. A woman without equal.” Lucian’s eyes burned bronze as he finally raised them. “After today, no one will ever dare dismiss you or your will again.”
Effie was rendered momentarily speechless. Ever since she’d looked into his memories, she’d known but perhaps not fully understood. Lucian wasn’t just offended on her behalf; he had been carrying the scars of her past abuses as if they were his own. He wanted—needed—this moment for her. This public demonstration of her power.
After everything he’d given her, everything he’d done to save her, Effie would be the last one to ever refuse Lucian anything. Especially if it would bring him peace.
“Then let’s not leave them waiting.”
Chapter 32
There was nothing to announce the arrival of the Triumvirate in the throne room save the startled gasps of the Chosen as they set eyes upon the infamous red robes.
Helena was seated, a five-point crown resting on her brow. She looked bemused, but not by the arrival of new guests. She was resting her chin in her hand, talking in low tones with her Shield. Her Mate sat beside her, his crown of onyx and diamonds glittering like the night sky.
“I know the timing is not ideal, but you know I must go.”
“Ronan.”
“I cannot remain here while she is out there.”
“Ronan.”
“Her life could be in danger. Hell, she could already be d—”
“Ronan!” Helena finally snapped.
Her Shield lifted his chin, his expression unreadable from the back of the room.
“I agree with you. No one is trying to stop you from finding Reyna. In fact, if you’d actually allowed me to get a word in edgewise, you might have heard me offer to help you.”
“You’d do that?”
“Ronan,” she groaned, “how could you ever doubt it? You are not the only one who made vows. The Night Stalkers are our allies. They need their queen, but more importantly, we owe it to our friend. Of course I intend to find her.”
Effie didn’t need to be able to see Ronan’s face to know that he was struggling to contain his emotions. He’d been unraveling ever since Reyna had been taken. She hoped for everyone’s sake that Reyna was alive when he found her.
Helena finally seemed to notice the trio standing in the back of the room. Her eyes slid over them as if searching for someone else.
“She’s looking for you,” Lucian said.
“Then I guess it’s show time.”
Effie took a step forward, Kael and Lucian flanking her on either side. “We request a private audience with the Kiri and her Circle.”
Helena lifted a brow. “Leave us,” she said.
They scurried to obey, casting awed glances between the Triumvirate and their ruler. Effie didn’t need to be telepathically linked to them to read the question burning in their eyes. Who would dare command the Mother’s Vessel to do anything? Who had the right?
Effie did not speak again until the massive metal door shut with a soft boom.
“I can only assume that your presence here means you intend to deliver another of your vague warnings.”
It took more effort than it should have for Effie to keep from laughing out loud at Helena’s barbed comment. She knew just how exasperating conversations with this particular trio could be.
Dipping her head as she’d seen Lucian and his brothers do so many times before, Effie replied, “It is not a warning so much as a reminder and goodbye. It is time for us to go. There is work yet to be done.”
“Far be it from me to keep you. Will your Guardians be joining us in our efforts to cull the last of the Shadows and repair the damage?”
“They go where we demand.”
Helena’s jaw clenched. Von did not move, but his eyes narrowed slightly as if he’d picked up on the undercurrent of tension in his Mate and was prepared to strike if necessary.
“I see,” she said.
“Do you?”
Helena gave a terse nod. “If it’s not already too late, I’d like to at least say goodbye to Effie before you depart.”
Effie lifted her arms and slowly pulled back the hood that had concealed her face. Helena was careful to keep her expression neutral as she stared unblinkingly into the black pits that represented her eyes. Between one tense breath and the next, Effie released her illusion, allowing the Circle to see her true form.
Helena’s mouth went slack.
There was a whisper of cloth as Lucian and Kael pulled back their hoods behind her.
The Circle’s collective reactions were beyond amusing. Ronan looked thunderstruck. Kragen, quietly amused. Von’s expression was alert but impassive. Timmins was clearly fighting back a tidal wave of questions, while Joquil only seemed mildly intrigued.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Helena asked, her eyes never once leaving Effie’s.
So that they would know this was not some kind of trick, Effie continued to speak telepathically using her real voice. “This is the Triumvirate’s most closely guarded secret.”
“You were one of them? This whole time?”
Effie shook her head. “There was a recent opening, and I accepted the position upon the condition that I could share this truth with you.”
Helena looked back to Lucian and Kael. “If this is such an important secret, why agree?”
“Effie made a compelling argument,” Lucian muttered.
“That I can believe,” Helena said with a laugh. “She’s been known to put my Circle in their place a time or two.”
Lucian and Kael chuckled.
“I’m glad we aren’t the only ones,” Kael said.
“What was the argument?” Helena asked, leaning forward slightly.
“It’s something I learned in a vision. Actually, I’d like to share it with you if that’s alright?” Effie asked.
Helena’s brows lifted in surprise. “With me?”
Effie nodded.
Helena started to push herself up.
“There’s no need. I don’t need to touch you to share this vision.”
There were a few murmurs of surprise. Even from behind her. Usually, the Triumvirate needed physical touch to establish a connection, but Effie’s intuition was telling her that they already shared the necessary link for this to work.
Closing her eyes, Effie replayed her time with the Mother for Helena. When they were done, Helena’s eyes shot to hers.
“Do you understand now?” Effie asked.
Helena nodded, flickers of her power flaring in her eyes.
“It would be great if you could fill the rest of us in,” Von said in a bland tone.
Effie laughed. “Helena and I are connected in ways we never expected. Two halves of a much greater whole. We—all of us in this room—are protectors. There is no question in my mind that you will safeguard that which we’ve revealed to you. If for no other reason than your vows precluding you from it. In fact, your vows as the Circle are not that different than ours as Guardians. While it is important that the rest of the world continue to believe in the strength and unfailing power of the Triumvirate, it’s also important that we are united, not just as Elysia’s protectors, but for what we—together—really are: the Mother’s ultimate weapon against the darkness.”
“You speak as though you anticipate another war,” Von said, leaning forward.
“I know only what She deigns to tell me, and that for the first time in history both the
Mother’s Vessel and Her Voice walk the realm, each of us in positions of immense power, Helena as Kiri, and I as one of the Triumvirate. Between the two of us, there is more power and knowledge at our disposal than ever before. Moreover, these positions by their very nature rely on the combined strength of those that are bound to us. Helena has her Circle, and I”—Effie gestured to the men behind her—“have the other Guardians. That is no insignificant thing. Nor do I believe in coincidences, not with all that has come to pass. There is a reason we’ve been brought together. We may not yet know what trials lie ahead, but it is without question that it will take all of us, united, to face whatever it is. That kind of trust requires full disclosure. So it was my request—”
“More like demand,” Lucian said in her mind.
“—that there be no secrets between us. They will only see us divided at a time when we can ill afford discord.”
Effie smiled then as silence stretched through the room.
“And you have Seen this?” Timmins asked.
“I don’t need to See it. The Mother speaks through me as She wills.”
Timmins opened and closed his mouth a few times, looking like a gasping fish.
Effie couldn’t help but grin at him. “I know . . . it takes a bit of getting used to.”
Timmins shook his head and gave her one of his fatherly smiles. “Your grandmother would be proud of you. She always told me you were destined for wondrous things.”
Her throat felt tight with emotion, but she managed a wobbly smile and nodded. “Me too. I should have known better than to doubt her.”
“So I guess that means this goodbye is only temporary,” Helena said as she stepped off her throne and moved toward Effie.
“Aren’t they always when it’s between friends of the soul?” Effie asked.
Helena’s expression softened, her eyes looking a little glassy as she pulled Effie in for a hug. “I guess they are. Will you stay in touch? Let me know how you are doing?”
