Pillar of Light (The Lost Princess Book 1)

by A. Mashburn

  “You know, I could fly you guys to Romania. It would be faster and less paperwork. Not to mention safer because I’d be with you the whole time.”

  “You want us to ride you?” Gretchen asked cautiously as Mora perked up in Mo’s mind at her friend’s choice of words.

  Would I ever? A Gretchen and Nicoli sandwich, yummy! Mora chimed in.

  What are you talking about, perv? Mo said to her, holding up her finger to let them know she was speaking to Mora.

  Oh, come on; Look at them, Nessie would never turn that down.

  Mora stop, we are not my sister and Gretchen’s not like that. Not to mention the fact that they’ve bonded, whether they know it or not. As powerful as they both are being with someone else could kill them.

  Think about it—she allowed us to kiss her.

  Why are we even discussing this like it’s an option?

  Nicoli cleared his throat to get Mo’s attention and she growled in frustration, “What?”

  He pointed to her arm. “Shit,” she said, as she looked down and noticed the outline of scales on her arm. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and looked at Gretchen who just stood there with her eyebrows raised in shock.

  “Sorry,” Mo said, “sometimes Mora and I don’t exactly see eye to eye.”

  Mora grunted, oh, we see eye to eye. I’m just more open-minded than you are, spoil sport.

  Shut up, Mora. Mo pushed her to the back of their mind. For being over three centuries old, she still acted like a horny teenager sometimes. Not that Mo complained usually, but this circumstance was different. She loved Gretchen, she’s her best friend and family. Nicoli was sex on a stick but he had eyes only for her, so it didn’t matter. Mo couldn’t and wouldn’t entertain the ideas that Mora flashed through their shared mind.

  Mo grumbled to herself, at least she wasn’t opposed to giving them a ride. Mora snickered in her mind at Mo’s choice of words which caused her to rub her temples. “What do you think? Pack light and I’ll take you?”

  Nicoli looked between the two females and Mo already knew he would decline. As a winged animal himself, he hated flying on or in anything else. Also, Gretchen was new to this world, so he wouldn’t want to scare her by introducing her to Mora right away.

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea just yet,” he said finally, “but, it might be the only way to keep anyone from tracing our passports.”

  To say Mo was shocked was an understatement and Mora purred in pleasure in her mind.

  He shook his head and walked to Gretchen and put his arms around her. Mo’s insides shifted with jealousy as Gretchen looked at him as though he had hung the stars in the sky.

  “Gretchen,” he said, “you will go with Mo. I’ve got some things I need to wrap up here and if things get weird or uncomfortable in any way, come straight back.” Then he turned to Mo, “You know what she needs?”

  Mo nodded her head. “I’ll wait downstairs for her.”

  Mo walked away as they said their goodbyes. She didn’t need to be around for that and she certainly didn’t need to look any further into the green monster playing hopscotch in the pit of her stomach. Green was not a good color for her. She passed a few people on the stairs and saw Boomer unlocking his door.

  “Boomer, what are you doing here? I thought you lived at the gym,” Mo greeted him playfully. Boomer was a great guy, a little gruff for her liking but he was a bear, so she really couldn’t expect any less.

  “Hey, gorgeous. I moved in a couple of months ago. Nicoli told me about an opening, and I jumped on it. How’s Gretchen doing?” He shifted a little uncomfortably.

  “She’s good. I’m waiting for her to come down, actually.”

  His eyes widened. “She’s here?”

  “Yeah, she’s up with Nicoli.”

  A low rumble emitted from his chest and he took a deep breath.

  The poor cub is half in love with her. Welcome to the club, my friend, Mo thought a little bitterly.

  “She’s been a little different lately. Her scent is off,” he said suddenly, scrunching his face with concern.

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s all you’re going to give me, huh?”

  Mo shrugged her shoulders. “That's all I got right now.”

  “Right, okay then. I get it; Gretchen has always been different. But you’ll let me know if she needs help, right?”

  “You’ve always been good to her and you’re a strong shifter. If we need help, I will call for you.” A bear's loyalty was unwavering and his offer of help was one that neither Nicoli nor Mo would ever dismiss lightly, especially because Jayce was searching for her. If he ever found her, it would be an all-out war and they would need all the allies they could get.

  He grunted and turned the knob. “I’ll be going back to the pack soon. Send word for me there.”

  Mo nodded her thanks as he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him.

  The walk back to their apartment was a comfortable silence. Both women had a lot on their minds and there wasn’t much left to say until Gretchen got her memories back. Gretchen walked into her bedroom and a wave of exhaustion hit her. “I’m going to lay down for a bit. Can you make a list of what I need to pack, please?”

  Mo looked to her friend and could see the weariness etched in her beautiful face. “Of course, get some rest.”

  The look of gratitude on Gretchen's face made Mo’s heart ache. She’s been through so much, Mora sighed.

  Mo didn’t need to agree; Mora knew what was to come just as she did. She walked to her room and folded her legs underneath her as she sat on the bed linking her father.

  Papa?

  Mallaidh, he responded fondly.

  It’s time, we’re going to Romania to see Slovenia.

  You will need the scrolls for her to unlock her true powers.

  Aye, Papa, we will. Which means I will need to see Nessie.

  Your sister will not be happy after all this time, Mallaidh, but she will help you. You know this. Why are you fretting?

  Mo paused for a moment and reflected on why she was so scared to see her sister. She sacrificed her life for mine. It was my duty to guard the scrolls and I fear that she will not forgive me.

  The old man dismissed his daughter’s woes with a dismissive laugh. When you get to Scotland, reach out to her. You know there are two sides to every coin and with each coin, the surface is always unique in its own way.

  Always with the riddles, old man. What does that mean? You have the gift of premonition, and yet you leave me in the dark in this. Will she help me or not?

  You are so impatient. I’ve already given you your answer. You just overlooked it and as you know, I am not fond of repeating myself. I will have Alexandr bring the pack to your apartment, so you have everything you need. You mustn't leave her alone.

  He cut the link and Mo sighed. She loved her father but being over a thousand years old, he sometimes talked like he’s from another time. Which he indeed was, so it made sense; it just drove Mo crazy at times.

  The thought of seeing her sister again sent chills up her spine, but it was a necessary evil in their quest. Mo unfolded herself from her bed and began to pack.

  “Nicci, play with me.” A little girl ran after the young guard.

  “Little Wolf, I have to go to training.”

  The little girl looked up at him, pouting, and he held out his arms. She smiled and jumped up into them as he engulfed her in a hug, and she placed a big sloppy smooch right on his cheek.

  “One day Nicci, I'm going to be grown-up and you’re going to be my mate. I heard mamma and papa talking about it. I think it’s gross. Can we just be friends?”

  His eyes twinkled as he looked at the little spitfire in his arms. “We already are friends, Little Wolf. You’re the best friend I could have ever asked for. What if we revisit this conversation when you’re a little older?”

  “But Nicci, I don’t want to lose you, you’re my best friend, too.” Tears welle
d up in little Gretchen's eyes, and Nicoli held the child to his chest as he stroked her hair.

  “Little Wolf, I’ll always be here for you. Don’t fret, okay?”

  She sniffled and looked up to her guard. “Promise?”

  He lowered his voice to a whisper, “I’ll even pinky promise.” The girl grinned as they linked pinkies.

  Gretchen, wake up, Love.

  No, I don’t want to wake up.

  You must.

  Groaning, she stretched to the sound of a voice in her room. Yet, when she peered around, she didn’t see anyone.

  No one is in the room, Love.

  “Oh, Genesis, oh my God, it wasn’t a dream.” Gretchen exclaimed with her heart beating erratically in her chest.

  You don’t have to talk out loud. I can hear you just fine in here. Genesis rolled her eyes playfully, with a wolfy grin plastered on her face. I so love being able to speak with you again.

  Genesis?

  Yes, Love?

  Was that a memory?

  It was, but we don’t have time. You need to go to Nicoli now. I sense that Jayce is coming and we are not yet ready to face him.

  I don’t understand, why is he after me? Why did Jade and Jayce try to kill Nicoli?

  All in due time, right now, though, time is not on our side. We need to hurry.

  Gretchen jumped out of bed and quickly threw on a pair of leggings, a tank top and a flannel. She wasn’t even packed; she inwardly groaned at the fact she had slept so long.

  “Gretchen, we have to go now.” Mo poked her head in, sputtering.

  “I still need to—”

  “Nope, I got your clothes and everything you need. Anything else can wait until we get there.”

  “What is going on?”

  “Nicoli called. He got word that Jayce is coming to find out who you are.” Mo grabbed ahold of Gretchen's hand and the bag as they swiftly left the apartment. She still didn’t fully understand why she was at risk; why these wolves would be after her. But she trusted Nicoli and Mo and assumed all would be revealed when she got her memories back in Romania. Her head was spinning as they ran down the street to Nicoli’s where he met them outside.

  “Drink this,” he shoved a vial in the girls faces, “now,” he roared, as he looked around frantically.

  After they each downed their vial, their faces scrunched up at the taste. Gretchen gagged and Mo violently shook her head, “Ughhh, what the fuck was that? It tasted like goblin piss.”

  “We don’t have time; we have to keep moving.” He took Gretchen by the hand and they took off down the road. “We won’t be able to leave from the mountain; we wouldn’t get there in time. We have to get Gretchen’s Jeep and take off from there. The vial I gave you guys should mask your scent for a while, giving us some time to get a decent head start.”

  Chapter Eight

  After Jade left the falls, he knew he couldn’t put off going to see Jayce any longer. Fuck, Archer said in his mind, you know there’s a big difference between loyalty and being a pussy, right?

  Archer, seriously, now is not the time.

  Jade had to clear his head if he were going to go in front of his big brother. He’s a fucking monster, my friend; he’s not been your brother for a very long time, Archer reminded him.

  Jade knew he was right but pushed the thought aside as he reached the castle gates. Looking around, he saw the guards stationed everywhere, over two dozen. Not only is he a monster, but he’s paranoid, too.

  Forcing Archer to the back of his mind and locking him away was always a task, but one that was necessary in case another punishment was to come. This was likely because there was no way Jayce didn’t know that he was hiding something. Never in his life had someone gotten away from him twice.

  The castle was made of cobblestone and had five levels. At the lowest levels, there were the dungeons, torture chambers and a labyrinth that lead to the forest. The floor above was the cellars, where they kept the dry goods, wine and mead. The main floor had two ballrooms, the central kitchen, dining room, four sitting area/game rooms, the pack doctor as well as the main conference room and the throne room. The next level housed the ranked members of the pack and their families; above that was the Alpha’s suite. Only Alpha’s and their servants could be there at any time; only the pack Alpha and his family lived there.

  He walked up the stairs to Jayce’s quarters without incident. He stopped in front of the intricate knotwork in the large double doors of Jayce’s office, and before he had a chance to knock, he heard Jayce inside asking someone questions.

  “What did she look like, Malcolm?” an agonizing scream filled the air.

  “It was dark, Alpha; we couldn’t tell. It may have been a brown color, maybe blonde. I just don’t know, she was in the shadows, and that shifter had his body caged around her so we couldn’t see her face.”

  “So, you’ve said, as have the others in the group.” There was the sound of rhythmic pacing on the floor.

  “Yet each of you had a block up. Why is that? Where do your loyalties lie? What are you hiding from me?” This time the sound of choking filled the room and Jade walked in. Jayce had the man hung by his wrists from the ceiling. The skin on his back was already tattered and blood flowed freely from the gaping wounds caused by the silver whip. Jayce had ahold of Malcolm’s throat and the man's eyes bulged from his head as he tried to gasp for air.

  “How can you expect him to answer if he can’t breathe, brother?” Jade sneered wickedly and Jayce released the soldier.

  “Well, well, look who’s decided to grace us with his presence. Took you long enough.”

  “Why are you interrogating my men? You already have the answers that you requested from my report, Jayce.”

  “If I got all my answers from one source, how would I ever know the truth?” Jayce walked over to the decanter on the table. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, the once white shirt covered in blood. He stood six-foot four-inches, his once hefty frame half the size that it used to be. He was lean, cut and athletic. His muscles since his transformation were more sinewy than bulky. His black hair was falling into his face over his once amber eyes. Now looking at him, Jade realized both beasts were close to the surface, one having the amber sheen to it, the other black as onyx; both eyes filled with mania and indignation for the wrongs that had been done to him. Fucking Hunters, Jade thought as he looked to his kin.

  “Jayce, I don’t feel a block coming up from Malcolm.”

  He sneered at his blood, “Isn’t that convenient and let me ask you the same question as I asked him; Where do your loyalties lie, my brother?”

  At this moment, Jade had to tread carefully, or his comrade would lose his life. Jayce was bad off, the mania caused by his dual natures fighting for dominance over his humanity. Jade knelt before his brother and bared his neck in surrender, “My loyalties will always be aligned with your own, brother.” He kept Archer at bay because he would never allow this level of dominance over him if he were not locked away. Even now, he felt him charging at the barriers he’d created in his mind trying to break free.

  Jayce looked down on his blooded brother. The youngest of the three, as he gave him his full loyalty baring his neck. His wolf was appeased while the bloodsucker he despised wanted to sink his fangs into the soft flesh and drain him dry. Lucky for him, being a born wolf and a forced hybrid, his wolf’s side won the fight for dominance. “Rise, brother, you need not bend a knee or bare your neck to show your loyalty to me. You have done so time and time again through blood, sweat and tears.” Jayce lightly scoffed, “Maybe not the tears part.” He clapped a hand on Jade’s shoulder. “Untie the beast. I’m done with him for now.”

  He watched as Jade rose and untied his fellow soldier and sent for Omegas to assist him home. As the Omegas arrived with a stretcher, the soldier refused, and Jayce would expect no less. His soldiers would walk out on their own two legs or not walk out at all. He would not tolerate weakness of any kind.

  “W
hat was this all about?” Jade asked.

  “I had to be sure that what you said was true. You’ve never lost a single target until this female and you seem to have failed; twice now.”

  “How did I fail you twice? I never said she was in the forest with the rogue.”

  “Aye, you are right, but you never said she wasn’t either. You’ve stayed particularly vague in this matter, that worries me, and I do not like to be worried. Tell me about this woman.”

  Jade searched his brother's face trying to find the right words. Jayce could tell if he was lying, so he had to stick with the truth. At least be as honest as possible, without revealing the whole truth. He cleared his throat as Jayce tapped a pen on his desk and peered at him intently.

  “She’s—” he dropped into the chair as he placed his head in his hands and let the unease show in his posture. “She’s different, Jayce. I can’t place my finger on it, but her scent is driving Archer mad. When Nicoli took her from me—”

  “I know. The others said you shook the buildings with the force of your anger.”

  “It was as if he were taking away my mate, but I know that can’t be. She’s dead; you told me she’s dead. So, would the Moon Goddess bless me with a second chance?”

  He looked up to Jayce and the look in his eyes was one he had not seen in some time— awe, hope and longing. “You believe it to be Gretchen?” he asked.

  “Truth be told, I didn’t. If it were her, the power would have been greater; her scent would have been of vanilla and burnt sugar; it wasn’t. So, it couldn’t be, right?”

  “She never had the scent of vanilla and burnt sugar,” Jayce said with a forlorn look upon his face.

  “I tell you this, and that is what you say to me? Good Goddess Jayce, come on. I didn’t want to come to you with this until I knew for sure. I do know it was not her scent I smelled. How could it be possible for me to feel the effects of the mate pull unless it’s my second chance?”

  Jayce’s shoulders tensed and a look of determination crossed his face. “We will find her together then.”