by K. G. Reuss
“No,” I snarled, balling my hands into fists. My heart broke at the thought of anyone killing her. “I won’t let that happen. Even if she is a Nattie, we’re sworn to protect them as well as our own. Testing her by killing her is unacceptable.” I had a new resolve for her life.
“How defensive you are of a girl you’ve only spoken to once,” Sir Mathis mused. “That only further proves our point.”
“Give me time. Let me investigate this further. I’ll send my best men out to keep an eye on her to ensure she doesn’t fall into the hands of the Cipher.”
“And if she is what we think? You do realize she’ll join Conexus, correct?” Sir Malek asked.
“I understand she would be considered but ultimately I have the control over who joins my ranks. And I only take the best,” I snarled at the old men before me. It was an honor to be a part of Conexus, but Everly was meant to be free. I could feel it in my body when I looked at her. In my heart. She was meant for more than becoming a soldier.
“If she’s a mancer, she’ll be the best. She will be your other half if you are the reever. You already care for the girl. I can hear it in your voice when you speak,” Sir Sangrey said the last word with a crisp snap of the syllables. “And you haven’t been paired yet. Wouldn’t you like to have the power that could come with pairing with your other half if it proves to be true? Ah, what an army we’d have.”
I ground my teeth together, not saying a word. It took me a moment to collect myself.
“We cannot simply bring the girl to Dementon. Perhaps a little coaxing from Headmaster Brighton may help the situation along. He runs the facility. If we’re lucky, the girl will snap out of terror and end up there. From there, we can intervene and bring her here,” my father stated. But he didn’t sound all that sold on the idea. “In the meantime, I will personally look further into the girl’s lineage and see if she has ancestors who’ve been registered. My search to date has yielded very little results.”
I nodded, accepting that my father had decided to personally take it upon himself to look into the matter. “Do you grant me permission to watch over the girl with my members or do I do it anyway?” I demanded evenly, my voice deep and threatening. The idea of Everly going crazy made me sick. “Because I’m only asking out of respect for you. I’ll be doing it regardless.”
My father answered without waiting to hear the council’s thoughts, “Watch the girl. Report back any changes to us. If something happens to her—let’s just hope you can bring her back or you’re going to lose quite a talented Special.”
“Nothing will happen to her,” I vowed, that new resolve taking over as I saw her face flash in my mind. “I’ll die before it does.”
“That’s what we’re hoping for,” Sir Broderick’s dark voice rang out sending a chill down my spine.
Chapter 8
As I left the Circle, my body shook with anger. They were gunning for her to die just to prove a point! I’d never been so infuriated in my life, and a lot had to do with my own terrible, murderous thoughts. The moment Sangrey came out the door, I got in his face.
“What the hell was that?” I demanded angrily.
“Calm yourself, General. You know as well as I do there’s something off about the entire situation with the girl,” Sangrey answered smoothly. “I know you’re upset. Try to see it from our point of view. If she is indeed the mancer, it could spell disaster for us if she falls into the wrong hands. I’m all for you watching out for the girl. And I know you are too. I can tell how deeply you care for her whether or not you choose to admit it.”
“Which you best get out of your head right now,” my father’s deep voice cut in as he came through the doors, his dark robes billowing behind him and his eyes narrowed at me. “I’ve entered into talks with Benton LaCroix on your behalf to marry his daughter, Amara. It would be a smart match for the both of you. I don’t see the issue with it since you’ve been with the girl for nearly a year. I’m sure you’ve gotten to know her both inside and out.” His eyes glinted with dark humor, making me angry.
“No one decides who I will marry,” I snapped.
“Wrong. I will,” my father returned. “I’m the sigil. I’m your father, and you’re a soldier. A general. The future sigil. You will do what you’re told, or I’ll bring you to the dungeons and beat some sense into you.”
“You could try,” I hissed, taking a dangerous step toward him, ready to throw down right then if need be. Sangrey got between us.
“General,” he warned as my father glared at me over Sangrey’s shoulder. “Walk away. Perhaps a visit to see your mother is in order. It’s been a long time since you’ve been to visit her site.”
“She’s dead,” I bit out sourly. “My presence at a box won’t change that.”
“She’s dead because you failed to keep her safe,” my father snarled at me, pushing Sangrey aside. “She’s dead because the life was sucked from her by the Cipher vampire! All because you failed to protect her! Because you left her!”
“Me?” I laughed bitterly. “You keep pointing the blame at me, but where were you?”
A muscle thrummed along his jaw. He wanted to hit me, but he knew if he did, I wouldn’t hold back, and that would be a blood bath for the both of us.
“Do you think she’d want this?” I hissed, glaring at him. “Do you think she’d want me to marry someone I don’t love just like she was forced to do? Because let’s face it, that never made anyone happy.”
He flinched like I’d struck him. I couldn’t stop. “She’d hate the idea. You know she would.” I snorted bitterly at him.
He frowned deeply. I couldn’t say my parents were unhappy. My mother always supported my father, even seemed like she loved him. But I knew it hurt her to not marry who she wanted. She was a romantic. And there was nothing romantic about marrying someone you didn’t love. And then she was killed by a Cipher vampire while out picking flowers on the edge of the kingdom. A simple task she loved doing every Sunday evening. And that simplicity had gotten her killed when a rogue stumbled upon her. I found her body later that evening after I returned from Everly. She’d been completely drained of blood, her wildflowers scattered around her lifeless body.
“She knew what it took to rule a world!” my father snapped back at me. “If you had half the sense she did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now!”
“To hell with this,” I spat, backing away. “I won’t marry Amara. I won’t. No one decides my fate. No one.”
I turned and swept from the Citadel, fuming.
And through all my angry thoughts, the only thing I could see was Everly’s beautiful face. Jumping on the horse I’d ridden into the city, I urged him to gallop to the palace gates. I was allowed in without issue. I leaped off and made my way behind the castle to the crypts just beyond it.
The guards gave me a nod and moved aside as I passed through. I knew where she lay—a golden ornate coffin in the center of the room. Alone I looked down at her resting place. Lifting my hand, I gave it a small flick. A red and gold swirl of magic came forth. I twisted my hand and didn’t stop until I held her favorite flower in my hand—a daisy. She loved wildflowers, which was what caused her to go pick them. I placed it on her coffin, my eyes burning with unshed tears. I let my hand rest on the cold box, my anger and sadness ebbing through me. I didn’t cry. The last time I had was when she was put into the royal crypt. I’d grown colder, harder, angrier that day. It was the day I vowed to end Everly.
I remembered the last time I saw my mother like it was yesterday.
“You should wear your cloak, Fin,” she admonished me, using her nickname for me, a grin on her lips as her green eyes sparkled. “You’re going to be so cold!”
“Mother.” I shook my head, serious. “I don’t get cold.”
“Oh, my sweet son,” she chuckled, ruffling my silver hair with her fingers. “Please? Humor your mother. You know how much I worry for you.” Her smile had disappeared only to be replaced with a fearful look, her gaz
e focused far away.
“Mother?” I questioned, reaching out for her as she swayed on her feet. I was only twelve but already I was taller and larger than her. I helped her to a chair and got her a cup of tea as she sat, her eyes hazy. My mother was a Fae psychic, a powerful one. This wasn’t unusual behavior for her, so I sat beside her and waited for her to come back.
“She will love you,” her voice was husky. I frowned at her. She never spoke during her episodes. “And you her. She’ll leave you. But she knows what she’s doing. Trust her. She will know your heart. She’s the only one who ever will. She is your other half, Fin. The anger, the hatred, you’ll have for her—let it go.”
I took her hand in mine and held it as her small body began to shake. I had no clue what she was talking about. She was babbling, her words coming out in strings of sentences that made no sense.
“You must save her for she will try to destroy herself over and over again. The night is dark. She hurts. She’ll die without you. Go to her. Your heart and hers. They will be one. It is meant to be. She’s troubled. She will push and pull you, tearing at you. It’s a love that cannot be denied or controlled. You both will sacrifice so much for one another. Infinity. Forever.”
She blinked rapidly, her eyes coming back into focus as she stared at me.
“Mother? What was that?” I asked, knowing damn well she was speaking to me. That I was meant to hear her words, even if those words didn’t have a clear meaning. Everly’s face surfaced in my mind, making me ill. I silently said a prayer that she was OK.
“You’ll understand when you’re older,” she murmured, reaching out and cupping my face, a sad smile on her lips. “Promise you won’t forget?”
“I promise,” I answered, helping her to her feet.
“That’s my Fin.” She squeezed my hand. She was the only one to ever call me that. Whenever I asked her why, she’d always giggle, ruffle my hair, and tell me she knew I was meant for something great that would last more than a lifetime. Infinity. I was meant for forever.
“Please, fetch my cloak? I wish to pick flowers.”
I quickly retrieved her cloak and placed it around her slender shoulders, moving her long blonde hair aside.
“You’re going to be great.” She took my hand in hers and held it tightly. “Brave. Strong. A good man. A fighter.”
“Mother, you’re scaring me,” I replied, continuing to frown. She wasn’t acting like herself.
“Don’t be afraid, sweetheart. Your strength will be one of your greatest attributes. You’re meant to love someday. Be brave when it happens because it’ll be such a force that it’ll leave you breathless. You will know she’s the one because she’ll sing it for you.”
“And if my heart and mind war over it?” I asked, gazing down at her.
“Then to the victor go the spoils,” she chuckled sadly. “Now, come. It’s getting late. I have a feeling this is the last time I’ll go to pick flowers.”
I walked with her out to her horse and helped her on, pushing her cryptic words out of my head. Then I climbed on mine, and we made our way out to the edge of the kingdom where she proceeded to pick flowers, humming a sad, sweet tune—one that she hummed whenever she was busy or thinking.
A warmness washed over me, the one that signaled Everly needed me. I jumped to my feet, sweat beading on my brow. My mother’s head snapped in my direction, and she gave me a melancholy, knowing look.
“Go to her. I’ll be here when you get back.” She walked to me.
“Go home, mother. It’s far too late to be out here. Please,” I wheezed out, wiping at my brow as the pull grew stronger. “I’m getting a terrible feeling.”
“Trust your instincts, Fin,” she said, squeezing my hands. “What will happen is meant to happen. Know that. And know that I am so very proud of you. I always will be.”
She came up on her toes and planted a tender kiss on my cheek.
“I love you, Fin. Now go. She needs you more than I do.”
And so I went. I left her alone. She died because I went to save Everly. She was alone out there while I was cradling Everly in my arms. Then I returned and found her lifeless body lying beneath an oak tree, her daisies scattered and wilted on the ground around her.
Ever since her death, I’d blamed myself. I’d blamed my father. I’d blamed Everly. If I’d just made her go home… If I’d just stayed… But if I had, Everly would’ve been gone.
I shook my head bitterly. I hated vampires. So, I vowed to kill any who maliciously crossed my path. My mother would’ve forgiven her killer. I knew she’d want me to as well, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. And I prayed someday I’d find the monster who took her from me. When I did, I’d make him suffer like he made her suffer. Like he made me suffer. My mother deserved to be avenged, and someday she would be as I plunged my blade through the heart of her killer.
Chapter 9
“What did the Order say?” Eric knocked on my bedroom door and poked his head in. I didn’t answer him. I was sitting at my desk staring out my window at the dark campus grounds below. “Shadow, come on, man. You’ve been holed up in your room for two days. You haven’t even come out to eat. We figured we’d leave you alone for a few days, but tomorrow’s day three. You’re starting to worry us. Not to mention, Amara is driving me nuts. You know how much I can’t stand her.”
I’d been plagued with worry over what may very well be true. It was eating at me. I replayed the scene with my mother over and over in my head. Deep down I’d blamed Everly for my mother’s death. But even harboring those thoughts, I couldn’t stop longing to see her again. It angered me, making me sick to my stomach because I knew how much I hated her for drawing me to her. I couldn’t stop the urge that was inside me to be near her, aching to be released. Just thinking she was out there without any protection made me grind my teeth. But at the same time, I wanted her gone. I didn’t want to think about the girl I cared so much for it hurt. The same girl I hated so much it made me see red. The girl I blamed for keeping me away when my mother needed me. Even after all these years, that push and pull my mother spoke of tore at my mind, body, and soul.
I thought about what the Order said. I really didn’t want to drag Everly into the Conexus, even though as the general I’d be in control of what she had to do. It was an honor to be part of it, sure, but it wasn’t for her. My heart couldn’t handle it. Bringing her to Dementon, the school my squad policed to ensure the safety of all the students, was my main concern. I knew if she was here, she wouldn’t be in danger, and if by chance something happened, at least I’d be near her. The thought of seeing her all the time made my stomach clench painfully. The Cipher and the creatures from the void wouldn’t be able to get to her here though. And that trumped all. The dead would be another issue, but I knew they’d have to be brave or stupid to wander onto Dementon grounds. Recently, Sangrey found a way for us to capture the wandering dead—through a voidbox, a device that could house a spirt and send it to Xanan to be kept in a holding area lined with vorbex, a deep purple, crystal-like gem used to house the wandering dead and other dark creatures. I’d never asked what happened to them once they were in the holding area. Past me sending them there, I didn’t care.
Why I cared so much about anything Ever-related made me angry. I didn’t want this. I didn’t when I was four, and I sure as hell didn’t now. The whole ordeal had killed my mother.
And then there was Amara. I’d been avoiding her like the plague. I knew she and I needed to talk.
“Where’s Damien?” I asked softly, not bothering to look at him. Eric stepped into the room.
“He’s downstairs trying to get Sloane to make out with him. He’s failing, by the way. She’s already turned him into a frog, but he’s a shifter so he just shifted back.”
“Get him. Meet me at Dice Road. The cemetery. Midnight.”
“We doing a hunt?” Eric asked, brightening up.
“Something like that,” I murmured, casting him a quick glance.
Sensing my seriousness, Eric nodded and left my room. I was tugging my cloak on when there was a soft knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I asked, pausing as I put my long dark cape on over my black hunting gear.
“It’s me. Amara.”
“Shit,” I grumbled. I didn’t feel like dealing with her, but it was inevitable. We hadn’t said two words to one another since our argument on the campus grounds. “Come in,” I called out. She came into the room wearing her black uniform, her red hair cascading down her shoulders. My gaze roved over each of her features. Still no butterflies.
“Eric said you’re going on a mission. I wanted to know if you needed any help.”
“Did Eric tell you I needed help?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her and adjusting my cloak on my shoulders.
“No.”
“Then I think you know the answer,” I pointed out evenly. She was silent as her eyes raked over me, her lower lip trembling.
“I don’t want to fight with you. I just want to be involved.”
“You are involved by staying out of my way while I do my job,” I sighed, grabbing my leather gloves and slipping them on. I went to the small weapons rack in my room where I liked to keep a few things and took my blades down and began fastening them to me.
“I worry about you—”
“Don’t,” I snapped. “I can take care of myself, Amara. You know that.”
“You’ve been hiding out in your room for days now. What did the Order tell you?”
“That I have to do this mission.”
“And?”
“And? I’m sure you already know.” I shook my head, my silver hair falling forward. I quickly grabbed a rubber band and pulled my hair away from my face and stared pointedly at her.
“My father mentioned it. Are you mad?” She took a step to me, her eyes traveling over my face.
“I’m furious, Amara! How long have you known?” I demanded, folding my arms over my chest. “And why wouldn’t you tell me?”
