by K. G. Reuss
“Rumor has it that there have been a lot of wraiths and carrion in the area. And even talk of lost ones. I figured I’d go right to the source of the law around here and find out if any of it were true.” Nevron didn’t waste time getting to his point.
“I’d think that you would already know the answer to that,” I answered dangerously, trying to goad them into admitting anything they might know about the recent influx of dark creatures and dead.
“Why would you think that, General?” Nevron cocked his head at me, that irritating smirk on his lips.
“The first guess is free,” I answered. Nevron and Marcus grinned knowingly at one another, the act making me want to pummel them right then and there. My guys must have sensed that because they flanked me.
“Do you have any idea how stupid you sound accusing us of being part of something you deem so evil? I’m appalled.” Marcus shook his head sadly at us.
“You are a part of it,” Damien snarled. “You just need to screw up, so we can prove it. And then it’s bye-bye bitches.”
Marcus let out a low growl, as a flame erupted in each hand and his amber eyes flashed dangerously. We couldn’t have a showdown right in the middle of the school grounds. Nevron must have sensed that, or maybe he was smart enough to count. Since there were four of us and only two of them, an ass-whooping was imminent. He reached out and pushed Marcus’s hands down. The flames flickered and went out.
Had the two of them not had such a history about them, they’d have made excellent members in Conexus. Both were two of the strongest creatures I’d ever seen. I just couldn’t bring myself to induct them. They had a warning sign written all over them. And I refused to let a vamp into our ranks. I didn’t care how good that vamp was.
“We aren’t looking for trouble, General,” Nevron said, his voice serious. “I was simply curious. We attend classes here. It’d be a shame if students stepped outside the limits and something terrible happened to them.”
“Nothing terrible will happen. We’re patrolling the area as always,” I replied back.
“Fair enough.” He nodded. As he started to turn away, he apparently had a thought because a tiny smirk appeared on his lips again. “Oh, I heard word that there may be a mancer running around these parts. Have you guys heard anything like that?”
“There is no mancer,” my voice was low. “If there was, I’d be aware of it.”
“Of course you would.” Nevron’s red eyes held a glint of darkness in them.
“Your eyes are red, Nev. I think you should go eat. I heard vamps get dumber when they haven’t drunk in a few hours,” Damien broke in.
“Cute, Wick. But just so you know, I like being hungry. It makes my days so much more exciting when I don’t know if I’ll lash out and chew through the student body here.”
He didn’t wait for a reply. He turned and walked away from us, Marcus at his side.
“I hate that guy,” Brandon muttered. He’d been silent the entire time. I liked that about him. He was more of an action guy, not a talker.
“You’re not the only one,” I answered, my eyes still focused on their retreating backs. I wanted to get something on them so bad but had always come up empty-handed. I’d pretty much come to the conclusion they were probably legitimately not involved in the Cipher and just had to live up to the reputation that preceded them. But where had they heard about a mancer? I frowned deeply. Something had to be up with them. And I had no way to prove it other than by just simply keeping tabs on them like always.
I’d had enough excitement for the day. Classes were out, so we headed back to our house on the edge of campus, my guys talking the entire way of how to bait Nev and Marcus into admitting they were part of the Cipher.
I was sitting in my office later that evening, pouring over more research on the Wards, not finding anything I didn’t already know, when there was a knock on my door.
“Come in,” I said, pushing the papers into my drawer. The door cracked open and the sigil—my father—entered the room with Eric behind him.
“Father.” I quickly got to my feet and bowed to him. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“General,” he acknowledged me. Eric cast me a raised eyebrow over my father’s shoulder before closing the door, leaving me alone with him. “I hope I find you well.”
“Yes.” I nodded, moving back to my desk. “Have a seat. Would you like a drink?”
“I would, please,” my father answered, his dark eyes following me as I moved to the small bar in my office. I reserved it for visitors like my father. Quickly, I poured both of us a tarish, a drink much like Nattie scotch, and handed him his while I sipped at mine.
“Forgive me, father. You never visit me. Is something wrong?” I asked, swallowing my drink.
“Isn’t there always?” He threw back his drink, finishing it all. Jumping up, I fixed him another one, eyeing him suspiciously. My father wasn’t the type of man to just show up to see me without reason.
“Then, to what do I owe the honor?”
“It’s the girl. The one you came to the Order for.” He took the glass from me, his dark gaze leveled on me.
“Oh?” I cleared my throat.
“Were you being honest when you spoke of going to her from a young age?” His eyes narrowed as he surveyed me.
“I was.”
“Tell me, do you think me a fool?” he asked softly.
“I’m… sorry?”
“I know you’re more than you let on, Son. Why do you think I’ve pushed you for so long and hard? You’ve always been special. You aren’t like anyone else. Neither is the girl. Don’t play me for a fool. Is it true?”
I studied him, a muscle thrumming along my jaw. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust my father. He was an honorable man. But he was the sigil, the king. And he wanted to keep his world just as safe as I did.
“How about this…” He placed his drink on my desk. “Tell me exactly what you can do. Leave nothing out.”
“Sir—”
“I’m not asking as your sigil. I’m asking as your father.” He stared evenly at me, waiting for me to speak. I sank down in my chair and sighed.
“It started when I was four. I was in bed. Mother had just read me a story, and I was just falling asleep. At first, I thought it was a dream, but then I realized it was real—the darkness, the voices, the claws on my skin. I saw a small girl, scared in her bedroom. I ran to the light. To her. When I came out of her closet, I was a shadow.” I told him the story of how I visited her right up until she was twelve and then it had stopped abruptly.
“The last time I saw her was the night mother died. I went to her. That’s why I left mother alone. I was pulled to Everly.”
“I see,” my father said softly, frowning at the news. “So, this girl is the reason your mother’s gone?”
“That and a vampire decided to leech the life from her,” I growled.
“And yet you continue to want to help the girl? Knowing that she’s part of the reason your mother is dead?” He shook his head disgustedly. I didn’t say anything. He was right. It was a war I’d been fighting with myself for weeks.
“And your abilities?” he asked after a moment of tense silence.
“I have many,” I replied tightly. “I shift, like you. Sometimes I can sense things, almost like mother could, but not nearly as well. But there’s more.” I cleared my throat and sat forward, my hands clasped together as I stared evenly at him. “I can shift into a lock or a were. I can heal. I’m faster and stronger than any other member of Conexus.”
“And?” my father prompted, eyeing me.
“I can bring Everly back.” my voice was soft as I said the words. “She was in an accident a few weeks ago. She was dying. I sensed her and went. I let instinct guide me. I put my hands on her and took her death from her. I took her pain. And I lay unconscious here for nine days.” I closed my eyes and sat quietly, waiting for whatever storm my father brought with him. Was he going to command me to bring
Everly there immediately? Make me induct her into Conexus? I didn’t want to tell him that mother told me this would happen with her.
“Are you marked?” his voice sounded odd. Opening my eyes, I stared at him. He seemed troubled, maybe even sad.
I hadn’t even thought about the prophecy’s reference to being marked. My mind tried and failed to recall the exact wording. Something about when the two combined they would go from zero to infinity. And they’d be marked accordingly. Did Everly have a matching mark? The thought made my heart jump. We might be marked for each other. Forever.
“I am,” I whispered, rolling my sleeve up to show him the infinity symbol on my wrist.
“Do you love the girl?” he asked.
“I don’t know what I feel anymore. I hated her. But I-I cared for her. Then it goes back to hate. I want to keep her safe, that much I know. I feel like she deserves a chance to prove herself. To prove that she’s worth it all,” I answered solemnly. “And… I feel lost without her. Incomplete. Empty. Sick. I’m in a state of constant worry. I can’t focus or concentrate. She’s on my mind every moment of every day, and yet I blame her for everything as much as I try not to. But keeping her safe outweighs it most days.”
“It’s the Wards.” My father nodded slowly. “You’re each other’s other half, so it’s only logical that force is drawing you to each another.”
“It’s not—”
“Son, it is. You do not love the girl,” his voice was sharp and desperate as he got to his feet. “That hatred you feel? That’s what’s real! And it should be! If she wouldn’t have pulled you to her, your mother would still be with us.”
I didn't say anything. What could I say? It’s not like I hadn’t had the same thoughts over the course of the past few weeks. Hell, years even.
“She still needs help, Father,” I replied softly. “We’re capable of helping her. It’s our job to help all, Natties and Specials alike.”
My father’s eyes swept over me a for a moment, his posture suggesting he had something on his mind.
“I don’t deny the girl needs help, General,” he finally spoke, his voice low. His eyes darted around my office before coming back to me. “I feel it’s imperative that you’re aware there’s someone within the Order feeding our secrets to the Cipher.”
“What?” I asked sharply, sitting forward in my seat.
My father nodded sadly. “I’ve suspected it for some time. I didn’t say anything because I only have my suspicions to go on. But why are they after her? The dead? The dark creatures?” He swallowed hard. Reaching within his emerald green robes, he withdrew a handful of papers. “I did some digging. Here. Look at these.”
I took the papers he offered and scanned them quickly, frowning.
“What are these?” I looked up at him.
“Obituaries of Natties. News articles of Natttie deaths,” he replied. “I’ve been watching. I cross-referenced them with our records on potential psychic Specials within the Nattie world who didn’t know what they were. Our records match with all of these.”
“You mean, someone within our ranks is-is systematically ordering Natties to be killed?” I paled at the thought, my stomach twisting painfully. Someone had ordered her death. Was her accident really an accident? Anger began to bubble up within me. I’d thought I’d seen a wraith the night of her accident. I couldn’t have imagined it.
“I think someone has been looking for Everly Torres for a very long time,” he stated knowingly. “And I think someone we know is feeding the record information to the Cipher. They’re looking for a mancer. We’re in the middle of a war, General.”
I let out a shaky breath at the news, trying to center myself so I could think straight. I glanced down at the news articles again. At least ten deaths of young Nattie and Special potentials. And there. An article on Everly and a photo of her smiling face obviously taken before she was injured.
An accident involving a motor vehicle and pedestrian occurred Friday night around midnight at the corner of Dice Road and Garfield Road. Everly Torres, 17, was seriously injured when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Camden Murphy, 55. Torres had been walking down the street when she was struck by Murphy. Torres was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. An additional pedestrian received minor injuries and was treated and released. Camden received no injuries.
I read the next article quickly, focusing on the important part.
Torres, 17, is expected to live.
“What the hell,” I whispered hoarsely, dropping the papers onto my desk and rubbing my forehead in frustration and anger.
“I think it goes without saying that I’m quite concerned,” my father’s voice brought me back from the brink of an all-out rage. “You need to back away from the girl.”
“We can’t leave her alone—”
“You can. You must!” he shouted. “If they know she’s the Mancer, what do you think is going to happen? Huh? They’ll take her! She needs to die, General. She needs to die and stay dead. She could end our world if the Cipher get her.”
“Then shouldn’t we be doing all that’s in our power to protect her to make sure that doesn’t happen?” I countered hotly, my hands shaking with anger as we stared one another down.
“The girl is an abomination. She cannot live—”
“I won’t let her die,” I snarled back at him, on my feet and ready to fight right then.
“Don’t force my hand, Son,” my father’s voice lowered threateningly.
“Do not force mine,” I hissed back. We sized one another up for a moment. “What do you think will happen to me if she dies and all this is true? Huh? Do you think I could just go on living like I didn’t lose the one thing in the world that was meant for me? I’m pretty sure her death would affect more than your concern for dominance! Her death might mean my own.”
“Part of being a king is being able to overcome the hardships that come with it. That includes getting over the ones we love when they leave.”
“There is a vast difference in dealing with things that happen beyond our control and allowing things to happen that can be prevented. In letting people die when they could be saved. Innocent people like Everly.”
“I don’t want innocent blood on my hands. And I don’t want it on yours either,” he breathed out. “But I will not see our kingdom fall. Let the girl go. If you want her to live, don’t go to her. Let whatever is going to happen, happen. You’ve been marked. You brought her back and set in motion things that will be difficult to stop. But we must stop them for the sake of our people. You cannot love the girl. You cannot save the girl. If the dead want her, let them have her. Do not intervene. Perhaps, if you can handle staying away from her, we can offer her protection at Dementon until her skills are honed. Then maybe the girl will have a chance at a normal life. But if you connect with her, it’s over. Do you understand?”
“You’ll let her live until something kills her,” I whispered, glaring at him.
“And you’ll let her die should it come down to it. It’s her or our entire people, General. Should you choose to disobey me, I will see to it that you are chained in the vorbex until the last breath leaves her body and she is turned to ash.”
His whispered threat left me near hysterical with a fury that surpassed anything I’d ever felt before. I glared at him, my body shaking with the rage I was struggling to keep under wraps.
“To ensure your compliance,” he continued, clearing his throat. “We’ve arranged your marriage to Amara LaCroix.
“What?” I roared. “Amara and I broke up. I will not be forced to marry her!”
“You are the next sigil! You will marry who I say—you will love who I say!”
“I’m free to love who I want—” I interjected angrily.
“Yes. As long as it’s Amara.” He stared at me before he let out a sigh. “It’s for our people, Son. They need strength. They’ll find it in you. You must present yourself as strong. The LaCroixs are one of the oldest,
strongest families in our world. With your support, Benton will be inducted into the Order. Can I count on you, Son?”
Needing to appease my father in some way, I snatched a piece of paper from my desk and scribbled for a moment. I withdrew my dagger and pricked my finger, dripping blood onto the page to seal my vote. “Here.” I thrusted the paper at him. “There’s my vote.”
“Thank you. This will help secure his spot. We need this.”
“While I have no issues with Benton, I won’t marry her.” I shook my head. “I won’t. I’m sorry, Father. I will not be you and mother. I want to love the person I marry. I want her to love me. I don’t have that with Amara. And I never will. No matter how hard you push this. I’ll give up the crown if I have to,” I drew myself up to my impressive height, my voice strong. I’d give it all up. I meant what I said.
“I won’t have a mancer as the mother of my grandchildren! If she lives forever, she holds our people forever! The Mancer is evil! An abomination! And in the Cipher hands? Our world is over!”
“Father,” I interrupted him softly, reeling in my rage. “I didn’t say it would be Everly.”
“If the Wards are true, you won’t be able to help yourself with the girl,” he snapped back at me, his face red. “You need to be wed to Amara! Your head will be clearer with a wife on your arm. You’d be bonded to her, not the Mancer. The Mancer is dangerous outside Dementon walls. She’s probably dangerous within its walls. I’m offering you a solution. If you take it, she may have a semblance of a normal life. If you don’t, I’ll see to it that she has no life at all. The choice is yours.”
“And you say the Cipher is wicked,” I snarled at him.
“I never said I wasn’t, Son. I’m just the better of the two evils,” he replied softly. “We’re being attacked from within. I need you to keep this business with the Mancer a secret. Keep it between us. Don’t tell the Order. Not until we get this sorted. And I want you to stay away from her. It was over before it began. You’ll never be with the girl. I won’t allow it.”
I never said I was going to be with her. And the fact that he was telling me who I could be with was really pissing me off. I wouldn’t stand for it. Then he wanted to threaten Everly? No way.
