“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rosco questioned looking horrified.
“Don’t even try to pretend that you and the Council aren’t plotting to kill my sisters,” Nico shouted, forcing the members to take a few steps backwards. “Not only are you planning to murder members of the Alpha families but there’s also a traitor among you. I happen to think you’re all traitors but since I don’t have proof I won’t speak of it again until I do.”
“That’s quite the accusation,” Rosco said calmly.
“One you haven’t denied,” Nico turned away from him motioning for us to follow him into his study. The Council would know something was up when we entered the study with bags on our backs. It was pretty obvious that we weren’t just there to visit but like Nico said, it’s none of their business.
Once inside the study, we were surrounded by all the Alphas who each came up to me and gave me a strong hug, expressing their concern for me. Apparently, my new life as a prophet scared them just as much as it scared my own blood brothers. They insisted that I sit down and continue to rest until we were all here and ready to go. This over protectiveness was getting old pretty quick, but I told myself that I needed to be understanding so instead of fighting them, I sat down and waited for the others to arrive. Luna and Declan were the next ones to walk through the door, looking concerned as they closed it behind them.
“Rosco just threatened us,” Declan looked at Levi who then looked over at Nico. Levi wasn’t trying to start a fight or anything close to resembling that, but I could tell he was questioning the safety of the other species within the Castle.
“What did he say?” Nico asked as he took a few steps forward, standing slightly in front of the other Alphas.
“He said, ‘if you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave the territory’ and then he spit at my feet,” Luna told us. “It wasn’t even a good spit.”
“Did you say anything to him?” Levi asked looking at Luna since she would be the one to rise to the threat and make it worse.
“I was going to,” she admitted. “But Declan covered my mouth before I had a chance.”
“You’ll be thanking him later for that,” Levi scolded. “We’ll be out of the Castle soon, so we won’t entertain his threat right now, but we might have to look into it when we get back and not just within the Werewolf Council. All the Councils need to be investigated.”
“Who’s being investigated?” Nova asked as she opened the door. She must’ve heard our conversation from the other side of the door.
“Your future father-in-law,” Luna snarled as she glanced over at Nova.
“What’d he do now?” Roman sighed deeply, annoyed that his father was still breathing. I didn’t know all the details between Roman and his father’s relationship, but I know he hated the man. It seemed to be a recurring theme within the Council. Their children hated them, and it wasn’t hard to understand why.
“He’s just making threats that he’ll never be able to go through with,” Declan chuckled as he leaned up against the wall next to the door.
“He’s not your problem, Roman,” Dion assured him. “Your father has been trouble for the Alphas a lot longer than you’ve been alive. This is nothing new.”
“Can’t we just kill him and get it over with?” Luna asked, standing close to Declan.
“For fuck’s sake, Luna,” Liam said loudly. “Just because Roman hates the dickhead doesn’t mean he’ll condone murder.”
“It wouldn’t bother me,” Roman shrugged his shoulders making everyone in the room go silent.
“There is something seriously wrong with this family,” Juno said as he rubbed his temples.
“We can discuss murdering people at another time but right now we need to leave before the Council catches on to what we’re doing,” Nico said. “I don’t want to be questioned by them again today.”
“They shouldn’t be questioning you at all,” Nero mumbled, shutting up when Nico glared at him. We all shared Nero’s views but now wasn’t the time to discuss it. Once we were out of the Castle, breathing in the fresh air, we would be able to think more clearly. The only thing on our minds now was finding our fathers.
Kory, Kody, and Nathan stood together now, shoulder to shoulder. They reached out their arms, palms facing the wall as they muttered a few words. A portal appeared shortly after they stopped talking, all three of them looking like they didn’t even break a sweat. They refused to let me help. I almost said something that would force them to let me be a part of the spell but then I caught Nathan’s eyes and I remembered that I promised him that I would try. I didn’t like it, but I sat back down, nodding towards him so that he knew I was listening to him up in our chambers.
When the portal was stable, I stood up and walked over to Nathan and my brothers. We stood side by side as the others went through the portal. We always went through last just in case trouble was trying to follow us. We could close the portal before anyone could go after our family. Sure, it meant we were in danger, but it was worth it to us if it meant the ones we love were safe. Nathan and I went through after the giants, Kody and Kory not too far behind. Together the four of us closed the portal, surprising me that they let me help with this one. You didn’t need as much energy to close a portal, so I guess it made sense. In his own way, Nathan was compromising with me. He wouldn’t let me help open the portal, but he did let me help close it. Later, when I really thought about it, I would be annoyed, but I saw the thought behind it and that was what stood out the most.
We were back at the treehouse, which definitely looked different from when we were here last. Malachi must’ve known that we had taken the journal because it looked like someone went on an angry rampage. The remaining parts of the house that were up in the tree were now on the ground, broken into smaller pieces. The parts that were already on the ground were destroyed beyond recognition. Malachi definitely threw a temper tantrum after we left. I found it rather funny, but it was also dangerous. When a sorcerer lost control like that a lot of innocent people could get hurt. He already tortured people when he was in control and seeing him lose that wasn’t something on my things to witness. Enough people have suffered because of that maniac.
“Which way did you guys go from here?” Juno asked as he continued to look around the area.
“We chased him down this way,” Declan answered pointing to the other side of the treehouse. “We probably ran after him for at least three miles, maybe more.”
“Let’s head that way then,” Nico said. “Take it slow and watch your surroundings. We don’t need to startle anything that could be a threat.”
“If you hear something don’t assume it’s Malachi,” I said. “If our fathers are out here it could be them.”
“Are we sure that they’re out here?” Deja questioned, speaking what we all were thinking.
“I think so,” I answered. “They’ve obviously been to the cave but whether or not they’re still there, I really don’t know. Once Nova and Roman took the journal from Uncle Ben’s room they may have left knowing they’ve been made.”
“I didn’t even think of that,” Nova said, her tone sounding weak, her guilt covering her face.
“No one did, Nova,” Juda told her. “Let’s just hope they’re still here. If they’re not, then we’ll keep looking.”
I wanted to run to the cave and hope my father was still there, but Nico was right. We needed to take it slow. We all started to split up, searching different areas as we continued to head for the cave. Nathan was by my side just in case I had another fainting spell. I had told him before that I only faint when I have visions but that didn’t satisfy him.
“You get weak, too,” he reminded me. “I can sense your energy, Kota, and it’s not one hundred percent yet.”
“I’m well aware of that,” I said calmly as I thought about the holes in my energy. I knew it was because of the vision I had but I should’ve regained all of my energy by now. It had to be because I insisted on opening the p
ortal to get here the first time. Why was I so stubborn? Was it really that big of a deal to let Nathan help? I should’ve let him open the portal so that my energy could strengthen.
“All I’m saying is that I’m worried about you,” he admitted. “I don’t like seeing you like that and since you’re still weak, I’m not leaving your side.”
“Okay, fine,” I gave in. “But I can take care of myself so unless I’m really struggling, don’t go overboard with it.”
“I’m going to tell you that I’ll try but I make no promises,” he chuckled as I smiled up at him.
I could sense the others close by as we covered more ground. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary at first but then a pull tugged at me, making me stop, spinning in circles as I tried to figure out where it came from.
“What’s wrong?” Nathan asked.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” I told him. “Something tugged at me, but I can’t sense any other energy other than ours.”
“I don’t sense anything either,” he told me. “Are you sure it’s not one of the others that you felt.”
“I would’ve recognized them if,” I muttered. “Maybe it was nothing.”
“It’s never nothing with you, Kota,” Nathan dropped his hand on my shoulder trying to get me to face him. I stayed put though. I was facing the direction of the cave, but it wasn’t my focus. It was something beyond that grabbing my attention.
I started to walk again, keeping the same pace that I was before. Nathan followed me, seeming confused, but chose not to ask any questions. I sensed the fairies above us in the trees. I’m not sure what they’ll find up there, but I was in no position to tell them how they should be looking for anything out of the ordinary. I wasn’t a fairy, so I had no business making any comments.
I felt the tug again, taking me off course when I ran after it. Nathan was yelling from behind me, but I could tell he was catching up quickly. I had no idea what I was running towards, but I did know that I needed to figure it out, otherwise, I would be no help to my family. Nathan was next to me now trying to talk to me as we ran but I wasn’t answering him. I needed to stay focused on whatever it was that was trying to talk to me. As we got closer, I started to recognize the energy, forcing me to stop, skidding as I tried to slow down.
“What the fuck was that, Kota?” Nathan yelled as we finally stood in one place.
“It’s him,” I mumbled.
“Malachi?” he questioned looking in the same direction that I couldn’t take my eyes off of.
“No,” I answered. “It’s Rosco.”
“Roman’s father?” he asked trying to get a better look at what I was seeing. “What’s he doing out here? I don’t even see him.”
“He’s just beyond the bushes over there,” I told him as I pointed towards the bushes that were lined up perfectly, creating a short fence. I focused once more trying to get a read on what he was doing over there but then a second energy joined him, confirming what we already knew: there’s a spy among us. “Malachi.”
“What about him?” Nathan continued to try and keep up, but I could tell he was struggling.
“He’s with Rosco,” I told him. “Rosco’s the spy that’s been feeding Malachi information.”
“He must be the one leading the Councils to try to kill you and the girls off,” Nathan said after putting together the rest.
“He’s not getting away with it,” I said as I started running towards the two, jumping the small bush fence, entering the area where they were conversing. Nathan wasn’t happy with me, but he was still right by my side. We’d be discussing this later, but he seemed to be following my lead for now.
“You’ve been made, Rosco,” Nathan said as we both stopped in front of them. Malachi looked like he always did, arrogant and demonic. Rosco seemed worried at first but then his demeanor changed. His confidence level went up and I couldn’t tell if it was because of Malachi or if it was because he knew something that we didn’t. Neither of those options was ideal.
“I should’ve known you’d figure it out eventually,” Rosco said as he took a step towards us. “You’re smarter than you look, I’ll give you that.”
“Why would you betray us?” I asked. “You’re supposed to protect your territory and Medova.”
“That maybe so but the Alphas had other plans,” he replied as Malachi stood there taking it all in. He was so creepy. “They were going to get rid of the Council, only keep the original three families.”
“That wouldn’t concern you,” Nathan told him. “You’re one of the original three.”
“Yes, but I was never second in command,” he shouted. “Your uncle refused to give me the title that I was born to have and the second your so-called brother became the Alpha he gave the title to my offspring!”
His anger was growing by the minute. I didn’t like that he was putting blame on Nico and Roman. His beef was with Uncle Ben who didn’t give him the title for a reason. Rosco wasn’t trustworthy the way Roman was. He had to know that was the reason. His actions throughout his time on the Council spoke a lot louder than he must be aware of.
“So, you align yourself with him to get back at us?” I asked as I pointed at Malachi. The red demon didn’t move. He just stood there almost like he was calculating the exact moment he should pounce.
“We have similar goals, he and I,” Rosco confirmed. “We both want the Alpha families out of the picture, so yes, I did align myself with him and so have several other members from all five of the Councils. You’re not as loved as you thought you were.”
“Even if that were true you have to know that you won’t win this fight,” I yelled taking a few steps towards him. My blood was boiling now, my anger reaching heights I didn’t know existed within me. I felt my energy getting stronger, almost like I was fueling myself with my emotions.
“You have something that belongs to me, sorceress,” Malachi sang in a low tone as he took a few steps in my direction. “I want it back.”
“Not going to happen,” I said as my arms reached back, shooting forward, releasing an energy that looked like two lightning bolts.
“Kota, what are you doing?” I heard Nathan yelling but I couldn’t hear him over the energy I was releasing.
Malachi blocked himself from my spell but that didn’t stop me. I continued to throw spell after spell at him, never letting him go on the offensive. I wanted to weaken him. Even with his strength, he couldn’t keep blocking what I was throwing at him forever. Rosco hid behind the trees like a coward knowing there was no chance he would be able to fight me. My energy was so strong and only an idiot would try to take me down. Malachi was the only one who seemed to think he could fight me and win.
“Kota, you have to stop,” Nathan shouted as he dropped his hand on my shoulder again. This time, when his hand touched me, something inside both of us changed. Both of our eyes started to glow, and our energy combined. We each contained our strength as well as the others, making the two of us stronger than Malachi would ever be. I saw the fear on Malachi’s face. I recognized it from our time at the farm when he realized his spell failed and our brothers were about to kick his ass.
Nathan and I were trying to figure out what was going on between us but when I saw Malachi trying to escape my attention shifted again, throwing more spells at him. He tried to open a portal like he always did when he was trying to be cowardly. The portal was forming but my lightning bolt shut it down, making it disappear right in front of his eyes. Nathan and I walked towards him, our eyes still glowing only now the lightning was covering our palms ready for the next round.
Malachi threw his own energy at us, both of us easily blocking it like it was nothing. Together, our dominant side turned away from him, only to shoot forward again, knocking him to the ground. He didn’t move at first, but then he stood up, throwing his own lightning spells up towards the sky. He was calling for help. I had seen enough of those visuals in the history books. They required dark energy that one only obtained wh
en they took an innocent life. Malachi was notorious for killing innocent people. That call would only be seen by his followers, the ones who made a blood oath to stand by his side. I shouldn’t be able to see it but like all the other weird things the girls and I can do I figure we should just add it to the list. Nathan could see it as well, but it must be because he’s linked to me now. Nathan made a run for Malachi, attempting to stop him from making the call but it was too late. Enough followers had already seen it and no matter what we did to Malachi, they were on their way.
Nathan and Malachi exchanged a few punches. Malachi’s short, hunchbacked frame seemed to be keeping up with my husband just fine. I noticed Rosco trying to flee the forest, but I refused to let him get away. All I did was reached towards him and my bolt of energy wrapped around his foot, dragging him back to me. He tried to dig his fingertips into the ground as if he actually believed that would do something to help him. I noticed him trying to shift but he was too emotional for anything to help him. I had long conversation with Nova about what it was like to shift and she made it very clear that one had to be calm and focused. Rosco wasn’t either of those things.
Just as Nathan took a step back from Malachi I whipped the energy holding onto Rosco towards the red demon, Rosco’s heavy body knocking him over, pinning him to the ground. I ran towards Malachi, ready to kill him and get this over with but Nathan stopped me.
“What are you doing?” I yelled, trying to get away from him.
“We need to get out of here,” he told me.
“What?” I shouted. “Why? He’s right there, we can end this right now.”
“He called for help, Kota!” his voiced raise. “We can’t take him and his followers out. We’re outnumbered. Think about it.”
“I can’t just let him get away,” I told him as I took another step towards the man who took my father from me.
“Kota!” Nathan yelled one more time, but I blocked him out. We were still linked, our bodies glowing as our strength continued to grow. I pushed Rosco out of the way so that I could get to Malachi. The little weasel tried to scoot himself away from me, but he wasn’t able to move fast enough. Swirling lights surrounded us as several portals began to open. I saw Nathan taking on the followers that came through them, killing all of them without even trying. I don’t know why he was so worried.
Deprived (Daughter of an Alpha Book 2) Page 22
