“You said everyone is born of the void. Does that mean everyone can…skip?” She felt foolish saying such a childish word for something so epic as walking through time.
Ward sighed but didn’t lower his arm. “Most people are generations removed from the void. They live a normal life without ever being aware that magic exists. The paranormals are a step removed from them, still able to shift and use magic, but not create it. Then you have the anomalies, the people who can touch and use the magic of the void. This is where you and I fall. We’re more creatures of the void than human.”
“And the gods?” She avoided looking at Shade.
“While many of us might have emerged from the void, that doesn’t give us the power to use magic.” Shade was busy looking at his nails. “Only the ancient gods can pull and create creatures from the void, but there is a cost most find unacceptable. My mother is one such goddess. Most of the gods can’t sense, much less touch, the void.”
Morgan wasn’t in the least bit surprised, her mind spinning as she touched the crescent moon etched right below her collarbone. The moon was created by one long swirling line, twisted into some kind of intricate design. The line wasn’t black but appeared to have specks of the solar system spinning through it.
“So you can’t use the void?” Morgan was completely stunned.
Shade pursed his lips then shook his head. “I can’t even touch it. I’ve been given other talents.”
When he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, the smarmy expression on his face made her wince. “Too much information.”
Shade winked, then became serious. “While most gods would kill for the power to wield the void, it’s like trying to breathe water. It would kill them in minutes.”
Her mouth dropped open in surprise, and she turned toward Ward. “Explain.”
While she should be relieved that others couldn’t access the unlimited power, her skin chilled with the knowledge that their abilities were so rare. The target on her back felt like it just became the size of a barn.
Shade glanced at her like she was an idiot, his smirk and raised eyebrows making her stomach sink, and she wanted to smack herself. “The royal line.”
“Exactly.” Ward met her gaze when another realization struck her.
“You’re royalty too.” Her mind went blank for a few seconds, then she perked up. “I’m not next in line. I don’t have to give everything up. You’re one of the forgotten princes. Now that you’re back, you can—”
But Ward was already shaking his head. “I gave up my birthright to become a warden, and I’ve been gone too long. As far as everyone’s concerned, I’m a servant, the lowest dredges of society. I’m the black sheep of the family.”
Her good cheer wilted at the edges, but she wasn’t giving up her freedom so quickly. “But if I refuse to take the crown—”
“Sorry, sweetheart, it doesn’t work like that.” Shade almost looked repentant. “The only way to abdicate and pass on the title is if you’re dead.”
Her spirits plummeted once more, her life feeling like she was on a rollercoaster. She slumped against the table and rubbed her brow. “I don’t suppose I can fake my death?”
Footsteps approached, but she didn’t lift her head. The boots that came into view were old, clearly custom made. She expected Ascher, and couldn’t have been more surprised when she looked up and found Ward standing before her. “Nothing you could offer me would ever induce me to trade places with you, but I can do something to help.”
Morgan wasn’t sure if she should trust him, especially since her last relative had literally tried to kill her. “What do you suggest?”
He held out his hand. “I can show you how to protect the ones you love. I don’t remember much from before I was imprisoned in the void, but I do know my job as a warden was my life. It was a calling I couldn’t refuse. I considered it my sacred duty to keep the realm safe. Time had forgotten about me, my duty nothing but ash, but I believed I was called out of the void for a reason…you. Let me protect you, let me be your shield. It’s the only life I know.”
Her chest felt hollow for everything he’d lost. “But you have your life back. You could do anything. Why stay? Why put your life in danger for me?”
She didn’t want that responsibility.
“Why be a hunter? Why stay here and fight for the Academy? You could have a life of leisure. You don’t have to fight for anything anymore. Why stay?”
Her mind rebelled at the thought of abandoning everything she held dear. Before she could form an answer, he nodded, smiling gently at her.
“You have morals. Scruples. Honor.”
He made it sound like she’d made horrible life choices, and Morgan laughed, feeling self-conscious. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes.” All three men spoke at once, and her humor faded.
They were completely serious.
“You deserve a chance to live. I can be your shield. I can teach you how to keep your men alive, how to protect your Academy.” He lifted his arm higher. “What do you say, cousin?”
For a second, she wondered why it was so important to him, until she recalled what he just told her. He’d given up everything to be a warden, protecting the two worlds from destruction, even walking into the void to prevent anyone from taking it over.
They were the same.
Morgan straightened, then held out her hand to him. “Let’s do this.”
While he didn’t react openly, tension left his shoulders. Neither of them were alone any longer. He grabbed her wrist, and she did the same, able to feel the magic seeping from his skin.
“Close your eyes.”
She obeyed without hesitation. “Now what?”
But even as she spoke, she felt the magic around him warm, saw the particles explode outward, and her hand fell limply to her side. Her eyes snapped open, and she turned to find Ward was now twenty paces away from her.
“Good. You were able to track me.” Pride made his voice warmer, and she’d swear that he almost smiled. A movement beyond him caught her attention, and she saw Loki edging out of the shadows.
“Behind you.” Even before she finished speaking, Loki leapt toward Ward. Without hesitation, the warden vanished and reappeared across the room.
Loki glanced around for a few seconds, sniffed the air, as if catching the scent of the vanishing particles, then whipped around to stare pointedly at Ward again with narrowed eyes and a little rumbling growl to show what he thought of the trick. The gardog stuck his nose up in the air, turned his back and sulked back into the rows of books.
But she doubted that they’d seen the last of him.
“What would’ve happened if he landed on you when you skipped? Would he have traveled with you?”
“That is one of the draw backs of skipping. You can only take yourself. Skipping costs a lot of power and energy. The bigger the distance, the bigger the toll it will take on you. It’s easier to just rip open a portal if you have to move more than one person, rather than try and skip them.”
“But it’s possible.” Excitement tingled through her at the thought of being able to control something about her life.
Ward scowled, but didn’t refuse to answer. “It takes practice. If you try too hard, you’ll only end up rebounding and most likely drop unconscious, and then you won’t be any good to anyone.”
It was her turn to scowl. For some reason that seemed to amuse him, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“Your turn.”
Nerves unexpectedly got the better of her. She opened her mouth to protest that she needed more time, then closed it again. He was right. There was no practice. It was either do it or fail.
Morgan closed her eyes, then looked beyond her bones and flesh to the magic beneath. Stars began to wink into existence, and a warmth suffused her chest. She waited for the particles to explode outward, but nothing happened. As the heat continued to climb, her skin began to tingle and ache.
It wanted out.
/>
It actually wanted to be used.
She went over the instructions again and realized that she’d been so focused on calling the magic, she’d missed a crucial step…location. She concentrated on the alcove, imagining the stones under her feet, imagined what it felt like stepping into the void, and willed herself to dissolve.
And nothing.
“It’s like walking. You don’t tell your legs to move, your body just knows what to do.”
Trusting her instincts, Morgan stepped forward, felt warm air shift around her. The tingling spread through her body, like her limbs had fallen asleep, and then she was slapped harshly in the face with cold air.
She didn’t feel the explosion of particles, didn’t sense anything but silence around her.
Disappointment pinged through her, and she opened her eyes.
And was startled to find herself standing above the alcove looking down.
“But how?” She glanced around, not sure she believed that she’d been able to skip. She didn’t even feel the stones shift under her feet.
Shade and Ascher grinned up at her while Ward remained disapproving. “That took too long. You’ll need to practice until it becomes second nature. You need to be able to reach for the ability and move in milliseconds. You should be able to evade a bullet if you’re fast enough.”
It wasn’t the praise that she was expecting, but she would take it.
Flashing them a mischievous grin, Morgan gave a small wave. “As you wish. See you later.”
It was easier this time. She heard Ascher shout in protest just as she backed up and the world around her dissolved. In the next second, the view of the setting sun filled her vision, and her body smacked into stone.
Heat sprang up at the contact.
Even before she whirled, she knew who she’d find.
Gargoyle.
She glanced at the Academy, sighing in relief when she didn’t spot any of her stalkers in hot pursuit. Then the strength vanished from her legs, like her feet had dissolved beneath her, and she tumbled to the ground abruptly, beyond tired.
She hauled herself up on the bench, and could swear that the gargoyle had edged closer to stand protectively over her, so she knew she would be safe. Though he didn’t speak a word, she considered the gargoyle a friend…or maybe they were only friends because he didn’t talk.
Either way, the warmth of his stone touch lulled her into sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Ryder felt the instant the bonds between him and Morgan stretched, the metal webbing on his shoulder shivering in reaction, and the spider dug its talons into his shoulder. It only lasted a second, but it felt like his heart nearly exploded out of his chest. He jerked to his feet, the bag he was packing hit the ground, and he shot towards the door, nearly stumbling over his own feet when the metal webbing vibrated again.
He barely caught himself before taking a violent tumble down the stairs.
Draven shouted after him, but he ignored the siren, still pissed at the asshole for putting Morgan in danger in the first place. His wolf tore at his control, demanding the freedom to hunt her. It was only when he felt her presence again, warm and whole in his mind, that he was able to push back the wolf long enough to think beyond the panic clouding his mind.
She was in the garden.
She was safe.
He mentally found the closest wolves and ordered a pair to watch over her until he could get there, but the knots in his stomach didn’t ease—nothing would until he could physically see with his own eyes that she was safe. He took the stairs three at a time, even leaping down a few flights, heading toward the closest exit.
As he dodged around the kitchen staff, he paused, then grabbed a couple of sandwiches off one of the plates. One of the women scowled at him, and he flashed his fangs, pleased when the twit swallowed hard and hastily retreated.
If she wanted to treat him like an animal, then he would act like one.
He’d pretended to play submissive to those who lived at the Academy. He was a wolf, nothing more than hired protection. Morgan made him see that he was so much more, made him believe that he mattered.
He just needed her to see that the same applied to her.
She was more than a student, more than a hunter.
She was their life.
He edged open the door, only managing a few steps into the garden before he spotted her, and his stride hitched when he saw Morgan lying fast asleep on a stone bench. Something inside his chest turned over at her beautiful innocence.
While she was stunning when she was awake, he liked watching her when she wasn’t aware of him. She was softer, more real when she didn’t have to hide behind her hard-ass persona.
His good mood evaporated when he saw the gargoyle crouched protectively over her, and a feral growl worked up his chest.
Mine.
“What’s wrong, wolf boy?” Stanley, the mangy winged cat they’d picked up from the other realm, sat calmly grooming himself. “Don’t like the competition?”
Despite himself, Ryder’s lips curled in a snarl.
“I mean, I don’t get it.” Stanley lowered his orange paw and peered at him with yellow eyes that saw too much. “You share her with your team. Why does one possessive rock matter?”
As much as he hated to admit it, the fleabag was right. Ryder had never expected to receive the honor of having a mate, so he had no right to feel jealous. He rubbed his jaw, unable to pinpoint what it was about the gargoyle that disturbed him. “They’re different.”
There was something old and ancient about the gargoyle.
He was in the garden for a reason…he broke the law.
His penance was to keep watch over the Academy.
He didn’t trust the bastard.
The last time the gargoyle awoke, he swept Morgan away, denying them the chance to protect her, and she’d nearly been killed as a result.
Stanley shook his wings out and stood, and Ryder realized that the cat had filled out considerably in the past few weeks since he’d been earthside…no doubt thanks to all the snacks he pilfered from Morgan. On more than a few occasions, Ryder had seen the beast bring back his prize and offer it to her, only to have her gently give it back to the big cat with a barely controlled grimace.
Stanley sauntered away, his mangled tail high as he sashayed past. Ryder thought he was rid of the thing until the cat turned, his beat-up ear pitched forward slightly. “They’ve been in battle together. They’ve shed blood.”
Ryder’s hands curled into fists at the reminder, smooshing the sandwiches, and it was all he could do to keep his wolf from tearing free in spite of his control.
“But neither of them bear any mating marks.” Without another word, the cat slipped beneath the undergrowth and disappeared, leaving Ryder completely flummoxed.
Some of the crushing pressure on top of his chest eased, and he found himself walking toward Morgan, unable to remain separate from her any longer. Her fresh scent hit him so hard, his wolf howled in his head, urging him to lay claim.
Without being sure how it happened, he found himself kneeling beside her, unable to tear his eyes away. As if sensing him watching, those beautiful, almost violet eyes opened, and every thought went right out of his head. Her sleepy smile was open and welcoming, and he handed over the last pieces of his soul.
With her so close, he couldn’t not touch her…it had been too long since he’d been alone with her. He missed their runs, missed just being near her, missed the peace she brought to his soul.
He leaned forward, unable to resist the urge to taste her.
It’d been too long.
Morgan didn’t move, didn’t breathe as Ryder brushed his lips oh-so-gently over hers, like she was something beyond precious. Much too soon, he pulled back, and it took all her resolve not to follow his lips, remembering the reckless passion of their last kiss.
As much as she hated to admit it, now was not the time.
“Is that for me?” She nodded to
ward the partially crushed sandwich in his hand, and her stomach rumbled loudly.
Ryder glanced down in confusion, then slowly uncurled his fingers, a blush darkening his cheeks when he held the somewhat mangled sandwich out to her. “I can get you something else.”
When he rose to his feet to do so, Morgan snatched the sandwich away from him and hurriedly shoved a huge bite into her mouth before he could take it back. He stood before her, gazing at her in bemusement while she ate. She mumbled to him to sit, and when he didn’t appear to understand, she patted the seat next to her.
He glanced down at the stone where she’d indicated, then took the seat at the other end of the bench, between her and the gargoyle, seemingly pleased with himself. She blinked, a bit baffled at his odd reaction, but too hungry to pause and ask any questions. It didn’t take her more than a few more bites to finish the sandwich.
“I suppose it’s time to go?” She stared down and brushed the crumbs off her hands.
Ryder didn’t take her to task for disappearing, and she was grateful for the reprieve. She didn’t have to ask how he found her. He was her mate, and he’d always be able to find her, no matter where she went. At first she hated the invasion of her privacy, but now it was soothing to know that they would always be nearby when she needed them.
She turned her mind to the upcoming hunt, and couldn’t shake the sickening feeling that she was dragging her team down with her, like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from.
“We could stay.” His voice was low and gentle, as if sensing her fragile mood. “The people here would fight for you.”
Instinct warned her that staying would only lead to an even bigger clusterfuck, and she shook her head. “You heard her. It’s safer to be away from the Academy when the hunt starts. We can’t afford to lose any more hunters, especially so needlessly. I got us into this mess. I won’t take the whole school down with me.”
Despite the sun hitting the horizon, she was in no rush to leave the peace that enveloped her in Ryder’s presence. Then, knowing it was time, he stood and gallantly held out his hand to her. She took it gratefully, allowing him to pull her to her feet. The walk to the front of the school was made in silence, and she leaned against him, afraid that after tonight, everything would change.
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