That he would have to bleed Vail as a mountain cat was a given. That he could control his cravings was not.
With Vail this weak and unable to project his own Vector magic, the control would be up to Jaeger. It was not something he wanted to think about at the moment. Right now, all he could concentrate on was keeping Vail with him and away from Celd.
A sigh of relief rushed from him as the first rays of sun caressed the lands. He lay his head against Vail's and closed his eyes. They had made it. At least, for one more night. Jaeger drew a quiet breath waiting for the shift.
Then, abruptly, Vector magic surrounded him. It sank dark, heavy claws into his mind and soul. It grabbed at him and tried to wrench him away from Vail. Jaeger bellowed in anger and held tighter, startling Vail to alertness.
The young man stared at him in terror; then, seeming to realize what was happening, he wrapped his arms about Jaeger's chest in a fierce hold. They were both sucked up in one powerful spell and whisked through time and space to land on a wide ledge outside a dark cave. The ocean waves snarled and hissed on the rocks below, sending spray high into the air. Each drop that touched Jaeger's skin stung like a nettle burn. He winced and got to his feet.
A voice hammered into his consciousness. A voice familiar and yet not what he expected. He turned, his eyes wide with disbelief. Darius stood on the ledge near the cave. He was motioning frantically to Jaeger.
"Inside! At once!” he snapped. “The boy, too!"
Jaeger helped Vail to his feet, and together they staggered into the cave. Rhiannon was lying on a cushion made of fir boughs and blankets. Her face was pale and sweaty, pain evident in her eyes. Jaeger gasped out a sob and fell to his knees beside her. She didn't seem surprised to see him, though she did let out a loud gasp as Vail dropped down beside Jaeger.
"Rhia!” Vail cried. “Thank the saints and goddesses!"
Jaeger reached for her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it gently. His mind was muddled. He didn't know what to make of anything.
He looked to Darius in question, but the Vector was watching the mouth of the cave. A second later, Celd appeared, shifting rapidly from the form of a hawk. He strode into the dim interior of the cave, rage darkening his face.
"What is the meaning of this?” he bellowed, his voice echoing from stone wall to stone wall.
Jaeger rose at once, wondering at the lack of respect Celd was showing to Darius. Even as a Chosen, Darius was still of a higher rank. Celd should have at least acknowledged that. But what was even more surprising was Darius’ lack of upset over it. In fact, he seemed to be totally ignoring everything before him. Vail scampered to the other side of Rhiannon's bed and gripped her hand as if in reassurance. She looked up at Celd through eyes hazy with pain and fatigue.
"You're too late,” she whispered, then let out a moan as a contraction tightened her abdomen.
"I am never too late,” Celd snapped, then swung his gaze to Darius. “I asked you a question, old man! What is the meaning of this? How dare you take my hostess! How dare you keep her shielded from me all of this time!"
Again, Darius said nothing, but merely stared blankly at Celd. Jaeger frowned, and stepped towards the Elder, but Celd whirled on him, stopping him in mid stride.
"And you! You have written your own death warrant!” He spun out a magical attack sending Jaeger to his knees, gasping in agony.
"If my death is imminent,” he managed, “at the least I will go out fighting.” He brought his own magic forward and formed a Spell; but before he could cast it, the first rays of morning light sliced the horizon open.
"No!” Jaeger bellowed in fury and disbelief. “Darius! Do something!"
Celd roared with self-satisfied laughter as Jaeger became the mountain cat.
"So, Jaeg,” he said coldly. “You've gotten yourself into quite a predicament, haven't you?"
Rhiannon let out a shriek of pain, drawing everyone's attention.
Celd smiled coldly. “My child will be a strong one,” he snarled. “It gives its mother much pain. That is the way it should be. I shall give her more."
The words sent rage spiraling through Jaeger; and without thinking, he launched his muscular cat body at Celd. He hit the Vector in the chest, throwing both of them to the hard ground. Celd's breath rushed out with a grunt of surprise and pain. He quickly recovered and threw Jaeger off with a force fueled by magic.
Jaeger landed hard, rolled, and came again to his feet. The hip that had taken the arrow wound so many weeks ago throbbed mercilessly. He prepared himself for another attack on Celd even as Rhiannon once again screamed in pain. Jaeger dared a quick glance at her and Vail. The latter was white, his eyes enormous as he watched his sister prepare for birth.
Darius still hadn't moved. His eyes were glazed over as if his thoughts were far from what was happening in the cave before him. Jaeger returned his attention to Celd just in time.
The Vector had hoped to catch Jaeger off-guard and sent a powerful bolt of magic his way. Jaeger had just enough time to leap out of the way. He once again hurled himself at Celd, but the Vector was ready for him. He sidestepped and caught up Jaeger in a wicked web of magic, slamming him against the stone wall of the cave.
It took Jaeger a moment to get to his feet, to re-orient himself. He was tiring and in pain. His muscles ached, and old wounds reminded him of their presence. His limp was more pronounced as he stepped forward once again.
Celd seemed more in control, stronger than Jaeger had ever seen him. He wondered why, if it was a side benefit of being a Chosen. Then again, Celd had not just spent the last few months trekking across an inhospitable land. And Celd was not a halfling. A halfling, distracted now, as the woman he loved writhed in agony.
Her shrill cries echoed in the caves, tearing into Jaeger's heart. He wanted to be with her, to help her, comfort her. More than that, he wanted to remove Celd from the picture. He watched, still dazed, as Celd moved closer to Rhiannon. The thought of him touching her again drove insane jealousy and hate through Jaeger. A growl escaped him as he crouched for another attack.
Water. The word drifted into Jaeger's thoughts, and he turned his gaze on Darius. The Vector was watching him, but made no movement to help either him or Rhiannon. Water? Jaeger shook his head in confusion, even as Rhiannon cried out again.
Celd stood over her, a smirk on his face. Rhiannon glared up at him, gritting her teeth against the pain that wracked her body. Vail seemed paralyzed by both his fear of Celd and his empathy for what Rhiannon was going through. When Celd's gaze moved to him, Vail caught his breath and backed away. Jaeger growled in warning.
Celd spun on him. “Don't threaten me, Jaeger!” he seethed. “I could kill you with one touch! But I think I'll let you witness the birth first. I want you to see what a wonderful hostess I picked. This woman will serve me well. And when I am done with her, this boy will take her place."
Jaeger roared in fury, but it was Vail who reacted. He bolted from his position, leapt over Rhiannon's body, and flung himself at Celd. The attack caught the Vector by surprise, and he staggered backward. Jaeger used the opportunity to dart forward, and place himself behind Celd's legs. The Vector fell over him, landing hard on the stone. He bellowed in pain, trying to right himself. Jaeger used his massive jaws, his wickedly sharp teeth, and tore into Celd's neck.
Celd retaliated with a wild, random attack of magic. Jaeger heard Vail shriek and scuffle away, but he would not relax his grip on Celd's neck. He finally understood what Darius meant. The water. The water crashing and snarling below the ledge. The water heavy with stinging salt, alive with full daylight.
Wicked bolts of magic slammed against him as he dragged Celd from the cave. At the same time, something enveloped Jaeger, keeping the agony at a bearable level. Jaeger wondered if it was Rhiannon or Vail shielding him, but had little time to dwell on it.
Celd writhed in agony as the sunlight touched his hair, caught at his skin, and tore into his senses. He struggled to free himsel
f from Jaeger's grasp. Jaeger held firm, though his strength was rapidly waning. His fur was singed completely off where Celd's magic had ripped into him. His hip was alive with agony, hampering his movements. He knew he would never be able to push Celd over the cliff. He would have to drag him over.
Rhiannon's screams turned from those of pain to those of terror, as she connected with Jaeger's thoughts.
No, Jaeger! Don't! Please, don't!
The despair in the words cut into Jaeger's concentration, and Celd wrested free, his blood dripping to the ground. His wound began to heal itself at once, though his skin was blistering from the sun's touch. He staggered to his feet, gasping, and slammed Jaeger with a magic jolt so intense it sent him sprawling to the dirt. Jaeger attempted to rise but could not summon the strength to do so. Still, he would not give up. He dragged his battered body toward Celd, roaring as bolt after bolt tore into him, sending his muscles into spasms of pure agony.
He smelled his own burning fur and flesh, knew he bled from dozens of wounds. Still, he crawled forward.
"You'll pay, Jaeger!” Celd screamed. “You'll pay for everything!” He delivered one last searing bolt of magic.
Jaeger collapsed, his breathing rasping in his chest. Rhiannon's screams reached a new intensity, and he knew that she had given birth to the child. As did Celd.
The Vector spun toward the cave, abandoning his attack on Jaeger. He took two steps forward, then gasped as Vail abruptly bolted from the cave, his scream of rage and defiance shattering the morning chill.
The young man caught Celd with both arms, never breaking his forward momentum, and the two men disappeared over the cliff.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jaeger stared at the empty space where the two men had been. Then, his roar of disbelief and despair spun into the air. He closed his eyes and sprawled on the hard ground, willing death to claim him as well. However, it was not death that touched him. It was Darius’ magic. It surrounded him, stroked him, and caressed him with love. It swept him up in its powerful embrace and transported him to a place of peace and healing. He felt safe and secure. And loved. More so than he had felt since he was a small child. Images of his parents were strong and constantly present. They comforted him, brought him a sense of peace, and eased the turmoil in his shattered spirit.
How long he stayed in the healing trance, he didn't know. But, finally, he shuddered and opened his eyes to find that he was once more in Vector form, lying in the cool darkness of the cave. Rhiannon lay within arms’ reach, holding the baby well wrapped and suckling at her breast.
Jaeger stared at her, at the child, his mind dully registering that the child was drinking human milk.
"Jaeger?” The voice was soft and familiar.
Jaeger sat up so fast his head spun. Vail was sitting near a small fire, tending to a piece of roasting meat. He looked whole and healthy, unscathed by his plunge into the rocky surf. Jaeger frowned, shaking his head. He closed his eyes, opened them again. Nothing had changed.
Rhiannon smiled at him as Vail approached them. “Jaeger?” he said again. “How are you feeling?"
"How am I ... me...” Jaeger stared at him in shock. “Me? You! How did you ... I mean, you went over the cliff!"
Vail chuckled. “I did, didn't I? Well, thank the saints I can swim fairly well."
"But the rocks,” Jaeger said. “You couldn't have survived the fall."
"Not on my own, no,” Vail replied. “But I had a little help."
"Help?"
"From you. From your blood. And from Darius.” He gestured.
Jaeger turned, startled. Darius approached from the gloom of the caves. He wore a small smile, and he gestured toward the baby. “He's a handsome boy, Jaeger. You should be proud."
"Proud?” Jaeger looked again at Rhiannon and the child. “Proud?"
"Here.” Rhiannon took the child from her breast and held him out to Jaeger. “Hold your son, Jaeger."
The words took several moments to register. Jaeger shook his head. “No. The child is—"
"Is yours,” Rhiannon interrupted. “I was already with child when Celd tried to implant the embryo. This is your son, Jaeger, not his. And your son has had breast milk. He has no Vector tendencies now. He will not need blood to survive. Here, hold your son."
"Go on,” Darius encouraged, smiling.
Jaeger took the small child in his arms, staring at the wide-open, trusting eyes. He gently traced the baby's round face, touched the tiny fingers. They curled about his in a grip that surprised him.
"But how?” he whispered. “I don't understand."
"I suspected. Darius knew,” Rhiannon said. “When I told him that I believed I carried your child, he took me away to keep me safe from Celd. You couldn't know, else Celd would be able to follow, to track you, to read your thoughts. It was enough of a strain for Darius just to keep this place hidden from Celd."
Jaeger looked up at Darius. “Is this why you were being sought? Celd said you had done something in the Lair. Darius, are you in trouble because you helped me?"
At that, Darius chuckled. “Trouble? I am far too old to get into trouble."
Jaeger paused, his gaze back on the child. “Why did you deceive me?” he finally asked. “Why did you promise Rhiannon that I would return to my Vector form in exchange for her returning to Celd? Why did you trap me in an animal's body like that?"
It was Vail who answered. “Simple,” he said with a shrug. “So you could travel in the daylight, as well as at night."
Jaeger frowned in confusion. “So I could travel? Then you wanted me to search for Rhiannon?"
"Of course, I did, but I had to let you do it on your own. I couldn't bring you here without bringing Celd here as well,” Darius replied. “It was much safer for Rhiannon to have you gallivanting about the countryside, leading Celd on a merry chase."
Jaeger fixed his gaze on Darius. “Do you realize how much anger burned inside me these past few months? I hated you, Darius. I hated what you did to me, how you took me away from Rhiannon. I wanted to hunt you down, make you pay for the pain you put me through."
"I know,” Darius said softly. “And I am sorry for that, but there was no other way. If you had known my plans, all would have been lost at the beginning."
"And the Sovereign did expect a punishment be dealt,” Rhiannon put in.
Mention of the Sovereign sent panic once more coursing through Jaeger. He turned a wild gaze on Darius. “And now what awaits me? A Chosen has been killed. Because of me. A child is stripped of Vector heritage. Because of me. Darius, I—"
"It's been handled,” Darius interrupted.
"Handled? How? By somehow evading the Sovereign's reach? Celd said we were doing that, both of us, but I don't know how. And I can't be on the run for the rest of my life.” His shoulders sagged and tears stung his eyes as he gazed at his son. “I cannot condemn this child to a life like that, Darius. Rhiannon, I want you and Vail to take our son back to your clan. I want you to raise him there, away from me, from who and what I am."
Rhiannon's chin quivered, and she reached out to place one cool hand on his cheek. “We don't have to run anymore, Jaeger. The Sovereign no longer seeks you. In fact, the Sovereign and his followers approve of you and your new family."
Jaeger stared at her in confusion.
Vail grinned and gestured at Darius. “Meet the Sovereign,” he said softly.
A gasp escaped Jaeger. “What?” he breathed. “No, that's not possible. Darius, you—"
Darius chuckled. “It is as Vail states. I am the new Sovereign. Sovereign Cardiss has been dead for many months. High Chancellor Riden has been lying to us all. All I needed to do was to prove it. There were quite enough Vectors in residence at the Lair to see to it that the High Chancellor was ousted from his position. Still, he did not go without a fight."
Jaeger stared at him, stunned. “This was the trouble you were causing in the Lair?” he cried. “A coup?"
"I told you I did not agree wit
h Cardiss’ ways, or with those of Riden. They took my son from me. I was not going to let them take you and your son as well."
Sudden anger engulfed Jaeger. “Then why didn't you help me? You have magic enough! Why did you allow me, Vail, and Rhiannon to suffer from Celd's magic? Or was that part of my punishment as well?"
Rhiannon reached out and placed her hand on Jaeger's arm. “He did help you, Jaeger. He shielded you as best he could."
Jaeger snorted in disbelief. “It didn't feel much like a shield,” he snarled, then looked away when Darius shot him a glance of disapproval. “I apologize, Elder, it's just that ... well, I know you have more power than that. Why didn't you use it to help me?"
Darius sighed. “I did, Jaeger. But it was not only Celd and his magic I was dealing with. Celd and his father were both Chosen. In addition, his father was the High Chancellor. They had combined their magic in an attempt to rule the Lair. They killed Cardiss; but because they had so few followers, they could not let his death be known. They allowed the Vectors to believe Cardiss was yet alive while they gathered supporters to protect their new regime. Few sided with them, but, joined together as they were, Celd and his father were extremely powerful. In the end, it was that thirst for power that proved their downfall. When Celd died, so did Riden. Celd could not break his connection with his father in time. Pity."
Jaeger stared at him, understanding the implications. Celd had probably tried, and was prevented from doing so by Darius. Jaeger drew a deep breath, then looked over as Vail suddenly groaned in despair.
The color had drained from his face. “But then ... I'm to blame! I ... I killed Celd, and ... the High Chancellor!"
Darius nodded, though a slight smile played at his lips. “Yes, and I am very grateful for your help."
Vail's eyes widened, but he seemed at a loss for words. Jaeger studied him a moment, then returned his attention to Darius.
"Why?” The question was simple, yet asked so much.
Darius hesitated before sitting beside Jaeger. He reached for the infant and cradled the child in his arms. For long moments, he said nothing, his gaze on the baby. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. “Do you remember what I said about my son?"
Blood Bred Series Book 1: Gift Of Love Page 15
