I nodded.
“In the books you will read of a magical assault on Stonehome, that me and my men dropped some sort of bomb on the castle.” Marcus dropped down to sit on the forest floor, and I joined him. “It wasn’t a bomb.”
I studied the lines which had appeared on his features. “Marcus, if this is too hard for you to talk about, you don’t have to.”
Marcus drew in a long breath, grinding the forest floor beneath his boot. “If I tell you myself, maybe you won’t be forced to watch it in your dreams.” His eyes searched mine. “You recall the story of the dragon who saved my life?”
“Of course.”
“That wasn’t the last day we met. When I encountered her a second time, all the dragons had either been killed or were in hiding. She alone had stayed behind to fight.”
“What was her name?”
Marcus paused before answering, “Nyminia.”
“The Nyminia? The one who cast the spell?”
Marcus nodded. “None of us, Karackis included I’m sure, had any idea she was still alive, let alone living in her true form.” He turned away from me, shoulders rounded. “It was forty eight hours before the end of the longest night. The skies had been shrouded in darkness for months, a side effect of the blood magic used in battle. She came to me as I walked alone through the woods, she wanted to help.” He paused, his eyes wet and red. “She asked what she could do to help end the war. I saw my opportunity, and made my decision.”
I reached out to place a comforting hand on his arm, but he didn’t seem to notice.
“You see, Nyminia, Karackis had become mad with paranoia. He was convinced the dragons would return for him, and in turn had barricaded himself within that fortress. It was warded with the most powerful magic known to my kind, magic that was created with the help of the dragon Nyminia’s sister, Syrine, before she was killed.” Marcus’s voice become flat, devoid of emotion. “You can’t kill a dragon without the dracendium blade, but you can cause a dragon so much pain that they are forced to take their own life to escape it.”
“You mean the warding around the castle…”
Marcus turned and looked at me with a cold, dead gaze. A chill passed through my body as he continued.
“When a dragon chooses to die, the magic which keeps their fire in the form of their flesh disintegrates. A violent explosion takes place, annihilating everything within a hundred mile radius.” Sitting silent, Marcus pulled knees towards his chest. “I asked her to fly above the castle, we called it a reconnaissance mission. But we knew… I knew, that the second she was above the castle she would come into contact with Krackis’s spell.” He heaved in a shaky breath. “His spell deflected dracendium and would cause Nyminia an unbearable amount of suffering. From a safe distance Atramen, my trusted generals, and… myself, used the most potent of blood magics to ensure she could not retreat.”
“Oh my god...” I was shocked, numb.
“I destroyed the followers of Karackis and saved millions of lives.” Marcus recited the words, flat and toneless. “I ended the war.”
CHAPTER 23
STING OF THE SUN
My world was silent. Marcus sat still, looking away from me, his shoulders not even rising and falling with the hint of breath.
He sacrificed one life, for the lives of many. That doesn’t make it okay, but I can understand it.
“Marcus, I–”
“Please don’t tell me that you understand.” Marcus stood, facing me. “I don’t, can’t, accept my actions. Not a single day has passed in which I haven’t thought of that moment.” He rubbed his eyes. “Wondering if there was something else I could have done, some other way to end the war.”
“Hey,” I said, standing. “You can’t be so hard on yourself, you were just–”
“Five,” Marcus whispered.
“Pardon?”
“In the thousand years that have passed, I’ve come up with five other ways in which the Crimson War could have ended in our favor if we had just held on longer. Atramen and I, we took the easy way out. We were cowards, not heroes.” Marcus stared out into the trees.
“Well to be fair, you’ve had an awful lot of time to think about it now, and you know what they say about hindsight.”
Marcus shrugged. “I’ve never shared this with anyone before. Atramen is the only other person alive who knows the truth.” He met my gaze. “I’ve been agonizing over the right time to tell you.”
He’s much more human than he gives himself credit for.
“I understand if you would rather not see me again. We can step away from the fate-pairing and the possibility of a soul bond,” Marcus said, crossing his arms.
“Whoa whoa whoa, hold it right there mister dark and brooding.” Am I channeling Rowan right now? I stepped forward and gripped his arm firmly. “I can’t even begin to imagine how horrible the war was. How despicable the longest night must have been. It was an age of suffering, slavery, and death, and it had to come to an end.” I shook Marcus as he tried to close his eyes. “Yes you killed the last dragon,” I whispered. “And that’s horrible. It was a crap decision that was made under distress during one of the most vile and turbulent times of our history.” Stepping back, I raised my voice. “You’ve obviously already paid for it Marcus. Isn’t a thousand years of punishing yourself enough?”
“I can’t just let it go–”
“I’m not saying to let it go, I’m saying let it pass. Never forget it, always carry it with you, but let that guilt and pain go. Let it be done.”
Marcus stood silently, his green eyes glinting in the passing sunshine. I hadn’t really noticed before how tall he was. He comes across as this quiet, stoic guy. It’s easy to forget his origins.
“You know you’re safe with me, don’t you?” He took a step towards me. “I would never let any harm come to you.”
“That’s a pretty tall order considering I’m developing a talent for getting myself in trouble,” I said, smirking.
“I’ll just have to stay close by then.” The cool fingers of the breeze swept my hair across my face and Marcus tucked the rebel strands behind my ear.
He’s got his flaws, he’s made his mistakes, but deep down I can tell this guy has a good soul. Which reminds me…
“Marcus, what’s this ‘soul bond’ people keep mentioning?”
He paused, the echoes of faraway voices the only sound filling the air. Wow, if vampires could blush, he’d be pink.
“It’s the vampiric equivalent of a human marriage. Although significantly more binding, and with distinct magical benefits.”
“What do you mean?” We’re kind of maybe dating and I’ve just started a conversation about marriage? With an immortal? Dear lord am I daft?
“When two people complete a soul bond, they literally bond their souls together for the rest of their lives. Among other side effects their powers are pooled, amplifying the magic of both parties.”
“And, um, it’s only for vampires?”
“Only one of the participating parties must be a vampire.” Marcus smiled softly. “Although it’s rare that the bonding takes place with a mortal.” He sighed. “After being bonded, if your partner dies, a part of your soul dies with them. The survivor carries on in agony, living a half life.”
Suddenly I felt unsteady on my feet. “Sorry, this is exactly the kind of conversation Ro told me to avoid. Want to, er, get a cup of coffee?”
Marcus chuckled. “I don’t drink coffee, but I’m happy to keep you company while you enjoy one.”
I slurped down the last of my triple malt vanilla milkshake, embracing the sugar rush. So I don’t like coffee, sue me. We sat in a corner of the dining hall, muted daylight drifting in from the nearby windows. The voices of the general student population crowded the air, everyone was inside avoiding the grey weather. Glancing up over my frozen metal container I caught Marcus grinning at me.
“Something funny?” I asked.
He shook his head. “You’re just
very human.”
“Um, okay, David Attenborough.” I smirked.
“I mean it as a compliment. Out of everything, my humanity is what I miss the most.” Marcus glanced down at the empty table.
I wonder exactly what he means by that?
“Guys!” Rowan’s voice rang out from across the dining hall. She loped across the room, bumping into chairs and leaving grumbling students in her wake. “Marcus, did you find anything in the woods?”
“Nothing at all, even the signs have faded,” Marcus replied.
I pushed away my empty cup. “I’m guessing from your tone that’s not a good thing.”
“It means that whoever is out there is clever enough to know how to cover their tracks.” Marcus sighed. “Even the twins in their wolf form couldn’t pick up an unusual scent.”
Rowan pulled a red chair out from our table and sunk down into it. “Well, we’re just going to have to look harder. I’ll go out with the twins next time and see what I can dig up.”
“Rowan, you know your parents would have your brothers’ hides if they let you walk into danger,” Marcus said, leaning on the table.
“Pffft yeah, yeah. I’m still the best tracker though.” She shredded the white serviette on the table.
“What if we cut right to the chase, and lure this person out?” I asked, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. “I could wander out into the woods and we can set a trap.”
“That is out of the question,” Marcus answered.
“I agree with Marco, no way am I down with that.” Rowan tossed the soft bits of torn paper at me. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
Leaning back, I crossed my arms. It’s not that ridiculous.
“Don’t make that face, Nym. We’re just looking out for you.” My friend grinned and ruffled my hair. “I’m sorry I crashed your date, but since I’m here, what are we doing next?”
Marcus cracked a half smile. “I was going to invite Nyminia to practice her magic.”
“Magic? Oh I am so there. I love magic.” Rowan’s leg bounced up and down. “Don’t get me wrong, being a wolf is the best, but I totally dig the idea of zapping this and poofing that, it’s great.”
I laughed, a sound I felt right down in my belly. Rowan sat smiling away, dark hair all gathered up on top of her head. Her hands were flat on the white table, like she was ready to spring up at any moment.
“Alright, alright. Sounds like a good idea to me,” I said. “Should we head to the frozen grove?”
“No,” Marcus answered. “Let’s go to the lake.”
Our motley little trio popped through the tree line and onto the banks of the sapphire waters. The small waves lapped against the rocky sand and sparkled as if they carried jewels, even under the overcast skies. Overall, the effect was instantly relaxing. I love this spot.
“Oh my gods!” Rowan ran a few feet down the water line, and then back to us. “I never get to come to the lake. It’s so unfair that it’s reserved for the water mages and mermaids!”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “Unfair?”
“Well, no I guess it’s fair.” Rowan kicked at the ground. “Everyone needs a special place to practice their powers, I get it.”
The water mages have this amazing lake, and the fire mages have a burnt out room? Can I swap elements please?
“During spell casting today Myer really helped me with my technique,” I spoke up. “I was able to conjure and control a sphere of fire, but she acted like that was really strange.”
Both Marcus and Rowan turned their full attention from the lake, to me.
“That’s because it is particularly unusual,” Marcus said. “It was long after I had been turned, maybe two hundred years, before I was able to master the creation of fire.”
“Wait.” Rowan’s eyes grew large. “You’re a fire mage too?”
Marcus nodded.
Rowan ground her heel into the green grass before looking up at me. “Whoa.”
Smiling, I shrugged my shoulders. I know, it’s awesome. We match!
“It is obvious that you are one of the most powerful fire mages to be born in recent times. However, your innate ability to be able to complete such complicated magic is inexplicable,” he said, frowning.
And I wasn’t even trying, it just sort of happened. I sighed. Is it wrong to love this? The more powerful I am, the less my friends will have to protect me.
“Well, it’s just got to be a side effect of my situation or something right?” I sighed. I’m getting used to being the weird one. “Now, can you tell me how I can store some of that complicated magic to use on demand?” I crossed my arms, an inkling of confidence flooding my body. “Myer mentioned spells can be stored in objects.”
“Would you mind stepping back a few paces please, Rowan.” Marcus gestured to the water’s edge. Rowan nodded, her boots squeaking on the grainy beach as she moved away.
Bending down, Marcus plucked a dull grey rock out of the grass. He smoothed it over in his palms, brushing away the dirt. Extending it to me, he dropped the stone into my open hand. It fit nicely in my palm, and as I turned it over I noted the satisfying weight.
Hesitating briefly, Marcus wrapped my fingers over the rock. “Close your eyes, touch your fire, and then imagine a shield. Knit your magic together to create an impenetrable barrier.”
Alright, here we go. I winked at Rowan, and then shut my eyes. Turning my attention inwards, I immediately felt the power of my flame. Finally, this is getting easier. Taking a deep breath, I focused on channeling the white-hot energy. I am the light in the darkness, a part of the inferno. I am the protector, the observer, and the keeper. I am the True Sacrifice. The blaze spread through my bones in increments. I am in control. With my inner eye I could see the world around me, Marcus was dimly outlined and my own glow made it difficult to focus on much else. Pulling together fine strands of flame with my mind, I wove what I imaged a shield to be. Growing from the ground up, the silver white net built upon itself as if it was being constructed by a million tiny spiders. All points of energy met at the top, leaving Marcus and I under a gleaming white parachute.
“Can you feel the stone in your hand?” Marcus’s voice sounded far away.
I nodded.
“Good, look inside the stone.”
Look inside the stone? Turning my attention to the object in my hand, I noticed how dark it was. Everything else around me emitted some sort of light, but the rock itself was nothing, lifeless.
“Feel the shield you’ve created and let it fold into the stone.”
Right, feel and fold, got it. To my surprise, I could sense the glittering dome as if it were an extension of myself. Now, fold!
Nothing happened, and I bit my lip. I just need to be more creative with my visualization. I imagined the stiff silver net twisting all around me, receding to a single point at the apex of the crest. Conjuring the image in my mind’s eye made it real, and soon enough the dome had reduced to a glittering pebble of molten magic. Gently guiding it with my mind, I tucked the spell away inside of the stone. What had just moments before been a dim lifeless thing, now pulsed with light.
“It’s done,” Marcus spoke.
I opened my eyes, blinking in the daylight. Rowan sat on the sand, mouth wide open and hands clasped under her chin. Marcus smiled at me, showing off his brilliant white teeth.
Holding up the stone, I took a close look. Framed against the shimmering blue of the waters was no simple grey stone, but a smooth rock– incandescent with white light.
“Wow,” I whispered.
“You’re showing much more control now. With practice, you’ll be able to advance quickly.” Marcus gently took the stone from my fingers, examining it.
“Even your shield was fantastic, although next time I would opt for a hexagonal construction instead of a traditional net.” He glanced up at me. “Even with power as strong as yours, proper spell architecture and technique will make a big difference.”
So much to learn, it’s fantastic.
“Would you like to try using the spell from the stone?” Marcus asked.
“Maybe I should let Rowan try it? I don’t want to hog all the fun.” I laughed as I watched Rowan bounce to her feet.
“Sadly it doesn’t work like that,” she said as she skipped over. “It’s your magic, you’re the only one who can use it.”
Marcus passed the crystallized stone back to me. “Just throw it down with the intention of releasing the spell.”
Rowan huddled in closer and I dashed the rock against the soft soil. The shield sprung out and enveloped us, like I had opened a pop up tent.
“Why does it look so different?” I peered around, noticing I could see the sky in some places where the shimmering energy looked frayed and faded. I can’t sense it either, like I did when I built it.
“The strongest spell is cast in the moment, while it is still connected to you. After you store it the integrity of the spell depends entirely on the receptacle.”
Around us the walls of the shield shuddered. A strong gust of wind blew through, reducing the glittering strands to whisps of smoke. Rowan hummed, twirling around as the remnants of the spell dissipated.
I bent down, picking up the stone. It’s grey again. “So you’re saying I can’t just use stones from the lawn?”
“Not if you want to preserve the power of the spell,” Marcus answered. “You’ll commonly see volcanic glass beads or crystals used.”
“Makes for great jewelry actually. There you go, Marco, now you know what to get Nym for her birthday.” Rowan winked.
Marcus smiled and looked away, slipping his hands into his pockets.
Too cute. I wish I knew my actual birth date.
Shining through a break in the dappled sky, a ray of sunlight fell across Marcus’s face. His entire body flinched as if he had just been slapped. Wait, did that hurt him?
I made a move to ask, but Rowan beat me to it.
“Hey, Marcus, did that sting or something?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
“It was just bright.” He glanced side to side.
Rowan took a step forward, studying him with her piercing baby blues. “Are you sure that’s all it was?”
Of Flesh and Fire - Book I: Everything Will Burn Page 20
