walker saga 06 - dronish

by Jaymin Eve

  Effing Seventine, I growled. Those effers are getting on my last nerve.

  There were a few chuckles as I started cursing my head off.

  You sound like Lucy now, Fury snorted. And I’d never thought I’d say this, but I miss her annoying pixie butt.

  I was missing her so much and she’d only been gone for like half a day. I wondered who the seven witnesses to their mating would be. Apparently they were called by the great mother and Walkers had no idea who it would be until they arrived.

  The entire time we’d been chatting, we were still exercising our abilities. We started with one girl and one element at a time. We’d run through the range of abilities and together we’d form the power into weapons. Our control was still not the best. Sometimes we missed our target completely; other times the energy fizzled out before it could become anything dangerous. But sometimes, when the stars aligned and we all worked together, we created something so crazy powerful that it was a little scary.

  A perfect example occurred in the five minutes before the end of our training. We were just about to pull apart, when Fury and Delane got into an argument. I won’t go into details, but suffice to say the Crais half did not like to take orders from the Nephilius half, despite the fact that Delane was full to the brim of useful little battle tactics. Fury fired up, and we all knew what happened when she did that. She sent her blue flames into massive spiraling turrets into the sky. The only problem was, she was still connected to the rest of us and suddenly every single half-Walker’s power was shooting up into the air around us.

  Water, fire, wind, and earth.

  For the first time the elements were not individual. The powers started to swirl around each other in a massive storm above our heads. I parted my lips to let out an extra exhalation of breath. As the conduit I could feel that the five of us were connecting further than we ever had before, the elements blending into each other, fire merging into the air, which swirled to the water and earth.

  In the last minute, just before the storm grew large enough to descend and surround us, I pulled the energy into myself and severed the connections. I wasn’t sure, but it felt like we were about to lose control of what we had formed. It was going to take off from us and gods only knew what damage it might have wrought.

  “Why did you cut that off, Abigail?” Fury got right into my face, hands on her hips. “We were just starting to create something powerful enough to be useful.”

  I stared at her for a few moments. My eyebrows rose of their own accord as I fought against my instincts to smack some sense into her.

  My tone was short when I finally answered her. I seemed to be lacking in patience without my melding bond. “You’re always so caught up in the power. The fire drives you, Fury, which is the main reason you didn’t even notice that that was too much energy for us to control. We were going to lose it, and then what would have happened?” I waved my hands to indicate the masses surrounding us. “People would have died.”

  She slammed her mouth shut then, and the dark gray of her eyes glistened as she breathed deeply. I could see her trying to gain control of herself, of the fire that rode her emotions.

  She threw her hands into the air. “Shit. Sorry. I know better than to let the energy control me.” She lowered her eyes and shook her head a few times.

  I reached out and gripped her forearm, my hand gentle. “That’s why my conduit abilities are important. You all control elemental powers. They’re strong and link to your base instincts. I’m here to make sure we keep control of such immense energy. That we’re responsible with what we wield.”

  Fury surprised me by reaching forward and yanking me into a strong hug. “I never say things like this, but I need you to know, I’m so happy to have met you and all the other girls.” She pulled back and looked at everyone. “I … care about you all.” Her hesitation spoke volumes. She’d wanted to use another word there.

  “I love you all too!” Talina was always the sweetest, and most loving.

  And then suddenly it was group-hug time.

  Delane seemed a little uncomfortable with the affection, but I could see the softening of her eyes. She’d only been with us a short time, but the bond between us was strong, unbreakable. We half-Walkers were formed of past lives and old power.

  “I’ve never had many friends, besides Klea,” Ria said. “But you’re all my best friends, and even though the Seventine are trying to destroy everything, I’m so glad we found each other.”

  It was such a perfect friend moment, where you’re surrounded by so much love and strength that you kind of feel you might burst from it. If only Lucy were here.

  “Please don’t tell me you biatches are having a bonding moment without me?” We all spun around to find a fluttering pixie-doll about ten feet from us. “Cause I’m totally owed some love now.”

  Lucy held her arms open and we ended up in a huge girl pile. I had arms and knees digging into me, but I didn’t care. By this time, we’d lost most of our curious onlookers. They wanted to see power, not girls crying, hugging and bonding with each other.

  Colton and Brace both braved our pile, their long arms reaching in to fish us out. The wolf-Walker hauled his mate free. She was the smallest by a fair amount and had been on the bottom of the pile. I felt muscled bands surround me, and before I could blink again I was in Brace’s arms. He set me on my feet. We were trying to keep our distance from each other, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself from ‘saving me’. Protective as always.

  Lucy and Colton drifted to our side. “So I’m guessing your mating was accepted?” I asked the happy, glowing, way-too-beautiful-for-their-own-good couple.

  “Yes!” Lucy exclaimed. “It was incredible, floating in space, no gravity, and then all of this stuff happened at once.” Her blue-and-gold eyes softened as they rested on my face and then looked from Brace to me. “You’ll see for yourself soon enough.”

  I closed my eyes briefly, her words reminding me that she didn’t know about Josian and everything to do with his laluna.

  “Actually –” I started to say, but she interrupted me.

  “I already know about Jos. We ran into Grantham over the other side of the field.” She waved a hand dismissively. “That’s not what I’m talking about. I see that you and Brace will bond soon.”

  “You don’t seem worried or surprised about Dad and the lalunas.” I furrowed my brow.

  “Josian is a good man, and he’ll become a great man now,” she said cryptically. “The secrets were holding him back; now he can be free.”

  Fury snorted as she crossed her arms tightly over her body. “I might have missed some aspects of Lucy, but her weird ‘I’m a pretend soothsayer’ babble was not one of them.”

  “Hey, fiery Fury,” Lucy said, smiling or kind of baring her teeth, “I have a surprise for you.”

  Fury stilled, her animated face shutting down as she regarded Lucy. “Why do I have a feeling you’re about to drop a bombshell on me?”

  Lucy shifted her head to the right, her chin lifting as she searched for something. I followed her line of sight and was surprised to notice a man standing across the field. Walker, most definitely.

  His energy felt a little like Fury’s, which meant he was from Grantham’s clan, Relli. The man started to move in long strides, eating up the distance toward us. As he closed in I registered the broad planes of his features. They were harsh, weather-beaten.

  Which was very strange on a Walker.

  He looked like a man who had seen too much and had been systematically washed over like the side of a rock face. No longer smooth, his experiences had shaped an entirely new face. When he drew closer, my lips parted as recognition shocked me.

  Without any doubt in all the worlds, he had Fury’s very expressive gray eyes. Same shape. Same sardonic slant to the eyebrows.

  Lucy’s voice was low. “He was one of the seven witnesses called for my bonding.” The Walker was almost upon us. “I knew as soon as I saw him. I had Colt men
tally contact him and explain about Fury. Your father decided to come and find you.” She directed the last part to the stunned-looking Crais half.

  Fury lifted a hand to cover her mouth, before taking a staggering step toward him. She seemed to halt herself, shaking her head a few times when she realized what she’d been doing.

  “I’ve waited a long time to meet my father,” she whispered, “and now I feel that this is a big mistake.”

  She turned to run, but at the last moment Lucy stepped in front of her. “Put your big-girl pants on, Fury. You’re tough; you can manage five minutes of small-talk to see if there’s anything there for you to build upon. All of us have had to come to terms with our messed up families. Now it’s your turn to suck it up.”

  Lucy could be beyond blunt; right then, though, Fury kind of needed it. She’d wanted to meet her father since we first found her on Crais, and the big moment was here now. She would regret running from him.

  I heard Fury’s breathing increase. She sounded awfully close to hyperventilating. The weathered Relli was now five feet from our group. He had stopped and seemed to be patiently waiting. Fury spent the next few moments examining his features. She must have found something there. She walked straight up to him, halting mere inches from the man who had gotten her mother pregnant and then abandoned her all in the name of protecting Fury.

  “What’s your name?”

  They both asked the question at the same time, and straight away it was clear that Fury had inherited more than his eyes. The blunt, borderline arrogant tone of speaking that she had down pat. Well, this Walker mirrored that.

  “I am Lukalien.” He spoke slowly, as if he were unaccustomed to using English. “Your mother was the only being who called me Luke, and you can also use this name.”

  The look on Fury’s face was comical. “I’m Fury,” she finally spluttered out.

  The Crais half looked so astonished that I couldn’t help the burst of laughter that escaped me. And that was all it took to set everyone off. Lucy howled louder than anyone. Even Delane cracked a smile.

  Lukalien blinked rapidly as he glanced from one to the other. I could see he had no idea what was so funny.

  Lucy was speaking in between gasps of laughter. “Damn … no DNA test required there. He’s the man version of Fury. Now I know where she gets all her mean snarkiness.”

  “Ignore them.” Fury waved her hands. “Where have you been? Why are you here now?”

  And the unasked question. Why did you leave my pregnant mother to die alone on Crais?

  I’d been there when Dune had told Fury that Gena, her mother, had died of a broken heart. And having lost Brace on more than one occasion, I could completely sympathize with the agony her mother must have felt.

  Lukalien’s voice was rusty. “I have been mourning for many years. I knew when my mate perished, and I returned to Crais to check on you, but could not find any trace of our young. I thought you had died too.” The rustiness cracked then. He sounded defeated. “I still can’t sense your energy?” It was a question-statement.

  Brace moved closer to the group. “Half-Walkers have an inbuilt protection. They can’t be traced or sensed in the normal Walker manner.” I could feel him at my back, his heat reaching out and tempting me.

  Lukalien lifted his eyes slightly, just barely acknowledging the rest of us. Damn, there was no doubt. This was what a broken man looked like, even worse than Samuel.

  Fury stepped closer to him. “We have a lot to talk about. Let’s go for a walk.” Her big heart was getting the better of her again. She’d be mothering this poor man within minutes. “I need to get back to my mate soon. How long do we have?” She started ushering him toward the Relli area.

  “I’ll stay as long as you need. But I don’t like people …” His voice trailed off as they moved away.

  My mouth was for sure hanging open. “Did that just happen?”

  Lucy cracked up again. “I was thinking the same thing the entire time he was witnessing our ceremony. That Walker has zero people skills. He makes Fury look darn-right hospitable.”

  “I wish Dune were here,” I mused.

  “Why?” Delane asked.

  I stared into her obsidian eyes. “Just to confirm he’s who he says he is. We can’t be too safe, and I don’t want Fury hurt.”

  I knew how much she’d wanted to meet her father – even if it was just to yell at him – I didn’t want her hopes dashed.

  The Angelica stared at me for a few moments, before giving me a succinct nod. “You are worthy.”

  I felt strangely honored. I knew her well enough now to know she was tough to please. The approval in her tone and gaze touched me.

  I was distracted from these thoughts as Brace stepped in and swept me off my feet. The movement was unexpected and my heart rate sped up. Even more than it usually pitter-pattered around my mate.

  “You and I need a moment.” He was all growly.

  That voice should most definitely be outlawed in public. It was as sexy as hell.

  “Be right back,” I said to the girls, without even turning my face away from my gorgeous mate.

  “Heard that before,” Lucy muttered. “The next thing I knew there were huge dangly bits and bare asses parading down the hall.”

  I stifled my laughter as Brace strode away. He had the slightest smile on his face too. He finally remembered our moments, which was the best thing in the world.

  “I don’t even want to know what you’re talking about.” Ria’s voice could be heard behind us, along with the low rumbles from Lucy’s pissed-off mate. Colton was going to be on his toes for all of eternity.

  “What’s happening with Dad?” I asked Brace. “Is he okay? Has he talked with Mom yet?”

  She would be raring to rip him a new one, but I felt that they needed to have their fight, get it out in the open and move on.

  “Everything is sorted with the clans. They seemed to feel that his stepping down as princeps was more than enough punishment. We’re all in agreement that he wasn’t at fault, and in reality has given us a slight advantage by bringing it to everyone’s attention.”

  I wasn’t actually that surprised by this.

  Walkers – while hotheaded and arrogant – were also ancient beings with very logical brains. In most situations they saw the bigger picture. Except when it came to their mates. Then they were cavemen with pea-sized brains and zero logic.

  I needed to see Josian. I wanted to reassure him again that I was not mad with him. I knew the guilt would be eating him alive. He was an emotional man and felt things very deeply. I just hoped that Lallielle wasn’t too hard on him, although I understood that her sense of betrayal ran even deeper than the rest of ours. She just needed time to remember the unwavering faith she had always shown in her mate.

  But before I could search out my father, I knew Brace needed a moment of my time.

  Chapter 5

  We were crossing the green fields. Off to the side were masses of forest. Brace’s arms were tightly wound around me as he strode without effort. I’d protest all the carrying – but I didn’t want to.

  “So, not that I’m complaining, but is there a reason for this current show of manliness?” I kissed his cheek, my entire body straining to be closer to him.

  “I have to go back to Abernath for a while. Mother needs to see me,” he said. “Then I’ll be in war meetings with the other princeps for the rest of the day.”

  My heart sank a little. Even though this is what we had planned on, I was still effing annoyed that Brace and I were going to be apart. It wouldn’t have been as bad if we were melded; I’d have him in my head. But this way … was damn lonely.

  “Open your mind to me, baby.” His whispered words caressed my senses like the lightest touch.

  I didn’t hesitate, dropping the barrier, and then he was everywhere: in my thoughts, body, soul, and heart. Not that he was ever far from those places. As his heat and distinct power burned through me, it was the closest I’d
felt to complete since the bond was broken.

  An image crossed my mind. It was a very strange, dark city with barriers around the outside and a few black crystals glittering on the edges.

  That’s the city of Arotia. The last living civilization of Dronish. You should find your female there.

  Brace’s words echoed across my senses, and then with a sigh of regret he withdrew his presence from me. I wanted to cry at the loss. I was cold and alone again. I understood why we couldn’t stay merged. We were practically taunting our bond into taking over and forcing our meld. But still … it effing sucked the big one.

  With a sigh I shielded my mind again. Brace drew me into his arms, his hands running up and down my back in a soothing manner. After a long time we pulled apart. He stared down. His dark eyes reflected my image in their depths.

  He brushed back strands of my hair from where they had fallen across my face. “We didn’t discuss who you were going to Dronish with, but you should take the half-Walker girls.”

  I blinked at him a few times.

  He grinned at my confusion. “Dronish is a world of energy-craving inhabitants. They’ve razed their world’s resources to the ground, existing now on just a few shards of power. Enough to keep them alive, but weak.” He locked me in his gaze. “The half-Walker’s protection will ensure that your energy isn’t felt. The moment any Walker has explored there in the past they were swarmed by those trying to steal their power.” His voice lowered into that I’m-dead-serious register. “They’re dangerous, Red. Don’t underestimate this race. They’re desperate, and it’s about survival for them.”

  I filed away that information. It was sure to be important later. “You’re deliberately separating us, aren’t you?” I tried to keep the sadness from my voice, but I wasn’t too successful.

  “No, sweetheart, I’m tempted to tie you to my side. Forever.” He was all fierce now. “But I have to acknowledge that we have jobs to do, and right now we can’t reform the melding bond. My current focus is to make sure I destroy the lalunas. I won’t rest until I find a way.” He dropped a brief and sweet kiss on my lips. “There’re no other options. I will remeld with you,” he whispered against my mouth.