by Macy Blake
“No.”
“Fine.”
Sawyer leaned over and put his head on Henry’s shoulder. “I know it’s frustrating. But he’s gotta come out in his own time.”
“Yeah, well, he’s a pain in the ass. I thought I didn’t like Prince Kavalan. This one is worse.”
“Well, at least Kavalan didn’t end up being my guardian. Can you imagine?”
Henry shivered. “No. No, I cannot. I’d have nightmares if I tried.”
Sawyer grinned. “Hey, where’s Victor?”
“Gone to see Nick. Apparently, there was a weird charge on the credit card and Victor was concerned.”
“Weird charge?”
“Something about life jackets and water balloons? Victor seemed to think the card may have been compromised somehow.”
“Nah, that sounds like Nick.”
“I thought so, too, but then I kinda wanted the library to myself for a while so I figured I’d let him go. Is that horrible?”
“No. I’m glad we have a chance to talk.”
“Me, too. I wish we could figure out the guide thing. I can’t find anything at all. But I did find this in one of the old books. It’s supposed to represent the mother and three daughters. Something about it is speaking to me, and I don’t know why.”
Henry reached for a book that had a piece of paper stuck between the pages as a makeshift bookmark. He opened it and held it out. A circle with three dark lines stretching out beneath it.
“Oh that’s cool,” Sawyer said. “Do you think it’s significant? Looks like the mother and three daughters to me.”
“I know. But… I don’t know. It feels important so I’m making a note of it.”
“I trust you. I’ll see what I can find. We’re getting closer, aren’t we?”
“Yes.”
Henry’s matter of fact response helped.
“I mean, we know I’m the son of the Mother Goddess. I have three sisters and a… brother.”
“Yes.”
“At some point, I lost all my powers and became human. I’m supposed to fix the broken magic in our world. To do that, I need guardians. Two from each of the four elements.”
“That sums it up.”
“I have one more guardian to locate, and according to my brother, he has him captive.”
“If you can believe a word he says, that is.”
Sawyer nodded. “Yeah, but I believe him. He was very proud of that fact.”
“Ugh. What an ass.”
“Yes. My brother and I are both trapped here because neither of us have our guides. At least according to my sister, who seemed to really enjoy showing off her super cool phoenix.”
“But is it two missing guides or only one.”
“That’s what I’d like to know. I thought finding out more about ravens would help clue me in. I mean ravens fly, fly equals air, and that should mean they’re connected to air and so am I. Right?”
Henry shrugged. “This is when it all gets a little hazy. I mean, we can make that assumption, but none of the research we’ve found on ravens actually says that they’re an elemental at all. They don’t even seem to be shifters, even though we know there are some bird shifters around.”
“True.” Sawyer turned his chair around and faced Henry. “I love doing this with you.”
“We’ll figure it out. Two heads are better than one.”
“How about three?” Andvari said from the doorway. “Mind if I join you?”
“Nope. Come in.”
“What are we working on?”
“Trying to figure out how the ravens connect to Sawyer. His sister said they’re like his hellhounds. So she has her hellhounds and he has his ravens. And hellhounds are fire…”
“What are the ravens?” Andvari asked.
“That’s the question, but the books don’t say.”
“The air thing makes sense,” Andvari added. “Four elements, four gods and goddesses. One to manage each.”
“Yeah, it does make sense.”
The problem was, it didn’t sit right with Sawyer. And Henry agreed. He trusted Henry’s gut, especially as his eyes kept moving over the mystery glyph. One circle above to represent the mother. Three lines beneath to represent the sisters. It had to be one created after the magic changed and Sawyer and his brother’s existence were erased from the records, so what about it had captured Henry’s attention?
“Just keep reading,” Henry said. “The answers are here. We just have to find them.”
“The grimoire should be here today,” Andvari said. “Hartwig notified me earlier that he was sending it with another contingent of my brethren.”
Sawyer leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. They were certainly gearing up for war, and if he was supposed to fight his brother to obtain control of an entire element, it would certainly be a fight to the death. His brother was already playing dirty. From what Sawyer had been able to piece together, Palinouros had messed with the magic of all the kids he’d captured. Sawyer had no idea to what purpose, and not even Henry had been able to answer it.
The answers were there, as Henry said. And Sawyer was determined to find them.
Andvari
Andvari had no idea how his mates managed to stay cooped up for hours on end with stack after stack of books at their elbows. His head ached and his shoulders hurt. He stretched and his lower back popped, releasing some of the tension. He let out a sigh of relief.
“That bad?” Sawyer asked with a grin.
“Misery. How do you do this?”
“I like learning,” Sawyer quipped. “I’m not scared of the big bad books.”
Andvari mock-growled and moved quickly around the table. He had Sawyer up and against him within seconds. “Do you doubt my courage?”
Sawyer smirked. “Maybe.”
Andvari couldn’t hold his frown when face with Sawyer’s grin. “You’d be right. Books are scary. Come on. Let’s go work out. Then we’ll take a swim or something.”
“You guys go,” Henry said.
Sawyer reached out and touched Henry’s cheek, drawing his attention. “Enough. Come with us.”
Henry straightened and his back popped as well. “Ow.”
“Yeah. We’ll wait for the grimoire and get back to it then, okay? Let’s take a break for a bit.”
“Yeah, okay,” Henry said.
Andvari took one last glance at the books before following his mates outside. Their mates were all close, each of them more successful than Andvari at steering clear of the stack of books in the library, although they’d all come in at times, just touching base and touching Sawyer. Not that he minded not having them all around. Not really. He liked hearing Sawyer and Henry talk, watching them work. It included him in something special that the two of them shared. They really were a marvel to see.
Henry took one look at Saeward stretched out on one of the lounge chairs and detoured. He plopped down on top of their mate and closed his eyes with a happy sigh. Andvari rolled his eyes and continued out into the grass with Sawyer at his side.
“What did you want to show me?” Sawyer asked.
Andvari arched a brow at Sawyer who had the decency to grin and offer the traditional bow to a teacher. After he returned the gesture, Andvari took the first position and started their warm up. Sawyer moved into place beside him, their movements smooth after months of practice. Sawyer had taken to the ancient vampire art. It brought Andvari endless pleasure having his mate join him, moving together in a way that honored his people and his heritage.
They completed the first series and Andvari paused, stretching once more. His body responded, muscles much more relaxed than they had been earlier. Sawyer stretched as well and he smiled that special grin he gave to Andvari when they connected this way. The romantic part of him wanted to believe it was spiritual. The practical part of him knew it was.
“Ready to try something new?”
“Always,” Sawyer said.
Andvari’s heart s
kipped a beat and he had to laugh at himself. He’d never have believed he would find such joy with someone like Sawyer. Young, carefree, and even silly to some extent. And whatever magic he would or would not receive as they continued their journey, Sawyer had magic of his own as a human null. Andvari paused and pulled Sawyer against him, kissed him gently and sweetly, trying to explain without words how much he felt.
Sawyer held him tight and they stood there for a long moment, wrapped up together. “You’re very sentimental today,” Sawyer said softly. “What would Hartwig say?”
Andvari grinned. “He’d tell us to get a room.”
Sawyer laughed. “I can actually imagine him saying that.”
“And do you know what I would say to him?”
Sawyer looked into Andvari’s eyes and his breath caught. “No.”
“I’d tell him I couldn’t. Because I wanted the world to see the love of my life.”
Sawyer leaned into him, touching their foreheads together. “I love you, too, Andi. Very much.”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into me today.”
“Draco. Did Draco get into you today?”
Andvari snorted out a laugh, just as Sawyer had intended. “Perhaps.”
“Yeah, that’ll do it. Such a sap, our dragon.”
“He really is.”
“And it’s obviously contagious.”
“Clearly,” Andvari said. “What should I do about it?”
“Enjoy it.”
“I plan on it. Now, where were we?”
Sawyer kissed him sweetly before moving away and rolling his shoulders. “Show me, already. I’m curious.”
Andvari grinned and stepped behind Sawyer, holding him close. He positioned his arms the way he wanted them before duplicating the movement on his own.
“Um, Andi?”
“Yes, my love.”
“You’re um, really close. You know, to my butt.”
Andvari grinned and moved closer.
“Do you really expect me to concentrate when you’re…. Oh wow. Oh my goddess. You’re very happy to see me.”
“I am. Always. Focus, Sawyer.”
“On your cock being so close to my ass? No prob. Laser-focused.”
“No, on our movements.” Andvari moved one hand and pressed it to Sawyer’s stomach. He breathed, encouraging Sawyer to mimic his breaths, until Sawyer relaxed.
He moved his arm back until once more he stood behind Sawyer with their bodies tucked together maintaining the pose he’d created just for them. He slowly turned to the next position, using his body as a guide for Sawyer’s. His mate responded, trusting him completely, and their movements became a dance.
Minutes passed, their focus entirely on each other. Muscles strained, but it didn’t matter. Not when he had such a connection to his mate. Sweat beaded against Sawyer’s brow, but still he held. And finally, Andvari finished the routine and straightened. Sawyer turned, his eyes wide and gave the formal bow to finish.
Andvari returned it and had barely straightened when Sawyer flung himself against his chest.
“Andi.”
“I know. That was incredible, Sawyer. It was even better than I imagined.”
“It was amazing. I just… I could feel every little movement and I did what you did but I didn’t have to see you. I felt you and I knew what to do and… Wow.”
“Wow indeed.”
“We need to do that again.”
“We will.”
The back door opened, pulling their attention. Pearl bounded out, followed by Viv, who carried a tray of drinks and snacks. She sat it on one of the umbrella-covered tables, before flirting with Saeward and going back inside. Their mates all converged on the table, unable to resist anything Viv offered.
Andvari turned to grin at Sawyer. His mate turned to him as well but the smile he expected to see wasn’t there. Sawyer’s eyes widened. His breath caught. He grew pale. And then Sawyer collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Andvari rushed to his side and the other guardians ran to them as well.
Sawyer’s breath became ragged. His heart beat erratically in his chest.
“Sawyer,” Andvari gasped. “Breathe with me.”
He tried. Goddess, Andvari could see that he tried. But he couldn’t pull a full breath and he grew paler by the second. Andvari had never known such terror. He could feel his mate dying.
Draco roared. Henry tried working his magic. Andvari felt it, all around them, even as he counted the heartbeats which slowed with every second that past. Each of their mates, frantic and scared, drew closer. But they weren’t going to succeed, even with their last frantic efforts. Andvari felt that as well. Sawyer’s body was shutting down right in front of him.
“Call for the Mother,” Andvari commanded. He didn’t even care who answered the order.
And then the guards drew their weapons, the sleek glide of swords pulled from their sheaths one of the only sounds that could tear his attention from his mate.
Andvari glanced to the side. A sleek, golden cat emerged from the woods. Its golden eyes glowed as its tufted ears twitched. It ran, fast, so very fast, and from one second to the next the cat became a man. He dressed for the shadows, dark colors and a hood that covered what Andvari could see of his golden hair.
Draco turned his attention to this stranger, roaring once more and preparing to defend his mates.
“Draco, hold!” Andvari yelled the command, and his dragon barely held onto his control.
“Help me,” Sawyer whispered. His attention was on the newcomer as well.
His eyes still glowing, the man knelt by Sawyer’s side. He held out his hand to Andvari. “Blade.”
No way was Andvari giving up one of his blades. Not going to happen.
“Andi, please,” Sawyer said. His voice was a mere croak.
Andvari pulled out one of his smaller blades and held it out to the stranger.
Yellow eyes proceeded to grab Sawyer by the wrist and slam it to the ground. Before Andvari could stop him, he’d stabbed the dagger into Sawyer’s hand, pinning him to the ground like a butterfly on display.
Sawyer screamed, the sound weak and heart wrenching.
It ended in a choking sob as Andvari drew his sword. “I will remove your head from your body.”
And he would have if Saeward hadn’t stepped forward. “No.”
Andvari controlled himself, barely. Saeward always had a cooler head. Sawyer trusted this new guardian, but Andvari did not. He’d not earned it, hiding in the woods like a coward.
“Now you,” the stranger demanded.
“Excuse me?”
“You know what to do.”
Andvari’s hand tightened on his sword. One swing and this would be over.
“Do it!”
And suddenly Andvari knew what to do. He removed the gifted dagger from his boot with shaking hands. It hadn’t left his side since he’d received it from Gamayun. He’d know when to use it, she said. And now was the time.
“Do it,” Sawyer said weakly.
Andvari knelt and pinned Sawyer’s other wrist to the ground. Before he could second guess himself, he stabbed it through Sawyer’s palm.
Sawyer cried out again, more weakly. Andvari could barely breathe. The stranger leaned over Sawyer, his eyes glowing. “Reach for it,” he demanded. “Pull your strength to you. Your earth guardians have grounded you. Do it.”
The pain had been too much for Sawyer’s already weakened body, though, and he could barely hold his eyes open. His breaths were barely there now, not able to get enough oxygen into his body.
“Do it,” yellow eyes commanded, his voice deep and angry.
Andvari shoved him aside and took his place in Sawyer’s field of vision.
“Sawyer, love. Focus for me. Breathe. Pull it in.”
Andvari had no idea exactly what it was. The new guardian might know more than they did, but he didn’t know Sawyer. Sawyer didn’t respond to anger and commands and yells. Sawyer responded to t
he love of his mates.
“That’s it. Focus and breathe. Reach for it. You’re grounded now. Remember your lessons. Deep. Find your center.”
He heard a snarl behind him, and then the thud of a body hitting the ground. He didn’t pull his attention away from Sawyer, though. His mates would follow his lead. He’d pushed yellow eyes away, and they’d keep him away until Andvari told them otherwise.
“He must pull it to him,” yellow eyes snarled.
Andvari glanced over his shoulder and found Saeward sitting on yellow-eyes chest. Their gentle giant of a mate looked furious. Draco had his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes focused on Sawyer, barely holding it together.
Andvari looked at Sawyer again. His eyes swirled with all the colors Andvari loved. “Come on, Sawyer. You heard him. Pull it to you. Breathe in, and out. Now pull.”
The earth rumbled beneath them.
“That’s it. More,” Yellow eyes yelled.
“Shut him up,” Andvari said.
Sawyer whimpered.
“I know it hurts. But you’ve got to do this. You know you do. You felt that, right? Do it again for me. Show me what you can do, Sawyer. Show us all.”
Sawyer’s eyes began to glow and instead of the magical swirl of colors, they became a molten steel. The earth rumbled again and Andvari swore the ground beneath them began to heat.
“Andi,” Sawyer gasped.
“You’re doing great.”
“What… what’s happening?”
“No clue. But it’s working, isn’t it? You’re breathing better now. Keep going, love.”
Sawyer breathed, matching the slow, controlled breaths Andvari took. The earth continued to rumble, but Andvari ignored it. He focused on Sawyer, his mate, his love.
Ravens began to caw above them, so many it was hard for Andvari to focus. His mates had his back. He didn’t have to worry about defending them. Not in this moment. He just had to keep Sawyer grounded and let him do what he needed to do.
“I can feel it,” Sawyer whispered, so softly Andvari wondered if anyone else would even be able to hear it.
“Good,” Andvari responded. “Focus. Breathe.”
One corner of Sawyer’s mouth lifted in a smile that was just for him. “I know.”
