by Aline Hunter
The gods certainly had a sound sense of irony.
“Willow, I see you’ve made it to your brother at last. It’s good to see you again.”
“How much did you know?”
She would have laughed if she didn’t think it would piss off the enraged woman glaring at her through the mirror. “How much do I not know would be a better question. I’m assuming you’ve contacted me because you want to leave Munell and reunite with your dear old daddy?”
“You know why I have to do this. You know what will happen if I don’t return.”
“Save your brother, your Fated, and your nephew by killing the big, bad wolf,” she replied. “It’s admirable to stop a bloodbath before it starts, I’ll give you that. You’re thinking for yourself for the first time in your life. Kudos, chica. But what makes you so sure I can help you?”
“Don’t treat me like a fool,” Willow snapped. “You’re the one who shaded me all those years. I know you are capable of sending me there.”
“Well, you see, creating a charm to teleport you to where you want to go isn’t an issue. Pulling you through the mirror…” She tapped the glass and caused it to ripple. “That might be a bit of a problem. It requires a lot of juju. I don’t do that kind of thing for free.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed. “Name your price.”
“The daemon who created the enchantment that captured you has been trying to find out the source of the magik that shaded you. I want your word that you’ll never reveal our connection. After I do this for you, mum’s the word.”
“Consider my lips sealed.”
“Sorry, I’m going to need a little bit more than that.”
“I give you my vow,” she said dutifully, binding herself to her word. “I’ll never tell the daemon where the source of the shade originated.”
Yuvi tried not to let her relief show. If Lucian put two and two together, he might come sniffing around to ask questions. That simply wouldn’t do. It was best to keep as far away from the man destined to her by the Fates as possible.
“Alrighty then.” She smiled and motioned in front of her. “Put your hand on the mirror and try to keep quiet. This might hurt a little.”
Willow moved forward and pressed her palm against the glass. Yuviette nodded and closed her eyes, calling on the magik within her. It was true that she could travel with ease through the mirror. Bringing something back, however, drained her power so quickly, she’d be lucky if she could create a simple love potion for a week afterward. She reached through the glass, which became as pliable as water, found Willow’s forearm, and wrapped her fingers around her wrist.
“Okay, wolf girl. Here we go.”
The moment Yuvi started pulling Willow through the mirror, she felt energy seeping from her like blood from a wound. Sweet cheesecake, this was going to be harder than she expected. She focused on the magik within her, calling on everything it had to give. As she did, the darkness within her tried to rise to the surface.
Not good. Fuck.
She let go, breaking the contact. Dabbling with dark magik was never smart. Not when it wanted to own your soul.
Willow stumbled from the mirror with a dazed expression on her face. “What’s going on? Why didn’t it work?”
She didn’t answer as she reached for the light within her, forcing it to the surface to combat the darkness. They fought each other—the good versus the evil. After several intense seconds, the darkness receded until she didn’t feel the horrible temptation to take the more powerful magik offered to her—magik that would change her into something that would have to be destroyed.
Shit. This wasn’t good at all. It seemed that with each passing month the darkness within her became stronger.
Shaking aside the thought, she said, “I’ve got good news and bad news.”
Willow approached the mirror warily. “The good news?”
“I can’t bring you through the mirror, but I can pass you a charm that will allow you to transport to any place you picture in your mind.”
“And the bad?”
“The realm you’re in will sense the charm the minute you invoke it. The instant that happens, it will set off an alarm. If you were hoping to keep your plans to yourself, it ain’t happening. They’ll know you’ve transported, and all things considered, I’d wager they’ll know exactly where you’re headed.”
“You’re sure?”
She tapped a finger to her temple, smirking. “All-seeing, remember?”
“How long does it take for the charm to work?” Willow combed her fingers through her hair. “How much time will I have?”
“It will take a few seconds for the charm to activate. You’ll need to speak your destination and picture it in your mind. As soon as the magik has a lock on where you want to go, it will take you there. As for how much time you’ll have…” She softened her smile and answered, “The hourglass has already been turned, bugaboo.”
Willow stopped and stared Yuvi in the eye. “You’ve seen how this goes. You know what the outcome will be. Will I harm Bridon or my brother if I go? Am I making the right choice?”
Sometimes it was so hard not to give the public what they asked for. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to do that. It screwed with things. She’d learned that a long time ago.
“You know what the funny thing is about prophecies? They never paint the entire picture. You’re given just enough information that you’ll either find what you’re looking for or you’ll hang yourself trying. It’s the Fates’ way of keeping a balance.”
“Does that include you?”
“Maybe,” she replied slowly, then quickly tagged on, “Maybe not.”
“So should I stay or should I go?”
Yuvi lifted her hand and revealed the charm dangling from her finger. “You’ve already made your decision. What do you think?”
* * *
Bridon had given Willow ten minutes to pull herself together, which was ten minutes too long. They had a lot to talk about. The wounded look in her eyes nearly tore him apart. She was as stunned as he’d expected when she’d discovered Micah was alive. That he’d prepared for. But the way she tried to defend all the things she’d been raised to believe, that had truly broken his heart.
He excused himself and went in search of his Fated, not a difficult task after taking her blood; he could find her anywhere. He didn’t rush as he made his way up the stairs. If all he could give her was a bit more time, then he would. Soon enough she’d face the harsh reality again. In many ways, it wasn’t fair. She’d been through so much only to suffer this as well.
Stopping outside the bathroom door, he took a deep breath. He could sense Willow on the other side. Intruding into her thoughts was rude, but he wanted to know how she was. If she needed him to back off, he would do so until she reached out to him again. To his alarm, images of Norvallen Hall filled her mind. He heard her whispering and realized her intent.
“Willow!” he roared and thrust his shoulder against the door. The wood splintered as the hinges came apart and the heavy oak slammed into the wall.
She looked up as he stepped inside, holding a charm in her fingers. He knew it was too late when he heard the shrill alarm that echoed through the castle, warning the occupants that magik was being invoked.
He rushed for her, knowing he would come up empty. She’d stated where she planned to go, which was a place he could not follow—Norvallen Hall. He was not welcome in the Lycae domain. The closest he’d come was the outskirts of the fortress in a neighboring province. It was impossible to transport to a location a person had never visited.
He’d almost reached her when she smiled sadly, reached out, and said, “I’m sorry.”
Then she disappeared.
Chapter Sixteen
The Otherworld
Province of Fenrir and the Kingdom of Norvallen
Norvallen Hall
Willow landed in a heap on the floor. The Lycae seated at the dining tables in the hall leaped to their feet
, snarling at her intrusion. One voice rose above the rest, abruptly ending the uproar.
“Silence!”
She tried not to shiver at her father’s voice, but years of living under his harsh rule made it impossible. Rising to her feet, she faced the head of the table. Her father was on his feet, staring at her as if he were looking at a phantom. As she glanced around, she saw familiar faces. Some of them were friendly, others not so much. By now they would all know that the moon had risen and that she’d been with her Fated. If they couldn’t smell his scent all over her, the marks on her neck told them all they needed to know. When she caught Dominic’s gaze on her, she quickly looked away.
Heavy footsteps sounded like death knells as her father approached. He was much taller and broader than her. She’d once found his size impressive, as his physical appearance was as intimidating as his position in the pack. Now, armed with the knowledge of all he had done, she was terrified of his stature in ways she didn’t want to think about.
He stopped in front of her, and even though she braced herself, when he slapped her across the face, she collapsed to her knees. It wasn’t the first time he had struck her, but it was the first time she thought he might kill her.
“You have failed me, daughter.”
She spit the blood that gathered in her mouth to the floor. “I have.”
“Why have you come here?”
Keeping her head bowed, she answered, “To make amends.”
She heard a knife unsheathe. When she peered up, she saw the blade her father presented to her. “Then end your life. Here, in front of your pack. Show them your loyalty.”
“If that is what you wish, I won’t hesitate.” Keeping her voice purposely low and respectful, she added, “But if I do as you ask, I won’t be able to share what I’ve learned.”
The blade was slowly pulled away. “And what is it that you’ve learned? That you’re no better than your brother who abandoned his pack for a fucking vampire?”
Anger simmered beneath the surface of her skin. She begged her Wolven half to pull back and give her time to get her father alone. The pack would be able to smell her fury, and that wouldn’t do her any favors.
“I’m no better,” she agreed. “I know I’ve shamed you, but I want to prove my devotion by making things right.”
“Impossible,” her father snapped. “I can smell your blood-drinking lover all over you. You reek of him.” He clasped her by the shirt, forced her to stand, and stared at the marks on her neck. “I can see where you’ve allowed him to drink from you. Did you enjoy it, daughter? Did you even consider what you were doing when you allowed the bastard into your bed?”
You have to get him alone. Don’t lose your temper. “I was going to do as you asked. We were ambushed.”
He sneered, flashing his teeth. “Ambushed. I would at least expect you to come up with a more decent lie.”
“Poachers caught us just before the dawn of the full moon. They stripped me of my clothing and took away the capsule you gave me.”
“If poachers took you, then you’d be dead.”
She tried to display an arrogance she didn’t feel. “They were stupid enough to leave me unwatched as the moon rose. As soon as I changed, I killed them all.”
The blow to her nose came unexpectedly, sending her spinning to the ground. “So you could fuck the vampire king!”
“I couldn’t control it. I tried.” Blood seeped from her nostrils and the corner of her mouth as she spoke, and it felt as if a couple of her teeth were loose. “Once we were mated, I bided my time and tried to get as much information as I could. I knew it was too late to do as you told me, so I wanted to return and offer something of equal value.”
The detestation in his voice made her shudder. “There is nothing of equal value to offer. You have shamed the entire pack by becoming the whore of the man who would kill us all. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Steeling herself for another blow, she said, “I know where the child is.”
Complete silence fell across the hall. She waited for another strike, but it never came. Taking caution, she lifted her head so that she could see. Everyone was staring at her, eyes glittering and jaws firmly set. Good, now they were listening to her.
“Where is he?” There was still disgust in her father’s tone, but at least he was listening.
“Arcadia Province. Bridon has kept the location hidden by using a magikal veil.”
“Son of a bitch.” Harsh fingers dug into her arms, forcing her to stand again. Her father didn’t stop until they were nose to nose. “You’ll tell me everything.”
“I will.” She feigned edginess, lowering her voice. “But we need to talk—alone.” His fingers bit into her skin, and she winced. Pressing her face into his neck, she whispered, “There are traitors among us.”
Her father’s brown eyes became bright, and she tried not to cower. “You had best be telling the truth. Otherwise I will shackle you in the center of the public circle and allow the males to do with you as they will under the heat of the moon. If you can be the whore of a vampire, you can be a whore of the pack—princess or no.”
He turned to address the Lycae who continued to watch. Willow glanced at Dominic while her father’s attention was directed elsewhere. She attempted to communicate with him silently, imploring him with her eyes. If what Trace said was true, he was the only one she could trust.
“Continue on. I’ve got matters to attend.” Her father snagged her by the elbow and guided her from the hall. She didn’t allow her relief to show. Finally, she’d get her father alone and remove the threat he posed.
As they passed the massive fireplace, she looked at the large oil painting of Aislynn McKendry. Once upon a time the young woman’s image was something Willow detested. If she wasn’t angry at Aislynn’s ethereal beauty, she was furious that the foolish female allowed her own wants to supersede the importance of her people. Now, however, she felt something entirely different when she looked at the painting. Aislynn was nothing more than a girl who had fallen in love. Her only crime was that she chose a male who wasn’t expected of her.
Bridon had been right. Willow and his lost Fated were different in many ways, but they were alike in one. Both of them would do whatever it took to save those they loved.
Even if it meant dying or doing the unthinkable.
* * *
Bridon rushed from the bathroom and ran down the stairs. She was gone. Back to the Lycae who wanted her dead. His heart hammered, and fear suffocated him. Confusion had the household servants huddled together, whispering among themselves. Micah waited for him in the center of the entranceway.
“What’s happened? Were you followed? Are we under attack?”
“Willow transported to Norvallen.” Bridon snarled and glanced at the windows. They were charmed to keep the rays of the sun from shining inside, although he could see the rising sun through the stained glass.
Micah grabbed his shoulders and shook him violently. “How is that possible?”
He knew Micah was in a state of panic, so he allowed the rough handling. “She used a charm.”
Micah’s hands went limp as they slid away. His voice was hollow. “You have no idea what they’ll do to her.”
Trace strolled through the front doors. Unlike Bridon and Micah, he seemed totally at ease. “I think you need to start thinking with your heads instead of your hearts.”
Micah was on Trace in an instant. He grasped him by the shirt, growling in his face. “That’s easy for you to say, Draigen. She isn’t your sister or your Fated.”
Trace didn’t budge. “Willow wouldn’t do anything she thought would endanger Bridon’s life. As his Chosen, it would impossible.”
“She just did!” Micah thundered. “If they don’t kill her, they’ll torture her as a reminder of why you don’t cross the pack.”
“I don’t think you’re giving her any of the credit she deserves.” Trace grasped Micah’s wrist and applied pressure unti
l the Lycae was forced to let go. “If she went back, she has to have a plan of some kind. She only has to stay alive until the sun sets.”
“What are you thinking, Trace?” Bridon asked, trying to remain calm when all he wanted to do was scream at the gods for giving him the chance at happiness only to take it away. “Ian won’t arrive with our army for another day.”
“We don’t need an army.” Trace looked at Micah. “We only need him.”
Micah took a deep breath. “If we enter Norvallen as three, we will lose. Father will not allow me to challenge him for his position. He’ll claim I’m a traitor who fled from his people. The pack would be too afraid to stand up to him in the event I lost. They all know he’d make them suffer horribly for doing so.”
A loud growl filled the room, so deep it rattled the walls. Trace’s eyes changed colors, becoming neon green. “Did you forget what I am, Micah?” he asked. “Do you have any idea what I could do to your entire pack? I could demolish the entire shit heap you once called a home if I wanted to. I could make sure that by the time I finished, nothing would remain but fire, death, and rubble.” Trace faced Bridon, and the growling stopped. “Tonight you will transport us as close to Norvallen as you can. When we arrive, I will change and take us the rest of the way. Once we reach Norvallen, Micah will issue challenge. We can’t waste any more time or your Fated will likely die.”
“And when the pack decides to protect their alpha?” Micah snarled.
Trace smiled, the gesture sinister enough that Bridon was once again reminded of how glad he was the Draigen was on his side. “If anyone is stupid enough to try, they’ll answer to me.”
Chapter Seventeen
Stop trembling like an idiot. Keep your fucking cool.
Willow watched her father as he walked behind his desk. She’d given him the information he wanted. She just hoped it was enough to keep her alive and provide her an open window to strike.
“You’re certain you can find the location again?”
“Yes. We used a trail. It’s a straight shot once you find it.”
