Ilias: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Stratham Dragons Book 2)

by Sarah J. Stone

  “Don't be,” she said, dryly. “It's happened before like this for long periods of time.”

  “What?” he replied. “You told me that it was just brief, that it was just–”

  “It's gotten worse,” she admitted, and he winced. “Nicholas, don't be afraid. We always knew that it would come to this.”

  “We knew that things might happen slowly,” he said softly. “We didn't know it would vanish all at once.”

  “Maybe we'll get it back,” she said, and that was when he remembered the book. He had been carrying it under his arm so long that it almost felt like a part of him.

  She shifted so that he could put it down on the bed.

  He didn't quite know what he was looking for. He had raided Cole's bookshelf in secret, looking for anything that could relate to ancestral magic.

  The Halloway line was one of the oldest, but it had always been weak, if he was truthful with himself. Their numbers were always small, keeping mostly to themselves and not trusting outsiders. That was probably how they got to be in the situation they were in now.

  The book spanned a few clans, but mentioned the Halloway clan more than once.

  For a while, Rosa was quiet. Since her clan had died out mostly before she was born, she didn't know much about them. She turned page after page, fascinated by the history.

  To anyone who wandered into the room, it looked just like a fantasy book, and so neither of them bothered to hide it. They took blood, they took her CT and MRI scans, and then returned her. Neither of them expected an answer, and they barely listened, waiting for the moment when they could be released.

  “Not exactly the way you expected the day to go, is it?” Nicholas asked with a smile as he got her a mid-afternoon snack. “But it is a lovely way to spend a day with you.”

  “Flatter-er,” she said, and then looked up at the clock. “When do you have to go?”

  “I…” The answer was soon, although he didn't want to say it. “Never.”

  “Nicholas,” she said. “I've been with you long enough to know when you are lying.”

  “I'm supposed to retrieve the girls at 4 P.M,” he said, “but they can wait.”

  “Rosa,” a doctor burst into the room then. “How are we doing?”

  “I just want to go home,” she answered truthfully.

  “I see,” he replied. “And I understand that you've been through this before?”

  “A few times,” she said. “It always goes away.”

  “Rosa, you don't seem too concerned for someone who has paralysis,” the doctor sat down on her bed. “Do you know what's going on?”

  “I…” she glanced to Nicholas. “I have Guillain-Barré syndrome.”

  “What?” The doctor asked. “You've been diagnosed with that?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “I have. And I'm being treated for it. I was too scared to tell my work, and I was too scared to tell you,” she grabbed Nicholas’ hand, urging him to play along. “I'm sorry.”

  “Oh, my love,” he replied, trying to play the part. The worst part was, although the words weren't real, the emotion was.

  “I see,” the doctor said. “And you are under regular treatment?”

  “Yes,” she assured him. “Please, I'm sorry for wasting your time.”

  “I see.” He looked down at his clipboard and seemed relieved that he didn't have to diagnose this complicated case. “Well, if you know what's happening, and you are under regular treatment, I don't see any reason to keep you.”

  “Yes,” she practically begged.

  “Well…” the doctor paused. “You can refuse treatment here. But I don't recommend it.”

  “Please,” she said, and he agreed.

  “I'll get you the paperwork. But I sincerely hope you are being treated elsewhere.”

  “Of course,” she said, and he relented. Only then did she turn back to Nicholas, sighing. “That was close.”

  “What's Guillain-Barré syndrome?” he managed to ask, confused.

  “It's a syndrome that would mirror my symptoms,” she said. “Of course, if they did invasive blood tests, it wouldn't be there. But to a doctor's face, it's a good explanation.”

  “You researched this?” he asked in surprise.

  “I had to be prepared,” she replied. “Otherwise, it could happen like today, and I'd be stuck here for months.”

  “Would that be so bad?” he asked. “You are safe and warm here.”

  “Nicholas,” she gave him a look. “I don't live in a palace with my bills paid by the people. I need to pay my rent.”

  His heart ripped. “Rosa, you can't do this forever. We have to find out what's happening.”

  “We know what's happening,” she said, and gave him a look. “That magic is fading.”

  “Yes, but so fast?” he asked, and then he gasped. “This is related to the veil dropping.”

  “The veil? From the Other?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he said. “It dropped, and we had no idea why. Now, your magic is vanishing. It's as if magic is slowly disheartening.”

  “It's an interesting theory,” she said, “but weren't the carapaces involved in sucking magic out of things?”

  “This isn't the carapaces,” he replied. “Not since Ariel became in charge. I have to talk to Cole. I feel if I present this theory, he'll have ideas.”

  “You have to go,” she reached for his hand. He squeezed it silently. He didn't want to go. He wanted to take her in his arms and return her to her bed, snuggling up safe and warm. But four o’clock was fast approaching, and he knew he needed to go or risk their cover being exposed. They had already taken too many risks today.

  “I know. I can at least take you home.” He glanced at the clock. “You can't even walk, Rosa. You need my help.”

  “We'll get it back,” she assured him, but he wasn't so sure of that. He spoke nothing of his pessimism, though. He bundled her up to keep her warm, and made sure to pack her bag full of everything she had brought. He tucked the Halloway book into the front of her bag and zipped it closed.

  The discharge papers were soon signed, and she was free to go. They brought her a wheelchair, but Rosa turned her nose up. Nicholas smirked.

  “Oh?” he said. “How are you going to get out, then?”

  “You're going to carry me,” she said, as if it were the most obvious fact in the world.

  “Of course,” he rolled his eyes, “my princess.”

  “I could be your princess one day if we get married,” she whispered into his ear as he picked her up.

  “We will get married one day,” he answered softly. “Just as soon as I figure out how to make this world safe for you.”

  She lay her head on his shoulder as he walked, burying her face to ignore the stares.

  He barely had time to get her home in a taxi. All he wanted to do was stay with her sweet kisses and her arms around him.

  By the time he got her into bed, she had gained back some mobility, her legs twitching as she stretched them. He could feel it under his palms; her magic was slowly returning. But how long would it be until it happened again, and then for good?

  “I'll be back tomorrow,” he assured her. “But please, call me if you need anything.”

  “Tomorrow is not soon enough,” she replied. “But I'll try to still my beating heart until then.”

  “Mm,” he leaned down to kiss her. “I love you, Rosa.”

  “I love you, too,” she said, and then he had to leave.

  His magic was shaky when he got back to the transport spot. He knew he could still do it, but it was going to be rough. The restoration and use of magic on Earth was a bit more difficult than on Umora. However, it was the easiest of the other planets, and so he was grateful to be here.

  “Nicholas.” Ariel met him, looking tired but happy. “What have you been up to?”

  “Errands, love,” he said, putting on his usual smirk. She raised an eyebrow.

  “Errands with lipstick on your collar? My, te
ll me how I get assigned those tasks.”

  “What?” He paled, turning to his shirt collar. Sure enough, Rosa's pink lipstick was smeared there. “Damn it.”

  “So, who was it?” she teased him.

  “No one, Precious,” he said, although it damn near killed him. “You're not the only one in this family who has random, casual encounters.”

  “No judgment,” she said, looking behind him. “But our sister-in-law may be a bit shocked, so tuck your collar down or something.”

  “Good thinking,” he said, reaching to put it under his jacket as Enya approached. “Anything else you ladies need to do?”

  He was trying to delay. The longer the magic could refill his fingers, the better. But both of them were done for the day, and so he had no choice. He took both of their hands, closing his eyes.

  “Oh, Lord,” he whispered, pushing as hard as he could. The magic swirled, and then he felt the dizzying blackness surround him.

  Before he knew what was happening, they crashed onto the antechamber floor.

  “Nice,” Ariel said, a bit miffed at their landing. “Ow.”

  “Sorry,” he said. “Don't tell your husbands.”

  “I'm fine,” said Enya. “That was exciting.”

  “It will be less exciting tomorrow, I promise,” he said, as they all stood up. “I hope.”

  CHAPTER 6

  “Vanishing?” Cole asked that night at dinner. “That is interesting.”

  “That's what people are saying,” Nicholas said, trying to remain vague. “It seems more to be affecting individual cases and spells rather than large quantities of people. But there is the matter of the Other dropping.”

  “There is that.” Cole shoveled food into his mouth like he was starving. “I hadn't thought of putting the two together, but we have had reports of dragons feeling less powerful on Earth. I had always attributed it to Earth's atmosphere.”

  “What are you saying?” Peter spoke up from the head of the table. He was always so quiet, so thoughtful. Alexander was his mouthpiece, still, doing so much of the work. “That magic is disheartening?”

  “I don't know,” Cole replied. “I don't think it's quite that drastic.”

  “Well, magical hybrid,” Nicholas pointed out, “I think this is your job.”

  “Sure,” Cole replied. “But I'd like to consult Thomas.”

  “Sorry?” Yvette spoke up for the first time. Thomas Dolcetti was one of the few other magical hybrids in the universe. Like Cole, he was half dragon and half witch. He and his family had retreated long ago to Earth, rebelling against the tyrannical old king, Richard. They were a mismatched family, trying to live in peace on the edge of human civilization. Thomas, however, was a trouble maker, broken and struggling. He had allied with Richard, and Peter had pardoned him for his crimes only on the basis that he used his magic to help with his doctor father. Thomas also used to be Yvette's lover for over a year in her short life.

  “You can consult with Thomas so long as it is on our terms,” Peter said. “He appears before us; you do not go to him.”

  “We would have to beef up security,” Cole replied. “The people will riot if they see Thomas here. His pardon was not popular.”

  Peter shifted his gaze to Yvette. “I’m aware. That's why he comes here. We do not bow to his rule; he bows to ours.”

  “What are the consequences if magic is leaving?” Nicholas put in.

  “It could be catastrophic,” Cole replied. “But I think we are being dramatic, really. It's probably just a singular issue, someone is behind it. Magic is not fading form the atmosphere; the whole world isn't suddenly going to be magic-free.”

  “Welcome to my life,” Ariel put in, leaning back in her chair. “It's not so bad.”

  “But for those of us who are used to magic…” Alexander reminded her, and she shrugged.

  “You can adapt. That is the whole reason for being alive. Tell me when you will summon Thomas, and I'll make sure to be in the throne room to calm him. As long as it's around my rehearsal schedule.”

  “Oh, I will,” Cole grinned. “Bringing him here again is going to be fun.”

  Nicholas was not calmed by the conversation they were having. The truth was, almost every magical being could survive without magic. They would be trapped in human form and unable to transport themselves, but they would be alive.

  Rosa, however, was pure magic. If her magic vanished, there would be nothing left of her. And the thought of it was enough to make him consider throwing himself off the roof.

  “Where are we on sightings of our lovely father?” Nicholas asked. “My intelligence isn't telling me anything. Anyone else?”

  Cole shrugged.

  “It's just the same. Unconfirmed reports, a body here or there that can't be linked anywhere. If Father is around, he's keeping it a secret.”

  “I expected him back before now, to be honest,” Peter finally said. “A battle for the throne, straight out of the movies.”

  “Good reference,” Yvette said, who had taught him all about modern culture and films. He smiled at her, scraping the last of his plate.

  “In a movie is fine. In our throne room is a different story. In any case, he's in hiding or he's gone.”

  “Either way, it's something we should stay on alert for,” Alexander said. “Everyone keep your ears to the ground.”

  “Aye,” Nicholas said, as they finished dinner. Yvette stood up, which made all of them scramble to their feet. As the queen, her small presence commanded that they rose when she did. Peter rose as well, taking her hand. “My lady.”

  “An early night?” Peter asked, and she nodded.

  “Nicholas, I need to return to Earth on Thursday, if that is all right?”

  “Of course,” he said. “I think, Enya, you aren't coming then? My caravan has room.”

  “Excellent,” she said, and the two of them floated off. Cole kissed Enya on the head, beckoning her off as well. Nicholas was left at the table with his brother and sister-in-law who were deep in conversation. Alexander's plate remained half full, which was a constant source of argument.

  “But you can't regain strength unless you do eat,” she tried to argue with him. His decline in health since the war with her people was something she felt terribly guilty over. However, Nicholas felt like he could point out that Alexander had always had issues with food. A civilized dinner was one thing, but the blood lust a dragon needed was a different matter, and he often couldn't separate the cravings he felt. He once thought Peter was the one most unhappy about being a dragon. But Alexander was the one who seemed to fight everything about their dual form.

  Nicholas was about to speak out when his phone buzzed. Discreetly, he looked down, trying to not draw attention to his gaze.

  It was a message from Rosa, which she really should have sent. But it was a picture from the book, and he had a feeling that he needed to see it.

  Halloway magic is the strongest and yet the weakest of the coven ancestral magic. It burns bright like a torch for a very short time, and then burns out. Halloway have shortened lifespans, overcome by their magic at young ages. This is a fact often kept secret from outsiders in order to protect them from being the easiest to take down. A Halloway clan of four can take down an entire planet with their magic, but they often have little time to plan such destruction.

  He froze, reading the text in the photograph again and again.

  “No,” he whispered, his eyes widening. This couldn't be.

  And, yet, there it was in black and white.

  Rosa was simply following the pattern that every single one of her ancestors had. Burning too bright and then being snuffed out and overcome.

  The fact that she was carrying the last of her ancestral magic meant for four people was not lost on him. If they had shortened lifespans, hers was going to be significantly shorter from the sheer burden of the amount of magic she was carrying.

  “God,” he said, which drew the attention of his siblings.
r />   “Nicholas?” Alexander asked, grateful for the distraction. “What's the matter?”

  “Nothing,” he managed. “Where's Cole?”

  “Who are you texting?” Ariel slid over to him, a teasing smile on her face. “First, lipstick on your collar, and now secret messages? Nicholas, I'm starting to think that you do have a secret girlfriend.”

  “No,” he said as he pulled his phone away, but she took that as an invitation to play on. She reached for it, dodging his arms. To his horror, she managed to pry it out of his hands. “Ariel, NO!”

  She stopped, in shock.

  Nicholas had a temper. Everyone knew that. He was out of control, his anger enough to kill an entire room if it manifested into physical actions. But never, in his life, had he yelled at his favorite sister-in-law.

  Alexander rose, throwing his napkin down on his plate and holding out his hand.

  “Ariel, give me the phone,” he said, looking right into Nicholas' eyes. “Now.”

  She handed it over without protest. For Nicholas to yell like that, something had to be terribly wrong. Alexander's authority bore into his brother who stood stock still.

  Alexander's eyes flashed over the screen, reading quickly. He was silent for a moment, and then looked to his younger brother.

  “Explain,” he said.

  Nicholas' brain frantically tried to come with an explanation. “I was trying to look into the theory about magic fading,” he said. “So, I asked some witches–”

  “No,” Alexander said. “You are lying. Explain, now.”

  “Alexander, I can't,” Nicholas begged him. “Please, don't make me. Please.”

  Alexander had never seen such emotion in his brother's eyes. He recognized the look. He had seen it in Peter and in Cole when their lovers were threatened. This was the same glassy stare, the same lost eyes, pleading for help.

  “Nicholas,” Alexander chose his words carefully, “is this something that will put us in danger?”

  “No, I swear,” Nicholas cried. “I would never do that. How could you even think that of me, brother?”