by India Kells
“Whoa, what a story.” Finn exhaled. “But something went wrong. Something always goes wrong.”
“You can say that. Sera was about twelve when she started having blackouts. She stood still, eyes lost, completely immobile for several minutes. When she came about, it was as if nothing had happened. Alana was frantic, thinking that maybe something was wrong, but who could she call? Bringing that up would be revealing Sera’s ascendance, and that was out of the question. So I started digging on my own, discreetly.”
As she paused, Ian slightly pushed her to go on. “What did you find?”
“Nothing much. Only that a child from a god could develop similar powers and that, if mixed with another kind of magic, it could misfire. For a little while though, it seemed to disappear.”
“How long?”
“A few months at least, and then it started again. Worsening. I had to find a solution before something happened to her. So I requested access to the High Council library.”
That caught Sera’s attention. She straightened, her body tense as a bow, expectant. “You told me my whole life that library was a myth!”
“I lied again, sue me! You think you can enter that place as you did in my shop? If you are not part of the High Council, or invited by one of its members, you can search your entire life without finding the place. It took everything I had to gain access.”
“I suppose that you found something useful as I’m not currently drooling in a trance on the floor.”
“Yes I did. And I could find out what was needed to help you. But somehow, someone discovered the topic of my research. One of the bookkeepers.”
The way she hesitated and stopped speaking made Ian frown. “You killed him?”
The witch-cat’s green eyes widened. “No! I didn’t. Not that I couldn’t. I only... erased his memory.”
Violet whistled. “Not a little thing to do. I’m sure the big shots of the High Council were not happy with that.”
Layla looked away for a moment, her gaze lost in her memories. “They wanted to know what I was doing in the library, what I was searching for, but I wouldn’t talk.”
“After... questioning, they saw how I wouldn’t say a word, ever. And they decided to punish me for having used my powers on protected servants of the High Council. And they turned me into a cat.”
Ian blinked. He did know Layla wasn’t a shifter, but he had never heard of anyone being turned into an animal as a punishment. As abhorrent for him as being denied his wolf. The mere thought made him shiver.
“Unfortunately, with me being punished, they started scrutinizing my business, my friends, my family... I had to use every resource I had to keep your existence under wraps, Sera. It was only a question of time before some information would be made public. And then, one night. I felt it in my bones... Alana...”
If a cat could cry, Ian believed Layla would crack and break before them all. Lifting her head once more, she continued. “I felt it when my sister died. I ran to her house and found both her and Jerome lifeless in the garden. You were still sleeping in your bed. I asked for one final favor and for you to be sent to me.”
“What favor?” Now, Sera’s voice edged on tears and it tore at Ian.
“My power, not all of it, but by doing so, it condemned me to stay a cat. Forever.”
“What a mess! And sorry to say that, but you only bought time. Sera is still pursued and threatened.”
“Yes, but at least she’s not powerless or alone anymore.” Layla looked at each one sitting on her couch, before her eyes fixed on Ian in a silent order.
Sera got up to her feet and went to the wide windows overlooking the street. Her fingers skimmed the pane of glass. When she finally spoke, her voice looked detached.
“Will it always come to that? My life was only borrowed time until I was discovered and killed? That’s no way to live, Layla. I won’t have that.”
“My child...”
“One thing books taught me is that there is always a loophole. I don’t want to die. I don’t want to be a pawn. I’m tired of being the good girl that bends to all the rules. I’ll even reach for my... biological father if it means I can have a chance to get rid of the shadow following me. I have one last question, Layla.”
“I know what you want to ask me Sera. I wish I could tell you...”
“No!” Everybody on the couch jumped at Sera’s vehemence. “This is the moment you tell me who my father is, Layla. Because I swear I will never trust you again. I never thought I’d reach this point in my life or scrape the bottom of my patience, but fear for my life and those of the people I love have forced me to this point. That’s the last time I’ll ever ask, and the last time you will be able to answer.”
Layla appeared both desperate and resigned.
“Promise me you’ll be careful, Sera. You’re about to play with more than just magic.”
Coming closer to Layla, Sera only nodded. But Ian knew better and was determined to keep a close eye on his little witch.
“Your biological father, Sera, is the god Apollo.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
How strange that everything and nothing made sense all at the same time. Apollo, for god’s sake! And was she even allowed to still use this expression?
Her mind reverted back to what she had learned and read in books. That was the part that made sense. The fact that she had visions, after all he was the god of premonitions and the Delphi oracles as well as the seers. Even her pale blond hair was a characteristic of the sun god.
And what did it mean? What did it mean for her? Sera’s head pounded now, but she couldn’t sit still since they came back from Layla’s home. Thank goodness Violet summoned the portal because Sera feared she would have opened one to China.
From her bedroom, she heard faint sounds downstairs. They were all in the kitchen. Most of the Sanctuary’s people. It was also the Sentinels change of guard, so even more people gathered. People she couldn’t face just yet. Even if she longed for Ian to be by her side, she needed to have a clear mind first, and to accept her new reality. And there she thought that being with a werewolf would create problems!
Sera paced her room, feeling trapped by the information Layla had told her, by her new reality, by the new possibility, by this damned room! She needed air and now!
When she opened her bedroom door, she could smell food and heard laughter from familiar voices. Taking a detour she remembered, Sera took the other staircase leading to the garden door. It was usually used as an emergency exit, but she believed this was a mental emergency. And they were secure after all. The Sentinels were out there, with Violet and Valeria’s safeguards. No shadow would come near the house.
Summoning a coat and boots, she opened the door and was welcomed by the crisp winter air. The difference of temperature almost seized her lungs, but she welcomed it. The sun had already set by her calculation, and she could imagine the moon in the sky, reflecting on the snow shimmering in the darkness. As she walked, trying to remember where she was, visualizing each step in her environment, the silence surrounded her in a peaceful embrace only broken by the sound of her footsteps in the snow. Wind brought the smell of pine with maybe a faint smell of firewood. It was very cold, but she didn’t care. Each step settled her nerves and calmed her feverish brain.
From around her, she felt the presence of Sentinels keeping their distance. If she was right, she was walking on the edge of the forest. Inhaling deeply, Sera realized that her mind reeled on fewer questions. How could she find a solution to get rid of her shadow threat, how could she do so without putting her friends in danger, and how would all this impact her blossoming relationship with Ian? Could she have it all?
Turning her head toward the moon, imagining it above her head, Sera opened her arms and simply wished for inspiration.
“When people are doing that, it’s normally something they try to get from me.”
The unknown female voice made Sera shriek and turn, her magic surging to the surfac
e, ready to defend her.
“Calm down, niece. I mean no harm.”
Niece? Her mind whirled as the woman laughed.
“Artemis?” Just saying the name out loud was mind boggling for Sera.
“You are indeed a brilliant woman, way more than my sorry ass brother. Resourceful, kind and loved by many.”
“What are you doing here?”
Sera wished she could see the goddess before her, but her instinct told her that there was indeed no danger. For now, at least.
“I’ve looked after you for a long time. In fact, almost all your life.”
“So you are not the shadow following me?”
Artemis snorted, which made Sera smile.
“Aggie? She’s one of mine, but not there to hurt you, on the contrary. She helped stop whoever is trying to kill you. She’s one of my handmaidens. She and a few more are adding to the security of this Sanctuary. For as long as you stay inside its borders at least. Not like that stunt you pulled this afternoon. I thought poor Aggie was about to have a heart attack.”
The situation was so surreal, Sera shook her head. “Okay, if you are who you say you are, and you indeed are trying to protect me, who’s after me?”
“I don’t know. But I’m looking into it.”
“And why are you even trying to help me? You’re ruled by the same laws, I hear. You are bound to kill me.”
The goddess’s voice turned harsh. “Who do you think those laws were decided by? They may be called gods, but they’re assholes. They protect themselves and prefer others take care of their mistakes. And worst, they won’t be made accountable for them. If my brother decided to dip it, he should own it.”
The use of such a rude expression was astonishing. “Well, I can’t go alone against the entire forces of Olympus if they want me dead.”
“Sera. I believe in sovereignty. In the purpose of each living soul on this earth. I admit that I’m not the most forthcoming or compassionate of us above, but I value life. I’m the goddess of the moon and the hunt, but also of power and cycle. You are my blood, child. I can’t intervene directly but I can help you.”
“Help me?”
“Yes. If I interfere directly, they will know. But there’s nothing against a little advice, is there?”
“Are you alright, Miss Sera?”
At the familiar male voice behind her, Sera jumped before gripping her chest. “Who’s there?”
“It’s Brant, Miss Sera. I’m one of the Sentinels. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s just that as you were there, alone in the dark and the cold talking to yourself, I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Talking to herself? Sera twisted as if looking behind her and heard Artemis’ soft chuckle. It seems that the goddess didn’t want to make herself known.
“I’m fine, Brant. Don’t mind me. I’m crazy enough to talk to myself when I try to understand a problem. No need to worry about me.”
The lynx shifter immediately sounded relieved. “No problem. I tend to do that too sometimes. If you need anything just holler. Nobody is really far away and we have great hearing.”
Sera smiled. She didn’t remember Brant’s face, but he sounded sincere and eager to please. “Thank you for taking care of us, Brant.”
“No problem. Have a good night, Miss Sera.”
“This Asher boy has a good place here.” Artemis’ voice showed approval.
“I’ll be sure to tell him, if he ever believes who told him so. And now, not to sound ungrateful, but...”
“Oh yes, the advice. I’ve heard your discussion with Layla. And she was right to go to your High Council library. Very rare, very interesting books in there.”
“And what kind of books do I have to look for?”
Silence was her answer. “Artemis?”
Turning, Sera knew she was alone again, apart from the Sentinels at a distance. How could she even believe the woman who just vanished? And why was her instinct so certain that the woman who just spoke to her by the forest was whom she claimed? Blood connection?
She was tempted to roll her eyes but that was the ways of her world. Some sort of wicked, dysfunctional family living on Earth. Or above it. Whatever.
At least she had a next step, too bad it didn’t give her any sense of what she needed to find. That mythic library wouldn’t have a single book, would it? That would be too easy. And like Layla, she needed a key. One person who would give her access.
Wind picked up, and she heard the creaking sound of swaying trees. The atmosphere changed. It wasn’t cold anymore, it was frigid. A low screech came from deep in the forest, making Sera’s stomach tighten with fear. It sounded like the ice monsters, but from very far away.
Damn sight! Enough. If another attack was brewing, she couldn’t be on the sidelines. Taking a stance, she breathed deep and delved inside her mind, ignoring the biting cold. Her magic shimmered, sensing a threat from a distance, but not what she was searching. Instead, she followed a very thin, almost translucent, thread she had practically ignored for years.
Almost detached from her earthly body, Sera found it fascinating that she shivered, completely forgetting the cold. Somehow, her ears could detect noises around but they didn’t register clearly. Focused on the thread, she didn’t leave sight of it and, just as she was about to reach its source, it vanished. Growling in frustration, Sera tried to repeat the process, but another growl, much closer and definitely more menacing, resonated.
Snapping back into reality, Sera felt snow melting on her skin. One growl, the one she had heard, was an animal. A shifter. The screeching sound was familiar. It was the ice monster. The one wanting her dead had sent his minion successfully through the barriers. And now sentinels were in danger, as well as the people inside.
Frantic, she sifted through her mind, trying to be of help with her lack of sight. As she was debating a spell that may impact the Sentinels or not, a big mass flew by her and yelped as it fell in the snow and rolled. The energy seemed familiar to Sera.
“Brant?”
The animal leaped and shook itself, making snow rain around her. Then, it approached her as she extended her hand.
“Brant, I need your eyes, I need to see what’s going on because once I see, I’ll be able to direct my magic. Just come close so I can touch your head.”
When a furry head was shoved under her palm, she blinked. Immediately, she felt his animal. A lynx. Grasping for time, Sera focused on a connecting spell she hoped would work. Forcing a link with the shifter, she threaded through his mind, until she felt it. His sight. All around her she could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the emotions of rage and his fierce dedication to protect this Sanctuary. And also, how he found her touch soothing. Dismissing everything, trying to preserve his intimacy and private thoughts, Sera got her power under control for her ultimate goal. And there, for the first time in a long time in real life, she could see.
It wasn’t her own eyes, but it was the closest she had seen in a long time. In front of them was some sort of blob of ice, and around them she saw bears and wolves trying to attack, instead becoming targets of projectiles.
Something burned deep inside her belly. A mix of rage and sizzling power. It felt very uncomfortable, trying to get out of her. Panic seized Sera when she realized it would be impossible to get that surge under control.
“Brant! Quick! Tell the Sentinels to back off. NOW!”
Brant sprinted off, and immediately cut the connection, making her blind once more. Sensing the power ebb and flow inside her, moving into an increasing wave, she opened her mind to sense the people around her and sighed in relief when she realized that Brant was making each Sentinel move away. From the corner of her eye, she sensed a golden aura coming fast in her direction, followed by familiar colors.
Glad they were far away, her body shook, and it became inevitable. Hoping her aim was right, she let go of the inevitable and felt her entire body dissolve into light, being burned inside out before her mind
shut down, surrounded by cool darkness.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The mother of all headaches greeted Sera when she finally emerged. Her body felt worn out, as if she had run a marathon. And worst, the swirling light she saw made her pounding head even more.
Swirling lights? What was happening? Springing up, she immediately regretted it as her brain felt as though it would split in two.
“Sera?”
Ian. She tried to sit up and realized that she was on the living room couch, and the intense heat coming from her left was the hearth blazing. The flickering flames played like a kaleidoscope before her eyes, and she couldn’t help but try to touch the colors dancing before her eyes. Quickly her hand was caught by a much larger one.
“Sera? Are you alright? Please speak to me. Do you... see?”
After a moment, her sight not improving more, she turned to where Ian was sitting beside her. The light was different, and not because of his aura. It was a blurry form, a blob without a form or definition.
“A bit, mostly colors, but without shape. What happened?”
In an instant, the werewolf’s mood turned from concerned to furious.
“What were you thinking, dammit? Going outside without an escort at nightfall?”
Sera went to open her mouth, but he cut her off. “No! You listen. There is no completely safe place anywhere for you at the moment, and all of us are trying our best to keep you alive! It’s a miracle that nobody was seriously injured!”
His grip on her was painful, but she let him finish. Beyond the anger and fury was fear. Something she understood too well.
Before she could react, his lips were on hers. The sudden contact made her freeze, but when his tongue swept across her mouth, the shiver turned into consuming heat. Her hand went to his shirt, bunching it in her fist, attempting to bring Ian’s body closer. But nothing in his touch was gentle or tender. It was possessive, demanding that she submit to him, that she acknowledge who he was. Ian may submit to Asher, but even as a beta, he was a powerful and domineering male. Gone was the man, even in human form, the wolf had taken over.
