by K. G. Reuss
I was right to promise Nev that I’d probably regret our evening together. Anything less would make me a liar.
Twenty-Two
Raiden
I’d finally sent my fire message and requested an audience with the Order, my father included since I knew his trip had been delayed. The past few nights, I’d made it a point to stay as far from Conexus house as I could just because I couldn’t handle seeing Ever. I knew something had happened with her the night she rushed from the gardens. Seeing her in someone else’s shirt had pretty much confirmed it. Damien and Eric kept urging me to talk to her.
But I needed time to clear my head. I wanted to announce to the Order who my recruits were. I needed to make them aware of my vow of eternity, nullifying my marriage to Amara. After that, I’d go home, and we’d finally do our abilities testing for the group where I’d make my announcement about everything happening.
“It’s good to see you, General,” Sangrey greeted me at the entrance to the citadel.
“Likewise, Uncle,” I answered, shaking his hand.
He beamed at me. “Your father is in a mood today.”
“Tell me something new,” I muttered, looking past my uncle to see members of the Order filing into their spots on the dais in the circular room.
“Remain calm. There’s nothing that can be done. She’s in. You’ve taken the vow. Right?”
“She is, and I have.”
“I trust there have been no issues?” Sangrey raised a brow at me.
“Oh, there have been. She’s a bit rebellious.”
“I could sense that the moment I met her. A smart match for you I’d say.”
“If she’ll have me. She hates me right now.”
“All in good time, General. The girl will eventually understand your reasonings, and I suspect, love you even more.” He clapped me on the shoulder and gestured for me to enter the citadel.
I did so, trying to calm my nerves.
Sangrey took his seat at the dais, while I stood in front of the men.
“General, it’s nice to see you,” my father said in a gruff voice from his spot in the center. He adjusted his dark robes, his eyes trained on me. “From your lack of communication over the past few weeks, I’m guessing you felt the need to deliver the news to us in person about your new recruits?”
“Yes, sir,” I answered, clearing my throat.
“Go ahead, General. We’re always most eager to hear about our new recruits from our generals,” Sir Broderick said.
I gave him a tight smile and cleared my throat again. I hauled in a deep breath before speaking. “This year, I took two new recruits. Mason Reed is a shifter. He’s seventeen and the firstborn son of Aaron and Wendy Reed, both shifters. He has two younger sisters who attend the children’s school. He’s also a transfer from St. Bonimule’s. His abilities nearly rival those of Captain Wick,” I started.
“And you? Can he rival you?” Sir Moran broke in.
“If you’ll excuse my ego for a moment, Sir Moran, no one can rival me.”
Sir Moran smiled widely at me and sat back in his seat. “Go on, General.”
“He’ll be completing his first mission tomorrow night. I have him going with Damien, Eric, Adam, and Sloane to a club just outside of the city. I’ve heard rumors of a vamp nest inside. I want the nest cleared and the vamps brought in for interrogation.”
“Excellent.” My father nodded his head and sat forward.
“Based on his performance, I’ll be assigning him either more training or more missions. I’ll know once this one is completed.”
“You’ve done well, General,” Sir Parsons stated. “Quite well, as always.”
“Do tell, General. Who was your second choice?” Sir Malek asked, making a note on record of Mason.
I hauled in a deep breath. “Everly Torres. The Mancer.”
Silence reverberated around me. I decided they needed to know exactly what was going on. Holding shit back was wearing me down. If they knew who she was and that she was now bound to me, they’d want her protection just as much as I did. At least that was what I hoped. Plus, as shitty as it was, I knew it might draw out the rat. Once it did, I’d gut him myself.
I stared at the shock on the council’s face, the room still silent.
Finally, my father broke it. “What?” he growled.
“I’ve inducted Everly Torres. She’s the Mancer, and I’m the Reever. It only seemed right I make the choice, not only to keep her safe, but to safeguard our world.”
“The Mancer!”
“I knew it!”
“This is. . . incredible!”
Some of the men on the council exclaimed their jubilation while others looked white as ghosts. It took a moment for them to all quiet down.
“What does this mean?” Sir LaCroix demanded, looking from me to my father. “Amara and the general are to be wed—”
“They will be,” Father hissed, glaring at me.
“That’s actually another point I wanted to bring up,” I said, breathing out quickly and reaching for the buttons on my shirt.
All eyes were on me as I unbuttoned my black Dementon shirt and let it fall to the floor.
“What the hell?” Sir LaCroix shouted, getting to his feet.
The other council members sat, staring wide-eyed at me.
“What the hell did you do?” Father demanded in a dangerous growl as his eyes traveled over my torso, taking in the thick black runes which painted it, branding me as Ever’s.
“Votum Aeturnum,” I answered thickly. “I took the Vow of Eternity in Everly Torres’s name. I belong to her now.”
The shock rippled deeply. The response was deafening as members let out gasps and chatter. Sir LaCroix looked like he was going to be sick as he stared back at me in horror.
I locked eyes on my father.
“I will not marry Amara, Father. If forced into it, I will bear no heir to the throne. I’m sorry.”
The room fell silent again, no doubt awaiting my father’s next move. I’d gone against everything.
“Well, we need to look at the positive side of this. We now control the Mancer—” Sangrey started, but Father silenced him.
“Raiden,” his voice shook as he stared at me from his spot among the councilmen. “Never in my life have I ever been so disappointed in someone. What you’ve done will cause more harm than good. Specials will die because of it. Natties will die.”
“I won’t let that happen, Father,” I answered back. “I swear it.”
“You cannot win all the battles, Son.”
The look on his face made my chest ache. For those few moments, he looked like the father I remembered. Concerned. Kind. Caring. But then a new emotion crossed his face. The disappointment he spoke of.
“I swear I’ll win this one… or I’ll die trying, Father.” It was a challenge, a vow, he needed to hear.
He closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly to calm himself before he answered. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Twenty-Three
Everly
I sat on the couch in Conexus house, waiting for Raiden to get back. He’d been scarce the last two days, making me wonder if he knew about Nev. Or maybe it was just my guilt talking. While Raiden had been avoiding the house, I’d been avoiding Nev. At least I could use my Conexus cover to explain the avoidance. I had no idea what excuse Raiden could have.
“Hey,” Eric said, coming into the living room from the kitchen where Sloane was trying to put together a plate of sandwiches for the abilities testing we were supposed to finally get to later that evening.
“Hey,” I answered wearily as I stared up at him.
“Mind if I sit?”
“Do whatever you want.”
He hesitated for a moment before flopping down next to me. I kept my eyes trained on Damien and Sloane in the kitchen. They liked each other. They might not admit it out loud, but the small touches, shared smiles, and playful behavior screamed their affections.
; “How have you been?”
I looked over at Eric who studied at me with his big, blue eyes. I shrugged. “Surviving. You know, what I seem to do best.”
“I’m glad.” He chuckled softly. “Once we get through abilities testing, we can get you out on missions, so you aren’t bottom ranked.”
“I don’t even care about that. I was just being a jerk.”
“No you weren’t. I mean, yeah, you’ve been a bit difficult lately, but it’s understandable. This is a big change and a lot to take in. No one holds that against you.”
“Except Amara.”
“To be fair, Amara hates everyone.”
I grunted in response.
“Ever?” Eric murmured.
I flinched as he reached out and took my hand in his.
“Talk to me. I miss you.”
I cast a look at him, my heart clenching.
“I’ll apologize a million times if that’s what it takes to get you back. You’re not you. You haven’t smiled in weeks. You barely talk. And Damien said you went to Blackburn. Please, Ever. Just talk to me.”
“What do you want to know, Eric?”
“Where you are.” He squeezed my hand.
“I’m just trying to cope with a lot. I don’t even know what to say. I’m trying.” I shook my head and drew in a deep breath. “It’s a lot to take in. I need time.”
Eric nodded, his thumb tracing small circles on the top of my hand. “And Blackburn?” His voice was thick. “Are you and him…”
I let out a soft laugh and shook my head. “Conexus doesn’t associate outside our group.”
“Remember that for next time, OK?” Eric released my hand, his voice soft.
I nodded tightly as the door to the basement opened and Raiden walked in wearing his dark cloak. I’d been told there was a portal down there to Xanan. Knowing Raiden, he’d been there, delivering the report everyone had been talking about.
Butterflies fluttered to life in my stomach as his eyes swept the room before coming to rest on me. I sat forward on instinct.
“How’d it go?” Jared called out, moving to a chair in the living room.
“About as well as I expected,” Raiden said, tearing his gaze away from me. He grew quiet for a moment.
Seconds later, the rest of Conexus appeared in the room. He’d summoned them with his mind, apparently. I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to him being able to do that.
Sloane and Damien joined a moment later. She set a large plate of sandwiches on the coffee table in the center of the room.
“What’s the verdict?” Damien asked, biting into his sandwich.
“Same as always with a few changes.”
“Oh, intriguing. Do tell.” Amanda flicked her wrist. A sandwich floated across the room to her.
Brandon snatched it out of the air before it reached its destination. She scoffed at him, smiling, before getting another one.
“I’ll get there,” Raiden said, settling into a high-backed velvet chair fit for a prince. He looked regal and commanding on his perch, his aquamarine eyes taking in everyone in the room before stopping on me.
“I have some announcements. First, we have the Arcane Ball coming up. You know how that goes. Get a date. Be respectful. Everyone who’s anyone will be there.”
Adam let out a groan as the girls tittered. I cringed. The last thing I felt like doing was hanging out in Xanan and schmoozing with members of the Order. The thought of seeing the sigil made my stomach twist.
“Next, we’ve been assigned a haunt.” His eyes locked on mine.
Chills raced over my skin. With my particular abilities, I had a feeling all future haunts would become my assignments. “It’s ours,” I whispered, fear clawing at my guts.
He nodded tightly. “It is. I believe your particular set of skills will come in handy. Damien and Eric will be joining us. If you do well, it’s the first step in advancing your rank. Same for Mason. He has a mission coming up soon as well. These aren’t drills or practice. These are the real deal, and people can die.”
“Then why not take Ever on both missions?” Chloe piped up.
I scowled at her as she gave me a look of shame.
“Sorry, Ever, but if you’re the Mancer, you could save our lives.”
“Or ruin them,” Amara grunted from her corner by the fireplace.
I flipped her off, and she sneered at me. Eric quickly gripped my hand and pulled it back down onto the couch where he continued to hold it in place as he cast me a warning look.
“In the event something tragic happens, it’ll take us no time at all to get Ever on mission or for you all to get each other back. For now, we know what we’re doing. Nothing has changed in that respect. We can’t get careless just because we have Ever.”
“Besides, she’s never done it before. She needs practice,” Eric added.
Raiden nodded grimly. “Exactly.”
A general murmur of agreement sounded out.
“In regard to our abilities testing, I think we should get to it now in case something comes up that prevents it again.” Raiden didn’t look at me, but I knew what he meant.
“Come on,” Damien said, escorting Sloane from her seat to the back door. “Ladies first.”
“Then maybe you should be the first one out.” She giggled.
He snorted at her and bit into the sandwich he’d snagged off the table before leaving.
“This shouldn’t take long,” Eric said, getting to his feet. He exchanged a quick look with Raiden who finally rose from his seat.
Everyone else had made it outside already. Eric rushed ahead, leaving me shuffling awkwardly past Raiden.
“Everly.” His deep voice pulled me to a stop at the door. He approached me, his eyes fixed on mine.
I said nothing, opting to wait for him to continue. The sound of the girls laughing outside and the guys whooping made me want to rush out the door to join them as a way to avoid the confrontation with Raiden.
“I wanted you to know that tonight when I met with the Order, I told them you’re part of Conexus.”
“I assumed.” I cleared my throat, hoping to strengthen it from the weak wobble.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“Right. Until one of the worms decides they want me dead.”
“You know you’re untouchable now as a member, right? Unless you commit treason, no one can lay a hand on you.” A low growl slipped from his lips, sending a current of goosebumps over my skin. “They’d be nuts to try.”
“Then I guess that’s a plus.” I turned to go, but he reached out and took my elbow, pulling me to a stop.
“Wait. There’s more.”
“Honestly, none of it matters. I go where the fingers point. We don’t need to do this.”
“Yes, we do,” he breathed out, moving so close to me there was barely any room between us. “I fixed it.”
I froze, staring up at him. He reached out and thumbed my bottom lip, a hunger burning deep in his aquamarine depths.
“Raiden—”
“Shush.” He placed his finger against my lips. “Don’t tell me it’s too late. We have forever, my Everly.”
“I-I’m not yours—” I tried talking around his finger, but he shook his head at me, hurt crowding his features.
“I need to tell you everything before you give me an answer. I just have to talk to Amara first. She deserves to hear it from me before she hears it from someone else. Afford me the time, and I swear you won’t regret it. Things have changed.”
Guilt surged through me, dashing any feelings of hope that lingered. I’d made out with Nev. Raiden’s enemy. Even if there was something to salvage, the betrayal of that alone would ruin us. Then there was the little manner of me being a spy for the enemy side. I had to hate him. If I didn’t, I’d never be able to save my grandparents, friends, or the Specials of the world who were depending on me.
Or he had to hate me.
“Raiden, I have to tell you so
mething.”
Twenty-Four
Raiden
“Tonight,” I murmured, planting a kiss on Ever’s forehead.
When she didn’t jerk away from me, I let out a sigh of relief. Anything that didn’t involve her running or trying to start a fire I considered progress. The look in her green eyes made me swallow hard.
“We’ll talk tonight.”
It took all my willpower to move past her to the gardens. She followed me out without a fight. More progress.
“Let’s get in a circle,” I called out, trying to focus on the task at hand.
After this was over, I’d take Amara aside and tell her everything. Then I’d finally get to explain everything to Ever. The relief in that alone helped steel me.
“Everly, stand beside me,” I called out, forcing myself to focus.
She stepped to my side wordlessly, her pretty face twisted in worry. While her face showed her discomfort, it was her balled up hands that really gave it away. My Mancer had a lot on her mind.
“Link hands,” I commanded, taking Ever’s fist in my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze to loosen it.
A moment later, she twined her fingers through mine, sending a flurry of electricity through me. Damien shot me a wink, which I chose to ignore.
“Mason. Everly. I’ll say an incantation in the Old Words which everyone will repeat. You’ll feel a surge of power through you. Don’t break the circle. It can get rough sometimes, and considering Ever and I are blood bonded now in addition to our other connection, I expect nothing less. But once it begins, it must run its course. Close your eyes and focus. Breathe. Don’t let go. Got it?”
They both nodded. Satisfied with that, I drew in a deep breath and cast a privacy charm around us in case the abilities became painful during the transfer. It didn’t always happen, but it could. I didn’t want to risk scaring other students on campus.
“Nas etnum renia costadium. Nas deatria as transperdio syo es Conexus vas contenium nu bodia. Nas fia un. Nas fia non. Nas fia savioria. Nas fia protectoria. Nas vios deiatros winastra. Le moi estartia.”
