by Claudy Conn
I gave Morlan a look and said, “You should have taken the deal, because now you have made me mad…really, really mad.”
Even before I was the key, I was an über witch! I raised a brow and Cole was free from the magical cord around his body. He shouted, “Come on, Dilly…time to leave!”
“Go—just go, now! I’ve got this,” I shouted back at him, and gave him a look I am sure made him understand. I was not budging from what I intended to do.
“If you don’t follow in the next couple of minutes, we’ll be coming in force!” he said thunderously, and I knew it was meant for Morlan to understand.
I turned to Mr. Fucko, and was surprised to see him smiling. He said, idiotically he said, “You stayed—with me.”
“Damn straight I stayed. The question you should be asking is, why? Am I here to exact revenge against you for murdering my dad? Or am I here because there is a larger picture? As it happens, that old saying, revenge is a dish better served up cold, doesn’t work for me. I think it would do me good to avenge my father now…right now. So, I’ll give you one last chance to make this right. You want me and the power of the ‘key’, so do as I ask. Save the core of Rucker, stop the beast or give us the spell you were using when the creature came through. Do that and you and I will work out our differences and rule together.” Could he see the lie in my words? Could he see the hatred behind every move I made? “Because, if you don’t, Morlan, if you don’t do one of those things, then Rucker will be destroyed.”
He considered me and said, “Dilly, I want you, yes, of course the key is important to our rule. You don’t know or understand the power you have inside of you. It is everything. It will take us to a new world if this one is destroyed, but besides the key, I want you, I always have.”
Kill him—cut him—do it now, that warrior yelled in my head.
“Well then, do you want me to want you back? I don’t right now, but if you did this for me, perhaps one day I might?” Did those words cross my lips? “Do you want me to see more than a warlock that malls down everything in his path? I need a compassionate warrior—a leader, and one that will rule with a firm but cautious hand. Will that be you, Morlan?”
“Yes…” He hurried to take both my hands and place fevered kisses on my knuckles. “Come now to bed and I will show you another side to me.”
“First, shut off the dark thing crunching up our world!”
He stood straight. “I can’t.”
“What the frigging hell do you mean, you can’t?”
“It has become too strong for me. I tried destroying it already…” he wailed. “It zeroed in on me and took some of my power…it left me weak. I am still attempting to recuperate,” he said, and his words astounded me.
He was telling the truth. I saw it in his eyes. The beast was stronger than him.
“It has become a dominant force and if I go near it again, it will kill me. I think it only left me alive because it wants to use me.”
I kicked him in the balls.
“Sorry, Gramps,” I said out loud. “But…had to.” I waited for him to stop wailing, and thought how lovely it would feel to rip his eyes out of his head and his withered heart out of his body.
I calmed myself and took him by his neck and planted him into the wall. He made a dent in the wall and nearly passed out. I strangled him by the neck until he choked.
Coughing, he begged me for mercy.
I said, “So, you have been hiding out here ever since, like the coward you have always been?”
He looked away from me, and coughed some more.
“What is the spell you used?”
“I can’t. It will know if I speak the words. The beast is tied into the words…but your gramps should know the spell. It is ancient and I know that he is familiar with its darkness.”
I frowned. What was he talking about? My gramps and Dark Magic? Absurd. I wanted to beat Morlan into the ground right then. His time was coming. Gramps might just still need him alive, though I couldn’t see why. However, before I had left on this mission, my mother had exacted a promise from me, I would not break it...yet.
I let him slip to the ground and silently asked my key to take me back home.
Cole and Gramps were there, waiting, pacing in the huge Great Room, and both took a run at me.
I held them at bay and said, “He can’t dislodge the creature or destroy it. He tried and it turned on him and was able to steal a great deal of his magic. He is still in a weakened state. He is afraid to say the words of the spell for fear the beast will know and kill him.” I frowned and looked into my grandfather’s eyes. “Gramps, he said you would know what this particular spell is. He said it is a dark spell and ancient and that you would know it.”
Gramps played with his bottom lip and said, “Ancient…dark? I spent a great deal of my early years studying the art of Black Sorcery. Let me think.”
“Seriously? Like what?” So Gramps had studied Dark Magic? I was shocked. I had grown up with him forever telling me not to ever think about or let Dark Magic into my life.
He smiled. “Ah, yes, do as I say not as I did.” He chuckled. “The truth is, Dilly, as a youth, I developed an interest in the Dark Arts. It, I quickly realized, was addicting and for a time, I didn’t have the strength to give it up. Then I met your grandmother.” He smiled sadly. “After that, I walked right into the Magic of the Light and never turned back.” He sighed. “However, turning away from the Dark Arts did not banish the knowledge I retained about some of the more…potent spells, from my memory. There is a chance I might be able to discern the spell Morlan mentioned because I have a book. The trouble is, I relegated it to the Dark Chamber of Spells, only you can enter.”
“Okay, what’s the name of the book and I’ll go get it.”
“Dilly, the Dark Chamber is a dangerous place. Going inside of it will be like taking a drug that will make you feel and see things that aren’t there. You have to be strong enough to see the book, get it, and get right out, and you aren’t trained for that kind of expedition!”
“Doesn’t matter. I know what I am supposed to do and won’t deviate,” I said. “Get the book, get out.”
“No, I don’t think you are strong enough, yet. I forbid it. We have to find another way.”
I could see he was adamant on the point.
“Gramps, if you train me…then I would be ready and what do I do…just ask the key to take me there?”
“No. You aren’t ready and I can’t train you. You are the key. You can go into the Chamber at will, providing you and the Hallow—the key—are in sync. If you haven’t yet bonded, it won’t let you inside the Chamber because it will know you aren’t ready. The Fae Hallow we know as the ‘key’ doesn’t want you trapped inside the Chamber any more than I do.”
I sighed and what popped into my head in my moment of quiet, what needled me, what egged me on, was not how to convince Gramps to teach me how to bond with my ‘key’. Thoughts of entering the Dark Chamber and destroying the beast at the heart of our troubles didn’t weigh me down. What popped into my head wasn’t even about my mom and what was happening in the garden with my dad’s spirit. It was a thought that stabbed my heart over and over and sent waves of pain through my body.
Kallem had a mate.
I had to shake this utter hurt off.
I slapped my head and saw Cole open his eyes wide, but he didn’t ask me what I was doing. He, in his best friend stance, let me be.
Kallem had played me, but why?
Cole said, “Come on, Dilly, why don’t you and I take a walk and get some air?”
I went to him and took his hand. “Yes, walking is good.”
We strolled down the dirt walkway into the woods. I love the woods. No matter how many times you go into a familiar forest, it is never the same. Each day you see something different. A branch down from the wind, a new wildflower popping up. A colorful bird…and Kallem’s face. How long would this hurt?
“Okay, Dilly-girl, tal
k to me. What is it?”
“Nothing.” I swiped at the tear that suddenly spilled over and ran down my face. “It is just all of this…my dad…my life.”
“Yeah, but this…” his finger touched my tear, “…is something else.”
A nervous laugh escaped me. “I’m in an emotional state. Nothing more.”
“Then what we need is a little break-out time.”
“What?”
“Come on, we need to go where the music pounds out our thoughts and we can’t do anything but dance to the beat.”
I laughed. “You are a crazy vampire and I love you. Yes, music.”
Once again, he had me over his shoulder and we were traveling at vamp speed. We stopped just outside a large pavilion, the vampire’s equivalent to a Rucker pub, but larger, way larger than the ones we have in Rucker City.
The music was loud and good. The beat reverberated off the walls and filled my head and made my feet move and body sway. Yes…this is what I needed.
Laughter drifted from inside as vampires let off steam. Would I be the only one that wasn’t a vamp?
“Err…Cole, you sure I should go in with you…”
“Dilly, we vamps have friends in every quarter. Inside, you will see demons, werewolves, and shifters. No politics, no war, no enemies. Just good music, oh, and booze, maybe not so good these days with Rucker no longer producing, but booze all the same, and we—you and I—we are going to do some shots. Come on, time to just laugh.”
* * * * *
Cole danced me inside, but before he would let me on the floor, we went up to the bar. I have never seen a bar so long and so full of activity. Vamp bartenders were putting on a show as they created mixed drinks with and without animal blood.
I did a couple of blackberry brandy shots, which I had developed a taste for in my last year of school.
And then we rocked to the music.
Cole was right about the place being represented by a variety of Rucker inhabitants. Definitely wolf shifters doing their thing on the floor. Werewolves and witches in harmony, like it used to be before Morlan, like I so hoped it would be again when we finished him—when I finished him.
Every Rucker county appeared to be represented in this huge pavilion. The band rocked it, on a raised platform in the middle of the huge dance floor. Dancers bopped around the circular platform, many singing along with the band.
Dim lights and quiet corners allowed lovers a few moments in each other’s arms. Everyone mingled, drank, and laughed.
I couldn’t help but stare at the different style of clothing represented. It seemed like everyone had their own fashion sense. Some were dressed to the hilt in cocktail dresses and males in formal tuxedo suits, others in jeans or shorts, and others in what my gramps said humans call Goth. I loved this place. It was such fun. I have always thought that vampires are very good at having fun.
The band was phenomenal and played tirelessly.
This was just what I needed, and apparently what everyone there needed.
For a few moments, I was able to bury all thoughts about our world coming to an end at the hands of a wickedly horrible and sentient beast. I was able to shelter myself from thoughts of Kallem with someone else…of Kallem making me think we were forever—of Kallem—us being a lie, and about me being so very stupid.
How naïve I was. But I buried it. I sang to the music and I stomped my feet to the rhythm.
Cole seemed to be doing the same and at the end of the song, he took my elbow and led me to the bar again, and ordered us red wine this time.
I don’t like mixing my drinks. If I’m not careful, it makes my magic go kabloomy.
Handing me the glass, he said, “Drink a nice long gulp. It’s the cheap stuff so you don’t have to taste it.”
I shouldn’t, I thought, then laughed and told him, “I’m already buzzed from the shots.” But, even as I said this, I shrugged. What the hell? It was great to just hang loose.
He grinned and for a moment, we were back in school, breaking rules, playing hooky, laughing at life. It was easy, so easy to have fun with Cole.
“Girl, you never could hold your liquor. You are so…”
I wagged a finger and interrupted him, “Not nice to tell a lady she is bombed. Besides, you are the one that got me there.”
I was teasing, not flirting, but I saw something in his dark eyes that made me take a step back. No, no, I thought. No, Cole, no.
He reached for my shoulders and said, “You need this. I need this…Dilly, I’ve been thinking.”
He suddenly seemed to sober up and change his mind and I relaxed. He said, “Come on, tell me what has been eating at you. What is it? I tell you all, so now it is your turn—tell me all.”
“Yeah, talking about it is supposed to make it better. I’m not so sure about that, but you want to know, so I’ll tell you. It is that old sad pathetic story. A man—well, not a man, a Fae prince walked into my life, swept me off my feet, and…” I let the word trail off as I felt my throat constrict.
“Ah, of course,” he said, and put a hand over his heart. “What did the bastard do to my Dilly?”
“Oh, Cole, he isn’t a bastard. He is kind and gentle and smart and…and I can’t believe I still think that because he is a liar and I fell for his lies.” I shook my head. “I can’t talk about it.” I downed the rest of the glass.
“Dilly?” he said, and I realized his hands had slipped to my waist.
Males of all species think the answer to everything is to sex it up.
Even my dear Cole. I know why. He was hurt over Belinda. He saw that I was hurt. So he figured we drown our sorrows in each other’s arms. So not happening.
Sex changes everything and not always in a good way. I put out my hand to stop this from going any further.
“I know a way we can drown our love-life sorrows,” he said.
“No, nah, you don’t want to say anymore.”
I swear. I thought he would drop it.
Stupid, stupid me. I should have just walked away. Gone to the washroom. Zipped out of there in a puff of purple smoke, but I didn’t because this was Cole.
The next thing I knew, I was in his arms and he actually moaned, whispering as he bent to my ear, “Dilly, my beautiful Dilly.”
Kallem was a cheater, said a voice in my head, but you aren’t ready for this. Cole is your friend. Don’t let him ruin the great friendship you have because of desperate feelings.
I yanked out of his hold before he could take it too far. Glaring at him, I stomped my foot and said, “What the fuckity fuck do you think you are doing, Cole?”
He stared at me for a long moment and then laughed right out loud.
I eyed him warily as he took both of my hands to his lips. “Forgive me, Dilly. I don’t have a clue what I am doing anymore.”
A deep voice resonated in my ears, in my head, and went through my body like a bolt of electricity. “Dilly—love.”
His voice…it was his voice and ripples of delicious shock waves of anticipation assaulted me as I turned my head.
His aura engulfed me.
He stood like a God of Thunder and filled my eyes and all my senses.
His dark blond hair was slicked back and tied with leather at the nape of his neck. His glittering Fae eyes stared at me while a sneer was directed towards Cole.
“Get your hands off my mate!” my prince said low and furiously. My prince? No…he wasn’t mine. He was hers. Our time had been a lie. He belonged to a Fae princess.
Even as I told myself this awful fact, I stood riveted, unable to do more than stare at Kallem. I think that against all odds, against all facts, or what appear to be facts, the spirit still hopes. At least, apparently mine wanted to as I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
He looked so wonderfully well and strong, and my insides lurched and my heart began beating faster than my head could take. For a moment, it became too much. I think I might have passed out had he not repeated words that set my fists in motio
n.
He said again, and took a step towards Cole, “Get your hands off my mate!”
I realized my hands were still in Cole’s large hands and I pulled them out and stood between the two.
They were already squaring up against one another, so I punched at Kallem’s chest with both my fists in the useless attempt to push him back a few steps. He didn’t budge, but looked down at me with a look of supreme irritation.
I tried poking a finger in his middle and snapped, “You don’t get to tell anyone to get their hands off me!”
He frowned and looked confused. “Dilly…what is this?”
“Dilly, what is this?” I mimicked because at that moment, I was mindless. “What this is, in a few words, I am damn pleased to see you looking so well. Apparently, your mate…” I enunciated the word, “…was able to heal you. Now take yourself off and mind your own damn business. I never want to see you again.”
“My mate?” he said, looking utterly baffled.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Cole. He was leaning onto the bar with one elbow and his dark eyes appeared to be amused. I made a face at him and Cole said loud enough for Kallem to hear, “I’m right here if you need me, Dilly-girl, but I think you got this.”
I turned fully to Kallem, folded my arms across my chest, and said, “Yes, I know all about her. Zelda told me how your Royal princess poofed in from Faery and took charge. Your mate told everyone you were hers and off she went with you.” I paused, but put my hand up and between us because he took a step towards me and looked about to interrupt. I hurried on, “Oh, don’t misunderstand, Mr. Prince. I am glad she was able to repair the damage of the iron poison when she got you back to Faery, but it doesn’t change the fact that you already had a mate when you were claiming to…care for me.” My chin was up and I know daggers formed in my eyes because I meant them to be there.
He frowned and repeated stupidly, “My mate? Is that what Elva told them—that I am her mate?” He reached for me, I jumped back.
