by Abigail Owen
“If I take away that emotional pain, it’ll keep me from fixing anything,” Lila said.
Ellie gasped. “You feel that, Lila? Right there?”
“Yup. Delia, we’re going to need you on this. Part of the issue is that something’s broken inside her when it comes to relationships,” Lila said.
Ellie split her concentration, focusing now on the sunny yellow light inside Adelaide, strengthening it and then working to push that light inside Selene as well. It, too, vanished inside the darkness.
The four women sat in concentrated silence. Selene started rocking a little as she fought the pain searing through her.
“Ellie!” A note of panic entered Lila’s voice. “It feels as if we’re getting sucked inside her.”
Adelaide hissed through her teeth. “Why am I starting to feel the burning?”
“Hold on!” Ellie took her own violet-blue glow and pushed it into Selene as well. “Selene? Can you break through the pain and use your ability to enhance powers?” she asked.
Selene gritted her teeth. With Ellie’s guidance the fuchsia-red glow inside her lit and together they pushed that inside the blackness, too.
Abruptly a small crack appeared within the ebony scar, Lila’s ice-blue light shining out of it. A few moments later the black streak inside Selene splintered like shattered glass, and the blue, violet, yellow, and red glows from all four girls pierced the darkness.
Without warning there was an explosion of light as the black gave way. The brightness became blindingly intense. All four girls screamed as the force of it burned into all of them, physically slamming them back. They just barely managed to hold their contact with each other.
Selene opened her eyes to see the other three staring back at her.
“Holy smokes, look at your eyes,” Lila muttered.
“Yours too,” Selene said. Lila’s eyes, instead of their usual green, were a kaleidoscope of their four combined colors – bright yellow, ice-blue, violet-blue, and fuchsia-red – swirling and mixing together in an endless combination of hues. Looking around, she saw that Ellie’s and Adelaide’s eyes were the same.
“Keep going,” Adelaide said.
They closed their eyes again and focused on Selene. The brilliance of the lights inside her gradually died down. Suddenly they could all see that all four of their glows were intertwined, shining inside Selene in rays and ribbons of intense color.
Carefully, Ellie helped Lila and Adelaide pull their powers out of Selene. It was like pulling apart strings of Christmas lights. The colored strands didn’t want to separate. But they managed to unravel them gradually. Once Lila and Adelaide were out, Ellie pulled her own light out of Selene, leaving only Selene’s own glow of power behind. A few streaks of black remained where the deep scar had been, but only small remnants. It was as if her soul was a little toasted around the edges.
As soon as Ellie pulled the last piece of her power away, all four girls took a deep breath.
“Jeez. What the heck was that?” Adelaide asked.
Ellie ran a hand over the back of her neck. “I’m not quite sure.”
“Well, one thing’s for certain,” Selene said. “Whatever happened … it worked."
*****
Selene glided into the chamber where all of the Council members were already gathered. She had deliberately changed into her most regal gown, an ice-blue silk concoction, floor length with billowing sleeves gathered with silver trim at the wrists. Her bearing was even more regal, with her head held high and her shoulders thrown back, and confidence oozed from her. She commanded respect the moment she walked into the room. The Council members ceased their discussions in midsentence and afforded her their full attention.
“Samuel has had a premonition that an attack on the Vyusher is imminent. Apparently, they are only waiting for warmer weather. The time for discussion has passed,” she announced.
“What do you suggest we do about it?” Xavier asked.
“I am done with suggesting,” Selene declared.
“Is that so?”
Selene ignored him and looked around the chamber.
“I have lost faith in the ability of this Council to rule our people with any certainty or direction. I am taking, by right of blood, my place as your Queen and ruler. I will, of course, consider your view points before I make decisions.”
Xavier looked as if he were going to burst a blood vessel. “Exactly how do you think you will rule us? You can’t even lead this Council!”
Selene watched with impersonal disdain as he puffed out his chest, his eyes glowing golden as he threatened her with his wolf. Without removing her gaze from him, she brought her own wolf out, her grey eyes taking on an eerie, reddish-pink glow.
Xavier’s face showed a small amount of uncertainty.
“I am the only one here who knows exactly what Gideon made us do. While the rest of you escaped happily into oblivion, I had to live through every single second of his rule. That alone should earn me your respect. The fact that I tried to deter him every step of the way, tried to save other people from him and protect us all from him should earn me your trust, even your loyalty.”
“But you couldn’t defeat him because you are weak,” Xavier argued, still unwilling to cede control.
Selene graced him with a cold smile. The rest of the members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Xavier didn’t budge.
“I couldn’t defeat him because I had no help. But my own powers are stronger now. And we have the aid of Ellie Aubrey, possibly one of the most powerful Svatura in history, as well as her family. But what is most important is that I am ready now to lead my people.”
“We will decide who is fit to lead the Vyusher.” Xavier threw his arms out wide. Instantly he shimmered, transforming full into his wolf form.
But before he could lunge at her, Selene reached into him and flipped off the copper colored glow that represented his power. Immediately he morphed back to human and stood before her trembling as she let him feel, just for a moment, that she could take things a step further and strip him of his powers completely if she so desired.
Instead, she let him go and turned to the rest of the Council. “I will not rule as my brother did, by forcing you do something you would not have done otherwise. But I will rule the Vyusher. You can either help me, or you can get out of my way.”
No one objected. No one even spoke. A certain amount of respect that hadn’t been there before began to show.
“Very well,” Selene nodded. “Gather your tribes. We’ll meet in an hour in the main courtyard where I’ll provide instructions on how we will handle the attack that is coming.”
“My Lady,” Thomas called out. “Will you still consider marriage with Dez? As we argued earlier, the match would be a good one, helping to unite our people.”
“Now is not the time. But I will consider the suggestion.”
Thomas gave her a small, respectful bow of his head in acknowledgement.
Receiving no other objections, Selene swept out of the room. She paused momentarily outside the chamber doors where Griffin, Ellie, and the rest of the family had gathered.
She knew they’d heard everything, as she’d deliberately left her mental barriers down so that Griffin and Ellie could follow the discussion. Selene cast a guarded glance in Griffin’s direction and noticed the grim set to his jaw. Beckoning them to follow, she turned and walked slowly back to her chamber.
Whatever it was that Lila, Adelaide, and Ellie had healed in that horribly painful, crazy way had certainly had an effect, Selene acknowledged, a little giddy with the results. In the past, a similar confrontation would’ve left her stuttering and shaking. But she felt none of that now. While she still wasn’t sure what the best decision might be for her people, she was absolutely confident that she was the best person to lead them through it.
Chapter 35
Firelight flickered and danced in the shadows, casting a warm glow over the otherwise dark room. Although it was June, i
t was still chilly at night. Selene thanked the powers that be that had brought on several late season snow storms, delaying the attack and giving her time to plan and train the Vyusher. She’d put college on hold to concentrate on her people and prepare for this moment. But their time was up. She prayed that the last months of effort and planning with the Vyusher and Griffin’s family would help this end well.
Selene stood at the window of her bedroom, the heavy velvet curtains drawn back, allowing her unhindered access to the view. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out to the field beyond the castle’s walls.
“How many?” she asked Oren. He hadn’t made a sound as he’d entered her chamber, but she knew he was there just the same.
“We’ve counted around fifty.” Oren moved to stand beside her and looked out on the scene of organized chaos.
The Svatura amassing outside the castle walls appeared to be in the process of setting up a camp of sorts. Tents were popping up everywhere, and Selene hoped they’d brought stuff for cold weather. It was frigid at night, even in summer. Small campfires dotted the landscape too, and it was obvious the Svatura weren’t trying to hide themselves. But Selene guessed that anyone who got close to their camp would die a gruesome death.
“Have they made any moves toward the castle?” she asked.
“None.”
Selene gave a terse nod. “Good. Griffin can conserve his energy and wait to put up the shield.”
“Exactly what he said.”
Selene glanced at Oren out of the corner of her eye. She sensed that he liked Griffin. Her mouth tightened.
Well I do, too. Fat lot of good it’s doing me.
“Have they asked for anyone yet? Sent someone to speak with us?”
Oren frowned. “Not yet.” His doubt was obvious.
“Hmm…” Selene mulled over her options, drumming her fingers on the windowsill in front of her. “My guess is they will make their move soon. I think it’s time to make our final preparations,” she decided. “Please alert the others.”
She turned away as Oren left the room as silently as he’d entered it. Ten minutes later, Selene strode out of her bedroom to find Oren, Ellie, Griffin, and their family all waiting for her. A small movement caught her eyes as Desmond stepped up and joined them, his sea-green eyes serious for once. She gave him a look, and he winked.
He turned to the rest of the group and nodded at Griffin. “Gabe.”
Griffin glared at him silently, and Selene rolled her eyes. She wasn’t quite sure why Dez insisted on trying to get under Griffin’s skin.
Dez smirked. “Time to go, folks.”
They moved down the corridors and towards the High Council’s hall. No one spoke. Selene reached out to take Ellie’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Then she opened the door, glanced over her shoulder, and gave her friends a final nod.
“If something happens to me, you know what to do,” she instructed them.
She turned and walked calmly to stand inside the empty chamber. Only Desmond joined her. Selene could almost feel Griffin’s gaze burning a hole in her as the door fell closed behind her. At the last second, she opened her mind to him, preparing herself to be disappointed when she heard nothing. Then, as she settled herself in the throne-like chair in the center of the room, she heard him.
“Selene…”
“What?”
A long silence greeted her. Until she almost thought she’d imagined his call in the first place.
“Please be careful,” he finally said.
Selene allowed herself a small smile. His words were so much a part of who Griffin was, cautious and deliberate. She loved that part of him. She loved every part of him and had for years. From afar. With no hope of her love being requited. They’d spent the last few months dancing around each other. Not really interacting unless it was necessary.
And suddenly it struck her…if ever there was a time to make sure the love of her life was aware of her feelings, it was now. The timing couldn’t be more horrible. Or awkward for that matter. But sometimes you just didn’t get to pick your moments … the moments just sort of happened.
“I love you,” she thought back, attempting to put every ounce of her feeling behind the words.
Silence again. The only sounds Selene could hear were the thumping of her heart.
“You love me?” The incredulity in his voice came through loud and clear.
“For a very long time, now. I remember the first time I saw you. You grabbed for Ellie and she turned back to human. And then together you turned into falcons and flew away from my brother. About a year later, I approached you in a dream. You held my hand. Do you remember?”
“I remember,” his low voice rumbled through her mind. “You visited me often in my sleep.”
“How could I stay away? Those visits were the only moments of light, of happiness, in my world. I will always be grateful to you for that. You saved my life by giving me hope.”
“And you thought now would be the best time to tell me this?”
Selene allowed him to hear her mental chuckle. “It seemed like the perfect moment. Don’t say it back though, okay? I’ll only think you’re saying it because I might be sitting here awaiting my own death.”
“Don’t even think that! If I believed that, you sure as hell wouldn’t be in there without me right now.”
Oren appeared before her in a shimmering projection, preventing her reply. “Thomas says they’ve entered the castle. It should only be a few minutes,” he said.
“Thank you, Oren.”
“You hear that? Wish me luck,” she thought at Griffin.
“Don’t forget to leave your mind open so that Ellie and I can listen,” he reminded her.
“Right.” She certainly wasn’t going to forget that part of her own plan.
Selene straightened her back and placed her hands over the arms of the throne. She didn’t bother looking around for Desmond, as he was currently invisible. He’d insisted on being in there with her as protection.
The waiting and listening for any sign of the intruders on the other side of the door was torture. It gave her time to imagine all sorts of horrible things. Just as her tension reached screaming level, the massive doors opened and three men entered the chamber. Selene sat perfectly still, only her eyes moving as she watched them come to stand before her.
Chapter 36
“Hello, gentlemen,” she greeted them once they came to a halt. “Welcome to my home.”
They glanced at each other, and a tall man with dark eyes stepped forward. “My name is Marcus,” he said, a strange accent coloring his words. “I lead this clan. We’re from Louisiana. These are my lieutenants, James and Stephen.” He paused and gave her a hard look. “I believe you already know why we’re here.”
“Vengeance is such an ugly word,” Selene replied. She watched closely for their reactions. “I’m Selene. I am the new ruler of the Vyusher. Our old ruler, my brother Gideon, controlled us against our will. But he is now dead, thanks to another family of Svatura. I am here to negotiate peace with you. As a part of that goal, will you allow us to show you the truth behind my words?”
“So that you can control our minds?” Stephen spat. “One of your clansmen already tried that with us. No! We will not subject ourselves to that!”
“The people who will do the showing are not Vyusher, but the Svatura who defeated my brother. They, too, had many claims against us, and yet they side with us now. Surely, that means something to you.”
“Do you really think we will listen to you?” Marcus asked. He crossed his arms over his broad chest, unimpressed.
“Truthfully? No, I didn’t expect you to listen. In my experience, actions speak louder than words,” Selene replied. She saw a small flash of something in Marcus’s expression. Though quickly masked, she thought maybe she’d seen a tiny bit of respect there.
“So you insist on this then? On fighting us?” Selene asked.
As she listened to the men, Gri
ffin’s voice sounded in her mind. “All of their clan is now inside. They are moving deeper into the castle.”
“We are owed our vengeance!” Stephen yelled. His hands clenched and unclenched into fists of rage.
Marcus said nothing but nodded his agreement with Stephen. James remained quiet, his eyes never leaving Selene. If he was using a power on her, she couldn’t tell.
“Are we in position?” Selene asked Griffin. Upon receiving his affirmative response, she decided it was time to wrap up this conversation with the Louisiana faction. She’d tried to negotiate with them, at least.
“Very well. I can’t say that I blame you. I will tell you now that I can’t allow you to harm my people. However, we will only defend ourselves. You won’t see a single move from us that is offensive. And we’ll do everything we can to avoid hurting any of you. If any in your clan sustain injury, it will be through no fault of ours.”
The three men looked at each other as though they weren’t quite sure what to make of her. Then Marcus’s expression hardened. In a move so fast that Selene barely saw it coming, steel bands wrapped around her, holding her arms and legs firmly in place.
“Tell the others we have captured their Queen,” Stephen instructed James, who closed his eyes in concentration.
Selene glanced to the corner where she knew Desmond had positioned himself and gave a slight shake of her head.
James looked up. “They say they’ve found no one inside the castle.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. He shifted his glare to Selene. “There’s no way they left you here on your own. Where are they hiding?”
Selene tipped her head to the side. “I told you. I will not allow you to harm my people.”
A terrible boom shook the castle so violently it caused the large chandelier above their heads to rattle.
“We’re all fine,” Griffin’s voice assured her. “But they just blew a pretty big hole in a wall. With a single thought. Pretty impressive. How long are you planning on keeping this up?”
“A little longer. So far, these are all powers we can defend against,” she answered him.
