by Antara Mann
“It’s quite possible,” Awen agreed. “Maybe the inferni killed his first minion, whoever he was. If he’d disagreed with him or got in his way, or worse, threatened his magical revolution. There are dozens of scenarios.” He sighed and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Please, Alex, be vigilant and stay on your guard at all times. They are going to strike again before your 25th birthday, I am sure of it. Now you know why.”
A wave of fear washed over me, and I fidgeted nervously on the sofa. It didn’t feel like I had enough time to prepare for an attack.
“But there are only eight days till my birthday,” I said. “Are you sure they will strike before then?” Suddenly I wasn't looking forward to my birthday anymore.
You’ll have to step up your game, my dear, my inner voice chimed in.
“Don’t worry,” Awen continued, not paying attention to my inner dialogue. “This inferni is foolish, anyway — no one can escape one’s destiny. Whatever is in one’s karma, it will happen, sooner or later. No matter what one does or doesn’t do when the right time comes, one’s destiny will come to pass.”
“Right,” I said thoughtfully, thinking over his words. “You know, there’s also been this question at the back of my mind I still have no answer for: How was my mother killed, when she was a goddess? From what I remember, gods are immortal, and only a god can kill another god, right? That’s what they taught us at the Magica Academy, anyway.”
Awen cleared his throat. “That’s the way it used to be, but not anymore. There are other, more skillful and, no doubt, more cruel ways to kill a god.”
The lump at the back of my throat returned; I swallowed hard. “More cruel ways? W-what are those?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know, but the words had left my mouth before I could stop them.
“I believe the inferni and Garrett found a way to strip down Andred’s magic and enervate her. What I don’t exactly know is how. I have a speculation, though — that they used a magically infused item.”
My mind raced back to what I knew from my classes about sorcerers. They often used either pendants or bangles to draw out and transfer onto themselves other supernaturals’ powers. That was why they had a bad reputation in the supernatural community, and why the rest of us disliked them. Not all of them were users and takers, but some were.
“But it is also plausible that they didn’t use any magical object at all,” Awen went on. “An inferni is the demoniacal equivalent of a super god, so he could have killed your mother on his own. Maybe Garrett simply borrowed power from the inferni. Whichever way, you ought to be very careful, Alex. These guys… they won’t stop at anything to prevent Brighid’s prophecy from coming true. The inferni is indeed afraid of you.”
Chapter 5
It was well past ten p.m. when I got home. I expected to see Naomi watching one of her favorite TV shows and nibbling on some food in her own room, but oh boy, was I wrong! When I unlocked the front door and entered the house, I heard amiable conversation and laughter coming from the kitchen. Maybe Noe was on the phone with Desmond.
When I got to the door, I distinguished Kagan’s sexy voice. My heart rate quickened. I felt happy, but at the same time the exhaustion from the day had finally kicked in. It was strange how many things had happened since I’d seen him that morning. It felt like at least a few days had passed.
I opened the door and heard the fae say, “You ought to try Barmbrack — it’s delicious. Oh, Alex, hello!” He turned, looking surprised to see me. He and Naomi were sitting over cups of tea. I spotted a bowl of cookies on the table, too. On seeing me, Kagan’s face lit up and strong desire burned in his eyes. Heat rushed to my face and I fought for control. Get a grip, girl! I was too old to behave like a teen head-over-heels in love.
“Hi, Kagan,” I said.
Naomi gave me a curious look. She cleared her throat. “Well, I have some work to attend to. I’ll leave you two alone.” She stood up from her chair and gave me a wink.
I sighed. Once she was out of the room, I turned to the fae. “So, when did you get here?” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Instead of replying, he got up from his chair and hugged me. His embrace felt strong and comforting at the same time. His touch and magic soothed my strained nerves, and I forgot in an instant all the tiredness and worries of the day. I wished we could stay like this forever.
After a while, I became aware of Kagan pouring small waves of his magic into me. They came in contact with my body, light, warm and pulsating. At first, they tickled my skin, tugging at my magic, calling it out. I let my guard down and my power came out intertwining with his — I was in heaven! Thoughts of ripe summer fruit, warm nights and delicious aged wine hit my senses, intoxicating me. His magic was highly addictive and just what I needed. Grateful, I clung to it.
He smoothed an unruly strand of my hair and whispered into my ear ever so gently, “You missed me, did you?”
I watched the playful sparks in his eyes and patted him on his chest. He was clad in a shirt, sweater and blazer, and looked sexy as hell. I bit my lower lip and suppressed the desire to lick my lips. I was already picturing us making out right here, on the spot.
“Don’t be that full of yourself,” I scolded him. Despite my raging hormones, I didn’t want to give in to his charms that easily.
He chuckled. “Well, I missed you.” His breath caressed my earlobe as he whispered. “After you left, I kept thinking about you. Couldn’t keep my mind on anything the whole morning.”
Me too, I thought, but said nothing. Instead I pulled him closer to me and locked my lips onto his, his magic suddenly blazing on my tongue. He kissed me back with fervor and our tongues intertwined in a passionate dance. Magic sizzled between us. His tongue moved expertly against my own, sending waves of pleasure through my body and I felt strangely reinvigorated. I wanted more of him. Now.
I instinctively wrapped my hands around his waist. His kisses grew more urgent, and he slid his hands over my butt, tugging me closer. In the nick of time, before he could take off my shirt, I pulled away from him.
“Wait, we can’t!” I panted and gasped for air. His magic had made me dizzy.
“Why?” He drew nearer to me, wrapping his hands over my waist, and tried to steal another kiss, but I stopped him.
“I need to talk to you.”
“Of all the times, why now?” he growled.
“Because I’ve just learned some important information, information that is vital, and I need answers. From you, Mr. Badass fae.”
He sighed and complied. A smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Okay, then. Ask away.”
I told him about Brighid’s prophecy. “So, basically, less than an hour ago, Awen finally confessed that I was “the one to kill the dark one that would rise,” as the prophecy goes,” I concluded my story. “Imagine how I felt and still feel about this. He and the Morrigan hid this from me all my life!”
Kagan didn’t say a word, just lightly scratched his chin covered in a few days’ worth of stubble. I’d just had the random thought that it suited him well, when I looked into his eyes and the truth finally dawned on me.
“Oh, my god. You knew it, too! All along the way. How long have you known? Since you met me, right? And I’ve been so blind!”
Suddenly everything made sense. Why he was so protective and pushed me so hard during our training sessions, why he’d assumed the role of a mentor — beside Awen, of course — and other such little things. I recalled how, on our first date, back in the fae club Dal Riata he’d taken me to, I’d sensed he had a hidden motive for helping me but couldn’t figure out what it was exactly.
Kagan interrupted my thoughts. “Yes, Alex, I’ve known about the prophecy. So what? It doesn’t change anything. Quite apart from my love for you, my family swore to protect the peace between the two worlds as well as the peace between gods and demons, and I have a moral obligation to do everything to maintain it. You are obviously going to play a major role in their future. So not only did I
have a personal interest in you, but it was also my duty to help you reach your full potential. Truth be told, I wanted to tell you about the prophecy, but the Morrigan advised me against it, as did your mentor, Awen. I haven’t made any decisions that affect you on my own. I always consult with them.”
I was feverishly thinking over this information while Kagan watched me closely. I didn’t know whether I should be mad at him or swallow his tripe about his actions being influenced by Awen and the Morrigan. If I’m going to be mad at one, I should be mad at all of them, I thought to myself, and yet I didn’t feel anger in me. My mentor had made it quite clear as to why they kept the prophecy knowledge hidden.
After all, if it weren’t for Finn, you’d have learned all this in less than eight days. Not much of a difference, my inner voice said. For the first time in a while, I had to agree with it. I didn’t gain anything by letting anger rule me, especially when it was borne by my hurt ego. Plus, this secrecy had been my mother’s wish after all.
Kagan, watching me intently, took a tentative step toward me — maybe he was afraid I’d burst out and hurl a magical fireball at him — and took my hands in his. Our fingers intertwined, and again, small waves of his magic washed over me. This time, though, they were colored in greenish-blue light. Ah — he was pouring more of his magic into me. It instantly soothed and invigorated me. He sat down in the closest chair and pulled me onto his lap.
“Just imagine how you’d have felt had you known earlier about this great responsibility that lies on your shoulders, huh?”
“I would have been grateful. Knowledge is power,” I retorted.
He chuckled. “They also say that ignorance is bliss.”
Before I could muster a reply, he forestalled me by kissing my neck, his tongue sending sizzling sparkles of magic over my skin. I groaned and pulled away from his embrace, standing up. I had to think straight, and with him kissing me, that was mission impossible.
“I understand why you hid this from me — Awen explained it to me, and I’m not mad at you. Not for this, anyway.” I managed to crack a smile and went on, “But there are a few more things I need to discuss with you. Things that will require me to be super calm. So please excuse me for a moment.” I went to the cupboard where Naomi stocked her magical herbal teas. I took a tea bag, put it into a cup, and boiled some water.
I turned to the fae. “Would you like one?”
He shrugged. “If you’ll treat me to it.”
I prepared one cup for him, too, and handed it to him.
“Thanks, love.” He sipped the tea, and said, “It’s delicious, indeed. Your best friend makes marvelous magical tea. So, back to business. What is it that you want to talk super calmly to me about? You’ve got my full attention.”
I sipped my tea as well, and braced myself for the talk I knew wouldn’t be very pleasant. “I hear there are yet again tensions between the two Courts, and they’re not simply because of Kai’s arrogant behavior; there’s some new stuff that stirred the already muddy waters,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
He hesitated for a second then placed his cup on the table and sighed. “Yes, there are, indeed.” He looked thoughtfully at me for a few seconds and then asked, “Did you hear it at the Council’s headquarters?”
I nodded. “Yes, there were some rumors at work, but it was a colleague — ahem, a fellow mercenary — who told me about them more bluntly.” I frowned at the memory of Ryan’s earlier behavior, when he’d left me to fight off the two demon gangs on my own. “Look, Kagan. I know you’re extremely well connected and have inside information from both the Council and the two Courts. You said that much. I believe that, for whatever reason, the Morrigan and Kai don’t want me to know the cause of their deepening strife, but something’s brewing. I’m just feeling it. Maybe it’s my goddess power, I dunno, but I keep thinking it would be best to know all there is to know about this before the shit hits the fan. Which is where you come in.”
Kagan nodded. “Who’s this guy who told you about it?”
“The mercenary? A mage called Ryan Norton who works for Chaos Corporation. He said most major cities in the United States are experiencing a surge of demonic attacks. In fact, I met him in the Bronx, where I’d been sent to slay a bunch of warring demons. He was supposed to be the muscle."
I paused before shooting Kagan another question. "What do you know about the demonic attacks? Any clue who might be behind them?”
Kagan sighed. “What exactly did this Ryan guy say?”
“Oh, he told me a lot of things,” I said grimly, recalling Ryan’s claim that Kagan owned Chaos Corporation. His hatred toward the supernaturals who outsourced him and the other mercenaries to the new Chaos Corporation was vivid in my mind and had left a bad taste in my mouth. Hatred was surely contagious. “I’ll tell you all about it later. But first, please, answer my question. Who’s behind the attacks? I need to know.”
“It’s not a secret. There have been a lot of monster attacks in the US lately. Not only demons, but vampires and other dark supernaturals have gone berserk. The Council and both Courts are looking into the matter.”
“Why haven’t I been called to investigate? I can’t understand why no one told me. I am a Council investigator, for magic’s sake!”
“The Morrigan thinks Garrett and his mysterious inferni are behind these attacks,” Kagan said nonchalantly, not taking his beautiful blue eyes off mine. I didn’t know what he expected to read in them, but I didn’t even flinch.
“So, that’s who’s behind the mage’s disappearance too?” I said more to myself than to him, sitting down on the chair opposite Kagan.
“This is what the Morrigan thinks, at least,” he confirmed, still sounding casual, but I felt he was treading the topic very carefully. “That old fool, Kai, doesn’t agree with the Morrigan. He is still as stubborn as a mule and refuses to face up to the truth that the poor inferni he punished so cruelly had nothing to do with Garrett’s attempt to provoke a magical apocalypse a month ago.”
“Small wonder,” I remarked, allowing my tone to turn darker. "So, if the Morrigan does think Garrett and the inferni are behind all this, why don't we just put our heads together and find a solution? I mean, come on — all this secrecy is mindboggling. Both courts are supposed to preserve peace, right?"
A sad smile flickered across his face. "We should, but for that purpose Kai needs to be on board, too. Unfortunately, true to form, he doesn't listen to us or the Morrigan. She offered to set up a meeting so we can all discuss the problems we are now facing, but Kai refused, said he couldn't disclose sensitive information to you as you don't belong to the Court of Heaven, and practically to either court."
I pursed my lips, my fingers fiddling with my jacket.
"I see," I said spitefully, not trying to hide the bitterness in my voice. "And how for magic's sake am I expected to help if I am told nothing?"
Kagan cracked a smile. "Everything I know from the Morrigan or elsewhere, I'm telling you. I planned to tell you about the monster attacks, too, but wanted to have more information. Besides, I'm helping you by training you. You shouldn't worry; the Morrigan and Kai don't know anything we don't already know." He squeezed my hand reassuringly and my mood lightened a bit.
“So, who’s investigating these attacks? Someone must be, right?”
“Yes, sure. Two of the gods from the Court of Heaven.”
“Are they making any progress?”
“Not of any significance, from what I know.”
I knitted my brows, thinking hard. “I don’t quite follow, though. Why are Garrett and his inferni initiating these demonic attacks? Awen and I suspect the mysterious disappearance of the time mage I was sent to investigate today is connected to their attempt to release the gates of Inferno, but the attacks — why get involved with them, too, and risk getting caught?”
“Sorry? A mage disappeared, too?” Kagan asked, his tone genuinely surprised. My magical sense and lie radar told me he was honest. “When
? How?”
I told him in brief about Aldwyn Saal. “What’s interesting, though, is that his brother, Finn Saal, also a time mage, peeked into my past and saw my parents’ murders. He also got a sense of the kind of supernaturals behind the killings. When he wanted to see into my future, he got thrown out. But I got a hunch on who might know about the protective spell on my future, so I went to Awen. He finally revealed the prophecy to me. According to Finn’s intuition, my parents’ killings and his own brother’s disappearance are connected. Oh, and he thinks he felt two different supernaturals had killed my parents.”
I paused and looked intently at the fae, half-expecting to see some emotion on his handsome face. Even if he did feel something, his face remained inscrutable. His tendency to secrecy was irritating me. He hadn’t told me anything useful yet. But if he thought I was going to shut up and just forget it, he didn’t know me all that well. I was determined to worm his secrets out of him one by one.
“What do you know about my parents’ murders? Has the Morrigan revealed anything to you? I cannot shake the feeling she knows way more about my family that she lets on,” I said, trying my best not to sound reproachful.
Kagan shook his head. “I am sorry, love, I don’t know anything on that subject at all. All I know about your mother’s death is that her demise was one of the Morrigan’s biggest regrets. The chief goddess tried everything to find the culprit, but he disappeared. Vanished into thin air.”
I pondered his words for a moment. “That mage, Finn Saal, said that he felt my father’s culprit was an inferior supernatural, probably a warlock. But he said my mother’s killer was either a demon or a sorcerer — in either case, a strong supernatural. That means that the mysterious inferni had another minion other than Garrett back then. What do you think? Is that possible?”
Now, I don’t know what your sweet little boyfriend thinks, but I think it is quite interesting — and dangerous — that the inferni we are after had another minion, my inner voice chimed.
