CRYSTALLUM (The Primordial Principles Book 1)

by McMann, Laney

  "I never said that, Cole."

  He popped to his feet, furious. He wasn't sure at whom, and grabbed his suit jacket off the porch. "It's done. I can't change it."

  "Just keep your distance and it'll blow over."

  Cole climbed into his Jeep and slammed the door.

  "So, the crystal? The Patriarchae? The Mortal Coil? Did you think about any other leads?"

  Cole rolled his window down. "I haven't been home for more than three hours! When might I have had the time to think? While I was asleep? Perhaps we should have asked Dracon about it? 'Oh, by the way, your Hive, the one we destroyed...yeah, that. Well, we found an unblemished, pristine crystal in the balcony. Is it yours?' Seriously, Dan? 'Oh, and while you're fessing up information on your criminal activity to the enemy, us, who's the Patriarchae? And what's up with this new symbol you guys are using?'" Cole ground the Jeep into reverse and backed away from the Brotherhood.

  "Why are you mad at me? It was just a question."

  "A stupid one!” Cole screeched his tires.

  "Do you still have the crystal?"

  "Another stupid question." He put the Jeep in first gear and jerked his hand back as if the stick shift had bit him. Faint red lines crawled across his palm.

  "Let the Kadence thing go. It's the Warden's issue," Danny yelled. "We have work to do."

  Cole closed his hand into a fist and rounded the corner of the mountain road. Danny should know he was trying to stay away from Kade, and the fact that he was arguing with him about it made him want to punch something.

  ***

  Of all the kids Danny could have been paired up with when he moved into the common house, he'd gotten Cole. Cole, the hot-headed, smart ass. The guy who was too damn gifted for his own good. The only reason the Warden put up with him was because he was stronger than everyone else. Something he loved to remind Danny, or anyone else who would listen, every chance he got.

  They'd both been nine when Danny moved into the Brotherhood, and they'd been inseparable since. Fratres, brothers, they were called in Latin, the language Danny had been forced to learn after he'd moved to Boulder and hated to use. The fact that it was Cole's native tongue only made it worse. He constantly corrected Danny when they were younger and it drove him crazy.

  Even as a little kid Cole knew everything, was constantly quoting books, poetry, Latin sayings, and he was never afraid of anything. Not of moving from Rome to the U.S. by himself, or being a Primori, or what that meant. Cole's confidence had given Danny courage. Made him less afraid of what he truly was, and he'd always looked up to Cole for that. Even though he would never have admitted it to him. His head was big enough.

  9

  COLE STOOD STARING through the dirty windows of the cafe storefront. Steeples rose into the gray sky, light rain dripping from the eaves of the old basilica across the street. From the dilapidated sidewalk, the palisade bordering the Ward appeared like any other defense system; a fence of iron stakes enclosing an old building, but in truth, the Ward had been built within a vortex overtop one of the largest converging Leyline systems in the world that connected the U.S. to Rome. That was the only defense it needed.

  The only other site with a bigger defense system was in a hidden location in Great Britain sitting overtop the planetary grid, where every Leyline in the world led and connected. It was the most heavily guarded building on Earth. The Ward referred to the site as the Araneum, but the Daemoneum called it the Nexus. The Spider's Web.

  Tugging the collar of his suit jacket up, Cole made his way through the back door of the cafe and onto the front walk. The late afternoon sun in Rome was so much warmer than Boulder’s morning chill, but it didn’t stop the rain. Shimmering waves of energy snaked and swirled into the sky from the Ward's run-down courtyard, as he crossed the street and entered the property. The energy field always reminded him of heat rising off a car hood in the summer. Quivering gaseous vapors. Occasionally, the fields shimmered in rainbow colors, but with so many Primori and Primeva in one place today, their coronas mixed and became muted, muddled, blending into brown.

  A Primordial's corona was an internal gauge that divided everyone into ranks. Most were green, blue, and yellow—middle grade colors of average strength. Purple and pink were higher up in strength level. Brown was considered the lowest, although the reason had nothing to do with strength, but with descent.

  Most Primordials kept their corona hidden in everyday activities, not wanting others to know their true nature, or their true strength, but in times of stress, like fighting, it showed in everyone. It also showed in love—the hardest emotion for a Primordial to control.

  Swinging the rusted iron gate open, Cole made his way up the cobbled walk between marble sculptures and overflowing tiered fountains. Elaborately carved double doors adorned the front entry. An eagle with wings spread wide, a serpent wound through its beak and talons, emblazoned the archway, along with the Ward’s maxim engraved into off-white stone:

  Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt.

  The fates lead the willing, and drag the unwilling.

  Nothing like positivity to keep the flock in order.

  Jake stood near the basilica's entryway in a dark blue suit and black tie, his face still disfigured from the fight—something Cole would have to answer for soon. Over Jake's heart, near his lapels, his suit jacket bore the Kinship's insignia; an owl, its talons and beak sewn with silver thread on a white background with two drops of blood. He didn't grin when Cole came up the pathway, dressed in his own regalia of black and gold, the falcon crest of his house sewn in gold over his heart with the mark of the Brotherhood; a fist on a red background.

  If Jake wasn't such a douche they might have been friends. A tiny part of Cole hated to admit that, but they weren't so different, just born on opposite sides of the playing field. Fated to follow the rules set forth thousands of years before their time.

  "Jake." Cole grinned at his stern expression. "You didn't have to get all dressed up just for me." He tugged the heavy wooden door open. "Age before beauty."

  Jake sneered and entered the Ward.

  The wide interior hall gleamed with ruddy-cheeked cherubs, biblical scripture, and purple and blue stained glass. Jake stayed at Cole's side, both of them walking toward the Warden's chambers. Only their footfalls clapping against the highly polished marble floors broke the oppressive silence. On a knock, the Warden's ornately carved door opened.

  "Mr. Spires." Warden Caelius shook Cole's hand. "And Mr. Phillips." He shook Jake's hand. "Have a seat, both of you." The older man gestured toward two leather arm chairs facing his desk. "I am sorry to have roused you both from your responsibilities, but if what I hear is true, well...let us talk first, shall we?" He gave a stern grin, his yellowed teeth peeking behind thin lips.

  Cole folded his hands in his lap, and Jake exhaled.

  "Mr. Phillips, let us begin with you. I see you have sustained an injury. How might you have come upon it?"

  Jake shifted in his seat. "It was misunderstanding, sir. Between Cole and me. I'm fine."

  "I see that you are, and am glad for it, but these misunderstandings, as you like to call them, have become too frequent."

  Jake gave a curt nod, and the Warden turned his focus toward Cole.

  "You are to blame for the condition of Mr. Phillips’ face, Mr. Spires? I see you also bear the remnants of a struggle." He gestured toward the butterfly bandages over Cole's eye.

  "Yes, sir." Cole's tone was clear and unwavering.

  Jake cleared his throat.

  "Is there something you wish to add, Mr. Phillips, or is this topic of conversation boring you?"

  "It wasn't...entirely Cole's fault."

  "Ah. It never seems to be, does it?" The Warden sat back in his leather chair. "Yet, here we are, once again, deciding punishments between the two of you. Might I ask the reason for your most recent altercation?" His wrinkled hands steepled underneath his chin, blue-gray eyes alert.

  No one spoke.
r />   "Your fathers were never fond of one another, either. A shame, really. Both talented men. Some old traditions die hard." The Warden's gaze shifted between Cole and Jake. "Each of you knows the rules. They are in place for your protection, our protection as a whole. If I cannot count on my two youngest protégés to behave with respect for one another, and for the Ward, then perhaps I have misjudged you both. Perhaps your futures should be reevaluated."

  "It was because of a girl," Cole piped up. There would be no reevaluation of his future on Jake's account. "Kadence."

  Jake rolled his eyes. Cole had opened the can of worms and now they would wriggle out everywhere.

  "I had no idea who she was at first." Cole met the man's gaze. "The Nefarius were after her—in a public place."

  The Warden's eyes widened. "Which, I suppose, brings us to our next topic of discussion. Go on, Mr. Spires."

  "She...I guess Kadence thought I was in danger, because she tried to get to me before I got to the Shadow. I don't believe she has any idea what she is, sir. That she's one of us." He glanced at Jake. "She's a fledgling."

  The Warden nodded. "We are aware of Kadence's situation."

  Cole nodded, surprised, and a little bit angry, but he didn't let on. "Jake was mad because Kadence and I met, I guess—" He shrugged. "So, he got Alex and Kyle to start a fight with me and Danny."

  The Warden held up his hand, silencing him. "And this incident forced you to break the Doctrine?"

  Cole cringed, hearing that word was akin to being slapped. "No, sir. I...sir, it wasn't my intention to break the Doctrine. Danny and I tracked a Daemoneum Hive from Italy to Utah, and back to Boulder into the Crystalline Club where the Shadow attacked. They were after Kadence, so as I was doing my rounds later that night, I included her house in my posts to make sure nothing had followed her home. It would have been easy to do."

  The Warden motioned for Cole to continue.

  "Sir, on a second trip, last night, I ran into Dracon. He was stalking Kadence's house. He had two juvenile gurgulio with him."

  "Oh, my god." Jake didn't contain the fear in his tone.

  "A fair assessment, Mr. Phillips," the Warden said. "Am I to understand that you destroyed the threat, Mr. Spires?"

  "Yes. The gurgulio. Dracon fled."

  "Of course he did." The Warden exhaled. "Are you saying Kadence poses a threat to our cause? That she has become a lure? A target?"

  Shit. To the Ward, a threat meant disposable. Cole panicked. "No, not a threat. I've, I'll...we," he stuttered, and Cole never stuttered. Words were like playthings to him. Something other people had difficulties with, not him. He composed himself. "Sir, I'll keep an eye out. On her. Make sure she's safe. That she doesn't accidentally expose her abilities. Until she takes up residence within her common house and is trained properly. I saw no signs of maliciousness within her nature, sir. Quite the opposite."

  "I see." Warden Caelius held his gaze with a stern, fatherly stare. "Mr. Phillips, were you not aware of Kadence's situation as well? That she was possibly being tracked by the largest Daemoneum threat known to us?"

  "I had my suspicions, sir. But, no, sir."

  The Warden sat forward in his chair, papers in perfect stacks on his desk. "So, am I to understand that Mr. Spires has been shouldering your responsibility in regard to Kadence since you were unaware of her situation?"

  "No...that's not what I meant—I—" Jake glowered at Cole. "He—"

  The Warden held up a hand, silencing him. "Mr. Spires, I appreciate your insight, and concern for Kadence's welfare, as well as offering her protection, and fighting on her behalf. I will alert you if I need your assistance further."

  "Yes, sir." He let out a relieved breath.

  "And please understand, Mr. Spires, that although I appreciate your help, Kadence's position among us is still unclear. As with all Primordial fledglings, secrecy is paramount. More so with a fledgling of her age. It is a very rare occurrence to have a fledgling reach the age of seventeen without being turned or killed." He shifted papers on his desk. "When she is ready to learn of her true nature, as well as accept it, we will be ready to enlighten her of her role within the Ward. Until then, we will all attend our duties, and Kadence will remain at home with her father. For now, she is the responsibility of Mr. Phillips, and the Kinship, and not your own, or the Brotherhood's, regardless of any friendship you may have with her. Please keep your distance from here on so that she does not...misinterpret your feelings for her." He eyed Cole. "Understood?"

  Cole swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to appear unfazed by the order. "Yes, sir."

  "There will be no punishment given at this time due the nature of the situation. But be aware, Mr. Phillips..." He shifted his gaze. "If you choose to engage in unsavory behavior with another member of the Ward again, especially with a member of another common house, you will regret it."

  "Yes, sir."

  "I understand the two houses have a long history of rivalry, but please remember that you are on the same side. You are free to go." Warden Caelius swiped his hand in the air as if swatting an unwanted fly and the door to his study opened. "The Brotherhood and the Kinship have need of strong Alphas. Know that this conversation will be recorded in your files. "

  Jake pushed to his feet and started for the door, but Cole hesitated.

  "Yes, Mr. Spires? What else is there?"

  "Sir..." He glanced at his feet. How can Kadence be Jake's responsibility? She was carrying a crystal. A crystal.

  "Yes, Mr. Spires?" The Warden's brow lifted.

  "Nothing."

  ***

  Cole walked the wide hall outside the Warden's office toward the double ornate doors. Jake vanished somewhere upstairs. Probably running his mouth about something else he thought Cole was guilty of.

  Drizzling rain still fell outside, and Cole found cover in the abandoned cafe across the street, his conscience weighing on his shoulders like a coat of iron. Glancing at his open hand, the red lines spread across his right palm like a claw. They'd grown darker since he'd left the Brotherhood. Drawing the crystal Danny found out of his pocket, its own red lines were more distinct, too, a grid of electric currents, as if the crystal was a living, breathing thing. There hadn't been any lines inside of it when they'd found it in the Hive.

  Cole withdrew his own crystal and held it in his other palm. Clear. Untainted. Pure. A Ward-issued crystal. The kind that transmitted energy and maintained the electromagnetic field that coursed through all Primordials. The energy that kept them alive and aligned with the Celestial Plane.

  With a breath, Cole put both crystals back in his pockets. Not only had he broken the Doctrine by choosing to put his life on the line for Kadence, in his panic to make sure she was okay, he'd accidentally used the crystal they'd found at the Daemoneum Hive to stop the effects of any injuries she might have had. The crystal Cole had quickly realized, wasn't one of the Wards at all, wasn't even born of the Celestial Plane, but something, and somewhere, else entirely.

  It was a fusionem crystal.

  At least he understood why the Daemoneum had it in their Hive. It was the kind of crystal that used both positive and negative energy.

  The kind of crystal that could create amalgamations.

  The Warden entered the dilapidated cafe, shaking the rain from his gray hair. "I apologize for my abrupt nature during the meeting," the man said. "You know it is difficult in those situations. I must not play favorites, and I would rather Mr. Phillips not know any more than he has already learned." The Warden removed a small velvet pouch from the inside pocket of his suit and held it open.

  "I understand." Cole retrieved the crystal and dropped the stone inside.

  "It has been a long time since I have seen a fusionem crystal. Thank you for alerting me on Saturday evening that you found it, and not handing it over during our meeting with Mr. Phillips."

  Cole nodded, distracted.

  "You wanted to ask me how Kadence was doing in my office a few minutes ago."r />
  "Yes. Why didn't you tell me she'd been placed in the Kinship?" he asked with too much force behind his words. "Under Jake?"

  The Warden raised a brow. "Because she had not been placed anywhere the last time we spoke of it, and even if I had placed her in the Kinship, you didn't know her, so I assumed you wouldn't care."

  Cole blanched. Why did he care? He never cared where anyone was placed.

  "For your other question, Kadence is the same as she was when you alerted us to her condition early this morning. Unresponsive. We have decided, for the sake of her safety, that we will wipe her memory of the event."

  Cole's posture stiffened. "But—"

  The Warden held up a hand. "She will not forget you. Only last night's events and the role you played in them. It is unwise to remove everything. But for her to possibly remember that you witnessed the moon's mark on her palm, or that she was seen talking to Dracon is too risky."

  "She was carrying a crystal." Cole's gaze met the elder man's light eyes. "A telum."

  "Kadence is a rare case. That is why she has been hidden from our world for so long, and the reason she was not accustomed to our ways at a young age like all other fledglings. We are still learning what her role among us will be, and therefore, the less she is aware of, for the time being, the better."

  "How much does she know?" Cole leaned against the cafe wall.

  "A good amount, but not everything."

  "I don't understand. Primeva can't carry crystals."

  The Warden gave a curt nod. "And that is what makes her rare. She can."

  Cole sighed. Until he became a Principal within the Ward, he wasn't privy to certain information.

  "If you will, though, discreetly check on Kadence before you resume your usual duties, I would appreciate it." The Warden turned to leave. "The doctor has been alerted that you will stop by."

  Cole hesitated. "You want me to go see her after I broke the Doctrine?"