“So, it is like looking in a mirror, non?” she countered.
More than you know, he thought silently.
“Where does the road take you next?” she asked.
“Nevada.”
“Cynda calls. She worries, Wolf. I know checking in is new to you, but call her from time to time, oui?”
Jarrett sighed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I am coming west. I may try to catch you in Nevada if I can. Maybe an old friend can help.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” he said, carefully trying to avoid offending her.
“Oh Chère, when will you learn? A friend is never a bad thing.”
“This time it might be, if seeing you makes him remember,” Jarrett answered.
“Do you think even without my presence he would possibly forget?”
With no counter to her argument, Jarrett committed to call her when he had hotel info so she could meet up with them.
After hanging up, he made a quick call to check in with his club manager back in New York. He verified all was well at the club and went inside the office to check out. Jarrett settled the bill with the front desk clerk in cash and made his way back.
A strange breeze brushed over Jarrett, carrying a familiar voice. You’re running out of time.
Jarrett spun, searching for the source. His surprise was no less dramatic than Cade’s was minutes before. Time for what? he wondered. Then he chided himself for believing he heard his brother’s dead wife in his ear.
It was late morning by the time the brothers got on their way. By unspoken agreement, they rode their Softail Harleys north toward Patrick’s Point, stopping only briefly for lunch at a little café. Neither man spoke of their destination. Nor did they discuss their mutual need to return to the former battleground where they watched Collett vanish in a loathsome mist.
The twins raced across the twisted road at full speed. They didn’t check their risky velocity through the winding turns as their bodies and reflexes leaned and pulled perfectly to adjust for them. Dark, black hair whipped in the wind, while unnatural golden eyes, capable of both warm, seductive promises and cold, cruel stares, focused on the road.
As the two men slowed, the bike engines offered a throaty growl many bike lovers would appreciate. Cade and Jarrett turned off of the main highway into the densely wooded area within the state park, making sure to keep away from common roads that led to the campgrounds. Though it was only April, California’s warmer climate would promise campgrounds filled with tourists, visitors, and hikers.
Cade pulled his bike over to a suitable spot and parked while Jarrett maneuvered his in next to him. Cade looked over to his brother as Jarrett turned the key to silence his machine.
Jarrett met his brother’s eyes and gave a quick nod to indicate he’d follow Cade’s lead. Cade turned his attention to the heavy forest surrounding them.
The sun was nearing its daily descent. Shadows lengthened and blended in the waning light. Thick greenery crawled across the earth in the form of dark ferns, bushes, and tangled brush. Massive redwoods speared up through the underbrush as if they reached toward the sky in search of the final rays of light. Their nettled branches spanned from tree to tree in a selfish attempt to deny the rest of the forest floor the same warmth.
Soft, white wisps of moisture moved quietly around earth and tree. It crept through the forest in a slow dance like a breathy whisper, promising mystery and secrets as it enveloped everything in its path.
Cade was assaulted by memories and feelings. His heart constricted, he felt the same sharp pang of despair as he had that night over two months before. Despite his grief, Cade was called back to this place of loss. Not for the first time he wondered, How can she be gone?
Releasing a heavy breath, he swung his leg smoothly over the bike and dismounted. Bonded in solidarity, Jarrett moved with him, and they hiked through the fog toward the cliffs.
As they crested the hill at the edge of the woods, Cade looked across the cliffside. Images of the battle tormented him night and day, and a part of him wondered if it would drive him to insanity.
There had been a fleeting moment while he was trapped behind the magical barrier that Cade believed Collett would win with pure determination. She was brilliant with her silver sword. Pride had swelled within Cade as he watched her fight, but his hope vanished as she tired. Worse, Cade observed that same loss of hope in Collett’s eyes too.
Desperate to shut out images, Cade shut his eyes.
As if mimicking the anger roiling within him, the wind picked up and pushed against the sea below. White waves, created by the ocean’s wrath, crashed against the rocks constantly working to tear down any obstructions in the water’s path.
Acutely aware of Jarrett’s presence, Cade knew his brother recalled many of the same moments in his own mind. While Collett had been Cade’s wife, she was also an influential part of Jarrett’s life. What’s more, she’s the only reason the two brothers stood together after two centuries apart. Cade understood that while Jarrett’s grief was of a different nature, it was still strong and just as bitter to taste.
This place would be an important part of each lycan’s prolonged life. Unlike those who visited year after year to enjoy the majesty of the Redwood forest, Cade and Jarrett would perpetually remember this location as one of loss.
Though, it would also be a place of beginnings. It was here that twin brothers, taken from each other at birth, and consequently clashing in almost every aspect of life, finally understood each other.
The sky was fully dark now, but neither brother made any move to leave. Instead, the lycanthropes, creatures of the night, stood on the cliff like silent statues, keeping vigilant watch over what they would view forever as sacred ground.
Chapter 5
A few days later, Cade and Jarrett stopped at another hotel to rest. Though the room was quiet, peace eluded Cade. He tossed and turned in his sleep as Collett’s death played out in his dreams like vivid movie, instead of the brief flashes he’d become accustomed to.
Cold snaked through Cade, creeping through his bones and filling him with a strange lethargy. Helpless and trapped within his own mind, Cade could only watch with dread as the battle between dark and light waged once more.
Outmatched, Collett fought with vigorous determination, but Cade knew how it would end. He knew what would happen, and his stomach clenched as the combat reached its climax. Bellig lifted his wicked, red blade and plunged it through Collett’s chest.
Cade resisted the haunting replay. He was tired of being controlled by memories. In response to his efforts, the dream rebelled, and the final events were altered.
Collett’s sword didn’t rise to impale her enemy as before, and Bellig’s maniacal laughter surrounded him. Cade could feel the vibrations of that laughter in his mind. He moaned, “No, stop.”
Shock and pain shone in Collett’s blue eyes. Her arms hung loosely at her sides, and the sword fell from her limp fingers. Bellig yanked his blade free, and Collett’s body jerked. She cried out, and tears streaked down her dirty cheeks. His wife crumpled to the ground, and Bellig laughed even harder as he kicked her aside.
“Pitiful, isn’t she?” The Faction’s leader sneered, spitting on the ground and looking directly into Cade’s eyes. Grinning wickedly, he continued to insult her, “She cannot save you. She couldn’t even save herself.”
Fire burned in his belly. Anger and hate replaced shock and grief.
“It’s your fault she’s dead,” Bellig taunted. “She was trying to protect you.”
Furious, Cade charged across the field with vengeance in his soul. He growled and could taste the promise of blood in his mouth. Right before he reached his wife’s killer, Bellig disappeared in a black cloud.
Frustrated and hurting, Cade rushed to scoop Collett into his arms. She turned her head to look up at him with sad, accusing eyes, while blood trickled from her mouth. “You were supposed to protect me,” she whispered. Then her eyes lo
st the last flicker of light.
A bright light burst around him, and a male voice gently ordered, “Wake now, child of the moon. Know the lie from the truth.”
With a sharp gasp, Cade shot up to a sitting position. It felt like something physically tore him from the nightmare, compelling him to wake. His body was sluggish and heavy, almost sickly. He shivered from the unnatural cold that had seeped into his bones. Despite the cold, sweat covered his skin. Misery and guilt filled his heart. Still distracted by the twisted hallucination, Cade brushed the confusing sensations and any possible meaning they carried aside.
He looked across to Jarrett’s bed and saw his brother was awake, his sleep interrupted by Cade’s fitful actions. In the time they’d been together, Cade learned Jarrett was the lightest sleeper he’d ever met. He often wondered how Jarrett even slept at all. Understanding his brother’s past, Cade reasoned Jarrett’s habits were born out of necessity to survive.
In the darkened room, Cade had no trouble seeing Jarrett’s questioning expression. In response, Cade shook his head and rose from his bed. He wasn’t ready to talk about his dreams. Instead, he made his way to the small hotel bathroom.
Bending over the sink, Cade splashed water over his face and rubbed the cool liquid across the back of his neck. He rose, used the hand towel to dry his face, and examined his dimly lit reflection.
Turning on the light, Cade ran his hand over his jaw, disgusted by the man staring back. A full beard covered his features, and he couldn’t recall the last time he shaved. It wasn’t the first time he’d worn a beard, but he’d never let his facial hair get this wild and unkempt.
Cade’s shaggy hair was no better and severely needed a haircut. Then upon seeing his drawn and bloodshot eyes, the word that came to mind was “rough.” He looked rough. Considering his overall appearance, Cade was surprised no one had mistaken him for a homeless beggar.
Still, even acknowledging his grungy appearance did little to motivate Cade to do anything about it. He found it difficult to care. He was broken and wasn’t sure anything could fix him.
Sighing, he accepted he wasn’t returning to bed, and a shower and shave couldn’t make matters worse. He snuck out to rummage in Jarrett’s grooming kit for a razor since he hadn't bothered to get one for himself. Even though Cade knew Jarrett was aware of his movements, he wasn’t concerned. They had long passed the point of being troubled by something so trivial. Jarrett didn’t even sit up or open his eyes to see what Cade was looking for.
After trimming his beard with scissors, Cade turned on the shower to let the water heat, and then lathered his face with cream. Steam gathered in the tiny bathroom, and the mirror fogged over around the edges. Pulling the razor over his face and feeling the resistance of his thick growth, Cade knew he would have to replace the blade tomorrow.
Completing the task, he wiped away the last remnants of cream when movement in the mirror caught his attention. A ghostly figure appeared in the steamy glass. He wiped the mirror with his towel, and his heart leapt in his chest. Shock rippled through him, and he dropped the towel.
Collett’s beautiful image reflected back at Cade as though she were standing right beside him. Her crystal eyes met his with a wistful smile, and her hand lifted as if to touch his arm. Before he could get a hold of himself, she faded, swallowed by the steam from the shower, like the mist that stole her body the night she died.
Cade wiped the mirror frantically, but Collett had disappeared. He felt hot frustration and tender anguish threatening to overwhelm him. Grabbing a clean towel, he rubbed the mirror again, and the cloth squeaked against dry glass. When she didn’t reappear, Cade lost control.
Snarling, he slammed his fist into the glass, sending sparkling shards flying and blood trickling from the fresh lacerations on his hand. The left side of the broken mirror slid from its brackets and balanced momentarily before crashing to the sink.
Stumbling back, he sank to the floor. Feeling defeated, he looked up and pleaded, “What am I supposed to do? What do you want?”
The door opened, but Cade's bulk kept it from going too far. Jarrett poked his head in. After assessing the ruins of the mirror and dented countertop, he took in his equally shattered brother, and arched a questioning brow.
Cade shut his eyes to avoid the scrutiny.
“So, you decided to shave,” Jarrett observed.
His brother's deadpan tone caught Cade off guard, and despite his despondent mood, he chuckled half-heartedly, “Yeah.”
Bellig yelled in frustration. Fury rose within his black heart when he realized someone had dared disrupt the harassment of his newest mark. One of those blasted guardians had reached Cade—not once, but twice. Damn them to the abyss! he thought.
Still recovering from his near–fatal wounds, The Faction’s leader sat in darkness while bitterness festered like an infected sore. He’d been banished to this place of limbo, this void of sorts, and would remain here until he regained enough strength and power to leave.
When he first appeared here after the battle, the pain had consumed him, and he had no concept of time or reality. No one visited or spoke to him, and there was no one to tend the mortal wound he’d suffered, which only increased his contempt. When guardians were injured in battle, they returned to the realm to which they dwelt to heal and be tended. Yet, he’d suffered alone, nearly fading into nothingness. By Bellig’s thinking, they had done this to him. Those bloody guardians had cursed him to this fate, and as time dragged on, he seethed.
He’d spent hours, days, probably weeks, cursing the guardians, but mostly cursing Collett. He found both solace and anger in knowing she would not have returned. He had felt her life draining away through his imbued weapon. Bellig had taken her heart. It was only fair, he reasoned. She had broken his centuries before.
Regeneration came too slowly. Bellig was still too weak, and delving into his enemies’ dreams was all he could do against them, for now at least. Projecting to someone’s waking mind required closer proximity and more power than he could afford.
Bellig’s own powers of influence were stolen from him centuries ago, but he’d learned how to use pain, fear, greed, and anger to tap into better, stronger abilities. Resentment festered within him and lent him energy, but feeding on the negative emotions of others was faster and more satisfying.
He reveled in toying with any of his victims, but he got extra amusement messing with the twins. The cursed wolves deserved an eternity of pain and he fixated on Cade’s suffering. Though Bellig’s connection to Jarrett had weakened, Cade’s festering rage provided a new and gratifying bond. He watched eagerly each time that weak fool agonized over the projected images forced upon him.
However, severing Bellig’s link and planting the hopeful images of Collett into Cade’s waking mind would have required a power greater than his own. Few could accomplish the task, and only two were audacious enough to try. Which of them would have the guts to provoke me? Ramee or—
“How many times did you think you could tamper with his dreams before I found out?”
The rich accent and formal tone of the man behind him grated against Bellig’s nerves. Of all the beings in existence, he despised this one the most.
“Haki, I’m surprised you would bother to visit.” Bellig shifted to see the striking apparition of his former mentor. The being seemed tangible, but Bellig knew better than to fall for one of Haki’s tricks. “What, no flowers? Not even a get well soon card for your old friend?” He shrugged. “You’re a little late. I’m almost healed now. If you came to finish me off, you should’ve come sooner.”
The visage of the tall guardian before Bellig emanated a soft light, making it easy to see Justice still looked exactly as he remembered.
“Really, you should try a different look sometime. Maybe grow out your hair. You haven’t changed since we met a thousand years ago. It’s a tiresome appearance, and I’m already bored. Leave me in peace. Thanks for the visit, but over the last millennium I’ve had my
fill of you.”
Haki merely shook his head like a patient parent dealing with an unruly child. “I will not allow you to feed from him in such a way. Gather your strength from the demons that follow you. No amount of playing in his dreams will help you.”
“You know that’s not true. It eases my boredom, keeps me busy while I heal. Do you see how it disturbs him to see it over and over again?” Bellig laughed as he thought about it, then he sobered. “Except, you meddled. You realize your images of her are no less painful than mine.”
“Perhaps, but unlike your torment, there are lessons gained from what I offer.”
“Isn’t interfering against your precious rules? Speaking of interfering, how long did you wait before you snuck my old sword to the traitor?” Bellig accused.
“There is irony in you calling Jarrett a traitor.”
“Funny, I see that same irony when you pretend to help people.” Hatred shone bright in Bellig’s once blind orbs as their eyes locked.
Haki sighed. “It’s a sword of light, forged for one strong enough to wield it. It was forged to destroy a demon's essence. I could not think of a better owner for such a weapon than your famed demon hunter.”
“Tell me, when you gave it to him did you explain the power he held?” When Haki said nothing, Bellig scoffed, “That’s what I thought.”
“Why did you become a guardian? Did you ever comprehend our purpose, or was it always about power?” Haki questioned with sincerity.
“I was weak, and you threw strength in my lap. I did what anyone would have done.”
“I should have known you would never see when you refused to have me restore the true color of your eyes along with your sight. I should have taken it as a warning when you told me to keep them grayed-over as a reminder of your weakness. I never fully understood why. You never stopped looking for other weaknesses, did you?”
“I don’t have to look for weakness. It’s everywhere! The world has more pathetic, fragile people than it has strong ones,” Bellig countered.
The Truth of Victory: A Powers of Influence Novel Page 5
