Wild Darkness (A Bound By Magick Novel)

by Dane, Lauren

  “Mamieri, this is Helena. My Ne’est. Helena, this is my mother, Tila, and my father, Cross.”

  And then his woman got to one knee and touched her forehead. “It is my honor to become a member of your Pack and to be the key to your son. I will guard your lands with my body and your honor with my heart and fists.”

  He was the one honored. He had no idea she knew to do that. But it was exactly the right thing and he could see the approval rolling from his father and the rest of his family gathered there.

  Cross stood forward and touched Helena’s forehead. “It is Leviathan’s honor to add you to the rolls. Stand and take your place, daughter.”

  Faine helped her stand.

  “Come on then.” Tila clapped. “Helena, Lark and Rain, follow me. We’ve got some rooms prepared for Helena so that she can prepare for the binding.”

  Helena turned to Faine and he hugged her. “You do me such an honor tonight. I love you.”

  “I love you too. I’ll see you in a bit. Don’t go sniffing around any other ladies here or I’ll be forced to maim you.”

  He laughed and hugged her again. “All right, I promise.”

  She was quickly swallowed up by females and swept off toward the meeting house.

  His father slapped him on the back. “It’s too bad there are only two of these sisters. You and Seymeon have clearly met your match. You will make fine babies to fill my home with laughter. Your mother and I are pleased with your choice.”

  They headed to the main house where drinks were poured and the stories began as his brother Pere performed the ritual cleanse and blessing for the binding rites.

  He loved Helena Jaansen with all his being. She was his key. The one person in all the worlds who he would love forever. Vexing. Beautiful. Intelligent. Canny. Powerful. She was so much more than what she appeared at first glance. She was a worthy partner in life and they would have such a future.

  This was good. And right.

  “I felt the exact same when I did this with Lark.” Simon stepped back after he’d finished the warrior braids at each of Faine’s temples. In Lycian culture, it was the males who tended to the dressing of a warrior’s hair for any important ceremony. In fact, Pere had gone to Helena just a few minutes before, to tend to her hair.

  “Am I so obvious then?”

  Their father raised his glass in Faine’s direction. “If you are not, it’s not meant to be. Doubts have no place in such a ceremony. We may take a few centuries to do it, or we may never make such a choice. But a binding is only for the certain. The magick you and Helena will create as a unit will make you both stronger and wiser. It will make Leviathan stronger and wiser. Sisters binding with brothers has its own sort of energy. It’s rare and these two sisters are exceptional. Strong and gifted.” He turned to David. “Your daughters are welcome here, as are you and Rain. We honor those who raise such powerful beings.”

  “It’s all Rain. Except for the weapons work.” He grinned. “That’s me. And they’re both pretty good at it if I do say so myself.”

  He had no doubts as they left the main house. A line of lit torches led the way to the meeting house. Ceremonial herbs burned in the large, open space and flowers and tributes began to fill the room.

  And there she was. At the head of the room with Pere on one side and her sister on the other. Warrior braids at each temple. And yet, she still looked delicate and beautiful in the dress he’d chosen for her. She’d understood that it was more than just a gift he’d given her. The dress, the ring, the house here and the one in the enclave that he’d furnish to her liking, these things were his way of fulfilling his pledge to her.

  He approached her and went to his knees. He spoke to her in their ancient tongue, pledging his fidelity, his loyalty and his honor to their union. But she had no need for an interpreter.

  Getting to her knees, she handed him a bundle of flowers woven together with herbs and tied with ribbons the color of their Pack.

  She spoke back in the same language. Accepting his pledge and giving one of her own. Tila and Rain came forward then and bound their hands together at the wrist. Wreaths were placed on each one of their heads and ceremonial smoke was blown over them as the oldest of them, his great, great uncle, came forward.

  As the elder, he was the repository of their history. Of the Pack’s magick and lore. He performed all important rites and ceremonies. One hand on each of their heads, he began to speak low, his beast very close to the skin.

  Faine felt his own stir in response and scented Helena’s magick as it rose and filled the air.

  Pere hit the earth beneath them hard with his staff and the rush of Helena’s magick filled him to bursting. His skin was tight and super-heated. She gazed at him, calm as beast rushed through him and into her. Then her head fell back as she said oh softly.

  Her magick was cool and confident as it took up space in his gut. Where his beast usually curled up.

  The elder sliced each of their hands with a ceremonial blade and their blood mixed and dripped over the cords binding their wrists and then the earth at their knees.

  Her magick burst from him then, mingling with his beast as it rushed back into his belly and filled him once more. But it was changed. He was changed. Her magick was part of him now and he realized his beast was part of her in much the same way.

  She was satisfied. Full of joy and certainty.

  “It is done.” The elder spoke and removed his hands before he cut the cords at their wrists and stepped back. “You are bound.”

  And he was. And it was the best thing he’d ever felt.

  “Now, we have but a short time before Faine and Helena have to leave, so let us celebrate this new binding!” Cross cracked open a bottle.

  Faine helped her stand and pulled her close. “Hello.”

  “Hi there. Wow, your beast is amazing. No wonder you carry yourself like such a badass. I would too if that much power lived in my belly all the time.”

  He kissed her and held her for long moments. “You learned the words of the binding for me.”

  “Even better. Rain found a spell, sort of a universal translation spell.”

  “Amazing. And your magick lives in me as well. I rather like it. My beast is curled up with it as if it’s his.”

  She laughed. “Like a chew toy? I like that.”

  “Me too. Now, let’s drink and have food. In a few hours we have to leave here and face the day back home.”

  “Oh that.” She winked and squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry I don’t have a ring for you. But can I tell you how much I really love those braids you’re rocking? I’m going to need to learn how to do them.”

  “I’d like that. I was thinking that we could get rings designed once this mess was taken care of. And I’ll need to come back here to receive the binding marks.”

  “Oh like the ones Seymeon has over his heart?”

  “Yes.”

  “Would they do it for me too?”

  “It’s old-school ink, Helena. Sharpened bone tapped into the flesh. It takes multiple hours over a few days.”

  “I understand.”

  “I don’t know how you always manage to say the right things. But I thank you for it.”

  “That’s why I’m your key, right?”

  “Right.”

  They turned to their loved ones, still holding hands, and received all their love and well wishes.

  • • •

  TOSHIO had overheard something he was sure he shouldn’t have. He hurried down the hall, heading to Delilah’s office, which was closer than his own.

  “Toshio!” The hail at his back sounded an awful lot like Carlo Powers. The way the man had just been saying what he had and also referred to Tosh by his first name instead of Senator Sato rubbed Tosh the wrong way.

  He was a veteran. A JAG. An elected official and
most definitely not a coward. He would not run from this garbage.

  He slowed and turned, not bothering with a smile.

  “I didn’t realize you meant me at first.”

  “I called your name.” Powers’ smile was smarmy and patronizing.

  “No, you called Toshio instead of Senator Sato, so I was sure you didn’t mean me.”

  “Ah, I thought we were past such formality.”

  “Why would you think that? What is it you want, Mr. Powers? I’m a busy man.”

  “There’s no need for hostility. I saw you in the hall outside Marlon’s office and we hadn’t yet spoken about the troubling issue of the Others.”

  “Like your despicable call for the death or incarceration of a significant minority of our citizenry? I should think such a conversation wouldn’t be necessary. I find you and your ideas repugnant. That you have a senator in your back pocket makes it more so. My opinions regarding the civil and human rights status of Others are well documented. I’ll pray for you, Mr. Powers, but there’s no use in discussing your ideas because they’re disgusting and un-American.”

  The smarm fell right off Powers’ features then and the mean settled into his eyes. Tosh had seen that brand of meanness, usually before someone used a racial epithet on him.

  “I’m sorry to hear it. I’d hoped you’d choose America over your Other-loving ways. But I guess once you get one into bed you lose your mind.”

  “I’m not surprised your mind is in the gutter right along with your soul.”

  “Save it, Toshio. You’re nothing and neither is that werewolf whore.”

  Delilah materialized at his side as if he’d dreamed her up. And thank goodness she was there to grab his fist before it slammed into Carlo Powers’ face.

  “Careful there, Carlo. Your pornographic imaginings might get you into trouble. Run along and go find your white sheet.” Delilah actually inserted herself between them, giving Powers her back in what was a supreme wolf insult.

  “I was just on my way to your office.” He dismissed Powers before he lost his shit and beat the crap out of him like he preferred to. “Oh, and Mr. Powers? That’s still Senator Sato to you.”

  They continued to Delilah’s office and he shut the door, leaning against it and scrubbing a hand across his face. “I apologize you had to hear such filth. I wanted to punch him. I should have punched him.”

  She waved it away and took his hands, bending to kiss each fist. “I appreciate the chivalry. But I can assure you, Toshio Sato, that once you do get into my bed, you won’t be the same.”

  Her grin eased his spine a little. “Listen, I have to make a call right now. Can you be sure we’re not overheard?”

  “Only if you tell me what the heck is going on.”

  He did and her eyes got wide. “Be right back. I’ll send my staff out to get me something to eat and have Allen watch the door.”

  He got his phone out and dialed Molly.

  “Tosh, how are you?” He smiled at the sound of her voice.

  “I’ve been better. Nearly punched Carlo Powers in the face for calling Delilah a whore five minutes ago.”

  “What? There’s something very wrong with him. Why is he always lurking around the senate offices anyway?”

  “I need to talk to you about that. You might want to have Meriel in on this too.”

  “That doesn’t bode well. I’m not at the office right now. I’m on my way to a COO meeting.”

  “Okay then, you can tell them all when you get there. I overheard something today. Something I shouldn’t have. Marlon and Carlo were in Hayes’s outer office. They have some sort of book. Someone gave them a book and Powers says it has a spell that will open the way to bring the Magister back. One of the turned witches told him they could kidnap Rebecca Gennessee and she could perform the spell. They have her address and handed it over to the turned witches.”

  “Holy shit.”

  Given that Molly rarely ever cursed, it was an indicator of how seriously she took what he just told her.

  She sighed. “Okay. I’ll pass all this on. Did they know you heard? You said you had an altercation with Powers.”

  “He saw me in the hall, he said. But I don’t think he knows I heard.”

  “You need to be on the alert and take extra precautions. Delilah too. Thank you for telling me.”

  “Of course. Let me know if I can help in any other way. I’m calling Agent Anderson at the FBI when I get off the line with you. They need to know. As for the bill, we’re debating this on the floor later today and into tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be watching. Be careful, Tosh.”

  “You too, Molly.” He hung up and looked to Delilah, who handed him a cup of coffee. “Now to call Gil Anderson.”

  Chapter 23

  HELENA was still riding on a lovely joy-inspired high when her phone rang. It was Molly and she smiled, answering. “Hey there, Moll.”

  “I wish I was only calling with congratulations.”

  Helena sighed. “Uh oh.”

  “First, congratulations. I’m so happy for you. Faine is perfect and the two of you are so wonderful together. I’m sorry I had to miss the ceremony, but Lark says your parents are planning a big party for a few months from now so Gage and I will definitely be at that one. We’ll need to throw a bachelorette party. Belated of course, but still.”

  “Looking forward to seeing you wearing a hat with penises all over it.”

  Molly paused and Helena laughed, just imagining her face just then. “All righty then. On that note, and really speaking of dicks, I have some news about Hayes and Powers.”

  “Ugh.”

  Which of course was an understatement once Molly had updated her. She started her walk over to Rebecca’s office. “I’m on it. Does Lark know?”

  “She’s next on my list. I wanted to call you first because it dealt with Rebecca.”

  “Have Lark call me once you’re done. Do not go anywhere without Gage, do you hear me?”

  “Yes, yes, of course. He was with me when I got the call. He hasn’t been out of reach since.”

  She sighed. “All right. Thanks.”

  Faine appeared at her side. She didn’t even need to look to know he was there. Aside from his body heat, she just knew.

  “I heard part of that. I’m not going to be leaving your side either.”

  “It’s The Gennessee we need to be worried about. Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask you about travel through the Veil. Why haven’t we been using it? I mean it takes hours to fly to and from DC and even back and forth to Seattle. If you can leave here and exit in Lycia and then head to Seattle, can we do that and go to DC?”

  “What are you thinking of?”

  “Can it be done?”

  “In some cases. I was able to leave here to go to Lycia and then meet you in Seattle because I came through with Simon. He’d come through in Seattle. But it’s not so straightforward when it comes to originating in one place and coming out another. There are rules about Veil travel. Mainly it’s about keeping numbers down, so different species can’t send an army through to another place. That’s why we can’t send an army of Lycians here en masse all at once. It would have to be done in stages. And even then there are caps. It’s the same with the Fae and anyone else on the other side of the Veil. Why do you ask? Other than making travel to see your sister quicker. Which we can do if they meet us in Lycia.”

  “I’d like to sneak to DC and install some spells in Hayes’ and Powers’ homes and offices. We need to know what the heck is happening. They’re up to all this stuff, and while I don’t think they can bring the Magister back, they’re fooling around with dangerous stuff. We have no idea just what it could result in.”

  “I can’t get us to DC. Not that way. There are no portals within about six hundred miles of DC. I don’t know why, but that’s
the truth. But . . .” He paused. “Mei, Card’s mate, she’s Fae. They can travel that way. Let me call her and see what we can arrange.”

  “All right. I need to get permission first anyway. And if we’re a go, I’d like to do it tonight.”

  “I do like it that you said we.”

  “I know you. And I need the backup. I’d ask Lark, she’s great at the sneaky stuff, but she’s got enough on her plate.”

  “Okay. I’ll call when this meeting with Rebecca is over.”

  She rapped on Rebecca’s door. “I have some news.”

  “Come in. Hello, Faine. Congratulations are in order, I hear.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry to say my visit isn’t a happy one. Molly just called. Senator Sato overheard Powers and Hayes talking about a plot to kidnap you to force you to perform a spell that would open a portal to bring the Magister back.”

  “Well, that’s bollocks. We know it’s not possible. I trust our scholars over anyone they might be talking to.”

  “Yes, turned witches are not reliable, and none of them are ranked highly enough to have known any of the magicks to even try such a thing. But that doesn’t erase the danger you’re in. For the turned witches and mages, you’re a king-sized snack. They could very well be manipulating the PURITY thugs into grabbing you for their own goals, but it’s still a plot to kidnap you. You have five guards. There are guards stationed at your home as well. I’d like to request that you temporarily move into quarters in an enclave. There’s one here in Pasadena. You and the kids can live there until this passes.”

  “Passes? Helena, what if it never does? Am I supposed to just yank my children from the only stability they have right now? From the home they shared with their dad?” Rebecca had lost her husband to lung cancer three years before. She had three kids ranging from nine to fourteen. They were currently being educated in the school the Clan set up two years before. Thank goodness they had, it was one less worry, a safe place free of the harassment the children of Others worldwide were facing in public schools.

  “One step at a time. What would the Clan do without you? What would the kids do? We all need you. It’s my job to keep you safe. I don’t think they can bring the Magister back. But I do think they can use you in a horrible way. I’d prefer that not happen.”