The door began to swell and shake. It rattled on its hinges. Magic. After one final thrust, the door burst open and in walked Seven, Lycos, and Aldric.
Thirty-One
“Get away from her.”
Aldric. My heart skipped. They had come for us.
Tobias’s eyes were wide. “I’m taking my daughter, and you can’t stop me.”
He held me with an iron grip. Valentina dragged Dragos to the other side of the room and crouched down next to Lycos. Both of their eyes glowed like flames, their wolf link strengthening between them.
Aldric and I locked eyes. He was channeling me. Samuel sprang forward just as Seven threw up a deflection spell, sending him crashing into the wall and knocking him unconscious. Tobias roared, tightening his fingers around my arm and cutting off my circulation.
I squealed. “You’re hurting me.”
He spun me around to face him. His black eyes burned into mine. “You are hurting yourself.”
Aldric’s magic was fighting with Tobias’s inside my head. A power struggle ensued like a deadly game of chess.
How was Tobias able to get inside my head?
“You have to fight it, Gray.” Aldric’s voice was calm and steady.
I swallowed hard and focused. I summoned everything I had until it threatened to explode. I took a deep breath and shoved Tobias as hard as I could, breaking free as he stumbled backward. It barely phased him, but it was just the opening I needed.
Aldric reached for me, and at the same time that I bolted toward him, Tobias released his own blast of magic. I could feel it tickling the hairs on the back of my neck as I ran. He was too strong. Desperation set in as it gained on me. I threw myself to the ground as it sailed passed me and stopped.
Seven had thrown up a shield. “Get behind me, all of you.”
Tobias’s face twisted in rage. He sent another blast only to watch it fall against Seven’s shield, just as the last one had.
We may not have been able to hurt Tobias, but he couldn’t hurt us either. Tobias pounded his fists on the ground, causing it to rumble and crack, but Seven stood strong, immovable.
“Go, now. I’ll seal the door.”
I was stunned. His shield was holding.
Dragos ran out first, followed by Valentina and then Lycos. Aldric pulled me toward the opening as Tobias called out.
“Gray, wait. You don’t know everything. You need to know the truth about your mother.”
His words knocked the wind out of me.
Aldric kept pulling me. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to manipulate you.”
I knew this. This man was sick. I couldn’t believe he was my father.
“How dare you speak of her. I no longer have any interest in what you have to say. I’ve heard enough. You will see me at Infitum, not to join you, but to destroy you.”
Tobias pounded his fists again and let out a deep roar as we slipped out with Seven sealing the door behind us.
The dark corners of my mind taunted me as we ran toward the ship. Was Tobias right about me? Were we more alike than I realized? I killed Lucien in a fit of rage, without hesitation. I had always clung to my humanity and tried to keep my predator nature at bay, but the closer I got to the truth, the further away I got from who I thought I was.
Through all the commotion and chaos, I hadn’t had time to think about the extra passenger that was now on deck with us. He held a spot in my mind that was the darkest place of all.
“What are we going to do with him?” Aldric sneered at Dragos with bloodlust in his eyes.
Dragos returned the look. “Do with me? Soon as Gray throws you overboard, I’m sure she will find lots of things to do with me.” He snickered.
Aldric charged toward him. I stepped in front of him just as Valentina moved in front of Dragos. Looking back and forth between them, I secretly cursed Tobias for putting me in this position.
“He stays with us.”
Dragos flashed Aldric a smirk.
I snapped, “Don’t get too excited. You’re only here because you can’t be trusted out on your own. We’ll discuss your future when we arrive at the Hall of Secrets.”
He rolled his eyes and this time, it was Aldric’s turn to smirk.
We sailed into the Sea of Magia in a silent divide and I was drowning in a sea of regret. If I had just listened to Aldric to begin with, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I’ve painted targets on all our backs now. Even Seven would be in Tobias’s war path. My selfish desire to catch a glimpse of my father put the people I love in danger. I couldn’t rest until I fixed it.
The Keeper looked relieved to see us but raised an eyebrow toward Dragos. “Are we calling him a friend now?”
I snickered. “Let’s just call him a prisoner of war.”
Valentina winced. “Gray, we need to talk…in private.”
I knew what was coming. She was going to make a plea for her brother. “We can talk, but I must warn you, my mind is made up.”
Aldric watched Dragos like a hawk. “Seven and I will take him down to the catacombs for now.”
The Keeper nodded and motioned for them to follow.
Dragos struggled. “Where are you taking me? Val, don’t let them lock me up.”
Valentina looked away, blinking back tears.
I sighed. He was always so dramatic. “Relax. No harm will come to you.”
I was talking to Dragos but looking straight at Aldric. I knew he couldn’t wait to torture him.
Valentina was fierce and spirited, but she always fell apart when it came to her brother. Her lower lip quivered as she spoke. “I know he has done some terrible things, but I believe he has changed. You saw it yourself with Tobias. Dragos was trying to help us.”
I chuckled. “Dragos was just trying to not get himself killed. Self-preservation has always been his number one priority. Look, I get it. He’s your brother and you want to see the good in him, but he betrayed us, Val. How can you be so sure that he won’t do it again?”
Valentina shook her head in frustration, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I can’t be sure. I just have to believe it. He is done with the Consilium. He knows that he picked the wrong side and he wants to make amends.”
My heart broke for her. She was so desperate to believe in him, after everything. It was killing me to see her so distraught.
“He could still be working for them, Val. You have to consider that. He didn’t have a scratch on him when they brought him out.”
“I know. I’ve thought of that. That’s why I will take full responsibility for him. I won’t let him out of my sight.” Her eyes blazed and I could see that she meant every word.
I sighed, already regretting this entire conversation. I would be taking a huge risk by granting her this.
“Fine, but he can’t have any weapons and I want him accounted for at all times.”
Valentina breathed a sigh of relief. She threw her arms around me, almost knocking me over. “Thank you. I promise, you won’t regret this.”
A pit of uneasiness formed in my stomach. Aldric was not going to like this.
Thirty-Two
Aldric stood guard at Dragos’s cell. The moonlight beamed through the stone cracks, highlighting the shadows in his eyes. Dragos stiffened when he saw me. It was hard to look at him.
Aldric sighed when he saw me. “You’re going to let him out, aren’t you?”
I met his gaze. “Yes.”
He looked disappointed, but not surprised. “If he even looks at you wrong, I’ll kill him.”
I knew he meant it. “Thank you for understanding. This isn’t what I want, but I made a promise to Val. Besides, we can use him to our advantage.”
Aldric’s face hardened. “That’s exactly what we are going to do.”
He kissed my cheek before turning to leave. The pounding of his footsteps echoed down the hall. Once I knew he was out of ear shot, I took a deep breath and entered the cell.
Dragos looked like hell. His eyes w
ere red and swollen. Beads of sweat matted his hair down against his forehead.
“Today’s your lucky day. I’ve agreed to let you out, but there are conditions.”
Dragos nodded. “I’m listening.”
“You will not leave any room without permission or without Valentina accompanying you. You will not carry weapons and you will not antagonize Aldric. Are we clear?”
Dragos chuckled. “Whatever you want, Gray. I’m done fighting with you. I won’t be a hindrance. You’ll learn that in time.”
His voice was scratchy and full of defeat. I wasn’t expecting him to be so agreeable.
“I’m only doing this for Valentina. No other reason. I want to make myself clear on that. If for some reason this proves to be a mistake, you will not be given another chance.”
Dragos’s eyes burned into mine. “I understand.”
I waited for his complaints, but they never came.
“Good. Follow me. The others are waiting. We have work to do.”
We joined the others in the war room, located deeper inside the catacombs. The Keeper was there waiting, ready to fit us with weapons and armor. Like the ones we took with us to the Underworld, they were ancient and blessed by Diana. Lycos, Valentina, Aldric, and I loaded up on blades, swords, and crossbows. I tucked daggers into my boots and shoved two more inside my shirt.
Seven had returned with his band of pirates. All ten of them scurried around him, adorning themselves with weaponry. Aldric and Lycos discussed strategy in one corner while Valentina talked with her wolves in another. It was happening. The dark night was upon us.
Looking around the room at the hodgepodge of misfits gathered around, it hit me. The people in this room were my true family. Not Arcadia, not Tobias, not even Jezebel. A new sense of purpose rose in me. It reverberated in my bones. These people were willing to risk their lives for me. For my cause. For their own freedom. We all knew that if the Consilium continued to exist, we would always be looking over our shoulders.
The Keeper caught my eye and motioned for everyone to gather round. I stood in the center of the room and cleared my throat.
“We will discuss the details of our plan throughout the night, but first, let me make my intentions clear…”
I waited for everyone’s undivided attention, then continued. “I don’t care about Arcadia. The wolves can decide her fate. The Consilium must be destroyed, the Sang Magi needs to be recovered, and Jane must be rescued. In case there’s any confusion, I want Tobias taken alive. He has much to pay for, but he also has much to answer for. We cannot falter. We cannot fail.”
I swept the room, lingering on each face. Everyone nodded in agreement.
Except for Aldric. “Long as it’s clear that Nicholas Bannister is mine. And Val, keep your brother out of my way.”
Valentina’s nostrils flared. I shot her a look.
“Now that we’re all in agreement, let’s discuss strategy. Dragos and Lycos have both been inside Infitum. They’re going to map our way in.”
Lycos stepped forward. “Infitum will be heavily guarded, as you can imagine. The entire perimeter is lined with Consilium soldiers—Dhampir fledglings that are very strong. Tobias starves them so they are in a constant state of bloodlust. This makes them erratic and unpredictable. Don’t let your guard down for a second.”
Dragos chimed in to describe the entrance, various chambers, towers, and hidden exits. Together, he and Lycos had drawn a detailed map of the structure. Infitum was a fortress and impenetrable to most.
Tobias, no doubt, was expecting us, and I’m sure Pythia and Nicholas couldn’t wait to tear me apart. They would most likely dangle Jane as bait again. They were over confident, sitting in their tower of darkness, thinking they had the upper hand. We had so much more.
We had the wolves, the pirates, and even one of their own. Most importantly, we had the Narcissus flower. It was time to take in its power.
The Keeper had steeped the flower and brewed it into a potion. There was no antidote. No turning back. I only had one shot at this, so I had to get it right. I had no intentions of going back to the Underworld.
I had no idea what I was going to become, and it terrified me. The power of the Narcissus flower would give me an advantage that would change everything. It could be disastrous in the wrong hands. The Keeper trusted me with it, but I wasn’t sure that I trusted myself.
The Keeper handed me the vial. Everyone held their breath. “May Apollo guide you.”
The room pulsed with nervous energy as I put the vial to my lips. Aldric reached out. Pulling me in close.
He whispered in my ear, “No matter what happens, I’m always with you.”
I studied the lines in his face, trying to memorize each one. I didn’t ever want to forget the love in his eyes. I feared there may come a time when he would have to break that promise.
I forced a smile. “Bottoms up.”
I put the vial to my lips and knocked it back. The liquid burned my throat as it rushed down. It was tangy and sweet but stung as it entered every single vein, pushing its way into my bloodstream.
I closed my eyes as the room began to spin. Or was I the one that was spinning? I couldn’t tell. My skin was on fire. Like it might peel right off.
Images flashed through my mind. Memories. Burning at the stake. Feeling the heat of the flames as if it were yesterday. Free-falling through the darkness while the Siren hummed in my head. Was she singing to me again? Her song would always exist in some small part of me. Being trapped in my own body without escape. Feelings of helplessness rushed through me and out.
My beating heart slowed to a steady rhythm. I drew in a deep breath. The images turned off. My mind went quiet and still.
I opened my eyes. Everything looked different. Everyone looked different. The shapes and sounds were sharper. Clearer. Like looking through a blurred lens that slowly shifts into focus.
I could see their magic. There was a red wolf hovering inside of Valentina and a white wolf in Lycos, covered in Dhampir blood.
A golden light shot out of Aldric, like rays of sunshine, casting a warm glow over the space around him and outlining his silhouette.
The Keeper’s face flashed, changing from old to young and back again. Like a shapeshifter, clutching to his former self.
Seven was encased in a shield made of iron and stone. Tiny sparks catapulted off it, blocking his energy.
Nausea set in. The magic was bombarding me all at once. I couldn’t stop shaking.
Aldric took a cautious step toward me. “Gray, are you still…you?”
I didn’t know how to answer. I was, but I wasn’t. How could I explain what I was seeing? That looking at them was making me sick.
Valentina stepped forward. “Gray?”
Waves of light bounced off my eyelids, pulling me down like vertigo. My head pounded. Stop. Turn off.
And it did. It just stopped. The Narcissus magic responded to my simplest command. My vision returned, clear. The nausea subsided. I breathed out a sigh of relief.
I rubbed my temples. “I’m all right.”
Valentina eyed me, unsure. “I don’t know, Gray. You seem…strange.”
I had to admit, I felt strange. But I was still me, just different. Every thought and emotion was amplified by a thousand, but my intentions were still the same. I felt euphoric.
Valentina’s nose crinkled up at me. “I’m a little off, Val, because I literally just drank the potion from Hell. Not quite the same effect as a whiskey hangover.”
Her body relaxed, a smile returning to her face.
Aldric sighed in relief. He cupped my face in his hands. “You had us worried there for a minute, darlin’.”
His voice was comforting, but his words struck a nerve. My chest tightened. They should be worried. I had no idea what I was capable of. There was a push and pull of emotions happening inside of me, a raging storm. I shook it off. It was time to focus on the battle ahead.
With all the chaos and commoti
on, I neglected one thing. Panic rose up in my chest.
“Where’s Dragos?”
Thirty-Three
“I knew he couldn’t be trusted,” Aldric fumed, disgusted.
My blood was boiling. I glared at Valentina.
She shook her head. “I’ll find him. He couldn’t have gone far.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let’s split up. The Keeper and Aldric will take the upper levels. Val, Lycos, you scan the outside perimeter. Seven, you’re with me.”
I needed to have a few private words with him.
Everyone nodded in agreement and took off in opposite directions.
Seven followed close behind as I flew up the catacomb stairs, taking two at a time. My heart raced as I ran. I could not let Dragos leave the Hall of Secrets and risk the Consilium finding out our plans.
Seven cautioned me to slow down as we reached the main hall. “He’s still here. I can feel it.”
I closed my eyes and focused on my breath. I felt it too.
A wave of relief washed over me, followed by rage. “I don’t know what kind of game he’s playing, but I don’t have time for it.”
Seven’s voice was gentle. “I’m not going to defend him by any means, but you need to look deeper into his actions. He’s losing the woman he loves. He’s hurt and afraid.”
I snapped, “He lost me because of his actions. You expect me to feel sorry for him now that he’s had a change of heart?”
Seven’s eyes couldn’t hide the hint of sadness creeping in. “No. He wouldn’t want you to. He’s proud. Most men are. All I’m saying is, be patient with him. Trust me, he is harder on himself than you could ever be.”
Seven’s words weighed down on me as we searched the rooms of the Hall, but something else was nagging at me more.
“How did you do it?”
Seven raised an eyebrow. “Pardon me?”
“Earlier, when I drank the potion, I couldn’t see your magic. You were the only one shielded.”
Seven’s eyes lit up. “Ah, yes, about that. I knew what was happening to you. The others didn’t. Shielding is like breathing for me. It was nothing personal.”
Blood and Magic (Blood and Darkness Book 1) Page 19
