“How many bases does the Brotherhood have?”
“About twelve across the US.”
“If they come, how many people do you think they will bring?”
“When they come,” Felix corrected and the tension in my muscles increased. I fisted my hands. The action wasn’t lost on him. “Probably everyone we have in the US. Easily over three hundred soldiers. After what happened at the lake, I don’t think they will be taking any chances. They will want to finish what they started.”
I shook my head, trying control myself. “How did they find us, Felix?”
“Please, believe me, Briana. I don't know.”
I jumped up and banged the table with both hands. “Believe you? Believe you!!” I yelled, perplexed. “I already know what happens when I believe you, Felix. Like I believed you were nothing but a spoiled rich kid, that thought he could have any woman he wanted because he was the son of the owner of the firm. Or the way I believed the trip to Arizona was just about business because that is what you had told us. Or my favorite one, the way I believed in you when I was hurt, terrified and desperate to save my friend!” My lips trembled as the pain overwhelmed the rage inside me. Tears spilled from my eyes with each image that returned to me, bringing everything else with them. My voice caught, but I forced myself to speak. “When I believed you were helping us escape back at the mountain, only to be ambushed at the lake just like you wanted. They killed the only family I had left, Felix. The man who raised me and gave everything up for me died in my arms because of your hatred of us. So don't you sit here and ask me to ‘believe' in you. I have lost too much doing that.”
Cyn pulled me back as they all stood startled. The blue flames had leaped from my palms, and the table had caught fire. It was spreading. I closed my fists, and the flames receded. Cyn placed his hand on the table and whispered the spell. The fire instantly died yet you could see the black char marks on it.
My gaze returned to Felix, and I forcefully wiped the tears from my eyes. “I couldn't defend Lia or myself back then because that magic that your Father and Cassius tortured us for, the powers they wanted so desperately from me had not awoken. I was not even aware of what I could do, or if I could actually do anything at all.” I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. “Things have changed, Felix.” He looked at me, and if I didn't know any better, I would say I saw pain in his eyes. Regret. Yet, he held my gaze, facing every word that came from my mouth. “I can not only use all those powers they thought I might have, but I have mastered about a hundred more. There is nothing I won't do to defend the ones I love from you and your people, and I mean that, Felix. I'm not the same innocent and trusting girl you knew back in Seattle. I will kill anyone I have to, and not even blink if it means my people are safe from you.” I took a step forward. “Now, whether you are aware or not, I'm sure that you know how they found us, and you will tell me!”
Cyn placed a hand on my arm. “Briana, please. There is no need for his.”
“No. She's right. She has no reason to believe me, not after what’s happened.” Felix's eyes roamed the room, and I could physically see the weight his statement had carried.
I straightened, taken aback by his words. Was it possible Felix had changed? Had something happened during the last few months that could have rehabilitated his mind? I closed myself to the possibility. It was pointless. I highly doubted that was the case. Once a Roman, always a Roman.
“You know all their technology, you even invented those stupid things that scanned me and detected my magic so think, Felix. How did they find us?”
He took a deep breath and frowned while his eyes became distant. I knew he was going over everything he knew about them. He placed one hand on his hip and began caressing his trimmed goatee with his fingers as he became deep in thought. His head slightly shook as though he was dismissing every possibility that crossed his mind. His eyes stopped, and he focused on the floor.
“The only thing that could even be… No, they wouldn’t do that to me. I’m the son of one of the heads of the Brotherhood, that’s done with basic level security members, I…” His gaze went to me as though he had just realized something. “Fuck!”
He rushed to the small table next to his bed and pulled out the drawer. He urgently emptied the contents on the bed, and a glint of gold caught my eye. My eyes focused on the Brotherhood ring as he picked it up. I hadn't even noticed he was no longer wearing it. Had he taken it off? What did that mean? He threw it on the floor and stepped on it as hard as he could with his boot. When his foot lifted, the ring was destroyed on the floor. He reached for it, and a tiny square came off from under the symbol.
“Fucking assholes!” Felix roared and tossed the small piece into the washbasin with water. Sparks flew from it a second before it sank. “They put a tracker in the ring. There was a tracker all this time.” He shook his head both baffled and enraged. “Fuck!” He kicked the bed. “No, no. I brought them here. I did this!” He said, as he began to pace the room desperately. “I should have known she would do that to me. She's never even loved me.” He stopped and looked at Cyn. His gaze filled with pain. “You were right. They probably left me behind on purpose, hoping I would lead them to you. I've never been anything but a pawn to her. She’s never cared.”
I was taken aback looking at him. His reaction seemed so sincere. If I were honest with myself, I’d rather think he was faking it, but he seemed genuinely disturbed by the realization.
Ronan walked towards him. “You were not aware. We know that.”
“I’m sorry.” Felix looked straight into my eyes as he apologized. I looked away and walked out of the hut.
“Could you please open the portal home? I’m done here,” I asked Cyn as he followed me. He nodded and threw the passage stones in the air. I looked into his eyes as the portal formed.
“I will be home soon, my Goddess. I want to talk to Ronan for a brief moment.”
I nodded, and kissed him briefly. “I’ll see you at home.” I turned around, crossing the portal.
* * *
I sat at the table thinking about everything that had occurred in Felix’s hut, a knock at the door interrupted me. Sighing I stood.
“I’m coming.”
Seima's kind smile greeted me when I opened the door. “I know it is much too late for me to be visiting you, but Eisha just spoke to the Warriors about tomorrow, and I wondered if I could have a moment with you?”
I smiled. “Of course, sweetie. Come in.” I stepped aside giving her room to pass and closed the door after her. I followed her to the table where she placed a large cloth sack she carried.
“I know you are our Àrd-shagart, but you have also become our Warrior, so I wanted to gift you this.”
My eyes left her face when her hands began to uncover what she had so delicately wrapped. A gasp escaped me when I caught the first glimpse of leather. The last piece of cloth fell from it and my eyes teared up as they traveled over every inch of the beautiful Warrior Suit. I reached for it and unfolded the vest. My palm caressed the clan symbol that was stamped on the back panel. This meant so much to me. I didn't think she would ever understand.
“Turn it around.” She encouraged with a smile.
A tear spilled from my eyes when I did. The image of their Mother Goddess that I had repeatedly seen in the village, the same Cathair had tattooed on his shoulder, was stamped on the left breast of the vest. My fingers traced her face as my heart filled with the most beautiful emotion.
“Thank you!” I whispered, throwing my arms around her. She returned the hug as tightly as I held her.
* * *
After we drank some ale, Seima stood from the table. “I should go now. We must rest for tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Thank you for the suit and the boots. They are amazing. It means so much to me.”
She smiled and bowed. “A Warrior Suit worthy of a Priestess.” She chuckled. “For the boots, you must thank Art. He provided new ones for everyone.”
<
br /> I chuckled as my eyes went back to the table. I had no doubt Art had a hand in those. They were Timberland, knee-high brown leather boots with a grip sole. They matched the suit perfectly. “I will, sweetie. Thank you.”
I squeezed her once more and walked her to the door.
“Oh, I nearly forgot,” She said, right before I closed it. “Eisha sent you a message. She told me you would know what it meant.”
“Ok. Tell me,” I said, confused.
“Your friend stopped by and said to tell you that…” she paused as though she was confused by the message herself. “She said, ‘The light shall not hurt you.’”
I frowned. How was I supposed to know what that meant? I sighed. “Thank you.”
Seima smiled wide, happy she had helped, and began walking to her hut.
I closed the door, resting my back against it. There was no doubt "my friend" meant Asrhia, but what the hell did "The light shall not hurt you" mean? I took a deep breath and pushed myself away from the door as my conversation with Felix replayed in my mind. Determination filled me. Cyn wasn't back yet, and there was one more thing I should do before the night was over.
I crossed the wards, leaving the village behind and lifted the silver Fae Key to my lips.
“Princes, I summon you.”
CHAPTER 14. JUSTICE
BRIANA
* * *
My eyes slowly followed the curves of the carving on the leather vest, as I stood in front of the full-length mirror that Art had gifted me. My hands pulled at the front cords, tightening them one last time, and I began to tie them. A smile curved my lips, I looked freaking badass in the Warrior suit, and I was ready to kick all kinds of ass. I chuckled as I pulled down the edges of the vest, adjusting it on my hips and then fixed my bra so "the girls" would be secured. The freaking vest was better than a Victoria Secrets push-up bra.
“Maybe Seima should start making lingerie.”
I chuckled, and reached for the iron lined brace on the table and put it on my right forearm. It fit like a glove. I began to tighten the cords beneath it as the memories of last night began to play in my mind like a movie…
* * *
I looked at the tents of the Roman soldiers under the moonlight. They scattered along the river on the other side of the mountain.
“They have brought about four hundred men,” Cathair said standing beside me. “That is assuming, each of those hosts at the very least two soldiers.”
“I agree,” Art added, standing on the other side.
My gaze roamed the area again and settled on a large tent on the far left. “There, that has to be Marcus’ tent.”
“It is. Do you think there'll be any other leaders with them?” Art asked as Cyn crossed the portal.
“I am certain of it, brother.”
I looked at the group. Including Eisha, Seima, and Ronan; there were seven of us.
“All right Warriors. Let us begin.” Cyn took the lead.
“À sealladh”—Disappear.
The murmurs merged into one voice, and our skin shimmered becoming invisible to the rest of the world, yet we could still see each other. The spell had enveloped us together.
I bent down, looking at the rocky terrain and placed my hand just above the ground. It glowed. “Sàmhach sìos.”—Quiet down.
We walked through the Roman camp quietly, following Cyn’s every signal until we arrived at the last tents. Three large ones stood side by side, and I wondered who else was here besides Marcus. Each had two soldiers outside, standing guard. Cyn approached the one in the center, signaling for us to wait. He placed his hand on the fabric.
“Leigeil orm fhaicinn taobh a-staigh.”—Allow me to see inside.
The material became thinner until it turned transparent. He shook his head and moved on to the next tent. His eyes settled on us and he signaled for us to move. We rounded the tent, and once on the back of it I placed both hands on it. I visualized the material in front of me, disintegrating and leaving a wide opening for us to enter and it was instantly done. We walked in and surrounded Marcus's bed as he slept. It was the middle of the night, and I was sure he was dreaming about attacking our village tomorrow. Cyn signaled Art, Cathair and Ronan, and they both took a stand on either side of Marcus, while Cyn and I stood in front of him. Eisha and Seima were at either side of us.
“A 'falach chaochlaidhean ar làthaireachd”—conceal our presence. Cyn whispered, and the tent shimmered, instantly blocking all sounds inside.
I kicked the bottom of the inflatable bed, and it wobbled. Marcus jumped startled, waking up with the movement. Cyn glowered at me. I shrugged. Marcus' eyes scanned the tent, but he couldn't see anything.
I nodded to the Warriors. “Nochdadh a-rithist.”—Reappear.
We immediately became visible to him, and he gasped, scrambling back on the bed and sitting up.
“Hello, dear Marcus.” I smiled, sarcastically. His eyes widened as he took in my appearance, Warrior outfit and all. “What are you doing here?” I asked, not giving him a chance to recover from the shock. His eyes roamed the faces of each one of us as he realized he was trapped. “I asked you a question.” His gaze returned to me, but he didn't answer.
“They are here! The Druids are here, guards!” He yelled, and I snickered.
“They can’t hear you.” His eyes widened. I noticed his right hand slowly moving towards his bag and my Sleagh an t-Solais materialized so fast, the tips of the white oak that curved around the sphere were an inch from his neck before he even realized it.
“Move. I dare you.” He swallowed, feeling it against his skin, and he looked into my eyes scared. He sat straighter.
“Why have you come here?” Cyn asked, gently guiding my hand away from Marcus. I let the staff return to its essence.
“Had you honestly thought that you would come into our home and we would not know about it?” Eisha added.
“Actually, you know what? Don't answer that. I know why you are here.” I said, leaning over him. “You are probably just as diluted as the others, thinking you are doing the world a favor by getting rid of us. I know you came here to attack our village as you have done in the past. In fact, I know that your plan is to kill Cyn.” His mouth dropped, and he looked at us startled.
“How…”
“We are not the same we once were,” Cyn answered.
“We have evolved, and now we have our Priestess,” Eisha said, her eyes boring into his.
Marcus paled at the term, as though he knew what it meant. He swallowed again. “We have…” He couldn’t speak.
“I know, you have soldiers and weapons, and all the technology you think can end us, but you are wrong Marcus. You have been all along, and that is why you will fail. Things are not the same. I am not the same. You came for a fight, and we will give you one.”
“It shall be fair, and on our terms,” Cyn added. “We will not allow your people to continue to persecute us and take innocent lives in the name of a cause that has no right to exist.”
“Enough is enough,” Arts voice boomed, and I turned to witness the stern determination in his eyes.
“You shall not take our loved ones from us any longer,” Cathair added.
“It is time you face the consequences. You have brought this upon yourselves.” Seima assured him.
“You should have left us be,” Ronan concluded.
“We will meet you here tomorrow at eleven a.m. Then you will have your battle, and I can assure you, Marcus, that it will be the last.” I smirked.
“Ready your army. You shall need it.”
Eisha’s words were the last as we disappeared from his view once again. He looked around frantically, as we stepped out of the tent. My hands glowed closing the material once more. I looked back before going through the portal, and witnessed the chaos that spread in the Roman camp after Marcus barged out of his tent telling the others we had been there.
* * *
I took a deep breath securing my boots and stoo
d. Cyn walked towards me and kissed my cheek.
“You look beautiful in that suit, my Goddess. Nonetheless, I wish that you did not require to wear it at all.” His eyes were pained as they settled on mine.
“Never after today. I promise.” He nodded, and I kissed him hoping everything would go as planned. I caressed his cheek pulling out of the kiss. “I'm going to meet Eisha and the others on the training grounds.”
“I shall join you shortly.”
I nodded and gave him one more kiss then walked out of the door.
I stood next to Eisha and faced the Warriors. One by one they kneeled while my gaze moved from one face to the next. They were my friends, they had become my brothers and sisters, and at this moment I understood more clearly than ever what it meant to them. They were my people, and I was asking them to put their lives on the line for something bigger than all of us.
Seima looked at me and nodded, confirming her commitment to our fight, to me, and I knew that who stood before me now wasn't the sweet Seima, that made the most delicious porridge in the village and laughed at all of Lia's crazy rants. It was the Warrior ready to fight for what she believed in, and willing to do whatever it took to protect the ones she loved. Each and every one of them was ready to die today if it meant they could save the rest. I was honored to call myself their friend and sister. Today I was a Warrior, just like them.
They rose and took their places in the formation. A hundred Warriors stood in front of me, they looked at me, and I could see the courage and resolve in their eyes. I turned around facing Eisha, and my palm rested on the left breast of her Warrior vest. I closed my eyes while it began to glow.
“A 'dìon a h-ann' ur daingneach”—Protect her in your fortress.
The energy transferred to her and her suit shimmered as a hazy film wrapped around it, visible only to me. I had combined three different spells in the hopes it would protect my Druid family. I would not allow anyone to die today. She nodded once, grateful, and moved out of the way while Seima replaced her. My hand glowed again, and the hazy film soon covered her. I looked into Eghan's eyes while the protection spell enveloped him too and moved on to Cathair. We remained silent; while I made sure that everyone was shielded. No words were shared. We all knew what was needed of us. Art hugged me and kissed my forehead right before I put my hand over his heart.
Renewed Magic (The Ancient Magic Series Book 2) Page 22
