Riftkeepers: Reckoning

by Carrie Whitethorne

  “Good luck with that, Fe,” she laughed, sitting on the worktop.

  Callan brought her a fresh glass of wine and said, “Alayna took Aoife home, then came back for the children. She’s staying with them until we go home.”

  “I could have gone home myself,” she said quietly. “I’m really not feeling it tonight.”

  “We can go—”

  “No. You’re long overdue a night off. I’m fine. Just don’t complain if I have to carry you home and hit your head trying to move you.”

  An hour later she went home, insisting that Callan stay.

  “Honestly, I’m fine. I’ll probably just go to bed,” she explained when Alayna tried to send her back. “Thank you for watching the kids.”

  When Alayna had gone home, she ran upstairs and changed into her pyjamas, climbing into bed.

  Ferne won’t be happy. I just can’t be bothered with it.

  Picking up her phone, she tapped out a message, apologising to her friend for leaving early. Moments later, a message arrived.

  Where are you?

  I’ve just come home to bed. I’m knackered.

  A soft knock on the door brought a smile to her lips.

  Why are you knocking?

  He closed the door softly behind him and leapt onto the bed. Resting his head in his palm, hair flopping over his eyes, he said, “Okay, tell me.”

  “Tell you what?” Charlotte asked, laying back on the pillows. “There’s nothing to tell. I just wasn’t in the mood for slammers.”

  “She’s a bloody machine. How she’s standing after all she’s drunk, I’ve no idea! Still, you don’t usually disappear off to bed like this.”

  She shrugged, turning to face him, and chewed her lip. “Just tired. This morning took it out of me.”

  He reached out a hand, taking hers, and squeezed. “I’m worried about you, Charlotte.”

  She frowned, meeting his gaze. His eyes had lost their usual, silver shine. They were now the dull grey that they held when he toned his appearance to look human. She’d never seen him look so forlorn.

  Must be serious if he’s calling me Charlotte.

  “I’m fine, Dane,” she reassured him. “It’s just…well, it’s all a bit much, but I suppose we’re all under the same pressure, aren’t we?” She smiled and added, “Anyway, you’re always worried about me. You, Callan, everyone. It’s a weird default setting for you. The only person who never seems to worry about me is Markus. He just lets me get on with it.”

  Shaking his head, he sat up. “He does worry about you. Particularly after what she’s done. When it was just him, it was fine. We all knew you could handle him. He learned how to build on the power, but was never any good at wielding it. You had us to help you. You’ve mastered it.” He sighed, bowing his head slightly and looked at her through his hair. “Now? She was strong enough without adding the shadow-fire. Yours is different. Yours is…well, I don’t know what yours is, if I’m honest, but it’s powerful. You’re evenly matched. That’s why we’re all worried.”

  It won’t end well. That’s what he thinks.

  She took his hand and pulled him back down onto the bed, snuggling into his shoulder. Patting his chest, she said, “It’ll work out. We have a big team; some more practice from me and we’ll be fine. You said this morning I was okay.”

  “Your skill is staggering, Lottie. I just can’t handle the thought of…” He didn’t finish, but she knew what his fear was. Callan’s was the same.

  “Stop being soft. Where’s the obnoxious prick from the ball gone?”

  He didn’t bite. His arm tightened around her as he whispered, “I think he died when I found you in that house, Lottie.”

  Shifting slightly, she kissed his cheek. “I’ve missed this.”

  “Yeah, I’ve missed this, too,” he said with a half-smile as she traced circles with her finger on his chest. They lay quietly together for the first time in months. She was still surprised at how comfortable she felt with him, how having him close calmed the anxiety that seemed to always be present in the back of her mind.

  Breaking the silence, she said, “Dane, if it does go badly…”

  He tensed, but gave no other response. “If it goes badly, will you keep training the kids with Blair? And keep an eye on Callan?”

  Yes.

  He couldn’t have spoken, she realised, as she glanced up to see his eyes had glazed with unshed tears.

  Oh my god, they’re so emotional!

  “Dane, I’ll be fine. I just had to ask. I’m just making sure they’ll be looked after by their whole family, should anything go wrong. You included.”

  I know. I know you’ll be okay. Just the thought…I don’t want to lose you, Lottie. You’re important to me. My best mate.

  The Lord of the Underworld can’t be best friends with a little human girl. That isn’t possible. Why? You’re more like me than anyone else I know. You know me.

  Okay. Fair enough. But you know you’re stuck with me forever now, don’t you? That’s it.

  Forever will do. And for the record, I’m not the Lord of the Underworld. That guy is a complete wanker. I’m a guardian. We keep the rifts safe. We don’t rule them.

  I lie corrected.

  He huffed out a short laugh, turning his head to kiss her forehead. “I should go. Ally’s probably waiting for me.”

  “I doubt that. She looked as tired as me.” She sighed, not wanting to be alone but knowing he didn’t really belong with her. “But yes, you should probably get back to her. Thanks for checking on me.”

  She removed her hand, shifting her head for him to get off the bed. Smiling, he looked down at her and asked, “Tomorrow, at the cairn?”

  “Yeah, my shields need work.”

  “So do mine, apparently,” he drawled, arching a brow.

  There he is.

  She grinned, and he said, “I’ll see you then.” Leaning down, he brushed a kiss on her cheek and left the room through the door.

  She listened, wondering if he’d gone. The house was silent. She shuffled over to her side of the bed and turned over, gazing at Callan’s vacant pillow.

  I hadn’t realised how used to them all I’d gotten. How used to being part of a family I am now. I used to like the silence; my own space. Now I can’t handle a few hours alone without feeling sorry for myself.

  Unable to settle, she huffed and crawled across the bed.

  May as well have a bath. I won’t sleep until he’s home.

  Reaching back, she grasped for her phone then took herself off for a soak.

  Callan wasn’t drunk when he came home, which surprised her. “I thought you’d be asleep,” he said, sitting beside the bath.

  “I couldn’t get off. Dane popped in to check on me before he went home, then I couldn’t settle. So I’ve been in here over an hour trawling the internet.”

  “Trawling for what?”

  “Well, it started off as trawling, then I ended up watching videos of cats falling from furniture and getting stuck down the backs of sofas,” she admitted, still giggling. “What were you doing all night?”

  “It was probably mean of us, but Ferne seemed to be enjoying herself. We were flicking the coins, deliberately missing now and then so we’d have to take a drink. She’s competitive, isn’t she?”

  “Very. She was captain of the netball team, you know,” she said seriously.

  “She mentioned it once or twice.”

  Sniggering, she asked, “How drunk is she?”

  “Half a bottle of tequila and whatever wine she had with dinner, drunk.”

  “Wow! And Dagda let you do that to her?”

  “It was his idea. I think he’s ready for a break from tearing the house apart. She is really funny when she’s had too much.”

  “Well, he’ll regret it tomorrow when she starts throwing up. She’s terrible with a hangover. We’re at the cairn again tomorrow. Dane and I are working on shielding.”

  He nodded. “Why was Dane here?”
/>   “I think he just needed a hug. He’s…well, he was okay when he left.”

  “I’ve never known Dane to need a hug,” he said, frowning.

  A small smile twitched the corner of her mouth. “Everyone needs a hug sometimes, Callan. Even big, bad Dagda; I know from experience. Dane reckons I’m his best mate, so that gives me top hugging rights. We had a chat about things; Crazy McCrazyFace mainly, then he went home to Alayna.”

  Callan clenched his jaw at the mention of Nyja. “Stop giving her pet names.”

  “Why?” she laughed, leaving the water and reaching for a towel. “I’m saving them up for when I see her.”

  “Because your flippancy…it doesn’t matter,” he sighed, rubbing a finger along his wrinkled brow. “This is serious, Charlotte.”

  “I know! I’m the one that’s expected to handle her, remember?” she snapped, securing the towel and scooping up her discarded pyjamas.

  He followed her into the bedroom as she threw her clothes on the bed and turned to him, softening her tone. “Callan, if I seem to be making light of this, it isn’t because I’m not taking it seriously. If I stop and think for too long, I’ll crack. I’m no good to anyone if I’m a trembling wreck. I’m handling the breaks I had in my shield tomorrow. When she turns up, I want to be ready to get her under some sort of control.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed, grasping her around the waist and pulling her close. “I know. I’m sorry. We’re all feeling the strain, as she’s probably hoping.”

  Pushing her fingers through his hair, she said firmly, “Let her. She can’t break us, Callan. We’re too strong. Us, our family, our friends. She doesn’t have what we do. She can’t beat this.”

  “I love it when you get all bolshie,” he said, his eyes burning.

  “Yeah?” She cocked her head, biting her lip.

  “Hmm,” he murmured, pulling her down as he lay back on the bed.

  Eighteen

  Enya and Zander had finished their training session and they were sitting in a large circle giving the children time to catch their breath after an hour of running, jumping, and flipping their way around the cairn.

  “What’s this?” Charlotte asked, as Dagda and Ferne arrived. Dagda was carrying three large boxes that he dumped on the ground at her feet.

  Dagda laughed and took a seat beside Callan.

  “Paintballs,” Dane announced, taking the lid off a box. “Your shield dropped when you were busy doing something else. These should help.”

  “I don’t see how,” she said, utterly confused.

  Three paintballs rose into the air at his side. “Okay, I’m controlling these. To fire them at you, I’ll need to concentrate. To fire at me, you’ll need to concentrate, and that is when your shield drops. So, if I’m firing at you, you’re firing back; you still need a shield, or you’ll be hit.”

  A blue ball shot towards her and hit a shield she hadn’t realised was around her. The paint hung, suspended in the air for a few seconds, then landed with a splat at her feet, colouring the grass. Dane’s lips twitched.

  She nodded, standing. “Okay. Pass me a helmet.”

  Tyrin chuckled, nudging Izak.

  “Oh, there’s no helmet,” Dane said smugly, turning to Dagda. “Thanks for this. How many did you bring?”

  “About three thousand. I can get more,” he said, leaning to the side and winking at Charlotte.

  “Pick a team,” Dane said, making a grab for Enya and Zander.

  Tyrin ported to her side. “I’m sticking with you. He’s never lost; I think you’re going to change that.”

  “Izak?” she called. “I promise not to let him turn your pretty hair green.”

  He snorted and made his way to her.

  “Okay,” Dane said cheerfully. “I’ll have Blair, Ferne, and Dagda. Callan? Will you be sticking with your lady wife, or coming with us?”

  He hesitated, earning himself a scowl from Charlotte, and sheepishly stepped to her side.

  Dane shook his head, smiling at her. “Okay. They’ll keep moving. I’ll try and hit them, you try and hit my team, and keep yours shielded. Go.”

  He turned and walked away. Instantly, dozens of balls rose into the air and followed him back a few feet. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw her team was already spread out.

  Shit. Shield them. Hit them. I need paintballs.

  I’ll wipe that smug smile of his smug face.

  Rather than a few at a time, Charlotte pulled the whole box to her side and sent her shield out to each of her team. Before she had time to take a ball, Dane tapped on her shield with one of his own. When it didn’t break, she sent her shadow to snatch it and hurled it his way.

  “Oh, playing like that, are we?” he laughed, sending a barrage at Callan. She reinforced her shield. A rainbow of colour spattered over the barrier, sliding to the ground.

  “Yeah, if you like,” she called back, sending several balls at each of his team members. Ferne shrieked, ducking as her shield was hit. Charlotte stifled a giggle.

  Her distraction didn’t go unnoticed and she heard a growl from behind her. Cringing, she looked at Izak and his now blue hair. He glared at her with blue paint dripping down his face.

  “Oh my god…Izak…” she sniggered. “I’m sorry…”

  Crap…he’s going to kick my arse.

  Checking her shields, she moved quickly and ran directly at Dane. The whole box of paintballs, she hoped, right behind her.

  Dane laughed at her until he realised she wasn’t slowing down. She was running directly at his shield.

  “Lottie,” he warned, stepping back, eyes flicking between her and the balls that followed behind.

  Just before she hit his shield, she twisted, using her shoulder to barge into him. His shield shattered, paintballs hitting him directly in the chest, many hitting her as she caught her balance and ran by.

  “Ow!” Ferne yelled, Dane’s shield failing and allowing the tiny balls to pelt her. “My hair!”

  Dagda chuckled, pulling her close to shield her with his body.

  Enya had summoned her own shield, keeping herself, Blair, and Zander safe and clean. The balls burst and mingled with the water, rendering them harmless.

  The lids flew from the remaining boxes as she turned to face Dane. “Get your shield up,” she said.

  “You left Izak open,” he chided.

  “You left your entire team open, smart arse. Enya had to save herself. Well done,” she countered with a sarcastic smile.

  He sent a ball her way and she watched it sail past her head.

  “No shield up? You’re brave,” he chuckled as she sent her shadow after the ball he’d fired.

  She smiled sweetly as she watched Dane frown as he realised the ball changed direction, heading straight for him.

  Another ball flew for Dagda, hitting him on the back of the head. Enya and Zander were giggling from behind a multi-coloured shield. His annoyed snarl caused Callan to grin and she checked her shields again, expecting Dane to attack him.

  They’re all covered.

  “Come on then, Dane!” she called, pulling more balls her way.

  The remaining paintballs left the boxes at his back, rising gracefully, providing a colourful spotty background.

  “Okay,” he replied, smirking as the balls began to shoot towards Callan, Tyrin, and Izak.

  Her grin slackened as she felt her control slip; felt her shields fail.

  No…what’s he done?

  Pushing her shadow forward, a growl of frustration rumbled in her throat. Dane laughed as she raced to replace her shields.

  “What did you do?” she hissed.

  A wicked chuckle was the only answer he gave as she lost the race. Callan was hit first, turning his back to shield himself, he was pelted with paint of every colour. Tyrin threw up a shield, realising what had happened as Izak was bombarded again.

  Charlotte watched in horror as Dane used up every last ball. Dagda clapped her on the shoulder from behind, and said,
“You forgot to shield your mind, didn’t you?”

  “Bollocks,” she mumbled under her breath, looking back to Izak and Callan. “Sorry!”

  “Enya, can you shower me off please?” Callan asked, appearing at her side.

  In fits of giggles, she obliged, and he placed a fire to help dry himself off.

  “You cheated,” Charlotte grumbled.

  “No, Charlotte,” Dane corrected, sounding annoyed. “I used every weapon I possess against you. You forgot to defend yourself.”

  Back to bloody Charlotte…

  Callan pulled her close, his clothes still damp and stained. “It’s just a case of practicing,” he said, reassuring her.

  “You’re definitely there with offensive work, Charlotte,” Blair offered. “Your power protects you on its own much of the time. It’s when you’re covering everyone else and attacking at the same time. Perhaps reduce the numbers and build back up?”

  “We don’t have time for that,” she whispered, not wanting the children to hear. “I’ll just have to try harder.”

  “And to top it off, Izak’s new purple hair clashes horribly with his eyes,” Tyrin said.

  Izak laughed, punching his shoulder. “Toyah is going to be furious.”

  “Who’s Toyah?” Charlotte asked.

  “My wife,” Izak informed her with a smirk.

  Grimacing, she turned to Dane. “Okay, when will you have time for another session?”

  He glanced to Callan and said, “I’ll come to yours this afternoon and we’ll scale it down a bit. If that’s okay?”

  “Of course,” Callan said, smiling. “I’ll take the children to see Ma and Dad. Fewer distractions may help.”

  Dane nodded his thanks and turned to Tyrin. “We’re due in the armoury. Coming Izak? You can get cleaned up first though.”

  They said their goodbyes and left, Blair following behind.

  “I thought you did really well,” Ferne said kindly, picking lumps of drying paint from her hair. “Dane didn’t do much better, did he?”

  “He’s only hard on her because he wants her to be fully able to protect herself,” Callan told her. “He worries about her, more than most.”

  “Why?” she asked scathingly. “She’s your wife; not his.”